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Excerpt:  E-Mail Golf Newsletter
Vol 1, Issue 2, May 8, 2002

Puttering Around With Your Putting

What is all this wild and wacky talk about the ‘new putting styles and postures’ being used on the tours and at our local golf courses?

standard Posture
diamond shaped arms, stiffy wrist and concrete legs as you swing the putter back and through. It is wise to learn the basics first before embarking onto other variations of  putting.

adult, standard putting posture 

junior, standard putting posture 

THE CLAW
I asked George Baymon, Jr., regular golfer at my club Falcon Dunes Golf Course, why he switched to the claw  .  .  . "I had the yips. My right hand stuttered and rolled over my left hand. Down right awful. My golfing buddy has been trying to help me, but to no avail. I decided to try the claw and I am very happy with the results. My wrists are very steady as I swing through the ball. And the good news is . . . my putts go in the cup.

Try the claw grip if your hands and wrists are having trouble staying quiet through the swing.

grip, the claw 

CROSS-HANDED GRIP
This is my favorite new/old grip. I love it. It's easier to keep the shoulders level and the reverse overlap grip promotes more stability for the wrists to withstand the urge to flick the putter ahead of the hands. I am working up to teaching this cross-handed grip to my new golfers. I am having to get over the fact that this style isn’t too radical a departure from the standard posture . . . Geez, I never thought I would become a stuck stick in the mental mud.

cross-handed posture and grip 

cross-handed grip

The Belly Putter

Penny, the pro, on why I switched to the belly putter. "It forces me to do my sit-ups. Nothing worse than viewing a fat belly with this style of putting swing."

"I can keep my eyes over the ball. It is easier to swing the putter straight back and through from a fixed point in the belly. I use a cross-handed to keep my shoulders level for an easier pendulum swing motion . . . I make more 2 - 10 ten footers. I like that."

Try this method if you have trouble swinging the putter on line to the target.

belly posture, with reverse grip

The Chest Putt

I asked Pete Di Maggio, superintendent at Falcon Dunes, why the switch?

"I had the yips. I couldn’t get the club started. As I settled into the putt, I went into the deep freeze mode. Finally, when I could get the putter started, it raced off erratically in any direction but the right direction to hit the ball in the hole. It was ugly."

"Grip. Left thumb over the butt of the club with the other four fingers wrapping the grip lightly.  Right hand; shaft resting in the crease between the thumb and forefinger with the other three fingers wrapping the grip lightly. Place your left hand on your chest firmly and swing the putter. It's a true pendulum motion that is so easy to learn and very comfortable on the back." Pete’s tips; eyes over the ball.

I am a better putter today than I ever was with the short stick and the best news is . . . I don’t have to practice my putting very much."

Try the chest putt if you have back trouble.

chest putter posture

Which style is for you? Call me if your putting has become tremulous; I will help you to decide which is the best method for a better putting score.