Left(forward) hand low putting

[Bern]

Is anyone going to try it or is using it? I've been practicing indoors, I'm curious how distance control will be. Honestly it couldn't get much worse.

[RDonaldM]

Re: Left(forward) hand low putting

if you are "flippy" through the strike, a lead hand low style grip will help with distance control.

[golfunderpar18]

Re: Left(forward) hand low putting

Is anyone going to try it or is using it? I've been practicing indoors, I'm curious how distance control will be. Honestly it couldn't get much worse.

I've been doing this for 20 years.

[cuonthe1t]

Re: Left(forward) hand low putting

I've been doing this for 20 years.

Jim Furyk's father was talking to Palmer and Nicklaus 25 years ago about putting and they both stated if they could do it over they would have both started left hand low when they were kids

[goshawk]

Re: Left(forward) hand low putting

The theory is that the lead hand is most likely to be the non-dominant hand. Using this grip puts less pressure on the dominant hand/arm to initiate the downswing of the putting stroke. It also lowers the lead shoulder a bit at set-up (reverse of your golf swing where the dominant shoulder is lowered). Theory is that lowering the lead shoulder relaxes this shoulder and helps generate the necessary "force" of the stroke.

[mpare]

Re: Left(forward) hand low putting

I was compelled to resort to the claw a few years ago. However, this winter I have been practicing left hand low in my dinning room. In the past, I had problems with distance control using left hand low. We'll see what this year offers.

[RDonaldM]

Re: Left(forward) hand low putting

I was compelled to resort to the claw a few years ago. However, this winter I have been practicing left hand low in my dinning room. In the past, I had problems with distance control using left hand low. We'll see what this year offers.

I have used a traditional grip style for the entirety of my golfing career. However, towards the end of last season I had an issue with pulling short (<5feet) putts, I experimented with the pencil grip for short putts and haven't looked back. It is worth noting that since I only do it when close to the hole, adjusting for pace was a non-issue.

[Fore Warned]

Re: Left(forward) hand low putting

I play right handed, but putt left. When I first played as an early teen, I had a double headed putter and just stated using it that way, not realising I was doing the reverse of my other clubs. So "dominant hand" may not apply to me.

But I did try and changing my putting grip this winter, indoors, to a right (forward) hand low grip. I also experimented with other types of claw grips.

I don't know if did not give it enough of a chance, but I just could not get the speed right. Finally just went back to a regular grip, but have refined to extend both index fingers, grip the extended index finger from the upper hand with the lower hand.

I am finding this is giving me a smoother arc both in the backswing and forward motion.

[Weirfan]

Re: Left(forward) hand low putting

I used it for about 3 years back in the early 90's then broke the neck on my favorite putter and when I switched from a anser style to a mallet , I went back to tradtional Putting grip.

I've toyed with it off an on especially as a quick fix to getting handsy but have not reverted back to it full time. I find accuracy is better, but feel is a bit different so It's a bit uncomfortable

[NestmanJ]

Re: Left(forward) hand low putting

been using it for the last 5 or so years for putts less then 15ft and back to a regular grip for anything longer then 15 i find i do have more speed control and smoother swing with the lower left hand and when i need some power right hand low is the way i go

[LongLefty]

Re: Left(forward) hand low putting

All you righties just wanna be like us smarter and cooler lefties.

Ive tried it but cant get comfortable with it.

[Leftygolfer30]

Re: Left(forward) hand low putting

The theory is that the lead hand is most likely to be the non-dominant hand. Using this grip puts less pressure on the dominant hand/arm to initiate the downswing of the putting stroke. It also lowers the lead shoulder a bit at set-up (reverse of your golf swing where the dominant shoulder is lowered). Theory is that lowering the lead shoulder relaxes this shoulder and helps generate the necessary "force" of the stroke.

So in theory, for me being RH dominant and putting LH'd, this wouldn't be a good way for me to try putting?

[goshawk]

Re: Left(forward) hand low putting

So in theory, for me being RH dominant and putting LH'd, this wouldn't be a good way for me to try putting?

That's the theory. However, if you're already using your non-dominant hand low on the club, you should already feel the relaxed left side. The only way to change that up is to either putt right-handed with left low or stay left-handed and use your right hand low. But I think that may defeat the purpose of you already switching to the left side.

[Leftygolfer30]

Re: Left(forward) hand low putting

That's the theory. However, if you're already using your non-dominant hand low on the club, you should already feel the relaxed left side. The only way to change that up is to either putt right-handed with left low or stay left-handed and use your right hand low. But I think that may defeat the purpose of you already switching to the left side.

Makes sense as the times I've fooled around on the putting green with right hand low felt too uncomfortable and made judging distance worse.

[Spottswoode]

Re: Left(forward) hand low putting

I had been working with the same instructor for years and the first time we had a putting lesson he asked what my issues were. I told him I was clueless on distance control. He asked me to entertain him during the lesson and go left-hand low just for the session. I've never looked back since. It helped my distance control immensely and just feels far more natural to me in general.
If you've been giving it some thought, I recommend going for it, you might be surprised!