Claw Grip (Putting)
Also known as: pencil grip
The claw grip separates the trail hand from the lead hand on the putter, holding the handle more like a pencil against the palm than wrapped around it. This means 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. This means the lead hand grips conventionally, low on the handle. At the same time, the trail hand. Instead of wrapping the fingers around the grip. This means 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, others keep them fully extended down the shaft). But the shared goal is the same. This means 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 developed a habit of manipulating the putter face. This means flipping it closed, decelerating into impact, or introducing a small twitch under pressure, a pattern closely associated with the yips. By taking the trail hand's fingers off the handle in a conventional wrap, the claw makes it mechanically difficult for that hand to actively rotate the face. This shifts stroke control 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, since 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. This means some players adopt it simply. This is 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. This means 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. This means like any grip change, it needs repetition before it can be trusted under pressure.
- Assuming the claw grip alone fixes a stroke path issue. This means 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
SwingVantage can identify a claw putting grip from face-on video based on the trail hand's position relative to the handle, and can observe whether face angle at impact is more stable than a comparable conventional-grip stroke.
Frequently asked questions
Is the claw grip only for golfers with the yips?
No. This means. At the same time, it is a well-known yips remedy, many golfers without the yips use the claw grip simply. This is 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. This means 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. As a result, the lead hand sits below the trail hand on the handle. This means a common fix for golfers whose 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 — most often in putting or chipping — that disrupt the stroke. They are part neurological, part anxiety-driven, and affect golfers at every level.
- Cupped WristA cupped wrist at the top of the backswing means the lead wrist bends backward (away from the palm), opening the clubface and commonly contributing to slices or weak fades.
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