Pingman (Thin Pistol Style) Putter Grip = Great Putting?

As I find immense amounts of time to think about my game while in quarantine I have been contemplating my bag set up for what will sadly, inevitably be a short 2020. The only true decision I need to make is with the flat stick. As I poke around the internet and other golf publications, I notice that some of the best putters of all time (Crenshaw, Faxon, Tiger, Stricker) and even some of the younger successful putters (Cantlay) all used (are using) thinner putter grips. I totally understand the stability and consistency advantages with thicker putter grips but is there something to this correlation between the Pingman style and historically great putters? I have looked around a little and only came across 1 or 2 publications this opinion so I pose this question to my fellow WRXers:

How many of you prefer a smaller (Pingman style) putter gripWhat is your handicap WWhat putter do you use? Side Note: For you Fax fans, I watched this last night, if anyone needs an hour to kill listening to stories and tips from one of the best...(

Thanks for participating!

Tiger uses one .... that says something

I am a fan of iomic sticky putter grips, smaller with some tack/softness, a few extra wraps

That's what I am thinking! I like the color selection of the Iomic grips. I love that the Pingman is consistent in not only in it's performance but it's price! I feel like it's been $7 for the past 10 years! Haha

I'm a Pingman fan but the GP Tour Tradition is a bit softer, lasts longer and feels slightly "waxy" like an Iomic... and I can get a cool red one.

Also a good putter grip for a good price!

Happy putting!

I've used a Pingman for over 10 years and I have no interest in using anything else. I don't currently carry a handicap but it was last 7.9 a few years ago (and putting is the best part of my game). I putt with a 345 gram head Scotty Cameron Newport 2 at 34 inches.

I strongly believe that the best putting comes from feeling the head of the putter. A small grip gives me the feel I need. I have a soft grip like Brad Faxon teaches. I want to feel like a surgeon with the putter--and not feel like someone with mittens on who can't feel the putter. If you wanted to punish me just put a super stroke on my putter!

BTW - I watched that Faxon video a week ago. It's excellent.

I’ve gone back and forth between pistol style and super stroke. I am currently going to try a gravity grip but I usually end up back with the new golf pride pro only red star. I love the feel and control I get with it. Tend to hole more putts from the comfort level.

I'm using a Vault 2.0 Dale Anser with a Pingman grip. 4 handicap

Smaller grips make properly releasing the putter much easier, IMO. I have much better feel with them. Unfortunately, I also feel that my misses can be slightly worse as more wristiness comes into play. Personally, something just slightly larger than a Pingman, like a midsized Ping/Pure/Iomic grip, is an excellent medium between the feel of a traditional grip and the security of a modern wider grip.

I've used a pingman grip for the last 12 years. Started as a Tiger fan growing up I was even using a black sharpy to fill in the letters just like him lol. The best putters of all time relied solely on feel. A thin grip to me, especially the pingman grip develops feel better than a thick grip. Its hard to explain this but I feel strongly that a thinner grip is best. I play to a scratch. And I've been using a 33 inch circa 62 number 3 with a pingman grip for the past 5 years or so.

I prefer smaller grips. I like a firmer feel, and the smaller grips seem to give me more control for my stroke. Pingman, Scotty Pistolini, standard size Iomic. I’m a 3.1 handicap and use a Pingman on a custom Scotty Cameron Studio Stainless Newport.

Totally agree. Pingman is a classic.

Golf Pride makes ones similar but slightly larger.

One which MIGHT pre-date the Ping grip is the "Pro Only" grip made by Golf Pride. It is slightly smaller. Might not still be mad.

I put with a 1964/5 Palmer (8802).

Pingman blackout too, have it on 2 putters. I like the Iomic paddle too, but I can grab a Pingman at local sporting goods stores.

Bigger grips came and went quickly for me.

