Grip vs Putter

[ry1808]

So I've been working hard on my putting and really trying to fine tune my preference for what I need in a gamer putter (I've got 5-6 putters, any of which could get the call on a given day). 

 

What would you look at in terms of preference when building a putter? 

 

I would imagine that grip would be the priority (at the end of the day that's the bit you actually hold!) and get a profile where your hands work together and provide a square face at impact. From that point the head style would follow your personal preference and how your grip profile effects your stroke (straight-back, straight-through or an arc etc..)

 

Of course whenever you go for a fitting they'll want to get you into a new putter as they make more money off that!

[MattM97]

I like having the same or similar grips on all my putters just so I'm familiar with the feel in my hands and one less thing to worry about when putting. The putter itself I'll often keep a similar spec/setup, sometimes different looks or putters all together just to change things up, but if the grip and specs are what I'm use to and the putter doesn't work then it's the head shape not me. 

[getitdaily]

Head style and hosel style should be #1.

 

I'm becoming a firm believer that less rotation is better...with some caveats. If you can get your path to be really consistent and not overly in to out or out to in then the next step is to get rotation to be as low as possible. 

 

High moi putters are all the rage because they really limit face rotation...reducing a variable that causes missed putts. 

 

But...too little rotation with a path that is out to in will result in pulled putts (unless you have a right aim bias). 

 

I have a high moi mallet. I have a wide blade. Just yesterday I put a wristlock grip on my wide blade. Putting on my matt at home, that grip has reduced face rotation on that blade to a point where it may end up as consistent as the high moi mallet. 

 

Grips are important, when matched up with head/hosel styles and face rotation needs.

[Hunteruu]

I have a thread on here where I tried literally just about every putter I could find (different head shapes, different toe hangs, different shaft locations, etc.), So I feel I could provide a little feedback. 

 

The first thing should be what feels best and most natural for your path. When you know just how open/close or straight you take it, you can focus in on what head shape accommodates that best.

 

For instance, I don't like a lot of rotation, but a touch of arc feels more natural to me. Some of the face balanced, high MOI, straight back and straight through set-ups didn't like the fraction of the open/close I had, resulting in miss hits. 

 

Once I found the putters I felt natural with, then I looked at grips. Being that I tried so many brands with their stock offerings, and a few aftermarket ones (BJM, Flatcat, Forward, etc.), And the one that won out was the gravity grip. I liked it enough that I put one on my Sik Flo C, and it took a really good putter and made it great. 

 

So yes, grips can make a difference, but the other stuff is a higher priority to me at least. 

[Phabs]

Not to beat a dead horse but a 100 dollar putter fitting is a solid investment just for the education on your specific stroke and head specs.   Once you know what loft, lie and toe hang suit you it makes the process much easier.   Grips I think are more personal as to what is most comfortable for you.  I have 5 putters right now all with the same grip, shaft combo.  
 

I know I need a putter loft of between 1* and 1.5* ideally with a lie of 74* and something between 30-45* of toe hang.  From there it’s just picking a head shape and weight you’re comfortable with. 

Edited July 8, 2021 by Phabs

[ry1808]

17 hours ago, Phabs said:

Not to beat a dead horse but a 100 dollar putter fitting is a solid investment just for the education on your specific stroke and head specs.   Once you know what loft, lie and toe hang suit you it makes the process much easier.   Grips I think are more personal as to what is most comfortable for you.  I have 5 putters right now all with the same grip, shaft combo.  
 

I know I need a putter loft of between 1* and 1.5* ideally with a lie of 74* and something between 30-45* of toe hang.  From there it’s just picking a head shape and weight you’re comfortable with. 

 

That's exactly what I'm going this afternoon. By nature I'm a very analytical person so if I get something that the numbers look good then it'll be a huge boost of confidence.

 

Let's see what happens...

[lefthack]

My OG putter from '89 had an oversized P Square grip that I thought was great. When I broke down and got a new one last summer, it had a standard pistol grip. 

 

I have gotten 4 putters in the last 6 weeks and all of them have standard Pingmans. The one in the bag is a mid mallet Nike Blue Chip that is face balanced. It seems to work well with my new heads up putting style.

[ry1808]

Went for a “fitting” today and left with what I went in with. It was very interesting to try and new styles and weights but it certainly highlighted what works and what doesn’t work in my stroke. 
 

the grip certainly does appear to be a personal preference which can’t necessarily be fitting to a particular stroke. 
 

I found that a heavier head helped straighten out my arc. 
 

Only change I may make is to extend my putter 1/2 inch as I find the sole of my palm sits on top of the grip a little rather than to the side. 
 

interesting experience though. 

[Phabs]

58 minutes ago, ry1808 said:

Went for a “fitting” today and left with what I went in with. It was very interesting to try and new styles and weights but it certainly highlighted what works and what doesn’t work in my stroke. 
 

the grip certainly does appear to be a personal preference which can’t necessarily be fitting to a particular stroke. 
 

I found that a heavier head helped straighten out my arc. 
 

Only change I may make is to extend my putter 1/2 inch as I find the sole of my palm sits on top of the grip a little rather than to the side. 
 

interesting experience though. 

Definitely worth the money and time 

[Fairway14]

On 7/7/2021 at 11:24 AM, ry1808 said:

So I've been working hard on my putting and really trying to fine tune my preference for what I need in a gamer putter (I've got 5-6 putters, any of which could get the call on a given day). 

 

What would you look at in terms of preference when building a putter? 

 

I would imagine that grip would be the priority (at the end of the day that's the bit you actually hold!) and get a profile where your hands work together and provide a square face at impact. From that point the head style would follow your personal preference and how your grip profile effects your stroke (straight-back, straight-through or an arc etc..)

 

Of course whenever you go for a fitting they'll want to get you into a new putter as they make more money off that!

 

Grip weight is most significant as this affects the balance of the putter. Also, grip diameter is important as some players putt better with a slender grip and others  do their best using a wider diameter grip.