When it comes to golf, few names are as synonymous with greatness as Tiger Woods.
Known for his unparalleled skills and meticulous attention to detail, Tiger has consistently dominated the game, especially on the greens.
One of the secrets to his success lies in his putting grip. So, how did Tiger become such a clutch putter?
A lot of it comes down to his putting grip and feel for the club.
In the article below, we will deep dive into the various aspects of Tiger Woods’ putting grip and explore how it can help improve your own putting game.
We have a lot to cover so let’s get started!
How Type of Putting Grip Did Tiger Use?
The foundation of Tiger Woods’ putting success lies in his use of the reverse overlap putting grip.
This grip is characterized by placing the index finger of the left hand (for right-handed golfers) over the fingers of the right hand, creating a reverse overlap. Let’s take a closer look at how it works.
How The Reverse Overlap Works:
The reverse overlap putting grip offers several advantages. First, it helps promote a smoother and more controlled stroke by allowing the hands to work together in unison.
The overlapping grip also provides a greater sense of stability and control throughout the putting motion.
By keeping the hands connected, the reverse overlap grip minimizes the risk of independent hand movement, resulting in a more consistent and accurate stroke.
Grip Pressure Plays A Huge Role In Tiger’s Putting Grip
While the reverse overlap grip is crucial, it is just one component in Tiger’s success on the green.
Proper grip pressure is equally significant in Tiger Woods’ putting technique.
Woods emphasizes a light grip pressure, allowing for greater sensitivity and touch when making contact with the ball.
Maintaining a relaxed grip pressure helps prevent unnecessary tension in the arms and hands.
This allows for a smoother and more fluid putting motion.
By employing a softer grip, golfers can also enhance their ability to feel the putter head and the subtle feedback it provides during the stroke.
This feedback or ‘feel’ is what sets elite golfer apart from the rest of the pack.
Golfers who execute a proper grip with the proper putting equipment can expect to see more putts drop along with their scores.
Tiger Woods Putter Equipment
It’s worth noting the putter gear that Tiger has used as it plays a part in his success. Let’s first start with his preferred putter grip.
Tiger Woods Putter Grip
Woods has favored a thicker grip, which helps promote stability and reduces the potential for excessive hand manipulation during the stroke.
The increased girth of the putter grip allows for a more relaxed grip and reduces the tendency to twist or rotate the wrists, resulting in more consistent and controlled putting.
Tiger Woods Putters
Next, we have the type of putter Tiger used. Tiger Woods has used various putters throughout his career, and his choice of putter has evolved over time.
However, it is worth noting that professional golfers often experiment with different putters.
It’s common for pro golfers to change their equipment based on their performance and personal preferences.
Here are a few notable putters Tiger Woods has used:
Scotty Cameron Newport 2 GSS: This putter has been a favorite of Tiger Woods for a significant portion of his career.
It is a blade-style putter from renowned putter maker Scotty Cameron.
The GSS (German Stainless Steel) refers to the material used in the putter’s construction, which provides a soft feel and precise feedback.
Scotty Cameron Newport 2 Timeless GSS: Tiger Woods has also used a customized version of the Scotty Cameron Newport 2 putter called the “Timeless” edition.
This putter featured similar design characteristics to the Newport 2 but with unique refinements tailored to Tiger’s preferences.
Scotty Cameron Newport 2 Tiger Woods Prototype: Tiger Woods collaborated with Scotty Cameron to create his own prototype putter, which was based on the Newport 2 design.
This putter incorporated specific modifications and adjustments to suit Woods’ putting stroke and preferences.
Tiger Woods Putting Drill
The putting grip and equipment were critical to Tiger’s success on the green. However, they are just one aspect of focus.
The most important part of Tiger’s putting skill comes down to practice. Thousands of hours of practice on the green are what made Tiger elite and clutch putter that we know today.
To refine his putting stroke, Tiger Woods has relied on a simple, yet effective drill known as the “Gate Drill.”
This drill involves placing two tees slightly wider than the putter head’s width, creating a gate-like structure.
By focusing on rolling the ball through the gate without touching the tees, golfers can develop better alignment, accuracy, and consistent roll.
Incorporating this drill into your practice routine can help improve your putting mechanics and overall performance on the greens.
Final Thoughts
Tiger Woods’ putting grip is a key factor that has contributed to his success on the greens.
His use of the reverse overlap grip, combined with a light grip pressure, allows for a smoother and more controlled stroke.
By keeping the hands connected, Tiger achieves a greater sense of stability and control, resulting in consistent and accurate putting.
In addition to the grip, Tiger’s choice of putter grip and equipment has also played a role in his clutch putting.
While the right grip and equipment are essential, Tiger’s success ultimately comes down to practice. Hours of dedicated practice on the greens have honed his putting skills to perfection.
Tiger’s “Gate Drill” is a simple yet effective exercise that can help golfers improve their alignment, accuracy, and consistency on the greens.
To putt like Tiger, aspiring golfers should focus on adopting the reverse overlap grip, paying attention to grip pressure, selecting the right putter grip, and incorporating practice drills into their routine.
However, it’s important to remember that each golfer is unique.
Finding the right putting technique may require some experimentation and adjustments.
By studying Tiger Woods’ putting grip and incorporating his techniques into your game, you can elevate your putting skills and approach the greens with confidence.
Remember, practice and dedication are key to becoming a master of the art of putting, just like Tiger Woods.
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