Interlock Putting Grip Help?

[ChrisPietersen]

Hi! I'm looking for some advice on the regular interlock putting grip. What is the ideal power to grip the putter with. Currently I use a strong left hand grip with my fingers, and a very light right hand grip down the life line. But I'm still suffering from an inconsistent backswing (Use the straight-back straight-through stroke). Any advice?

[boogielicious]

Hi! I'm looking for some advice on the regular interlock putting grip. What is the ideal power to grip the putter with. Currently I use a strong left hand grip with my fingers, and a very light right hand grip down the life line. But I'm still suffering from an inconsistent backswing (Use the straight-back straight-through stroke). Any advice?

I would avoid any grip that is strong or weak as it will tend to cause the shaft to rotate during the stroke.  I use the grip below, Stan Utley.  I also recommend his book, The Art of Putting .

[ChrisPietersen]

I would avoid any grip that is strong or weak as it will tend to cause the shaft to rotate during the stroke.  I use the grip below, Stan Utley.  I also recommend his book, The Art of Putting .

I'll try that grip out a bit. So the top hand index finger should go over 3 fingers of the bottom hand?

[boogielicious]

Quote:

Originally Posted by boogielicious

I would avoid any grip that is strong or weak as it will tend to cause the shaft to rotate during the stroke.  I use the grip below, Stan Utley.  I also recommend his book, The Art of Putting.

I'll try that grip out a bit. So the top hand index finger should go over 3 fingers of the bottom hand?

Not necessarily, although some do that.  Mine gently rests on the lower hand.  The important thing is to have the grip in your palms and have the palms facing each other.

[ChrisPietersen]

Not necessarily, although some do that.  Mine gently rests on the lower hand.  The important thing is to have the grip in your palms and have the palms facing each other.

Thanks! I'll try that grip out a bit. It seems pretty comfortable. Any tips on getting a nice straight backlift for straight-back-straight-through stroke?

[boogielicious]

Quote:

Originally Posted by boogielicious

Not necessarily, although some do that.  Mine gently rests on the lower hand.  The important thing is to have the grip in your palms and have the palms facing each other.

Thanks! I'll try that grip out a bit. It seems pretty comfortable. Any tips on getting a nice straight backlift for straight-back-straight-through stroke?

Don't worry too much about straight-back-straight through.  The putting stroke is on a plane that is not perpendicular to the ground, just like the full swing.  So to your eye, the putting stroke will look like it is on an arc when it is actually moving back on that plane.  So in reality, it is straight-back and straight through on that plane.

What you should really focus on is control of the stroke and a repeating stroke.  For me, I let my left hand controls the backswing and then I let gravity do most of the work on the down swing.  The speed of the backstroke is always the same and only the length changes depending on the distance.

@iacas wrote and excellent post on this.

I also recommend reading Stan Utley's book, The Art of Putting .  Winter is coming, so it is a good time to do some reading.  Also check out:

Stockton does a great job in describing how to visualize your putt and has several good pointers.

[saevel25]

Don't worry too much about straight-back-straight through.  The putting stroke is on a plane that is not perpendicular to the ground, just like the full swing.  So to your eye, the putting stroke will look like it is on an arc when it is actually moving back on that plane.  So in reality, it is straight-back and straight through on that plane.

What you should really focus on is control of the stroke and a repeating stroke.  For me, I let my left hand controls the backswing and then I let gravity do most of the work on the down swing.  The speed of the backstroke is always the same and only the length changes depending on the distance.

For me I like the soft arms feel. With the Edel putter, which is heavier and backweight it pretty much stays on my natural putter swing path if I just rock my shoulders and arms.

In the end develop your own feel for what works. I don't focus on one thing or the other, just putt the ball really, kinda let things happen. That is at least what it feels like when I am putting well. I might have to focus on making a larger stroke with long putts. I can get my putting stroke too short on long putts. Besides that, it's pretty much let things happen naturally.

[ChrisPietersen]

Don't worry too much about straight-back-straight through.  The putting stroke is on a plane that is not perpendicular to the ground, just like the full swing.  So to your eye, the putting stroke will look like it is on an arc when it is actually moving back on that plane.  So in reality, it is straight-back and straight through on that plane.

