Prayer Putting Grip (Palm to Palm)

Demonstration of the prayer putting grip

Erik Schjolberg

By Coach Erik Schjolberg – Jul 18, 2023

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The prayer putting grip may not be the most used option in golf, but more golfers are starting to recognize the benefits of this unique style.

Key Takeaways

  • The prayer putter grip is one of the easiest regarding hand position and how you should be holding the club
  • To fully switch to the prayer putting style, you will likely need to install a new putter grip on your club
  • One of the most interesting things about this grip is the fact that it balances your shoulders at setup, making it easier to perfect that triangle with your shoulders and arms

I recently gave the prayer putter grip a try, and I’m really impressed with the way that it stabilized the putter head. In fact, it’s an option I would highly recommend you try if you are struggling with your short putts and alignment. 

I’ll give you all the information to try the prayer putting grip and how it compares to other options like armlock putting, claw grip, or even reverse overlap.


What Is A Prayer Putting Grip?

A prayer grip requires both of your hands to face each other on the golf club. Unlike a claw putting grip or an arm lock putting grip where your hands are separated and sometimes not even touching each other, the prayer has the palms of the hands facing each other.

Front view of the prayer putter grip

The concept behind most alternative putting grips is that you can stay more stable and controlled during your stroke. That is certainly the case with the prayer grip.


Who Should Use Prayer Grip Putting?

The prayer grip is for golfers that struggle to keep their arms and hands stable during the putting stroke. Do you find that sometimes your right hand gets too active in your putting stroke, and you almost seem to flip the ball up in the air?

A traditional putting grip, also known as the reverse overlap putting, does not do much to keep your right hand out of the stroke. Involving this hand too much in your swing makes it hard to get the proper roll on a putt.

If you have tried the cross-handed grip or left hand low and feel like it still doesn’t alleviate grip pressure, the prayer grip is a great solution. I like that it has several variations, so you can almost always find something that works for your needs.


How To Use the Prayer Putter Grip

When I first tried the prayer grip, I couldn’t believe how easy it was to get my hands into the proper position. Here’s what I did, and I had good success with it.

Step 1: Place Left Hand On The Club

The first step is to simply place your left hand on the golf club like you would with any other conventional grip. The main difference here is that you will probably have your left forearm a little further down the putter than you normally would. Since the hands go side by side, the left hand is not exactly at the top of the club.

Showing the thumb positions for prayer grip putting

Step 2: Place Right Hand On The Club

Next, the right hand goes onto the club at the same exact level as the left hand so that the two hands are facing each other. When gripping with the prayer grip, keep the putter face square at setup.

Close up view of the prayer grip in golf

Step 3: Index Fingers and More

The fingers in the back of the putter grip can interlock or overlap. You can choose what feels most comfortable to you. The left index finger and right index finger are often pointed directly down the shaft.

The left thumb and right thumb sit on the top of the putter shaft; this is why you need the two thumb grip to accommodate these fingers. 

I would play around with the different positions and options for your hands and fingers. In the end, I found that having both my index fingers pointed down and the rest of the fingers interlocked in the bag was the most successful method.

Step 4: The Stroke

The putting stroke with the prayer grip can either be the arc style or the straight back straight through. I found this to be a great option for straight back and straight through because the hands together reduce overall movement in the stroke.

In addition, the leveling of the shoulders allows you to keep the putter on the proper line throughout the entire stroke.


Pros and Cons of Prayer Putter Grip

There are certainly more pros to the prayer putting grip features than cons. I would still try this on the putting green (or at least with an in home or office putting set mat) before switching to it on the course; it takes a little bit of getting used to.

Pros

  • It’s easy to keep the putter head stable, more so than with a normal grip
  • Grip pressure can be controlled (and a light grip pressure is one of the best putting tips I tell my students)
  • The upper body is more aligned with square shoulders, and it improves overall alignment
  • The right hand is less likely to act independently and cause issues

Cons

  • You will need to install a new putter grip on your club
  • Some golfers with small hands feel like the grip is too weak for them

Professionals Using The Prayer Putting Grip

As stable as this prayer grip can be, we still see more golfers on the PGA tour using common putting grips like reverse overlap or even the claw.

Recently Matthew NeSmith, who was struggling with shorter putts, decided to put prayer grip putting into play, and it worked well for him. Matt Wallace also used it and highlighted the prayer grip at the 2019 US Open.

A golfer using the prayer putting grip on the green


FAQ

Here are a few of the most commonly asked questions about the prayer grip style and the players that it can benefit from.

What putter grip is best for the prayer grip?

If you are making the switch to the prayer grip, you will need to use the two thumb putter grip. These are easy to install, but without one in place, your thumbs don’t have the proper place to rest during the stroke.

What is two fingers down putting grip?

The two fingers down putting grip is the same as the prayer grip style as both thumbs are on the shaft pointing down, and the index fingers are pointing down the left and right side of the shaft.

What is the most consistent putting grip?

The most consistent putting grip helps to take your hands and arms out of your stroke and works more with your shoulders. The prayer grip keeps your shoulders on a level plane, allowing them to swing back and through with stability.

Is the palm to palm putting grip the same as the prayer?

Yes, some people call it palm to palm putting grip, others call it the prayer. They are just different names for the same grip style.


Final Thoughts

When I first saw the prayer putting grip, I wasn’t sure how it would work for my putting stroke. In fact, I thought it might involve the hands too much and make it hard for me to consistently square the face.

I was wrong. I like the stability of the prayer grip; in addition, finding that perfect spot for my hands on the club is really easy. If you are struggling right now with your putting game, try this one out! You could also read here about the different putter head types to find the perfect complement to your game.

About the Author

Erik Schjolberg

By Coach Erik Schjolberg – Last Updated Jul 18, 2023

Expertise:            

                  

Coach Erik actively coaches several PGA Tour Professionals. He’s the head golf instructor and writer here at Swing Yard, was voted the “#1 Golf Coach in Scottsdale, Arizona”, and has been coaching for over 20+ years. Erik also owns and operates his own online golf school, EJS Golf Academy. His other credentials include: Active PGA Coaches Membership, Titleist TPI Level 1 and 2, Trackman Certified Level 1, Dr. Kwon’s Biomechanics Level I and II, Scott Cowx Certified Level I Advanced, BodiTrack and V1 Sports Pressure Mat Certified, Titleist Club Fitting and Ball Fitting Certified, PGA Hope, and Sportsbox AI. Check out Erik’s full bio and certifications for more info.