Putter Grips · Buying Guide

Putter Grip Shapes — What You Need to Know

Putter grip shapes are important because they affect how we move our bodies in conjunction with the club. Small adjustments in hand positioning can result in noticeable variations. And as we all know, even the smallest of variations with our swing can result in higher scores.

There are 6 main grip profile shapes when viewed, looking down, from the top of the putter. Each shape provides a different feel and may offer various benefits for certain golfers.

Why putter grip sizing is confusing

First off, it's worth noting that putter grip sizes and shapes tend to be a confusing topic. Swing grips are uniformly sized by the diameter measurement taken 5cm down from the butt end of the grip. And all swing grips (with the exception of ribbed and alignment grips) are round in profile, meaning the direction you measure the grip doesn't matter. Putter grips however, come in a variety of shapes, and thus their size has been more difficult to define due to this lack of uniformity.

Putter grip profiles fall into one of 6 categories: Circle, Oval, Flat Oval, Pistol, Flat Wide, and Mod Pistol.

One simplified method of determining putter grip size is to take the measurement of the width. Some manufacturers created their own sizing terms, like Super Stroke's 1.0, 2.0, 3.0, and 5.0. Still others like the Golf Pride SNSR refer to putter grip size by volume, like 140cc and 104cc.

How the shapes feel

The Circle shape emulates how swing grips feel. Circle putter grips have been made more popular by Super Stroke in recent years, with larger diameters and non-tapered styles. The Oval, one of the most popular and traditional shapes (sometimes called the "Paddle"), is a modified version of the Circle, with a large range of sizes offered by many brands, from Undersize, all the way up to Oversize/Jumbo. The Oval shape is conducive for hands to stay close together for a solid, stable grip.

The rest of the shapes, Flat Oval, Pistol, Flat Wide, and Mod Pistol, are more modern styles that usually have wider flat tops, which are great for players with longer fingers or prefer to have their hands turned out for a more natural feeling placement. Pistol putter grips in particular provide an ergonomic feel, allowing the bottom fingers to wrap around the angled (pointed) undersize part of the grip. Lamkin's Sink Fit Putter collection offers multiple shapes (Pistol and Flat Oval, or what they refer to as Straight), while utilizing the same Fingerprint rubber surface for non-slip performance.

Larger putter grips tend to be shaped either as Circle, Flat Oval, or Pistol. With larger widths, they can help quiet the wrists during a putt, allowing a more full-bodied fluid motion for stability.

Choosing your shape: it comes down to feel

When choosing a putter grip shape, teaching pros and club-fitters agree, it's the feel and weight that matters the most. Because it's not just about how the hands fit around the grip, but rather how the grip guides (or affects) your swing. Heavier grips can help increase steadiness, but may be difficult to control. An ergonomic or non-tapered grip, like the Pistol shape, can relax your arms and shoulders which helps avoid tense or jarred movements.

Best Putter Grip for Your Stroke

Once you know the six shapes above, the next question is which one actually fits the way you putt. The shortcut most club-fitters use is to match the grip to your stroke path and how much you want your hands involved. A stroke that travels straight back and straight through wants a grip that keeps the hands quiet, while a stroke that arcs around the body usually wants a grip that lets the hands release. Size and weight do the heavy lifting here: larger, non-tapered grips reduce wrist action and add stability, while smaller, more tapered shapes leave room for feel and release.

Use the chart below as a starting point, then choose by feel — the grip should make a square, repeatable stroke feel easy rather than forced.

Weight is the other lever. A heavier grip can settle nervy hands and steady the tempo, but too much weight makes distance control harder to feel. If you tend to leave putts short or decelerate, a lighter grip often helps; if you get jumpy over short putts, more weight or a larger profile can calm the stroke down.

If you have questions on a putter grip or if there's information you're looking for, let us know so we can help lock down the perfect grip shape for you.

Putter Grip Shapes — Frequently Asked Questions