Went to the Pingman about 4 years ago and started putting well on my Studio Style Newport 2. Eventually moved to a newer putter with a Scotty Studio Design grip and I putted well for awhile but ultimately I think I had a hard time with the heavier head with a light grip and moved to a SS. I've spent the last year experimenting with a homemade counterbalanced Newport 2 with mild success. After recent woes I returned to my Studio Style NP2 with the Pingman grip last week and started putting better.

So I guess my answer is:

-4

-Studio Style Newport 2

Good timing. Here are some very good smaller diameter grips plus their weights. My KBS CT shafts are arriving soon and I will be using some of these grips on the heads pictured. Looking forward to it. Will report back..!

As Stanx says, bigger grips seemed like a good idea for me at one time but I never consistently putted as well with them. Especially on long putts where touch and feel matters most. Pingman is best but I also have liked some of the smaller Iomic grips.

One of my several 70's-era Anser putters has an old "Pro Only" grip. Even though the "Pro Only" is just a tiny bit smaller, it's enough of a difference that somehow it doesn't seem to fit my hands as perfectly as the Pingman.

I decided to leave it on there anyway because it's in remarkably good shape for such an old grip (which has been off the market for at least 10-20 years now, I think). I'll keep that one as-is and just putt with my other Ansers.

The m.G.s site did a grip study a couple years ago. Just Google "the cure to making more putts".

I have always used this style of grip. 6 Handicap

I currently game a 2012 Scotty NP2 with a Pistolini grip on it. Don't see ever changing out the stick or the grip. LOVE everything about the setup.

I love the Pingman. Great grip and cheap price. I usually use with 2 wraps. I have one on my Tei3 Santa Fe, but currently gaming a Ping Ketsch at the moment.

I grew up playing a Pingman grip. Always had a great feel. I have since gamed many others, including SS. Last year I went back to a thin grip and have been putting great. Using an original Scotty cord. Bought a second one for when this wears out. Wish they were $7 like a Pingman...........currently a 5.6 index and rolling a Pro Platinum Del Mar 3.5

Bought a Sigma with a pool noodle for a grip but I never quite felt similar feelings putting with it as I did when my wife to be said "Yes," thus I knew it might not work out. The relationship was not all bad; there were many good times but I had thoughts of straying until I did. Not parting with the noodler, however; but my heart is now with another: Sigma 2 with a PP58 Rubber. It won't provide me any help if I am drowning, but it sure feels sweet on dry ground.

Old Cuss

I believe better putters use thin grips bc a) they don't need the "stability" that fat grips may give and b) it increase feel and thus the ability to have better touch.

I'm an okay putter. Currently using a Odyssey/Toulon San Diego blade with a Tour tradition grip. May toss a Iomic "classic" on because I hear it mimics the Scotty Pistolero a bit better, which is one of my fav grips. Just don't feel like ponying up the $25+ for one online.

It’s simply a matter of preference. Many want or need a fact grip to offset their Swing inconsistencies.others may want more feel.

I prefer a smaller grip. I really believe if you are more of a feel based hands putter it allows you to release the putter better. If you are more of a shoulder rocker then the bigger grips are probably better.

I prefer the smaller firmer grips. I don't seem to have the feel with the larger or softer grips. All my putters now have either a Pingman blackout or Scotty Pistolini. I'm a 3 hdcp.

Tour tradition straight on for me(1 wrap total). I am GP Tour Velvet BCT with 3 wraps for my normal clubs.

When I got fitted for my Artisan putter and John asked what grip do you want I replied, GP TT and he said something like 'Good man not using the trendy fat putter grips and going traditional that suits you!'

One other classic John thing - I hit one putt with their mallet(they only had one at the time) and he immediately said a mallet is not for you back to the 0217 shapes.

I was sad when my dad said that he wanted a fat Superstroke Pistol GT 1.0 on his Artisan putter.

I might be in the minority here but I hate the Ping Man grips. Main reason is that I have large and thick hands and the Ping Man just doesn't feel good in my hands. I want to like it, I've tried them on multiple putters but they're ripped off pretty fast honestly.

I have the Tour Trad and the Pingman. I can’t tell any difference between them.

If anyone knows, can they tell me ??