Curing Your Putting Yips: Mastering the Saw Grip

By: Maddi MacClurg
Published on: May 21, 2025

The putting yips can plague golfers at any level, devastating your confidence and performance on the green. A shaky stroke leads to missed putts, frayed nerves, and an overall decline in your game. Fortunately, there’s a remedy that promises to restore your touch faster than the yips can undermine it. According to Parker McLachlin, a recognized GOLF Teacher to Watch, a simple adjustment in your grip can have a transformative effect.

Understanding the Yips

The yips are more than just a passing phase; they can become a chronic issue that severely impacts putting performance. This often manifests as a loss of control during your stroke, making it challenging to maintain the correct face angle or even take the clubhead back smoothly. Vast numbers of golfers experience this frustration, leading many to abandon the game altogether.

The Grip Adjustment

If you find yourself struggling with shorter putts, or if uncertainty creeps into your game, consider adopting either the claw or saw grip. McLachlin asserts that these grips can significantly enhance your stroke, making it smoother and more reliable. Notably, PGA Tour star Scottie Scheffler recently transitioned to the claw grip, illustrating the grip’s effectiveness at the highest levels of the game.

Key Elements of the Saw Grip

Making a shift to a saw grip involves more than just changing how you hold the club; it requires attention to three specific keys. McLachlin emphasizes the importance of forming a “U” with your trail hand, maintaining light grip pressure, and ensuring that your forearm is aligned with the club shaft.

1. Form a “U” with Your Trail Hand

To start, position your lead hand on the putter with a traditional grip. Let your trail hand hang naturally alongside the putter. Visualize making a “U” shape with your thumb and fingers. When you place your trail hand on the grip in this formation, the thumb should sit under the back, facing the ground.

2. Light Grip Pressure

Your trail hand should exert minimal grip strength. “The lead hand does most of the work,” McLachlin notes, with the trail hand simply assisting in a supportive role. By reducing engagement from your rear hand, you encourage a more fluid, pendulum-like motion, ideal for sinking critical putts.

3. Forearm in Line with Club Shaft

For optimal performance, ensure your lead hand and forearm are aligned with the putter shaft. This alignment is non-negotiable for a clean and effective putting stroke. Adhering to this principle not only helps you execute smoother strokes but also fosters greater consistency.

Practice for Perfecting Your Grip

Adapting to a new grip may take time, and consistent practice is essential. Spend time on the practice green to get comfortable with the saw grip. Focus on your posture, ensuring that you maintain the proper alignment and pressure consistently. As you practice, pay attention to how the grip affects your stroke.

Benefits of the Saw Grip

Beyond curing the yips, the saw grip can also enhance your overall putting performance. With better control and a smoother stroke, golfers often find they sink more difficult putts under pressure. As McLachlin explains, the key to improvement lies in simplicity; a light grip allows for natural movement, yielding better outcomes.

Additional Resources for Improvement

To further enhance your putting skills and gain insights into the art of the short game, consider visiting ShortGameChef.com. This platform offers personalized tips, expert insights, and valuable resources designed to help golfers at all skill levels lower their scores and boost their confidence on the greens.

Final Thoughts

If the yips have been holding you back, don’t despair; change your grip, and you might find the solution lies within your hold. By adopting the saw grip and focusing on the keys provided by McLachlin, you can regain your confidence and skill on the course. Remember, your putting game is crucial to your overall success—put in the work and watch your scores plummet.

Improving your putting isn’t just about technique; it’s about the mindset. Embrace the journey of mastering your grip, and soon enough, you’ll be sinking those crucial putts with newfound ease. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or just starting out, refining your grip can redefine your game. Take action today, and transform your approach to the green!

In summary, if you’re feeling the grip of the yips, it’s time to explore the transformative potential of the saw grip. Utilize the insights from Parker McLachlin to navigate your way back to consistency and confidence on the golf course. Your journey to better putting starts with the grip—make the change, and unlock your true potential!