Lesson Notes: Mastering Putting Grip Pressure with Cathy Kim
The Goal: To dial in the exact grip pressure required for a loose, fluid putting stroke that eliminates tension and leads to more made putts.
The Problems Caused by Excess Tension
- Rigid Stroke: Gripping the putter handle too hard causes your hands, wrists, and arms to become overly rigid and tense.
- Loss of Fluidity: This physical restriction disrupts the natural, smooth acceleration of the putter face through the hitting zone.
The Uncapped Toothpaste Drill
- The Setup: Grab a standard tube of toothpaste and make sure the cap is completely unhooked or removed.
- The Grip: Hold onto the tube with both hands, replicating your exact putting grip placement directly on the body of the tube.
- The Motion: Take the tube back and through in a mock putting stroke sequence.
- The Boundary: Your primary focus during the swing is to ensure that absolutely no toothpaste oozes or squeezes out of the open top.
Two Core Takeaways
- 1. Light Grip Pressure: The drill forces you to keep your hands soft enough to prevent altering the shape of the tube.
- 2. Consistent Pressure: It teaches you to maintain that identical soft feel through the entire transition from backswing to follow-through, preventing sudden clenching.
FAQ
Q: Why is consistent grip pressure so important during a putting stroke?
A: If you squeeze the putter tighter at any point during the stroke—especially right at the transition or right before impact—you instantly manipulate the clubface angle and change the speed of the head. Constant, unvarying pressure keeps the club tracking smoothly on your intended line.
Q: When can I easily practice this drill without going to the golf course?
A: This is a perfect home-based routine that you can easily practice on a daily basis right in your bathroom while you are brushing your teeth.
