Your hands are probably your own worst enemy on the green. It sounds harsh, but it's the reality for about 90% of amateur golfers struggling to break 90. Most people think putting is about "feel" and "touch," and while that's partially true, your right hand—specifically that dominant, twitchy palm—is likely sabotaging your stroke before the ball even leaves the face. This is exactly why the claw grip putting style went from being a "desperation move" for old guys with the yips to a standard operating procedure on the PGA Tour.
It’s weird looking. Let’s be honest.
When Chris DiMarco or Phil Mickelson first started poking around with it, the traditionalists scoffed. They called it an eyesore. But then the results started pouring in. If you’ve ever felt that sickening little "jab" in your right wrist just as you're about to strike a four-footer, you know the pain of the yips. The claw is the literal antidote to that neurological glitch. By changing how the trailing hand attaches to the club, you’re basically lobotomizing the hand's ability to interfere with the stroke.
Why the Claw Grip Putting Change is More Than Just a Trend
The mechanics are actually pretty simple once you get past the visual of it. In a standard "reverse overlap" grip, both palms face each other. This creates a powerful hinge. Great for hitting a 7-iron 170 yards; terrible for moving a putter three inches with precision. The claw grip putting technique involves taking that bottom hand—usually the right hand for righties—and turning it so the palm no longer touches the grip. Instead, the handle rests in the "V" between your thumb and index finger, or you pin it against the fingers like a pencil.
Think about it.
If your palm isn't on the club, you can't "flip" it. You can't squeeze it too hard in a moment of panic. You’re essentially turning your right arm into a passive guide rather than a motor. This forces the big muscles in your shoulders to do the heavy lifting. Shoulders don’t yip. Fingers do.
The science behind this involves the small muscle motor skills. Under pressure, the brain tends to over-rely on the dominant hand's fine motor skills. In golf, that leads to "active hands," which is code for "missing the hole by two feet." By using a claw, you’re shifting the control to the gross motor skills of the torso. It’s why guys like Webb Simpson and Sergio Garcia, who both struggled immensely with traditional grips at various points in their careers, found a second life on the greens.
The Different Flavors of the Claw
Not all claws are created equal. You’ve got the "Pencil" style, popularized by players like Phil Mickelson, where the right hand holds the shaft almost exactly like you’re writing a check. This provides a massive amount of stability. Then there’s the "Psycho" grip, a variation where the hand is tucked even further under.
Some players prefer the "Ski Pole" approach. Here, the hand sits on top of the grip, pushing down slightly. The goal remains the same across every variation: kill the wrist hinge. If you watch Tommy Fleetwood, his version is incredibly elegant. It’s barely a claw; it’s more of a gentle resting of the fingers. Yet, it provides enough of a disconnect that his right hand can’t take over.
The variety is actually a good thing for you. If one version feels like you’re trying to hold a wet noodle, you can shift your finger pressure or the angle of your wrist until it clicks. There’s no "wrong" way to claw, as long as the palm stays off the flat of the grip.
Dealing with the "Feel" Deficit
The biggest complaint people have when they switch to claw grip putting is that they lose their sense of distance. "I can't feel the weight of the putter head," they say. And yeah, they’re right. Sort of.
When you use a traditional grip, you’re sensing the weight through your fingertips and palms. When you move to a claw, that feedback loop is severed. You have to relearn how to judge distance using the rhythm of your shoulders rather than the flick of your wrists. It’s a trade-off. You might struggle with 50-foot lag putts for a week or two, but you’ll start making everything inside six feet. Most golfers would take that deal in a heartbeat.
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Honestly, most of us miss more short putts than we leave ourselves 10-footers on lag putts anyway. The math favors the claw.
Is It Right for Your Game?
How do you know if you should actually make the switch? It’s not for everyone. If you’re a "feel" putter who grew up using a blade putter and you love to see the toe of the club flow open and shut, the claw might feel like wearing a straightjacket. But if you use a high-MOI mallet putter—the big, square "spaceship" looking ones—the claw is almost a perfect match.
