Cross handed vs conventional putting grip
Putting has become the controversy in the golf world especially with Ernie Els’ most recent win at the British Open using a belly putter. I am sure that it would have been worse if Adam Scott secured his first win using the long putter, however that debate can be delayed for one more tournament. Instead I want to look at the differences between cross handed putting and conventional putting. While both offers benefits I am slightly bias towards cross handed. Due to my previous putting woes I made the switch to cross handed putting about 3 years ago. I was encouraged by my instructor because the left hand low enabled my shoulders to be level. Before make the switch I could not make a 3 foot putt to save my life. With the conventional style and my left shoulder being slightly higher, I would block the short putts to the right. The cross handed mentally allowed me to keep the 3 footer online and hold my follow through towards the hole. I think the key to the last statement is MENTAL, that is ultimately what putting comes down to. You should use the grip that feels right in your hands. I am not a pro but recently in the media the debate on inclusion of the long handed and belly putter has sparked considerable controversy, that is why I decided to outline the benefits on cross handed. My last word on the cross handed grip is that Ricki Fowler, Jim Furyk, Padraig Harrington and Stuart Appleby use it, that is not bad company to be in!
