Claw Grip (Putting)
Also known as: pencil grip
In the claw grip, the trail hand holds the putter handle like a pencil against the palm instead of wrapping around it. Separating the hands this way is a popular fix for excess trail-hand wrist action and the putting yips.
The claw grip breaks the two hands apart on the putter handle. The lead hand grips conventionally, low on the handle. The trail hand does not wrap its fingers around the grip. Instead, it presses the handle against the palm or between the thumb and forefinger, more like holding a pencil than gripping a club. Several variations exist. Some players keep the trail-hand fingers loosely curled, while others keep them fully extended down the shaft. But the shared goal is the same: minimize what the trail hand can do to the putter face.
The claw grip became popular on pro tours as a fix for golfers whose trail hand had a habit of manipulating the putter face. Examples are flipping it closed, decelerating into impact, or introducing a small twitch under pressure. That pattern is closely associated with the yips. The claw takes the trail hand's fingers out of a conventional wrap on the handle. That makes it mechanically difficult for that hand to actively rotate the face. Stroke control shifts much more to the lead arm and shoulders.
Like cross-handed putting, the claw grip usually requires an adjustment period and a change in feel for distance control. Touch and feedback are different when the trail hand is no longer wrapped around the grip. It is not a style limited to golfers fighting the yips, however. Some players adopt it simply because it produces a more stable face and steadier tempo for their particular stroke, independent of any underlying issue.
Example
A player whose trail hand used to flip the putter face shut on short putts switches to a claw grip. The face stays square at impact without any conscious effort.
Why it matters
The claw grip is one of the most effective non-mechanical fixes for face instability caused by an overactive trail hand. It is a legal, widely used tool rather than a last resort.
How it shows up on video
From a face-on video angle, the claw grip is clearly visible. The trail hand is not wrapped around the handle in the conventional way but instead presses the grip against the palm or holds it pencil-style, distinct from a standard or cross-handed grip.
Common mistakes
- Adopting the claw grip only after a bad putting round without practice time — like any grip change, it needs repetition before it can be trusted under pressure.
- Assuming the claw grip alone fixes a stroke path issue. It primarily quiets the trail hand and stabilizes the face. It does not correct an unrelated path or alignment problem.
- Using excess grip pressure in the lead hand to compensate for the unfamiliar trail-hand feel, which can create new tension issues.
In SwingVantage Motion Lab
Motion Lab does not see the claw grip or where your trail hand sits on the putter. Its putting read infers a face tendency from how your forearms rotate through the stroke; that is a tendency, not a measured face angle. Film a claw stroke and a conventional one from the same spot, then compare the two face tendencies.
Frequently asked questions
Is the claw grip only for golfers with the yips?
No — while it is a well-known yips remedy, many golfers without the yips use the claw grip simply because it gives them a steadier putter face and more repeatable tempo.
Does the claw grip hurt distance control?
It changes the feel initially since the trail hand no longer wraps the grip conventionally. But with practice most golfers regain full distance control. The trade is usually worth it for the face stability gained.
Related terms
- Cross-Handed Grip (Putting)A cross-handed (left-hand-low) putting grip reverses the standard hand order, so the lead hand sits below the trail hand. It is a common fix when the trail hand dominates and breaks down the lead wrist through impact.
- Putting StrokeThe putting stroke is the controlled pendulum motion that rolls the ball along the intended line. Good mechanics include a square face at impact, consistent tempo, and path that matches the putter's arc.
- YipsThe yips are involuntary twitches or spasms that disrupt the stroke, most often in putting or chipping. They are part neurological, part anxiety-driven, and affect golfers at every level.
- Cupped WristA cupped wrist is a lead wrist bent backward (away from the palm) at the top of the backswing. It opens the clubface and often contributes to slices or weak fades.
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