Using two different putting grips, pace > accuracy

[JohannBeukes]

I would like to get the better golfer's opinion on whether using two different putting grips is sustainable on the long run or whether it will catch up with me under difficult circumstances.

About two months ago, I started using two different putting grips; my standard, "normal" one, crosshanded: I was seriously missing putts between 4 and 6 feet, and was adviced by a professional to switch to a claw grip. The result was immediate: I am far more accurate on anything within 15 feet using a claw grip. Yet the downside was that my feel for pace was compromised by the claw grip: I was leaving everything outside 15 feet way short.

So I started to use my standard crosshanded grip for "pace putts", which in my case means to get it close enough for a realistic two-putt; often of the fringes (top picture).

For "accuracy putts", which in my case means that I totally believe it is holeable, I switch to the claw, to get it on accurate line plus the right pace for that line of course (bottom picture).

I have been told by several low handicappers that switching between putting grips is in the long run a dangerous exercise and that both will falter if I am under enough pressure. I am told that I will have to decide on one grip and stick with it. Yet I am comfortable with using both grips, I have putted with moderate success under pressure using this method and would like to stick to it, even it may seem awkward for others.

I play a lot of golf - at least 2 x 9 and 2 x 18 per 7 days. That certainly does not make me better, but if you play that often, habits form quickly. I work hard getting back to a 12 h/c where I played off for years - and the only thing that can improve my scores and lower my handicap, is putting. I would hate not systematically improving on this aspect of the game that I feel I have a realistic amount of control over.  I will appreciate any advice!

Copyright pictures: http://atruegolfer.com/2012/02/how-to-hold-putter-8-correct-putting-grips/

Edited May 19, 2016 by JohannBeukes

[saevel25]

24 minutes ago, JohannBeukes said:

I have been told by several low handicappers that switching between putting grips is in the long run a dangerous exercise and that both will falter if I am under enough pressure. I am told that I will have to decide on one grip and stick with it. Yet I am comfortable with using both grips, I have putted with moderate success under pressure using this method and would like to stick to it, even it may seem awkward for others.

The biggest key is are you making more putts than you were previously. If you can sustain that over the long term then go for it. 

[SavvySwede]

6 minutes ago, saevel25 said:

The biggest key is are you making more putts than you were previously. If you can sustain that over the long term then go for it. 

Yeah but if he bothered to practice his longer putts with the claw grip he would eventually reach the same or likely better competency over his old grip. 

[DaveP043]

49 minutes ago, JohannBeukes said:

and the only thing that can improve my scores and lower my handicap, is putting.

Putting is often the quickest place where you can improve your scoring, but virtually all of us can improve more by improving our full swing game.  

12 minutes ago, SavvySwede said:

Yeah but if he bothered to practice his longer putts with the claw grip he would eventually reach the same or likely better competency over his old grip. 

I'd generally agree with @SavvySwede, I think if you work with the claw grip more, and from longer distances, you'll probably improve your feel for distance with it, and won't need to use two different grips.  It kind of depends on whether you want a short-term fix for the shorter putts, or a longer term improvement in your entire putting game.