Reverse Overlap Putting Grip Pros & Cons – Who Should Use It?

The putting grip is arguably the most important fundamental when it comes to putting, your hands are the part that connects you to the club, holding the putter in a way that works best for you will ultimately save you plenty of strokes.

There are a number of styles of putting grips, and like most things in golf there is no correct way to hold the putter, whichever way works for you is the way to go.

The key to putting is to have a controlled stroke by using your arms and shoulders. You want to have very little if no hand and wrist movement. This causes inconsistencies with regards to speed, strike and starting line.

Which grip is right for you? There is no wrong or right way, what we can do is explain the different styles, and why they are used. After that it is up to you to find out which one works best for you.

 

What Are The Different Options For Putter Grip Styles?

There are a lot of different putting grip styles out there, these are our favorites: The Claw, Traditional, Reverse and Fingers Down.

These are the most common found between professionals and amateurs, they provide the most consistent results through our testing.

 

What Is The Reverse Putting Grip?

The Reverse Putting Grip, also known as Left Hand Low was made popular by Jordan Speith. This style requires you to switch your hands around.

Place your right hand on the club first, where you would normally place your left hand. Then place your left hand on the club, with your left pinky overlapping your right forefinger and middle finger.

Hence the name Reverse or Left Hand Low, this putting grip style ultimately tries to take your right hand out of play, allowing you to putt more freely.

 

What Are The Advantages Of The Reverse Putting Grip?

  • Stability: With your right hand now being at the top, this takes your right hand out of play, it becomes the anchor hand, instead of the lead hand. Generally when you have the ‘yips’ it is from your right hand jerking. Making the right hand your anchor hand eliminates this movement.
  • Grip Pressure: The reverse putting grip forces you to grip the putter lighter as the left hand now leads the stroke, for right handed players, you will generally grip the putter lighter with your left hand.
  • Posture: With your left hand being lower than your right, it will naturally level out your shoulders. Putting with your shoulders level will benefit your stroke, and help you roll the ball better.

 

What Are The Disadvantages Of The Reverse Putting Grip?

  • Feeling: As a right handed player your left hand will be in an unconventional position, this might be off putting.

If you are struggling with your putting, I suggest sticking with this style for a while to see if it improves your stroke. It won’t feel comfortable straight away.

 

Who Should Be Using A Reverse Putting Grip?

There is no specific grip for any type of player. You should consider the Reverse Putting Grip style if you are currently struggling with your putting or have the yips.

The Reverse Putting Grip is a great way to get rid of your yips as it removes the right hand from play.

 

Should High Handicappers Use The Reverse Putting Grip?

Yes, but only once you have tried the Traditional Grip.

The Reverse Putting Grip should only be used if you are struggling with your putting. Because you are a beginner you should start with the Traditional Putting Grip and take it from there.

 

What Style Do Professionals Use? 

There is no right or wrong when to putt, the most popular styles on the PGA Tour are The Claw, Traditional, Reverse and Fingers Down.

Professionals try a number of different styles, and settle with the one that works best for them.

 

Which Professionals Use the Reverse Putting Grip?

Jordan Speith, Billy Horschel, and Kevin Chappell are all notables that use the Reverse Putting Grip style.

They have all won on the PGA Tour using this putting grip style, giving it good credibility.

 

Reverse Grip vs Claw Grip 

Both of these grips are designed to do the same thing, remove the right hand from play.

The Reverse Putting Grip, also known as the Left Hand Low Putting Grip, reverses your hands around, this means your right hand will be in the top position, with your left hand in the bottom position. This helps with the yips as it makes your right hand the anchor point, allowing your left hand to lead the putt.

Ultimately the Claw Putting Grip does the same thing, although your hands are in the traditional positions. It does this by having your right hand in a claw shape, by placing your thumb and forefinger only on the grip, this removes pressure and basically just makes your right hand there for the ride.

You want to be putting with your arms and shoulders, rather than your hands and rights, these two styles help with that.

 

Should I Consider Switching To A Reverse Putting Grip Or Away From It? 

  • To a Reverse Grip: You should only consider switching to a Reverse Putting Grip if you are currently struggling with your putting or have the yips. This technique will help you lead with your left hand, and take your right hand out of play.
  • Away from a Reverse Grip: The Reverse Grip can feel very uncomfortable because it is unconventional. If it doesn’t feel right or you start to hit down on your putts, I suggest moving away from the Reserve Grip.

 

What Grip Does Tiger Woods Use?

Tiger Woods uses a traditional putting, but he overlaps his left hand, this is called the Reverse Overlap Grip.

He places his left hand at the top and right hand at the bottom, he then puts his left forefinger on top of his right middle finger and pinky finger. Usually you would have your right finger on top.

We love this technique as it takes away a pressure from the right hand and allows you to have a lighter grip on the putter. This has clearly worked for Tiger Woods over the years.

 

Conclusion

The Reverse Putting Grip is a great alternative to the Traditional Grip. It is a proven method on the PGA Tour, which should give you confidence to try it out.

By switching your hands around, this will remove the right hand from play, allowing you to grip the putter lighter and lead with your left hand.

If you struggle with the yips, then moving to the Reverse Grip can really help, but there is no guarantee, but it has seemed to work for many golfers.

As a beginner I would recommend trying the Traditional Putting Grip first, if you struggle with that, then move onto the Reverse Grip.

I suggest trying out a number of different styles before settling with a putting grip. Don’t be afraid to have two different styles, one for short putts and one for long putts.