I was motivated last week to write about the versatility of the PalmBird Putter Grip when a new customer Tim wrote to us about his PalmBird experience.  I met Tim during a recent Demo Day at Mission Inn where I installed the PalmBIrd on his putter.  Tim uses the Claw putting grip style and said that the grip was comfortable and that he had success with the PalmBird that day.

However, he wondered if it would be more comfortable in a different position.  He decided to experiment by turning his PalmBird Putter Grip 90 degrees.  Tim says that in the new position he has, “much better control, speed, and direction AND it also has increased his ‘feel’ tremendously!“  This small change is working out well for Tim, and he wanted us to spread the word.  

All this talk last week about The Claw putting grip style and guess who I happen to meet on Friday?  Of all people, Skip Kendall, PGA Tour Player, the Pro known for indirectly introducing The Claw style to the PGA Tour by showing it to PGA Tour Player, Chris DiMarco. 

As President and Founder of PalmBird Putter Grips, I often participate in local charity events and Demo Days in the Orlando area.  On Friday, we partnered with a local school, The First Academy and took part in their fundraising golf tournament, The Royals Golf Classic.  

The tournament was at the New Course at Grand Cypress Golf Resort, and we were set up on the tee box of the 17th hole.  In the first group of golfers was Skip Kendall, PGA Tour Player.  I was so surprised to see him that I joyfully introduced myself and called over to my wife to meet him.  I introduced him to my wife as “the guy who brought the Claw gripping style to the PGA Tour.”

Many of us have heard the story or read about it in the past, but I couldn’t resist asking Skip to share his “Claw” story with me.  Skip happily shared, he began, “We were playing in the Walt Disney World Tournament at the time. There was a rain delay, and we all were crowded into the Pro-Shop waiting for the play to resume.  I had watched Chris DiMarco struggle on the greens the last few holes, and it was easy to see that he was frustrated.  It was the last event of the year, and I wanted to offer support, so I struck up a conversation.  I asked him what his plans were for next year, and he replied in exasperation, “I’m going to get a new job.”  Wanting to be reassuring, I asked him again, and Chris repeated his response and further explained how poorly his putting had been and that his confidence on the greens was slipping.

Encouraging him, I showed him an unusual gripping style that I had recently encountered.  I showed him the Claw gripping style and demonstrated the technique by taking a few putts in the Pro Shop.

Skip continued the story by saying that he didn’t think about the encounter with Chris again until Chris called him a few days later.  Chris relayed to Skip that he was playing at his home golf course in Lake Mary and hit a shot to about 6 feet from the cup.  Chris explained that the putt was a downhill slider left to right and that he was tense about the putt, and that he was already fretting about the second putt!  Chris said to Skip that he was thinking, “I figured what the heck, I’ll try the Claw gripping style.”  Chris made that putt using the Claw, and gone were those thoughts about getting a regular job next season! 

Take A Chance With The Claw Putting Grip and The PalmBird Putter Grip

Chris took a chance on something entirely different and relatively unknown, it was a good fit for him, and it paid off.  Tim wondered if rotating the PalmBird to a different position would be more comfortable for his claw gripping style.  He experimented, and it paid off for him as well.  

We all have gotten caught up at times with a similar thought; this is the traditional way, there must be a good reason so, I’ll stick with it.   However, the traditional way of doing things may not be the best way for everyone.

There is a good reason I designed the PalmBird Putter Grip without the traditional flat-side.  Its ergonomic shape allows golfers to hold the grip naturally, with the palms in the proper position and its tear-drop design makes it easier for the dominant thumb to oppose the palm.  I made the grip to be both a putting aid and a putter grip, all-in-one.  (It turns out to be a GREAT swing training aid too!)

Most golfers when they first grip the PalmBird instinctually feel the natural comfort of the grip, while others find themselves initially unsure and express that the PalmBird is different than what they are used to.  For golfers that are initially unsure of the PalmBird feel, I encourage them to trust the natural comfort of the grip and to give it a try.  If they decide it’s not for them as a putter grip, then install it on a practice club and use it on the driving range as a swing training aid, either way, the PalmBird is going to help your golf game.

Many golfers would benefit from venturing outside the box.  It’s a must if you want to discover something that may work better for you, helping you improve your game and lower your golf scores.  You’ll never know unless you try!