Check for these signs:
- You miss short putts both left and right (inconsistency).
- You feel a "twitch" in your trail hand during the transition.
- Your practice strokes look beautiful, but your real stroke looks jerky.
- You tend to pull putts because your right hand closes the face too early.
If any of those sound like your Sunday morning, you’re a prime candidate. It takes about 200 repetitions for the brain to stop screaming "this is wrong" and start realizing "this is working."
The Gear Matters More Than You Think
You can't just slap a claw grip onto a tiny, thin leather grip and expect magic. Because the claw grip putting style changes how you apply pressure, the grip itself usually needs to be a bit thicker. Most players who switch find that "Oversize" or "Jumbo" grips—like the SuperStroke series—provide a much better platform. The flat front of those grips gives your thumb a place to rest, which stabilizes the whole assembly.
Also, consider the balance of your putter. A face-balanced putter (where the face points to the sky when you balance the shaft on your finger) usually works best with the claw. Since the claw promotes a "straight-back, straight-through" path, you want a club that doesn't want to twist on its own.
Real World Success: From Pros to Joes
Look at Justin Rose. When he won the Olympic Gold, he was using a version of the claw. He’s gone back and forth, but the claw has always been his "safety" grip. It’s the one he turns to when the pressure is highest. Even Tiger Woods has experimented with different hand positions that mimic the effects of the claw, even if he hasn't fully committed to the "pencil" look.
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The stigma is gone. Ten years ago, if you showed up to a muni with a claw grip, the guys in the pro shop would ask if you had a medical condition. Now? They’ll probably ask you which YouTube video you watched to learn it. It’s become a mark of a player who actually cares about their stats rather than just looking "cool."
Making the Transition Permanent
If you’re going to do this, go all in. Don't try it for nine holes and quit.
Start on the string line. Put a string down on the practice green, about six inches off the ground, and practice rolling putts underneath it using the claw. Focus entirely on your lead arm (usually the left) pulling the putter through, while the clawed hand just "rides along" for the trip.
The most important drill is the "closed eyes" drill. Take your claw grip, look at the hole, then close your eyes and stroke the putt. This forces you to feel the rocking of your shoulders. Without your eyes to distract you and without your right hand to "save" the shot, you’ll quickly find the natural tempo of the claw grip putting stroke.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
The most frequent error is "The Death Grip." Just because you’re clawing doesn't mean you should be white-knuckling the shaft with your lead hand. Keep your grip pressure at about a 3 out of 10. The claw hand should be even lighter—maybe a 1 or 2. It’s just a guide.
Another mistake is changing your posture. Some people feel the need to hunch over more because the hand is lower on the club. Don't do that. Keep your standard putting posture; just slide that right hand down. If the putter feels too short, you might need to get it re-shafted or add an extension. Most claw putters find that a slightly longer shaft (35 or 36 inches instead of 34) helps keep their back straight.
Actionable Steps for Your Next Practice Session
Stop thinking about it and actually test the mechanics. Tomorrow, take your putter to the carpet in your living room.
- Find your finger placement: Experiment with the "pencil" (fingertips on the side) versus the "overlap" (fingers over the top). One will immediately feel more stable.
- The "Gate" Drill: Set up two tees just wider than your putter head on the green. Use the claw grip to swing through the gate. This will prove to you that the claw keeps the face square much longer than a traditional grip.
- Check your alignment: Because the right shoulder often sits higher in a claw grip, you might find yourself aiming further left than usual. Use an alignment aid or a line on the ball to make sure your eyes aren't playing tricks on you.
- Lag Test: Hit ten putts from 30 feet. If you’re leaving them five feet short, you need to increase the "arc" of your shoulder swing, not the "snap" of your wrists.
The claw grip putting style isn't a gimmick. It’s a mechanical solution to a biological problem. Your hands are too fast for your own good; the claw slows them down. It’s as simple as that. If you can get past the first three days of feeling like an uncoordinated mess, you’ll likely find that those heart-pounding three-footers for par suddenly feel a whole lot larger.