Cross-handed putting is one of the many different putting grip styles utilized by golfers of all playing abilities. In fact, putting cross-handed is relatively popular on the PGA Tour. With the cross-handed method essentially you are pulling the putter through on the forward stroke with the bottom hand. In a traditional reverse overlap gripping style, you are pushing the putter through the forward stroke with the bottom hand.
The key benefits of cross-handed putting are that the wrists stay locked during the stroke, minimizing jerky movements and ensuring that the golfer keeps the putter steady and their stroke online towards the hole longer. The Cross-Handed style also helps with a more consistent set-up and ensures that there is less shoulder rotation during the putting stroke.
Cross-Handed Putting Levels The Shoulders
Cross handed putting levels the shoulders which makes the motion of the putting stroke equally balanced like a grandfather clock’s pendulum. Level shoulders ensure the motion on the backstroke will be equal to the motion on the forward stroke. In addition, to your shoulders being level and the body being more square to the target line, your forearms and putter will be more aligned with the plane of the putter as well.
This means that your low forearm is in line with the putter and that makes the putter look like an extension of the arm. The arm and putter in the same plane line creates an easy path for moving the putter back and forth because there are no other arm or wrist angles that can make the putter deviate from that line.
Many golfers have adapted to Cross-Handed putting for it’s proven benefits on shorter putts. It can also help with the longer ones as in this recent video clip of PGA Tour Player Rob Oppenheim during the PGA Tour Houston Open, Rob is shown putting using the cross-handed method and draining a long putt!