Opposing Hands Putting Grip

Video Transcript

I am going to show you a conventional set up where the hands are opposing. In a normal golf swing you want your hands working together so that you get a full release. Most great putters, but certainly not all will set up with the hands opposing. That would be demonstrated best by Jack Nicklaus, he turned his left over to the left. Took the knuckles off as I look down, he just turned them right over to the left. That is very important. Your right hand goes the other way, and that is why we call it an opposing grip. My wrist and forearm on the left arm have just about turned to the maximum in a release position. They are already release, the can not release much more than this. I tend to bend over more for this stroke, and this favors more of a straight back and straight through stroke. The other feature to this is the reverse overlap, where you take the left forefinger and put it over the back of your right hand. That puts your whole right hand on the putter and puts that finger as sort of a little guide. When I am in this position it is going to be very difficult to twist the putter and that is a huge advantage. The other things is maybe bending over a little more. You can remember Jack Nicklaus really bending over. Most people who have this grip bend a little more so that they can get more of that rocking action. Now I have the hands opposing. Thumbs still on the top of the grips for feel and I just rock back and through. I have pretty much eliminate the chance of twisting that putter just by putting my hands on the club in this fashion.

Jim  McLean
Jim McLean Golf School
Doral Golf Resort and Spa
4400 NW 87th Avenue
Miami, FL 33178
Tel: 800-72-DORAL

Jim McLean runs the Jim McLean Golf Schools, considered by some the world's finest. He is listed as one of Golf Magazine's Top 100 Teachers and Golf Digest's #3 instructor in the world.

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