Putter Grips and Size Reasoning

[akronswitness]

Shopping for a new putter and narrowed it down to the 2023 Ping Shea and the Anser. When testing them out in store, I noticed the stock grips for all putters were all different various sizes depending on the head type. (I know this is golf putters 101 type stuff here)

 

Im leaning towards the Shea right now, but I really dislike the oversized grip that comes standard with it since its a 'mid-mallet'. I was thinking I could ask PGA Superstore to swap out the Ping Anser pistol grip onto the Shea putter. Will this impact anything with the performance of the putter at all? The reason I ask is because the bigger the head type, the bigger the stock grip that comes with it. Most mallet style putters have jumbo/oversized grips, where as blades typically have pistol grips. What's the reasoning? All I've ever heard is putter grips are all personal preference so why do stock putter grips seem to follow a sizing guideline based on the head?

 

Edited February 18, 2024 by akronswitness

[st1800e]

The weight of the grip will make a difference in feel, along with the diameter of the grip.  

[Jeff58]

The standard logic is that face balanced putters are typically associated with straight back straight through (SBST) stroke mechanics, and that this is associated with little to no wrist movement. Putters with toe hang are associated with an arc stroke path, and an associated wrist movement.

 

The larger the grip, the more it promotes “quiet” wrists. Mismatching grips can be a useful approach when done appropriately, but have unintended consequences when not.

[akronswitness]

On 2/18/2024 at 7:11 PM, Jeff58 said:

The standard logic is that face balanced putters are typically associated with straight back straight through (SBST) stroke mechanics, and that this is associated with little to no wrist movement. Putters with toe hang are associated with an arc stroke path, and an associated wrist movement.

 

The larger the grip, the more it promotes “quiet” wrists. Mismatching grips can be a useful approach when done appropriately, but have unintended consequences when not.

 

Great info thank you. I definitely have a problem with that. Slight arc and tend to get a bit wristy sometimes, which is why I always played pistol grips and blades but I wanted a more stable head to hit more putting lines without feeling like Im swinging a war hammer. It makes distance control a massive challenge for me and I always go running back to the blade/double blade with the skinny grips for the feeling of more control over the putter head.

 

Edited February 24, 2024 by akronswitness

[Jeff58]

Just my experience, but i have or have had several putters where I was great at 8’ and close to clueless at 30’. You then think “it’s the putter” and are blaming the head.

 

The typical putter fitting, at a short distance on a fast surface, also focuses on the head, while the real key is the link between the player’s mechanics and the head’s weight distribution.

[corky]

2 hours ago, Jeff58 said:

Just my experience, but i have or have had several putters where I was great at 8’ and close to clueless at 30’. You then think “it’s the putter” and are blaming the head.

 

The typical putter fitting, at a short distance on a fast surface, also focuses on the head, while the real key is the link between the player’s mechanics and the head’s weight distribution.

Totally agree with this….. my thoughts(for what they’re worth) is that the big fat grips take out the wrists which is great for short putts, but you need to ‘swing’ the putter head for longer putts and this means having some wrist lag which is helped with a slimmer grip…… pick your preference or seek a compromise.

[mogc60]

Always go with what fits in your hands comfortably first. That’s usually your best bet. 
That being said, trial and error can lead to finding an exception that yields better results. Putting is so personal. If you hate the bigger grip (which I do too) switch it to the one that feels best. I have a Shea with a PP58 Ping cord and it’s a great putter.