Putting Precision: How Counterbalance Putter Grips Can Transform Your Putting Game
Do you know why your short game struggles? Do you have a hard time with things like speed, distance control, alignment, or inconsistency?
Most golfers find that their problems in putting are a direct result of never feeling all that comfortable with their putter in their hands. Chances are that plays into your issues as well.
The good news is, there is a solution for this, and it’s called counterbalance putting grips. Maybe you have heard the idea of counterbalancing or seen it work for one of your friends. Here is everything you should know about how counterbalancing can transform your putting game.
What Is a Counterbalance Putter Grip?
A counterbalance putter grip is a heavy grip designed with extra weight in the grip end of the putter. With this weight focused higher up in the club, as opposed to all in the head, the balance of the putter is altered.
Is this a good thing?
Yes.
The counterbalance technology allows you to have a more stable and consistent putting stroke, something that you can repeat round after round.
If you are looking for a smooth and controlled stroke, more like a pendulum, the counterbalance design can ensure this happens. As soon as you start swinging the putter the same way each time, you end up with more consistency and a better overall feel.
What are the Benefits of Using a Counterbalance Golf Grip?
A counterbalanced golf grip similar to the Arm Lock AL2 provides better accuracy and more one-putts on the putting green. Here are the ways that the counterbalance grip can improve your putting skill.
Decreased Wrist Action
For golfers who struggle with the yips on those shorter putts, a counterbalanced grip, especially a larger one, will help put a little feel back in the hands, making a player less likely to overuse the wrists.
Decreased wrist action allows you to create a more repeatable putting stroke.
Improved Stability In Your Stroke
In addition to consistency, stability in the stroke will help with any wobble or twisting that can occur at impact. Have you ever taken a video of your putting stroke and look at how much the putter head moves at impact.
When you can control the head of the putter a bit, it’s easier to get the start line of your putt headed toward your target line. Any twisting and turning can result in the ball being off track right away.
Greater Accuracy
The more steady your putting stroke is, the easier it is to make putts.
A counterbalanced grip keeps the putter steady throughout the entire stroke (not just at impact), and therefore, you should experience more accuracy.
More Confidence
If you are standing over the ball knowing your putting stroke is more stable, consistent, and reliable, won’t it be easier to make putts?
Putting is just as much a mental game as it is physical. Sometimes, a grip change or switching to an arm lock putter style is all it takes to gain that confidence back. When your confidence is back, you will view the greens in an entirely different way.
Imagine being excited about putting!
What Are The Negatives of Counterbalance Putter Grips?
Just to make sure you have the full story on counterbalanced putter grips, you should understand that there are a few negatives here.
The biggest complaint of golfers about a counterbalance or heavier putter grip is the extra weight. On the shorter putts, you can stay really stable, but on the longer putts, it sometimes requires a bit of effort to swing the putter that much longer.
In addition, there is a definite transition period where you will have to get used to the idea of counterbalance grips and how they feel compared to traditional grips.
If you are going from a basic putter grip to a counterbalance, give yourself time to work on distance control and feel before heading out to the course with the new technology.
Counterbalance and Arm Lock Combined (The Perfect Combo?)
With counterbalance putter grips and arm lock putters having some of the same benefits, many golfers are combining the two techniques. Arm lock putting and counterbalance both offer decreased wrist action and increased stability and consistency.
The arm lock AL2 arm lock converter putter grip weighs in at 292g, plenty of weight to experience the pendulum type stroke you are looking for.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are a few of the most commonly asked questions about counterbalance putter grips and how they can benefit your golf game.
How do counterbalance grips differ from traditional putter grips?
Counterbalance grips are different from putter grips because of their extra weight. The weight in the counterbalance grip is heavier in the grip end to create extra balance throughout the stroke.
With a traditional putter grip, weight is evenly distributed throughout the entire grip, and it is traditionally lighter.
Can counterbalance grips help with distance control on long putts?
A counterbalance grip can assist with distance control on longer putts. The one key factor here is to allow yourself time to adjust to the distance control changes when switching from traditional to counterbalance. With longer putts, you should feel more stable when switching to counterbalance.
Do counterbalance grips conform to golf regulations for competitive play?
Counterbalance grips are considered legal in the USGA rules of golf. However, you will have to ensure that the specific counterbalance grip that you are using is something that the USGA has approved.
Are counterbalance grips suitable for golfers of all skill levels?
Counterbalance grips help to improve consistency, stability, and wrist action. The golfers who struggle with this the most are the mid to high handicappers. However, with counterbalance grips being so reliable, low handicap golfers looking to one putt as often as possible are looking into the benefits of counterbalancing.
Final Thoughts
There is no perfect way to putt. Watching just one hour of PGA Tour golf coverage will show you that players are able to use a variety of strokes to get the ball in the hole. However, the one thing that all of these golfers look for is consistency.
If your putting stroke feels as though it is not consistent or that you could have 40 putts in one round and 22 in another, it’s time to find something that stabilizes your stroke.
Use the Arm Lock AL2 putter grip to convert your current putter to an arm lock design. With the extra weight found in the AL2, you will have a much smoother stroke and an easier time finding the hole.