Cross Handed Putting

I don't use the left hand low grip myself, preferring the more traditional right hand low grip. However, as someone who has played the game for many years, I have come to understand the left hand low grip as offering the following benefits:

1. Keeps your shoulder more level which in turn is to promote a straighter alignment with your target line;

2. It is also to promote a "longer" stroke along your target line, keeping the putter head through or along your intended target line thereby starting your ball along the correct or intended path;

3. The theory is that if you are right hand dominant, you may tend to overuse your right wrist in the putting stroke thereby getting a bit too "wristy" through the impact zone. This left hand low grip is to allow your left hand to be more dominant, thereby again promoting a more consistent putting stroke and striking of the ball.

While I don't use the grip, I do know some that do and they swear by it. Further, with Jordan Speith's success on the greens, it is getting looked at far more seriously.

I hope this helps and I hope I did it some justice. I'm sure others will be able to add more, etc.
D.

I use the cross handed/left hand low putting and it really improved my distance control and tempo of the swing . The whole reason people switch is what Dino said and to keep the club head lower to the ground.

My first lesson putting was to use the left hand low. My instructor told me to use it and I have never changed. I have become the best putter of my foursome. It helps me to keep the putter head low strike it center of putter head. I also use a short putter to keep my arms extended, so I can rock my shoulder easier.

Hey TH,

As a long time left hand low putter myself, I agree with what Dino touches upon. It is much easier to align your shoulders and stroke to your line of putt using this method. I would also add that it is easier, IMHO, to control the pace of your putts. Finally, many golfers who have had problems with the yips have turned to this method successfully. It helped me. I would not be playing golf if it were not for left hand low putting.

DV

I think Dino pretty much nailed it! My only problem is left hand low is tough for many at first on real long putts. I really like it on the shorts ones!.....

I've practiced with it a few times but I'm not sure if it's for me. I totally understand the advantages of it and can feel them when I put. What I also feel is my right hand with a death grip on the putter and it also makes my left forearm and elbow hurt. I may continue to play around with the concept, but will probably stick with the standard grip.

Dino described the technique. Putting is such an art - there are long putters, short putters, counter-balanced putters, mallets in almost anyway imaginable, offset, center mount, all used with traditional grip, lead hand low, forearm placed, and claw strokes. Whatever it takes to keep the club face perpendicular to the travel line. The #1 woman uses cross hand inside of 20 and standard for lag putts. No way that was easy for her, but it is what she practices and she makes it work.

I like the cross hand putting. I do recommend the normal right hand low though for longer putts. Left hand low is great for 6-8 ft.

I disagree with anyone who thinks left hand low limits the length of the putt. This method is very effective at any length. I believe using the left hand low method (for a right hand golfer) offers golfers better control to the pace of their putts from any distance. I also find it more effective at hitting my line better because I am better aIigned to my target using this method. When you putt using the standard right hand low method, your alignment is more likely to be aligned open to the target line due to the right hand being lower than the left which causes the sholders to open to compensate. Take a look in the mirror with a straight on view using your standard right hand setup. You can see your shoulders are open. As a result, you will need to make stroke compensations to get your putt to track online using this method. Now try setting up using left hand low looking in the mirror. Notice how your sholder line is more aligned to the target line. Your alignment is such an important element at getting your ball started online as well as improving consistency in hitting the center of the clubface. Consistently hitting the ball in the center of the putter clubface is critical to speed control. Speed control + alignment = more putts.

DV

I had switch over to left hand low in December of 2014 and i wont be going back to conventional anytime soon for many of the reasons already discussed. I really like the feel of the back of my left hand going down the target line in my stroke. I highly recommend that everybody at least try this method.

I have tried left hand low and just can't get the feel right. Feel is very important to me when putting and I just can't et used to it no matter how many putts I see go in. Jordan makes it look so easy but then again he is also left handed so I can understand why it works so well for him. I think I am just a traditional grip putter that has learned to focus on my left hand guiding the face with right hand checking for speed. It's a good combination.

The whole concept of left hand low is very simple. When you set up with left your hand low concentrate on accelerating the putt forward with the left hand. The right hand acts only as a guide. Hope this helps.

Good info folks, thank you! I've not had the guts to seriously try it, just some toying around on practice green. This will likely be the year I give it a legit shot on the course, just to see what happens.

I have recently gone left hand low after practicing at home. It takes some work getting used to. I have determined for me a skinny putter grip also works better with left hand low. I can say I have made more putts simply because I strike the putter square and have thoroughly enjoyed the results. This is a works in progress. Try it and be amazed at your results!

There is no one right or wrong way to grip a club. It's all about comfort and control of the club.

I believe that light grip pressure and thumbs close together will foster a better feel for pace and keep the putter face true to the target. To improve control of the face through impact I bow my right wrist and tuck my elbow inside my hip. I setup in a somewhat narrow my stance - eyes over the ball focusing on the IMPACT - at IMPACT I can feel a heavy/solid contact and a slight vibration up the shaft. It's a sweet feeling ...

I would like to make a suggestion to those who might be having a problem with "left-hand low" (assuming a right handed golfer). I have successfully used this method now for about 6 years and I can sympathize with you regarding making the adjustment to this method. If you are struggling, or not quite getting the hang of this technique, then try taking your arms and hands out of the swing. Try rocking your shoulders in a smooth and rythmically (pendulum-like) manner to propel the ball forward and not using your hands and arms. Doing this will take the possiblity of you flinching, or stabbing, at the putt which is never good. Start first at doing this on 6 to 10 foot putts until you finally get comfortable with it. Then move back to 10-20 foot putts. Focus on keeping the distance between your forearms constant throughout the swing and do not look up until the ball is well on its way toward the hole...no sooner or you will pull the putt. Give this a try and see if it helps. As you build confidence, now try doing the ladder drill using this method to improve your feel for ball pace control.

DV

My dad taught me to putt left hand low when he was teaching me the game, 28+ years ago. I am a right handed golfer and going with my normal swing grip feels very foreign. I love putting left hand low and with the super stroke grip it is even better.

I was taught to putt left hand low. It is all I know. It has worked for 28 years so no reason to change. Putting is an art. I can remember playing with people who I could not watch put, but it worked for them, and that is all that matters.