Right Hand Putting Grip for Touch and Distance Control

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Test this right hand putting grip to improve your distance control and feel on putts. Combine this with the left hand grip and watch your scores drop!


Okay, so we're finally ready to test out the right hand grip, and I've been testing this for over a month now.

And as I mentioned in the Facebook group, I've honestly, I don't think I've ever putted as well as I have right now.

And as you'll see, there's reasons why that are very clear using the Sand Putt lab.

And there's still things to improve, which is really exciting because I don't think I've ever putted this well in my life.

I've finally gotten down to averaging 29 putts around, which is a huge change in the beginning of the season, where I was averaging 35 putts per round.

So this has been huge.

And we're gonna look at the data and the video of the right hand grip.

And then it's time for you guys to test it and give me your feedback when combining this with the left hand grip.

And then we're gonna talk about setup and path and stuff.

In the upcoming videos, I'm gonna talk about why, as we look at the data.

So the big thing, as I mentioned in the first introductory video, you have to be inside of a degree on most things when it comes to face angle, as I talked about in the opening video.

The.

If you're hitting a 15-foot birdie putt and your face angle is open or closed by a degree, that is going to lead to a missed putt.

So we're talking about very small numbers here.

So what I've done is put up my baseline video.

This is the very, very first one that I did in July of this year and this was today.

So you can see that at setup just by being aware that I was so closed, I didn't.

Obviously this on the right looked square to me.

obviously I'm not going to deliberately set up closed, but now what looks square to me is only point.

Two degrees close, so almost a full degree just from a setup change.

Which has made a huge impact in my starting the direction because I actually am aiming at the hole point.

Two degrees is very, very difficult, if not almost impossible, to detect with the naked eye, but one degree is getting to the point where it becomes more obvious.

But obviously, our eyes adjust to what becomes what we see frequently.

And so, you know, one degrees closed is going to cause me to miss a putt, but it's also it looks normal to me, it looks square.

So this is something that is very, very important to get the face angle lined up.

And if you look at how far off it was before on the the baseline, you know, sometimes I was at even a degree and a half Degrees closed, and now the numbers are much, much smaller, much tighter group together.

So this has given me a much better starting chance of just getting the ball to start on the line that I want it to.

Just from adjusting the setup, which, again, without the same thought lab, I would have been very difficult to figure out.

So what this has led to is half a degree, or, excuse me, a significant change in where the face angle is at impact.

Which is, at the end of the day, the only thing that really matters, you know, as I mentioned in the opening video, if you haven't watched that, go back and make sure you watch the first one.

That the Tiger Woods and many golfers set up several degrees open, or even some set up several degrees closed at a dress.

And then they close the clubface through the hitting area.

I'm trying to set up pretty square and have the clubface return to square at impact.

And you can see what I have going on right now is the face is actually open.

As I started this project, I mentioned that I pull putts, that's my tendency was to pull them, and the face angle, combined with my path was a pretty devastating move.

I'm now a degree open, whereas I was a degree and a half closed, so you've got a two and a half degree swing, which is extremely significant.

Obviously, that changes your feel, it changes the strike, it changes the direction and all of this stuff.

But it's not perfect yet.

Because I'm still just under a degree open, still under that magic one degree number, but barely.

And so there's still room for significant improvement.

The reason that I'm struggling with this face angle still being open at impact, whereas before it was closed, is that my path is still about the same.

I'm still swinging.

What would be the equivalent of out to in or the over-the-top putting stroke is what I've got going on.

And that's what we're going to address with setup changes.

But getting the face angle in the right ballpark with the grip changes has been a complete game changer.

In my putting and my strikes, the consistency, my distance control has been off the charts.

Honestly, it's been the best it's ever been.

So getting that face angle closer to where it needs to be, it's been a huge change for that.

You can see here that this is what's going on.

I'm taking the putter a little bit more or less straight back, a little bit outside the line and then kind of swinging over it and then left.

And that's why I've, you know, subconsciously compensated by holding the face open slightly.

Whereas before, I would still make this same path, but the face would be closed and so I would just hit.

You know, these pretty big pulls on these putts and completely missed the hole from 15 feet when I did this face angle closed like this, you'll note, too, that the strikes are closer to the center of the face.

