Short Game Tips

What You Should Learn About Your Putting Grip
Until you have a correct putting grip, you are not going to have success on the golf course. Most golf professionals agree that the grip is the single most important aspect of your game. Others feel that some aspects of the game are more important than grip – like stability, ball position and alignment.
Once you have a solid putting grip, you will be able to develop a successful short game, which is the most important part of the game. No one grip will work for everyone, but you can develop a grip that works for you, whether it be driving or putting.
When developing a solid putting grip, you need to keep your hands in a square position, so that you don't have extra power where you don't need it. Your palms should be parallel to each other, and also parallel to the face of the putter.
Many professional players prove the point that your putting grip needs to be fundamentally different from the grip you use when driving. A stronger grip may bring more power, but to be an accurate putter, you need a more controlled approach.
Actually, for your complete game, you need three solid grips: One for the power game, one for the short game (getting on the green) and one for putting. You'll need to practice your new putting grip if you've been golfing for a long time. You'll need many hours of practice for your new grips to feel comfortable.
As compared with the grip you use for your power game, your short game demands a grip that is more neutral, and less powerful. In putting and your short-distance game, you don't want extra power – you need to use finesse to put the ball in the hole. To do this, you need to keep your hand and wrist muscles quiet.
The short game grip is a bit different from your putting grip. For the finesse shots, which include chips, wedges and pitches, it's better to begin with the hands in a position that is square, with both of the V's of your hands aimed nearer to the target. Most people would consider this a weak grip, but with a smooth release, the face of the club will reach its impact point with the ball without any rolling over. In this way, by keeping your hands quiet, like they are in your putting grip, it will breed more consistency in your short game.
Your putting grip, then, is very similar to the grip for your short game. Your hands must stay quiet and square, meaning they are both in line with each other and with the face of the club. The exact grasp – overlapping, or with one hand lower – is not as important to your putting grip as is making sure that your hands mimic the position of your face. In this way, you can keep your eye on the prize, and ensure that more of your putts will be successful.