Putt

Question
Hello Stanley, can you explain me the following thing respect putting, I am a right hand player, when I grab the putter with the SAME strength (soft) with my both hands, the putter has a tendency to go IN just after I hit the ball, its difficult to maintain a straight path. But if I grab the putter with much less pressure of my left hand, without any force, or trying to manipulate it, and my right hand is the one that promotes the swing back and forward through the ball, keeping the left hand almost passive, I make very straight putts and also its easier to calculate distances. The putter travels more in a straight line to the target. Stanley, do you think this is the correct way for putting or do I have to grab the putter as I told you in the firt lenes? and if yes, why is it so difficult to maintain a straight path to the target?
Thanks for your help!

Bernardo Hernandez


Answer
in my opinion.  the answer is defintily a NO.  don't do this by adjusting your grip.  the reason is simple.  because you WANT the putter to back in before and after you hit the ball.  this is natural and this is the right stroke of putting.  when you watch tv, it may seem like the pros are stroking the ball in a straight line but that is not how it works.  the putter naturally does this by making a stroke that goes around your body.  and you may think like that may not produce a straigt putt.  but it DOES.  it does because its the nature of golf.  ernie els said that putting is just like swinging your driver.  you putt around your body.  its a GOOD thing that you grab the putter naturally with same strength.  its good that its soft.  and its good that you can make a stroke that goes around your body.  as far as i am concerend... you are doing a good job.  just keep it up.  and one last thing...  i can tell you right now that you should be concerned about the SPEED of the putt rather than the direction of the putt.  if you can get the putt in the right speed, then you are more likely to two putt.  this is a fact and you should trust it.  well good luck and i hope i helped.  keep practicing and try to get those putts in the hole.  have fun.  and ask question that you might have.