Before I was averaging 5 millimeters out on the heel, and now it's miles so I've cut that in half which again is huge for distance control because just missing the the center of the the putter face that far off even though 5 millimeters is relatively not very much it changes the you know that the energy transfer to the ball and so that was another reason when you're combining that with a clubface angle that's closed and I'm swinging over the top hard left that I could blast the ball past the hole leave myself a pretty tricky putt coming back now the putts feel much more solid they sound better they feel better they're rolling better and my distance control has improved so all of these things together change and these are just two grip changes just changing the left and right hand grip together have led to this and now once we start getting to the setup changes and looking at the the where the path is going what I'm going to do to fix the path then we're going to be well on our way to putting really really well one other thing I want to address is the speed or pace ideally you want to be very consistent with this and when you're when you're putting here we go when you're putting one of the things that I think is very difficult is to change the natural tendency of the pace of your stroke some people take the club back very slow and come back through very slow some take it slow and then whap at it really fast some are fast back and fast through I don't believe that you can pick one way or the other that is better I know that some putters on the PGA tour try to pick up their stroke and try to pick up the pace and and get more of a pop a little bit more of a hit I have personally never putted well that way part of it could be just me on my path that makes me come over the top even more because I get a little more aggressive with the right side and try to hit it harder so for me I've always putted my best on very very very fast greens so for me I have a relatively slower stroke but this is more natural and more comfortable for me and you can see that by not trying to force this change not by trying to make myself fit into this mold of having a shorter backswing and then a really quick you know or quicker accelerating stroke through the ball in the downswing has led to a dramatic increase in my consistency which is again critical for distance control how fast I swing back and through and how consistently I do that is going to be one of the primary determinants of my distance control obviously the strike where I hit it on the face and all of those things are huge as well but just making the same stroke and finding that natural pace for me has taken my consistency from 76% to 96% and you'll see as we get this is the actual acceleration of the stroke in meters per second don't need to worry about that too much but what we want to see is from the top of the backswing which is what this is TOB through the hitting area this is the impact area look at how closely matched these lines are whereas before there is a difference in the acceleration each time and this leads to inconsistency in the distance because sometimes I'd be swinging faster sometimes I'd be swinging slower so now by finding what is natural for me which is naturally slower if we look at that you'll see it's it's you know within the range of what this gray bars what the tour pros do but certainly a little bit on the slower speed at compared to average sometimes I'm a little bit slower than tour averages here of forward swing is quite a bit slower again I put really well on faster greens slower greens where you you know a pop or a little accelerating stroke tends to benefit that I don't putt well so these are really interesting things understand but the most important thing about all of this is consistency if you're consistently doing the same things consistently having the putter face at the same position impact even if it's closed you can compensate for that but the goal is to remove as many compensations as you can by making the swing as natural and effortless and simple and consistent as humanly possible and that's what I'm starting to find as I make these subtle little changes go out and play with them make grip changes make setup changes so on and so forth that my putting stroke is becoming much more consistent and that's leading to a lot more made putts now let's take a look at the right hand grip so that you guys can test this out for yourselves okay so this is where I've settled in on my right hand and I tested over the past six weeks everything under the Sun I tested having my thumb straight down the shaft so that it was more or less aimed straight like this now you can see it's kind of at an angle back this way a little bit this has been where I have found to be the most consistent in terms of keeping me from wanting to rotate my hands through or do anything aggressive with my hands it feels that my left hand and right hand work together but what really has been a big change for me is being able to put that right hand in a sense of feel for distance control and my distance control has been the best it's ever been perhaps in my life so I wanted to you know make these changes to be able to have a natural putting stroke as we talked about at the beginning of this this is the pursuit is obviously your right hand for most of us being right-handed it's really where we have that sensitivity that touch that feel that control and it's such a critical part of the putting stroke is you can have a perfectly mechanically sound stroke but if you don't have any feel for distance then it's kind of all for not and that's why the left hand low stuff was I adapted to it I putted really really well for me with left hand low distance was a little bit of a challenge at first but I got used to it and then I could putt fine but it never felt natural it never felt like I could just step up there like I would do sometimes on a putting green if I was just goofing around I would just hit putts with my right hand only just to kind of slap at it and my gosh my distance control is incredible and I put both hands on the club it stinks I know many of you have told me you've had the same experiences you just step up there and slap at it like you know a little kid and it works out just fine and that's why getting into a conventional grip has been something that has been very interesting for me so I'm going to zoom in here a little bit on the right hand grip so you can see a little bit more closely and then we'll play through the stroke here and so you can see how quiet the hands are naturally with my hand in this position there's nothing really happening in the backswing same thing in the downswing my hands are working together but they're very very very quiet and so this has kept me from having to do any manipulations with the putter face or do anything goofy as I'm coming through the ball I can just focus on my line and my speed and my feel rather than saying okay I need to try to do something with my stroke because that's that's a recipe for disaster so the putter face is now as I talked about we'll talk about plane and path and in the next video but that's what we're going to address next but I'm still taking a little bit outside but again my hands and being able to return the putter face to square or very close to square to get a good starting line has been a game changer and all we've done so far is change the left and right hand grips that's it so as we start getting into structural stuff setup changes where our eyes are where our shoulders are we've already made with the left hand setup grip change the talked about how that helped change the forearm alignment that was a little bit of a setup change that was a byproduct of the grip but this is really just just doing grip changes to be able to make these big of a this big of a stride and my putting has been huge and I've obviously seen the the comments that you guys have put on there being able to do this with your left hand grip you've seen huge changes so now it's time to put the right hand on there so long story short the putter grip is going to feel a little bit more in the fingers so that you have a little bit more sensitivity and control a good sense of touch with that right hand even though the right hands not actively trying to do much it's giving you that sense of feel and control and as I mentioned having the right thumb more or less down the shaft but clocked to about 11 30 if you will if you're looking at it on a clock if this was 12 o'clock give or take a little bit I would say that this is about 11 30 has been the place that I found the most comfort without changing the face angle but it's had positive impacts on my face angle and impact so give a shot with this combine this with the left hand grip from the last video with your right hand grip here and let me know how it works out for you guys