What you should really focus on is control of the stroke and a repeating stroke.  For me, I let my left hand controls the backswing and then I let gravity do most of the work on the down swing.  The speed of the backstroke is always the same and only the length changes depending on the distance.

@iacas wrote and excellent post on this.

I also recommend reading Stan Utley's book, The Art of Putting.  Winter is coming, so it is a good time to do some reading.  Also check out:

Stockton does a great job in describing how to visualize your putt and has several good pointers.

Will check out the link. And I'll see if I can get to those books sometime.

I've been experimenting a few hours with that grip, it seems pretty consistent. I tried doing it in reverse (left hand low) and it also worked, feeling a bit better because my left arm is almost straight, but the bigger the putt, the less accurate it is.

My distance control is pretty decent with the right hand low grip though. Is it called a Utley Grip? Or does it have a more common name?

I'm having trouble keeping a consistent grip strength, probably just something I have to concentrate on until I do it automatically.

Do you have any ways I can practice my putting at home?

By the way. Summer just started here in South Africa! So I've got a lot of golf ahead hopefully! ;)

[ChrisPietersen]

For me I like the soft arms feel. With the Edel putter, which is heavier and backweight it pretty much stays on my natural putter swing path if I just rock my shoulders and arms.

In the end develop your own feel for what works. I don't focus on one thing or the other, just putt the ball really, kinda let things happen. That is at least what it feels like when I am putting well. I might have to focus on making a larger stroke with long putts. I can get my putting stroke too short on long putts. Besides that, it's pretty much let things happen naturally.

I figure everyone actually has their own stroke that fits them best. I'm still trying to find mine though (Only been playing for only 2 months!).

With "soft arms" do you mean you just let the putter move like a pendulum, without you giving it power back or forward?

Oh, another thing I've been wondering, where is the best positions for your elbows to be? I usually have it away from my body, but I've been trying to keep it as close to my sides as possible. I figure it gives me a more consistent stroke path?

[boogielicious]

Quote:

Originally Posted by boogielicious

Don't worry too much about straight-back-straight through.  The putting stroke is on a plane that is not perpendicular to the ground, just like the full swing.  So to your eye, the putting stroke will look like it is on an arc when it is actually moving back on that plane.  So in reality, it is straight-back and straight through on that plane.

What you should really focus on is control of the stroke and a repeating stroke.  For me, I let my left hand controls the backswing and then I let gravity do most of the work on the down swing.  The speed of the backstroke is always the same and only the length changes depending on the distance.

@iacas wrote and excellent post on this.

I also recommend reading Stan Utley's book, The Art of Putting.  Winter is coming, so it is a good time to do some reading.  Also check out:

Stockton does a great job in describing how to visualize your putt and has several good pointers.

Will check out the link. And I'll see if I can get to those books sometime.

I've been experimenting a few hours with that grip, it seems pretty consistent. I tried doing it in reverse (left hand low) and it also worked, feeling a bit better because my left arm is almost straight, but the bigger the putt, the less accurate it is.

My distance control is pretty decent with the right hand low grip though. Is it called a Utley Grip? Or does it have a more common name?

I'm having trouble keeping a consistent grip strength, probably just something I have to concentrate on until I do it automatically.

Do you have any ways I can practice my putting at home?

By the way. Summer just started here in South Africa! So I've got a lot of golf ahead hopefully! ;)

LOL!  I didn't look at your location.  I'm jealous.  It is going to snow here tomorrow.

I have a flat putting rug.  I work on mostly starting the ball on line at home.  I will put a ball out about 1 to 3 feet and putt to hit that ball dead center.  That improves starting the ball on my intended line.  It is harder to practice distance control at home on anything less than 10 feet.

[ChrisPietersen]

LOL!  I didn't look at your location.  I'm jealous.  It is going to snow here tomorrow.

I have a flat putting rug.  I work on mostly starting the ball on line at home.  I will put a ball out about 1 to 3 feet and putt to hit that ball dead center.  That improves starting the ball on my intended line.  It is harder to practice distance control at home on anything less than 10 feet.

Will try it!

