Master the Cross Hand Putting Grip for Smoother Putt Accuracy

For a right-handed golfer, the cross-handed putting grip—commonly referred to as “left-hand low”—reverses the standard hand positions on the putter. In a traditional grip, the left hand rests above the right, but with this technique, the left hand is placed lower on the shaft while the right hand assumes a position closer to the top. This simple but significant change creates a unique dynamic that can alter how you feel the putter during your stroke.

By shifting each hand’s role, the cross-handed grip naturally encourages a more balanced clubface through impact. It offers a distinct alternative to the conventional style, and many golfers find it particularly helpful for steadying their wrists and promoting a smoother, more reliable stroke. Understanding how to set up and refine this grip is the key to unlocking its full potential on the greens.

Setting Up the Cross-Handed Putting Grip

Positioning Your Left Hand

Start by placing your left hand lower on the putter shaft than you would with a conventional grip. Let your thumb lie along the flat portion of the grip, making certain not to squeeze too tightly. This lower placement should feel comfortable yet secure—prioritize a natural hand alignment that allows your wrists and forearms to stay relaxed. Minor shifts in pressure or thumb alignment can greatly influence how stable the club feels, so experiment on the practice green to find a setup that fosters confidence in your stroke.

Positioning Your Right Hand

Once your left hand is settled in its lower spot, gently move your right hand to a higher position on the grip. Wrap your fingers around the top portion so that your right thumb also rests comfortably on the putter. Aim to avoid any excess tension in your wrists; a relaxed hold often improves your feel for the putting surface. This reversed arrangement of the hands can lead to a more unified motion, reducing the likelihood of flipping or twisting the putter face through impact.

Exploring the Claw Technique

In some cross-handed setups, golfers tilt their right hand into a “claw” formation rather than using a standard wrap. This means lightly curling the fingers around the top of the grip so that they press gently on its side. The claw configuration can minimize wrist rotation and help maintain a more reliable stroke path. Small changes in the angle of your fingers or the pressure you apply at contact can greatly affect how the putter swings, so take the time to test out this variation if you’re prone to excess wrist movement.

Variations of the Cross-Handed Grip

Overlapping Grip Variation

Even within the cross-handed style, there are multiple ways to unify the grip. An overlapping approach places one hand so its pinky finger loosely rests atop the fingers of the opposite hand. This interconnection can give you a consolidated feel, promoting harmonious movement in both hands during the stroke. Some golfers appreciate how a more interlocked setup limits excess wrist action while still enabling a firm yet fluid feel through impact. Adjust the amount of overlap and finger pressure to discover the balance that suits your natural stroke.

Ten-Finger or “Baseball” Style Variation

Another adaptation within the cross-handed method is the ten-finger, or “baseball,” grip. Here, each finger maintains direct contact with the putter without intertwining. This style often appeals to golfers who favor a more relaxed, less constricted sensation in the hands. It can distribute pressure evenly across the grip and reduce the chance of overcompensating with one hand or the other. If you enjoy a sense of freedom in your wrists or need a putter grip that gives each hand a slightly more independent feel, the ten-finger variation is worth exploring.

Custom Modifications

There is no one-size-fits-all model for the cross-handed grip. Subtle tweaks—shifting a finger placement by mere millimeters or angling your thumbs slightly—can change the connection you have with the putter. Some golfers find that repositioning their hands opens the shoulders naturally, leading to a more accurate putting line. Others tweak the grip pressure in a single finger to control how quickly the putter releases through the ball. Testing these fine details on the practice green allows you to shape a cross-handed grip that perfectly aligns with your putting tempo and confidence level.

Benefits of the Cross-Handed Putter Grip

Achieving a Square Clubface at Impact

One of the most compelling advantages of the cross-handed method is how it encourages the putter face to remain square when making contact with the ball. Since your left hand is lower on the grip, it exerts a stabilizing influence on the putter head. To avoid flipping or twisting through impact, the right hand complements this stability by sitting higher on the grip, providing an opposing force. This interplay of stable hands helps the putter face meet the ball squarely, which in turn can improve both the consistency and the accuracy of your putts.

Minimizing Unwanted Wrist Movement

Because the cross-handed setup inverts each hand’s usual position, it tends to limit extraneous wrist action throughout the stroke. When both wrists are kept relatively neutral, the putter path is more likely to be controlled by the shoulders and arms working together as a single unit. By reducing any sudden hinge or flick at the ball, the cross-handed grip can also eliminate common mishits, such as pulls and pushes caused by last-second hand manipulations. This steadier approach often translates to greater confidence when addressing a crucial putt.

Enhancing Stroke Consistency and Smoothness

A balanced clubface at impact and reduced wrist motion both contribute to a smoother rolling action on the green. The more consistent your mechanics and the more uniform your setup, the stronger your sense of rhythm becomes. Many golfers find that, over time, the cross-handed grip leads to a naturally flowing stroke in which the putter head glides back and through without abrupt changes. By reinforcing a reproducible movement pattern, this grip style can help forge the kind of dependable putting technique that boosts your overall performance under pressure.

Is the Cross-Handed Grip Right for You?

Analyzing Grip Tension

Switching to a reversed hand position requires a fresh look at grip pressure. In a standard setup, each hand’s role is fairly instinctive, while a cross-handed arrangement can make one hand do more of the “holding” work. If your top hand begins to feel overly tight, consciously relax your fingers and wrists to bring back a sense of fluidity. On the practice green, alternate between the traditional and cross-handed setups, focusing on how tension in each hand affects the consistency of your stroke.

Assessing Accuracy in Clubface Control

Because the cross-handed grip can correct the tendency to open or close the putter face, it holds particular appeal for golfers whose strokes drift off-line. If you typically struggle with pulls or pushes, try monitoring any shift in start lines and ball roll when adopting this style. Concentrate on whether your putts hold their intended path more reliably with the left-hand-low arrangement. Such direct, outcome-based comparisons can clarify whether the cross-handed approach benefits your individual stroke pattern.

Adjusting Your Technique for a Smooth Stroke

A new grip often demands minor mechanical adjustments. You might find that slightly lower or higher hand placement yields a more fluid backswing, or that a subtle thumb rotation stabilizes your putter during the forward press. In some cases, realigning your shoulders or elbows can enhance the straight-back-and-through motion often associated with this method. Small refinements made through intentional practice can help you feel the tangible influence of the cross-handed grip on your stroke’s pacing and contact.

Guidelines for Deciding on the Transition

Before committing fully, spend dedicated time contrasting the cross-handed style with your usual grip. Keep track of your performance in different scenarios—short putts, breaking putts, and longer lag putts—to see if the reversed hand position consistently yields improved results. Look for patterns: if you notice more stable putter contact or fewer wayward misses, the cross-handed grip may be a wise strategic shift. If, however, the adjustment feels forced or disrupts your tempo, it might be more productive to explore other technique tweaks.

Conclusion

By positioning the left hand lower on the shaft and the right hand higher, the cross-handed putting grip reconfigures the stroke toward a steadier, square clubface at impact. This method’s emphasis on aligning your wrists and forearms can quell excess movement, fostering a refined roll on the green.

If you struggle with inconsistent putts or crave more control under pressure, this grip is a compelling option to explore. Put in some deliberate practice time to fine-tune the small details—hand pressure, finger placement, and shoulder alignment—and watch how these adjustments can transform the consistency and confidence of your putting game.