Saw Putting Grip
Also known as: saw grip, the saw grip, saw putting grip, saw grip putting, saw grip putter
The saw grip is a putting grip where the lead hand holds the putter normally and the trail hand sits on the side of the grip, palm facing the hole, fingers along the shaft, as if holding a saw. The trail hand only guides the putter, which stops it from rotating the face.
Most putting trouble starts with the trail hand. It is usually the stronger hand, and it can twist the face or add a jab. The saw grip takes away its power without taking it off the club.
To form it, grip the top of the putter with your lead hand as normal. Place your trail hand on the side of the grip, with the shaft between your thumb and fingers and the palm facing the target. Your trail hand now moves along the target line like a saw.
The saw grip is close to the claw grip, and some teachers treat them as the same. The claw usually turns the trail hand more on top of the grip. Try both and keep the one that starts putts on line.
Tips by skill level
Practice three-foot putts with the saw grip. Check that the trail palm stays facing the hole through the stroke.
Use a putting mirror or gate to check start line. The saw grip should reduce face rotation, which shows as tighter start lines.
Example
Her trail hand pushes short putts left. She tries the saw grip, and her face stays square through impact.
Why it matters
It gives golfers a simple way to quiet an overactive trail hand. That helps most on short putts.
Common mistakes
- Squeezing with the trail hand
- Letting the trail palm turn down to the ground
- Changing grips every round
- Judging it on a few putts
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between the saw and claw grips?
They are close. In both, the trail hand sits on the side of the grip. In the saw, the trail palm faces the hole like holding a saw. In the claw, the hand is turned more on top of the grip.
Does the saw grip help the yips?
It helps some golfers, because the trail hand can't twist the face as easily. It is worth trying, but it is not a guaranteed cure.
Sources
Related terms
- Claw Grip (Putting)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.
- 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.
- Reverse-Overlap Putting GripThe reverse-overlap grip is the traditional putting grip. The palms face each other, the thumbs sit on the flat top of the grip and the lead index finger rests over the fingers of the trail hand. That links the hands and quiets the wrists.
- 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.
Related guides & benchmarks
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