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Stefano
sorry, I must admit I’m a bit lost. I followed the lessons about the left hand lower than the right. Now it seems to me we are back to the “traditional” way. Do I have a wrong impression? In any case, how can I reset everything and start a full sequence of videos about putting from scratch, please?
January 17, 2024
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Stefano. What are you looking to reset? I will be happy to help. Also, this is just an alternative way to looking at it. Some players do not like lead hand low for feel/distance control. From a scientific stand point it is a great way to stroke. If you prefer a more traditional or conventional grip this is the science behind/how you can make a proper movement with trail hand lower grip.
January 17, 2024
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Stefano
Ok. I got it. Thanks ???? What I mean with “reset”: just do the entire sequence of videos on putting. Where can I find them, other than searching for “putting “, please?
January 18, 2024
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Stefano
Sorry. I do not know why my last reply came out with all those unwanted question marks. Sorry
January 18, 2024
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Stefano. We are going to reorganize things on the site so it may be a little jumbled right now. If you go to the Menu tree --> Legacy Axiom Dashboard --> Lower Your Score --> Putting Secret (for Lead hand low). This video above, Left Hand Grip for Perfect Putting Stroke, RotarySwing Natural Putting - Intro, were just a few off shoot videos that aren't placed into a category just yet.
January 18, 2024
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Asle
Dashboard --> Lower Your Score --> Putting Secret (for Lead hand low). I'm not seeing this when entering the Dashbord. Can it be explained in others ways that makes it possible to find this stuff about putting? The only thing I'm able to find about putting is Jack Nicklaus' putting secret. Why not have a section about putting visible on the main site (on the left side)? It's frustrating not to find what you are looking for. It should be easier, without feeling like an idiot.
March 6, 2024
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Apologies Asle as the site will be getting a refresh. If you look at my note above - Menu tree --> Legacy Axiom Dashboard --> Lower Your Score --> Putting Secret (for Lead hand low). Not the big blue Dashboard button. The three lines (menu tree) then Legacy Axiom Dashboard.
March 6, 2024
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Asle
Putting secret (for Lead hand low).... is that the same as Jack Niclaus' Putting Secret (in 11 points?) as shown on the main site? If not - I still can't find it.
March 6, 2024
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Asle. The same as Jack Nicklaus Putting Secret in the Learning Module on Main Left Hand Menu.
March 6, 2024
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Stefano
January 18, 2024
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Jarrod
Is there a video that explains how to actually grip it this way?
November 30, 2020
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Jarrod. There will be more putting items coming in the future. For the trail hand right now I believe not. The lead hand videos are up if you need help please let me know.
November 30, 2020
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Igor
After spending one hour a day on the putting green for the past few days, the new grip definitely feels a lot more natural to me than the left hand down grip. Trying to solve 2 issues: 1) I am not sure though wether the overlapping grip or the 10 finger grip works better. I can imagine that with the overlapping grip, the hands will work more together as 1 unit. But the 10 finger grip feels better. 2) During the take away I still tend to take the putter outside the putting line. I find it difficult to move the arms and body as one without getting rigid and tense. I am looking forward to the scores on the course.
September 23, 2020
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Igor. Thanks for the feedback. We are still looking at some parameters with the grip. I personally like the reverse overlap as it gives me better sense of unison. Make sure you are pulling back with the trail shoulder and not pushing out the face. When you start deleting the tension and get comfortable with the new setup it will be easier to take along the proper path.
September 24, 2020
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Igor
Hi Craig, I have adopted the the reverse overlap now. It looked very promising during practice rounds. And today I scored an 84 with 31 putts. No 3 putts, which was nice for my mind set . The putts that I struck badly were mostly taken outside the puttingline. I still find it difficult to start the putt by pulling back the right shoulder, because this gives me the feeling that the right side is getting dominant again.
