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The Role of Your Grip

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Assume your normal set up. Again note how open your shoulders are to your target line. Now lower your right hand two inches below your left on the putter grip. Notice how your shoulders open more, your back shoulder lowers and your weight moves to your back foot.

Move your right hand back up the shaft so that your hands are on the putter in the same position. Notice how your shoulders begin to square to the target line.

Now assume a left-hand low (cross-handed) grip on your putter. Notice how your shoulders square to the target line, your shoulders are more level, and your weight is evenly distributed left to right.

If your shoulders are closed to the target line in this position, move your ball forward in quarter turn intervals until your shoulders are square to the target line.

If your shoulders are still a little open to the target line, move your ball position back in quarter turn intervals until your shoulders are square. Notice how subtle changes in your ball position create large changes in your shoulder lines. If your ball position feels too far forward when your shoulders are square, you are probably not a candidate for cross-handed putting.

Assuming you began with shoulder lines that were open to your stance, your ball position is likely more forward and more comfortable than it was with your shoulders square and a conventional grip.

Use a mirror as you find your shoulder lines. Alter the position of your hands on grip and notice the changes in your shoulder lines.

From this cross-handed set up position, make a practice stroke. Notice that your path and finish position is lower. If the putter path is square to the target line, you have found the set up you would use with a left-hand low grip.

If the putter path finishes inside or outside the target line with this left hand low position, you will need to alter your balance by opening or closing your stance, depending on where you started. If you started with your stance square to the target line, open or close your stance 1/2 inch at a time, whichever feels more comfortable. The majority of readers will need to move to a maximum of 1 inch open or closed to find balance.

Make 3 or 4 practice strokes each time you change your stance another ½ inch. Be sure your shoulders don’t open or close with your stance. Your ball position will appear to move back in your stance as you open and forward in your stance as you close. This is an optical illusion. Continue to adjust your stance until the putter path moves down the target line.

Practice your set up in front of a mirror for a few minutes each day so that it is well rehearsed and automatic when you get to the golf course. As you well know, thinking your way into your set up will cause missed putts regardless how good your set up is.

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