Putting part 2 GRIP AND STANCE

By T.J. Tomasi
Unlike the full swing, putting is an upper-body-oriented motion with limited wrist action. Therefore, the grip and stance are very different from the ones you use on your full swing.
Start by placing the right side of the grip against the lifeline of your right hand and resting your right thumb on the top side of the putter grip. In the same manner, place the left side of the grip against the lifeline of your left hand and put your left thumb on the top side
of the putter grip.
The finished product should look like my grip in the photo at left, with the right palm, the back of your left hand and the putter face all pointing in the same direction. Please reverse the directions if you are left-handed.
In order to roll the ball accurately,
you should keep these relationships throughout your putting stroke with only enough wrist action to maintain your touch. Notice that I have wrapped my left index finger over the fingers of my right hand. This is called a reverse overlap grip, and it also helps to quiet your wrists.
When you take your stance, bend from your hips until your eyes are over the target line. If your eyes are inside your target line, you will pull the putt to the left. If they are outside your target line, you’ll push it to the right.

And as you square your stance, pay special attention to your shoulders. Your arms will naturally follow the line of your shoulders during the stroke, so if your shoulders are open (pointing to the left of your target for a right-­hander), your putter head will swing on an outside-to-in path and roll the ball to the left. If your shoulders are closed (pointing to the right of your target), the path will be inside-to-out and the ball will roll to the right.
It’s also a good idea to pinch your knees toward each other slightly to guard against any excessive lower-body movement. Remember that a major difference between putting and your full swing is the absence of lower-body action.
Spend time practicing these fundamentals because the fast track to lower scores is good putting.