Confidence. Golfers who lack confidence miss putts—even dead straight ones. To build confidence in your putting—and cut strokes from your scores—start with the right grip. A tour favorite is the reverse overlapping grip.
Here's a six-step routine for this grip:
1. Hold the club perpendicular to the ground
2. Place your left hand on the grip first
3. Remove your left forefinger from the club
4. Put the fleshy part of your right hand on the grip
5. Slide your right hand down the grip
6. Both thumbs must point straight down the shaft
Using the standard overlapping and interlocking grips produce too much clubface rotation when putting—a killer when it comes dead straight putts. The reverse overlapping grip is popular because it keeps the putterface square to the ball and doesn't produce too much clubface rotation. Start by holding the putter by the grip and raising it up until it's perpendicular to the ground. Now place your left hand (for right-handers) on the putter handle with your thumb pointing down the shaft. Next put the fleshy part of your right hand on the flat part of your grip. All your fingers should now be wrapped around the grip, except your left forefinger, which should be sticking out. Now slide your right hand down until your left thumbnail is covered. Both thumbs should be pointing straight down the shaft. Close the left forefinger so it overlaps the fingers of your right hand, completing the grip.Holding the putter this way will help you sink more dead straight putts. Unlike other grips, the reverse overlapping grip keeps the putter face square to the arc of your stroke and the putterface going down the line. If you don't use this grip, try it. You'll quickly see why it's so popular on the PGA Tour.
