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The claw grip is a putting hold that takes the trail hand off the side of the handle and parks it more on top, like a claw. The point is simple: quiet the trail wrist so the face does not flip open or shut on short putts.

It is not magic. It is a stabilizer for players whose hands get busy under pressure.

  • What it is: Lead hand stays fairly conventional. Trail hand sits on top of the grip with fingertips or knuckles pointing down the shaft instead of wrapping under it.
  • Why it works: Less trail-hand rotation = a quieter face through impact.
  • Best for: Yips, a flicky trail wrist, or putts that miss left and right with no pattern.
  • Tradeoff: Feel on long lag putts can take a week or two. Most players keep it once short putts settle.
  • Equipment: Any standard putter works. A slightly thicker grip often feels better.

How to Hold the Claw

  1. Set the lead hand as you would for a reverse-overlap or standard putting grip.
  2. Place the trail hand on top of the handle. Fingertips rest on the side or top — not wrapped underneath like a full-swing grip.
  3. Keep both thumbs quiet. The trail palm should not shove the handle.
  4. Let the shoulders rock the putter. If the trail wrist is doing work, the claw is too tight or too low on the grip.

Left-handed players reverse the hands. Same idea.

Pros and Cons

  • Pros: Calmer face on 4–8 footers, less death-grip tension, a built-in “no flip” cue.
  • Cons: Odd at first, can feel short of power on 30+ footers until you learn to use the shoulders, not a new stroke every day.

Common Mistakes

  • Squeezing the trail fingers. Soft contact is the whole point.
  • Letting the trail hand slide around from putt to putt.
  • Trying to “hit” long putts with the hands instead of a bigger shoulder rock.
  • Switching grips mid-round after two misses. Give it a practice green first.

Two Drills

  • Gate drill: Two tees just wider than the head. Roll 10 three-footers without touching a tee.
  • Ladder: 10, 20, 30 feet. Count how many finish inside a 3-foot circle. Shoulders, not hands, add distance.

For green reading that matches a quieter stroke, see how to read golf greens. Glove-on vs glove-off is personal; many claw players go bare-handed for feel: do you wear a glove when putting?

Conclusion

Use the claw if your trail hand is steering the face. Set it the same way every time, rock the shoulders, and test it on the practice green before you take it into a money game.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the claw grip in putting?

A putting hold where the trail hand sits on top of the grip instead of wrapping under it, so the trail wrist cannot easily flip the face.

Does the claw grip help the yips?

It helps many players because it removes the most twitchy part of the stroke — trail-hand rotation. It is not a guarantee, but it is one of the most common tour fixes for that miss.

Can I use the claw on long putts?

Yes. Make a bigger shoulder stroke. Do not try to “hit” it with the trail hand.

Do I need a special putter?

No. A standard putter works. Some players like a slightly oversized grip for comfort.

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