October 5, 2020
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Igor. No 3 putts always a good thing. I can understand the fear with pulling back the trail shoulder. But, you gotta use your right side to move right.
October 5, 2020
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Terry
First let me say that your comments in the past about putting have all hit home with me. I was a very wristy, feel putter and I was pretty good. But as I got older I lost the feel and became an AWFUL putter, and actually had the yips for a while. I am just starting to try your changes and I like them, so far. I have one question about the putter grip, I have large hands with long fingers and "normal" thin putter grips do NOT work for me, my hands feel like the are wrapped around the grip twice! Has there been any study to determine the "correct" hand size vs. grip size. I currently use a larger grip but I think it is tooo big. Thanks and keep up all the great info!!
September 21, 2020
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Chuck
Hi Terry. I have not tested this yet but think comfort should be your guide. So try something in the middle and see how it feels.
September 22, 2020
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Tony
Thanks for the video. I am shortish in stature and you are similar. It is easier to stop out to in if the putter is longer, say 1inch. This extra length makes you stand more upright and then it's easier to adjust the shoulders to parallel at address. This will make it much easier to stop the outside the line takeaway.The inside path on the backswing is something that nearly all tour pros have and the aforementioned will make it easy to achieve. Also the extra length makes the address position more comfortable for us short guys.Less angle at core and less backache. I know for sure you will have tried this. Give it another go.
September 21, 2020
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Tony. You're welcome. Thank you for the added info.
September 24, 2020
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jack
Chuck, great video series on putting. In this “right hand” video your left hand grip seems weaker than what you demonstrated in the previous video. Is this just a camera angle issue or am I just seeing something that’s not there. Thanks.
September 20, 2020
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Chuck
My putter grip is too thick to comfortably get my pad all the way on top. I've tested using the thinner grip and then it fits on top perfectly, but my current "gamer" putter has this fatter grip on it.
September 21, 2020
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Michael
Hi Chuck, In the last video you talked about thinner putter grips. Which thickness you would recommend? Wich brand(s) you would recommend. Thank you, Michael
September 20, 2020
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Chuck
I have gone back and forth with this midsize and the old school thinner one. The thinner one makes it easier to get the left hand more on top as discussed in the previous video.
September 21, 2020
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Brian
Hi Chuck, on first glance your left hand putter grip still looks 'weak'. I've basically got the left hand 'V' matching the right hand one, much like on a full shot. Am I overdoing it?
September 29, 2020
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Chuck
The weaker grip is totally fine and will better align the forearm with the shaft, just harder to do with the thicker grip
September 29, 2020
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Brian
Okay, I'm getting the thin grip, I had the second thickness and found it uncomfortable with the pad on top. So you are saying the weak grip is okay, it's more about getting the pad on top and the left grip in the fingers?
September 29, 2020
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Chuck
Getting the pad on top of the grip helps align the forearms with the shaft and with a thinner grip that is more comfortable to do.
September 29, 2020
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Brian
Perfect, thanks. I'm going to try the thin grip and to have the two 'V's pointing roughly parallel to each other like I do with full swings. I'll add the right thumb position now as well. Sound good?
September 29, 2020
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Chuck
Yep. Let me know how it goes
September 29, 2020
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Brian
I will. My last two rounds should've been under par but were 3 over. Need to get something to click on the greens. I hope this will get me a more solid, reliable stroke that doesn't go every so often.
September 29, 2020

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