Golf is a sport that requires a combination of physical and mental skills to be successful. One important aspect of golf is putting, which involves rolling the ball into the hole using a putter. To achieve accurate and consistent putting strokes, golfers rely on the grip of their putters.
One golfer who has made a name for himself with his unique putter grip is Cam Smith. This article will discuss Cam Smith’s putter grip in detail, including how it works and why he uses it.
Who is Cam Smith?
Cameron “Cam” Smith is an Australian professional golfer who was born on August 18, 1993. He turned professional in 2013 and has since become one of the most successful young golfers on the PGA Tour. Smith is known for his unique style, both on and off the golf course, including his unusual putter grip.
What is Cam Smith’s Putter Grip?
Cam Smith’s putter grip is a modified version of the “claw grip.” The claw grip involves placing the hand in a more upright position on the putter, with the fingers pointing downwards and the palm facing the hole. Smith’s variation involves placing his left hand in a traditional grip position while using his right hand to form the claw grip.
How Does Cam Smith’s Putter Grip Work?
Cam Smith’s putter grip works by creating a more stable and consistent putting stroke. The claw grip, in general, is designed to reduce the influence of the golfer’s dominant hand, which can cause the putter face to twist or turn during the stroke. By using his left hand in a traditional grip and his right hand in the claw grip, Smith is able to achieve a balance between stability and feel.
Why Does Cam Smith Use this Putter Grip?
Cam Smith started using this putter grip in 2011, after struggling with inconsistent putting. He found that the claw grip helped him to stabilize his putting stroke and reduce the influence of his dominant hand. Since then, he has continued to use the grip, even though it is considered unconventional by many golfers.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Cam Smith’s Putter Grip
There are several advantages and disadvantages of using Cam Smith’s putter grip:
Advantages:
- Stability: The claw grip provides more stability to the putter face, which can help to reduce the amount of twisting or turning during the putting stroke.
- Consistency: With less movement in the putter face, golfers can achieve a more consistent putting stroke and improve their overall accuracy.
- Feel: The traditional grip in the left hand allows for better feel and control, while the claw grip in the right hand provides stability.
Disadvantages:
- Unconventional: Cam Smith’s putter grip is not a common technique, and some golfers may find it difficult to adjust to the grip’s unique feel and setup.
- Limitations: The claw grip may limit a golfer’s ability to use certain types of putters, as not all putters are designed to accommodate this grip style.
- Comfort: The claw grip may not be comfortable for some golfers, especially those with arthritis or other hand injuries.
How to Use Cam Smith’s Putter Grip
If you’re interested in trying Cam Smith’s putter grip for yourself, here are the steps to follow:
- Place your left hand on the putter grip in a traditional grip style, with your fingers wrapped around the grip and your palm facing down.
- Place your right hand on the grip in a claw grip style, with your fingers pointing downwards and your palm facing the hole.
- Position your hands so that the index finger of your right hand rests against the index finger of your left hand.
- Place your thumbs on the flat part of the putter grip, pointing towards the ground.
- Make sure your grip pressure is light to medium, as a tight grip can interfere with the feel and control of the putter.
Tips for Using Cam Smith’s Putter Grip
- Practice: It takes time to get used to the unique feel of the claw grip, so make sure to practice with it on the putting green before using it in a round of golf.
- Experiment with grip pressure: Find the right balance of grip pressure that works for you. A light to medium grip pressure is recommended to allow for feel and control.
- Be patient: Adjusting to a new grip can take time, so be patient and keep practicing. Don’t get discouraged if you don’t see immediate improvement in your putting.
- Consider the putter: Not all putters are designed to accommodate the claw grip, so consider trying out different putters to find one that works well with this grip style.
Cam Smith Putter Grip Models
| Model | Material | Size | Weight | Color |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SuperStroke Traxion Pistol GT 2.0 | Polyurethane | Midsize | 50g | Black/Red |
| Golf Pride Tour SNSR Contour Pro | Rubber | Jumbo | 104g | Black/Red |
| Odyssey O-Works Red | Rubber | Oversize | 81g | Red/White |
| Lamkin SinkFit Straight | Polyurethane | Standard | 50g | Black/White |
| Scotty Cameron Pistolero Plus | Rubber | Midsize | 68g | Black/Gold |
Cam Smith Putter Grip Brands
| Brand | Model | Material | Size | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SuperStroke | Traxion Pistol GT 2.0 | Polyurethane | Midsize | 50g |
| Golf Pride | Tour SNSR Contour Pro | Rubber | Jumbo | 104g |
| Odyssey | O-Works Red | Rubber | Oversize | 81g |
| Lamkin | SinkFit Straight | Polyurethane | Standard | 50g |
| Scotty Cameron | Pistolero Plus | Rubber | Midsize | 68g |
Cam Smith Putter Grip Prices
| Model | Retail Price | Discounted Price | Retailer | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SuperStroke Traxion Pistol GT 2.0 | $29.99 | $24.99 | Golf Galaxy | In Stock |
| Golf Pride Tour SNSR Contour Pro | $34.99 | $29.99 | Dick’s Sporting Goods | Out of Stock |
| Odyssey O-Works Red | $39.99 | $34.99 | PGA Tour Superstore | In Stock |
| Lamkin SinkFit Straight | $24.99 | $19.99 | Amazon | In Stock |
| Scotty Cameron Pistolero Plus | $39.99 | $34.99 | Golfsmith | Out of Stock |
Cam Smith Putter Grip Reviews
| Model | Brand | Size | Reviewer | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SuperStroke Traxion Pistol GT 2.0 | SuperStroke | Midsize | John G. | 4.5/5 Stars |
| Golf Pride Tour SNSR Contour Pro | Golf Pride | Jumbo | Mike S. | 4.2/5 Stars |
| Odyssey O-Works Red | Odyssey | Oversize | Jen T. | 4.7/5 Stars |
| Lamkin SinkFit Straight | Lamkin | Standard | David R. | 4.1/5 Stars |
| Scotty Cameron Pistolero Plus | Scotty Cameron | Midsize | Sarah L. | 4.6/5 Stars |
Cam Smith Putter Grip Comparisons
| Model | Material | Size | Weight | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SuperStroke Traxion Pistol GT 2.0 | Polyurethane | Midsize | 50g | $24.99 |
| Golf Pride Tour SNSR Contour Pro | Rubber | Jumbo | 104g | $29.99 |
| Odyssey O-Works Red | Rubber | Oversize | 81g | $34.99 |
Conclusion
Cam Smith’s putter grip is a unique and unconventional approach to putting in golf. It involves a modified version of the claw grip, which helps to stabilize the putting stroke and reduce the influence of the dominant hand. While it may not work for every golfer, it has proven to be successful for Cam Smith and has helped him become one of the top players on the PGA Tour.
