Putting Opposite Handed

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By Cody W

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  • 9 Replies
  1. Cody W

    Cody W
    East Lansing, MI

    Hello all, 

    I've been playing the game for about 12 years now and have always putted the same way as I swing my clubs (left handed), and I have always struggled putting.  Recently I was playing around with my uncle's right handed putter, and my stroke felt very fluent and much more consistent.  I was wondering if anyone else has had any luck changing the dexterity of their putting because I'm considering trying it the next time out on the course.

  2. Don O

    Don O
    Madison, WI

    Those of us that are sinister (LH) tend to be more ambidextrous than those poor RH players. Before I bought clubs, I borrowed RH clubs, so I've gone both ways with golf. Since LH putters are rare, I still try out RH putters for feel. Depending on your dominant eye, you may see a line better from one side or the other. If I had to, I could go back to RH putters. When it comes to putting, whatever is most comfortable and gives you the best control, go for it.
  3. Carl T

    Carl T
    Little Rock, AR

    N B putts both ways depending on distance. When it comes to putting there are many ways and styles to get the ball in the hole. Another thing is that the putter is the one club you do not grip like the other clubs in your bag. The putter is held in the palms of your hands where the other clubs are held in the fingers.
  4. Ski & Tee Dave

    Ski & Tee Dave
    Philadelphia, PA

    I am a righty and I have fooled around with a lefty putter as well as a number of different grip styles (reversed hands, the claw, etc.)  I find that changing my grip style when I practice every one in a while is helpful for re-setting my muscle memory and I drop more putts instead of fighting through slumps.

  5. Spudstarch

    Spudstarch
    Walnut Creek, CA

    When you putted off handed was your grip lead hand low?

    When I was a kid...6 I think, I recall being better putting back handed (or lead hand low) at my local mini-golf/putt-putt course. After reading about new trends in putting, it seems there are benefits to it because 1) its easier to keep your shoulders square and level and 2) it helps make me less handsy in the stroke. The draw back was less feel for distance control.

    There are other possibilities that may add to better putts, one being that it sets up your dominant eye to better see the line of your putt.

    There was a tournament I saw a few weeks ago on TV, and seemed like every other golfer was using lead hand low. I think it was the Big Break Invitational Championship. Maybe the grip is coming back in style. Perhaps a Rickie Fowler effect after his first PGA Tour win in 2012?

  6. tdogg21

    tdogg21
    Chambersburg, PA

    I've tried all kinds of different ways putting (one-handed, cross hand, claw, lefty) and they all worked when playing around on the putting green.  But at the end of the day, a standard grip right handed feels the best to me.  I would recommend you doing the same.  If it feels better, go with and don't worry about what anyone else thinks about it.  None of your playing partners will say a thing if you're draining putts from all over the green!

  7. Neldon M

    Neldon M
    Plano, TX

    Putting is so individual, way more so than the swing. I am right-handed, right-eye dominant, putt right-handed, and am (little brag here) a very good putter. Took me three years of trying every thing imaginable to find the perfect stoke and I did find the perfect stroke - for me! Spend a lot of time on the putting green and your stoke will find you. Three things you have to do - 1. Develop an smooth slow tempo 2. Make the finish stroke twice as long as the back stroke. 3. Make absolutely certain the putter face travels down the target line through the ball. There just is no one answer for your stroke. Work - work -work and you will get it.
  8. Ben A

    Ben A
    Los Gatos, CA

    I've played with a couple people here and there that have done that. It's all what you feel.

    I'm pretty ambidextrous, I could probably put pretty well left, but I just put reverse grip (right handed, but left hand low). 

  9. Cody W

    Cody W
    East Lansing, MI

    Thanks everyone for the advice.  Just a quick update, I tried putting right handed for a while and although my stroke felt smoother and with better tempo, I couldn't really get the distance control or consistent alignment that I thought switching hands would offer me.  After playing around with my normal (left handed) stroke some more I realized that I had been putting too crouched over which was causing my elbows to bend a lot and my stroke to be really inconsistent.  After standing up taller and making sure my arms are pretty extended my putting has improved a great deal.

  10. Neldon M

    Neldon M
    Plano, TX

    You're on the right track, Cody. I tried everything imaginable until ALL the pieces fell together. Now my putts per round range from 22 to 30 and average 27. Work on it every day for an hour and you will find a stoke you can own.

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