Ben Crane Grip

Pros and Cons of Every Golf Grip Style

Best Grip? Overlapping vs Interlocking

Grip style: Interlocking

Hand position: strong

Putting grip style / hand position: Reverse overlap / neutral

Like the reviews for his music videos with the so-called “Golf Boys,” Ben Crane’s grip is best described as “mixed.” Unlike his singing, Crane’s grip is professional grade.

Crane pairs a strong left hand with a neutral right – hence, the term “mixed” – similar to Angel Cabrera. To be sure, Crane’s left hand isn’t all that strong when compared with many of his peers. Crane merely turns the hand far enough to his right so that the “V” between thumb and forefinger points just inside his right shoulder.

Now for Crane’s right hand. It doesn’t match the left’s position, making his grip a bit of an anomaly. Instead, it’s more on top of the handle, close to neutral; the “V” points toward his right side, but not as far right as the left hand “V.”

An excellent putter throughout his 15-year PGA TOUR career, Ben Crane’s grip with the flat-stick is a mixed bag as well. But it’s the opposite of his full-swing hold, with a neutral left hand supported by a strong right. This might help him release (rotate) the blade through the hitting zone, which he obviously does quite well.

One more note on Crane’s putting grip – it’s extremely light. In fact, it almost looks as though he could drop the putter at any time. Crane lets his right index finger extend in relaxed fashion on the handle’s underside rather than curling it around, while the right thumb barely contacts the grip at all.

Of course, Crane’s light touch is hardly surprising. He’s a light-hearted guy. Just ask his fellow “Golf Boys,” Bubba Watson, Rickie Fowler and Hunter Mahan. Or watch their videos… at your own risk.

Player Profile

Golf Grip Terms

Note: All descriptions are for right-handed golfers.

Vardon / Overlapping Grip: Method of holding the club by placing the right pinky finger on top of the crease between the left index and middle fingers. Named for British golf legend Harry Vardon.

Interlocking Grip: Method of holding the club by wedging or locking the right pinky finger between the left index and middle fingers.

Neutral: Position in which the hands are directly aligned with the clubface. The golfer with a neutral grip can typically see two full knuckles on the back of the left hand when addressing the ball.

Weak: Position in which the hands are rotated left (toward the target) on the club’s handle. The golfer with a weak grip can typically see one full knuckle on the back of the left hand when addressing the ball.

Strong: Position in which the hands are rotated right (away from the target) on the club’s handle. The golfer with a strong grip can typically see more than two full knuckles on the back of the left hand when addressing the ball.

Reverse Overlap Putting Grip: Conventional putting grip style with the left hand above the right and the left index finger extending downward, on top of the fingers of the right hand.

Cross-Handed / Left Hand Low Putting Grip: The right hand is placed at the top of the handle, above the left hand, the opposite of a conventional grip.

Claw Putting Grip: The left hand is placed in the conventional position, at the top of the handle, with the right hand lower on the handle and holding the club between the thumb (on the grip’s underside) and fingers.