Left Hand Low Vs Conventional Putting – What’s The Better Option

Left Hand Low Vs Conventional Putting – What’s The Better Option

My putting is always the part of my game that causes me the most problems. Whether it is missing those tricky 3-foot putts to win the game on the 18th green, or maybe it’s the under-hit long putt, leading to a painful three-putt.

Golfers are always looking for ways to putt like a professional. To improve my putting I’ve been looking into whether my golf putting can be improved by changing to a left-hand low style of putting and if it is any better than my usual conventional style. Read on and see what I found out.

Left Hand Low Vs Conventional Putting – What are they?

Left-hand Low

This is usually considered the non-traditional style. Using this grip style, your left hand is more dominant, and it is placed first on the putter grip underneath the right hand.

Conventional putting

This grip style is used more commonly by professional players. It enables the golfer to put their right hand below the left one on the shaft.

Left Hand Low Vs Conventional Putting – A Complete Overview

These types of putting grip are the opposites of each other. The conventional putter grip is usually found to be more common with the left hand on top of the right one.

However, the left-hand low putter grip is also gaining momentum among both professional and amateur golfers, this is where the left hand is placed first on the putter grip and is below the right hand.

What Is The Left Hand Low Grip?

In this type of grip, the left hand is dominant and comes first on the putter shaft, golfers usually put their left hand’s little finger on the right hand’s index finger. Wrists of both hands are taken out of the shot play. This allows for a better grip and more control over the clubface.

What Other Names Is It Known As?

You must have heard the other names of the left-hand low grip like “the cross-handed grip” and “non-conventional style”.

What Are The Advantages?

Alignment

This grip style makes the left shoulder come in perfect alignment with the right shoulder quite easily. This is described well in this article with how this type of style can help with alignment.

More reliable

Other body muscles like the hip and shoulders are used more in this style, adding more consistency and reliability.

What Are The Disadvantages?

Higher Swing Arc

The complication of this grip style is the generation of a steeper swing arc as a result, and it can also result in the shortening of the backswing, you do not want a short backswing for longer putts as you will find yourself coming up short and risking the dreaded three-putt!

Short Backswing

It can also limit the backswing while putting. This limitation might break the wrist tempo, which will result in an altered face or angle of the putter.

What Is The Conventional Putter Grip?

It is quite a reversal of the left-hand low grip. It is used by pros and amateurs. The placement of the hands in this style is the left hand above the right one. When all-time greats like Tiger Woods have won major tournaments with this style of putting grip, you know it is one you can trust as reliable.

What Are The Advantages of the Conventional Putter Grip?

Good for Arc Style Strokes

It is very helpful for players who prefer a similar arc style of stroke to their usual shot. Using this style, to compliment your usual club grip will make you feel more comfortable and allow you to have confidence in your putts.

Naturally perfect

It feels very natural while playing and it helps to lock the wrist to create a more stable feel in the putt.

What Are The Disadvantages?

Not Entirely Stable

If you are someone with not-so-stable wrist action, then this grip can be a bit difficult for you because it doesn’t allow complete stability. You might need to focus on keeping the wrist firm with practice.

Left Hand Low Vs Conventional

Left hand low	Conventional
Left hand below the right one with left hand’s little finger on the index of the right hand.	The Right hand below the left with the thumb facing the shaft
Shifting to it can be unnatural	It feels more natural to use
Offers better alignment	It locks the wrists to be more stable

 

Who Should Use Left Hand Low?

Some players find this grip reliable, and if you’re struggling with your conventional putting style.

Especially, if you are facing difficulty with stability in your short putts, it would be wiser to try out and practice left-hand low grip.

In this video by Chuck Quinton he discusses the Left Hand Low putting style in good detail.

Who Should Use Conventional?

Anybody can use a conventional putter grip irrespective of their putting skills. If you are a beginner, leave the stress and go for the conventional one first because it is rather easy to use the conventional grip as it is similar to how you hold your other clubs.

What’s better for a High Handicapper?

Even if you are a high handicapper, you can still make a good putt with any grip through practice.

However, if you are starting, I would recommend going for the conventional putter grip as it is a more natural hold to get complete control.

As Dean Dingman the President of Super Stroke Grips says, “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it”.

What’s better for Pros?

Latest PGA tour professionals are shifting more towards the left-hand low grip. As of now, Billy Horschel and Jordan Speith tops the list of best cross-handed grip putters.

However, a large chunk of PGA professionals prefers the conventional putter grip. Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy, Dustin Johnson, and Justin Thomas use conventional grip. In this interesting article by Golf Digest they describe the different styles of putting by PGA pros.

Which Pros Use Each?

Left-hand Low Grip

• Jordan Speith
• Billy Horschel
• Kevin Chappell

Conventional Grip

• Jack Nicklaus
• Tiger Woods
• Rory McIlroy

What Else To Take Into Consideration – Putter Type, Lie Angle, Loft, Shaft, Grip

After choosing your grip style, other factors must be considered to play good putting strokes.

Putter

Choosing the right putter will make all the difference. Golfers should opt for the putters that correspond with their playing style. Putters can be blade, peripheral-weighted, and mallet.

Lie angle

Make sure the lie angle is around 70 degrees for a good shot. If you are struggling with your putting it is recommended to have your loft and lie checked to make sure it is correct for your putting stroke.

Loft

It makes an effective impact so it should be around 3-4 degrees

Grip

Tacky grips should be used on putters as they increase stability in hand contact and consistency.

Grip Size

A standard size is recommended, and make sure it is in the right condition. Although many golfers, such as Bryson DeChambeau, today use wider, and thicker grips to great success.

Shaft

Shafts of the putters should always be of steel to provide a good weight for the club.

Claw Grip Vs. Left Hand Low

In the claw grip, the right hand is there just to provide a very light hold on the grip during putting, with the left hand performing the majority of the motion.

Whereas in the left-hand low grip, the right hand is above the left one and they both work in producing motion.

Claw Grip Vs. Conventional

The lower hand is there to simply stabilize the putter in the claw grip style, however, in a conventional grip the leading hand i.e. the right hand plays the main role.

Best Putter For Left Hand Low Grip

TaylorMade Spider Ex

It gained popularity after Dustin Johnson and Sergio Garcia won gracefully with this putter.

Pros

• Ideal stability
• Distance control
• Good feel

Cons

• The clubhead can be a bit overpowering

Check Out More Reviews Here:

Best Putter For conventional Grip

Scotty Cameron Newport 2 GSS

You hardly see Tiger Woods without his iconic Scotty Cameron putter. This has been one of the most successful putters that have drained in my birdies and eagles.

Pros

• Improved accuracy and balance

Cons

• A bit heavy

Check Out More Reviews Here:

Conclusion

I hope this has helped you decide which putting style is best for your game. If you are struggling with your putting and looking to try something new you will have read that there are many different putting styles to choose from.

I would advise that you spend some time on the practice putting area at your local club and have a play around with the different styles. I always stick to the conventional grip style of putting.

It was good enough for Tiger Woods and expert golf coaches such as Peter Kenyon to advise all levels of golfers to adopt this style. Be sure to let me know which style you decide to choose.