I've also read somewhere about drawing a line around a ball and trying to putt it without the line wobbling? Does this sound like a decent drill? I already have a ball with a line a third around, so will probably use that and see if it works?

And as I stated in my other post above, where would you say should my elbows during the stroke be? Against my sides?

[boogielicious]

Quote:

Originally Posted by boogielicious

LOL!  I didn't look at your location.  I'm jealous.  It is going to snow here tomorrow.

I have a flat putting rug.  I work on mostly starting the ball on line at home.  I will put a ball out about 1 to 3 feet and putt to hit that ball dead center.  That improves starting the ball on my intended line.  It is harder to practice distance control at home on anything less than 10 feet.

Will try it!

I've also read somewhere about drawing a line around a ball and trying to putt it without the line wobbling? Does this sound like a decent drill? I already have a ball with a line a third around, so will probably use that and see if it works?

And as I stated in my other post above, where would you say should my elbows during the stroke be? Against my sides?

It is a good drill.  As for the elbows, I like to feel connected and have my elbows at my side with the upper arm gently against my torso.  When I putt, my elbows fold around my sides.  this is described in Utley's book.  My chest and torso don't move.  The shoulders rotate and the arms move around my torso.  Google "Stan Utley" and look for videos.

[ChrisPietersen]

It is a good drill.  As for the elbows, I like to feel connected and have my elbows at my side with the upper arm gently against my torso.  When I putt, my elbows fold around my sides.  this is described in Utley's book.  My chest and torso don't move.  The shoulders rotate and the arms move around my torso.  Google "Stan Utley" and look for videos.

Will do! Thanks a lot for all the advice! Will post some more questions if I get stuck with something! :)

[boogielicious]

Quote:

Originally Posted by boogielicious

It is a good drill.  As for the elbows, I like to feel connected and have my elbows at my side with the upper arm gently against my torso.  When I putt, my elbows fold around my sides.  this is described in Utley's book.  My chest and torso don't move.  The shoulders rotate and the arms move around my torso.  Google "Stan Utley" and look for videos.

Will do! Thanks a lot for all the advice! Will post some more questions if I get stuck with something! :)

You can also post a video of your putting stroke in the Member Swings section.  It is not just for full swings.

[saevel25]

I figure everyone actually has their own stroke that fits them best. I'm still trying to find mine though (Only been playing for only 2 months!).

With "soft arms" do you mean you just let the putter move like a pendulum, without you giving it power back or forward?

Oh, another thing I've been wondering, where is the best positions for your elbows to be? I usually have it away from my body, but I've been trying to keep it as close to my sides as possible. I figure it gives me a more consistent stroke path?

Pretty much, , check this thread out. I had trouble standing too upright and my arms would be locked, and I was trying to manipulate putts with my hands. So I bend over more, and keep the arms softer.

The upper part of my arms are against my chest and torso. I am not squeezing my arms together, but they just kinda tuck in there.

[ChrisPietersen]

You can also post a video of your putting stroke in the Member Swings section.  It is not just for full swings.

Probably a good idea! Will see if I can get a video when I'm on the practice green in the next 2 weeks somewhere. Thanks!

[ChrisPietersen]

Pretty much,  [CONTENTEMBED=/t/74295/putting-do-not-accelerate-through-the-ball layout=inline]​[/CONTENTEMBED] , check this thread out. I had trouble standing too upright and my arms would be locked, and I was trying to manipulate putts with my hands. So I bend over more, and keep the arms softer.  The upper part of my arms are against my chest and torso. I am not squeezing my arms together, but they just kinda tuck in there.

Thanks for the insight. It really helps me learn through you guys! Have checked that link. I'm trying the drill where you put 3 coins down and putt from the one in the middle, having your stroke to start and end on the others. I mostly don't even reach the last coin! Does this mean I decelerate through the stroke too much? Is this a bad thing?

[saevel25]

Thanks for the insight. It really helps me learn through you guys!

Have checked that link. I'm trying the drill where you put 3 coins down and putt from the one in the middle, having your stroke to start and end on the others. I mostly don't even reach the last coin! Does this mean I decelerate through the stroke too much? Is this a bad thing?

Not sure, you could feel like you do and actually not be decelerating too much at all.