I seem to have a fourth type of grip

[Kobey]

I use an overlapping grip for all shots except putting and chipping.  For them I seem to have a modified baseball grip.  My left hand is in the normal position with the thumb straight along the shaft.  But I put my right hand farther down so that the only place my hands touch is my left thumb touching the hollow spot of the palm right before my wrist.  My right thumb is also straight along the shaft.  This takes up the entire grip of the club.

Has anyone else ever seen or used this type of grip?  It feels very comfortable and natural for me and seems to give me a lot more control on chips and putts vs overlapping or tight baseball.  I think it is because I can get a smoother arc this way because my wrists stay straight.  I feel like they get floppy with any other grip. (I think that is the technical term for it)

So my question is, am I hurting myself in the long run by doing this?  Everyone i ever golf with seems to use the same grip no matter what shot or club they are hitting.

[tristanhilton85]

If it works for you then go with it.

[BIGTRUFFLE]

When chipping and putting you're not really exerting much force so the chances of you hurting yourself from it are minimal.

[canadianpro]

I agree...if it works for you stay with it. Remember Chris Couch chipped in for victory using a left hand low grip a few years ago. I have seen many who chip with one hand so anyrhing with the short game is possible.

[mdl]

I'd agree that on those short green side shots, whatever gives you the best feel is fine.  As long as you can hit the ball consistently where you want it with that grip, there's no reason to change.  Personally I've found it hard to have consistency with that gap grip for any chip shot where I wasn't using a generally putting style swing with a non-putter (ie, little or no wrist break, and yes, I have actually tried a version of that grip on very short green side shots at the chipping green).  But whatever works for you!

[Kobey]

Originally Posted by mdl

I'd agree that on those short green side shots, whatever gives you the best feel is fine.  As long as you can hit the ball consistently where you want it with that grip, there's no reason to change.  Personally I've found it hard to have consistency with that gap grip for any chip shot where I wasn't using a generally putting style swing with a non-putter (ie, little or no wrist break, and yes, I have actually tried a version of that grip on very short green side shots at the chipping green).  But whatever works for you!

That's the type of chip shot I use it for, short ones where I use a putting stroke.

[LongballPro]

The short game is all about feel. There is no one sure way to grip the club. That's why you see so many different putting setups

[bunkerputt]

Originally Posted by Kobey

I use an overlapping grip for all shots except putting and chipping.  For them I seem to have a modified baseball grip.  My left hand is in the normal position with the thumb straight along the shaft.  But I put my right hand farther down so that the only place my hands touch is my left thumb touching the hollow spot of the palm right before my wrist.  My right thumb is also straight along the shaft.  This takes up the entire grip of the club.

Has anyone else ever seen or used this type of grip?  It feels very comfortable and natural for me and seems to give me a lot more control on chips and putts vs overlapping or tight baseball.  I think it is because I can get a smoother arc this way because my wrists stay straight.  I feel like they get floppy with any other grip. (I think that is the technical term for it)

So my question is, am I hurting myself in the long run by doing this?  Everyone i ever golf with seems to use the same grip no matter what shot or club they are hitting.

I do something similar in putting.  I call it a hockey grip.  I take a traditional putting grip and then just drop my right hand a centimeter down the grip or so.  The separation keeps me from getting "wristy", and it helps to provide right hand feedback, which for me helps me determine speed somewhat.  For any other shot, I tend to scoop the ball if I take the grip you mention.  It adds an additional variable to the equation which is either left arm bend, or too open shoulders because of the low right hand.  You want fewer variables in your golf game.