The SAW GRIP stopped my YIPS after 30 years 

Tried this after severe putting yips lately that has actually taken the fun out of golf. A nightmare of sorts. The saw grip worked instantly on the first try. Taking the right hand out of the putting stroke immidiately made me sink putts like it was childs play. With better feel for distance! Now it’s exciting and fun to putt. As it should be. Can’t wait to see the scores I get when my irons are hot. A million thanks for this.

For about seven months, I struggled with the yips, a frustrating condition that severely affected my game. Watched this video and my putting was instantly fixed. Thank you.😄😄😄😄

Hi Julian, I have struggled with the yips bad, went back and forth with this grip. The grip worked today and then I found your video. I now know from your explanation why it works, I'll never go back to conventional. Many thanks!! Sincerely, Robert

That’s the same grip I came up with about 10 years ago, Julian. I’m 76, and I’d been fighting the yips in my right hand since my high school days. Finding that saw grip - or claw grip, whatever you want to call it - breathed new life into my enjoyment of the game. Thanks for sharing your story. I never told anyone, but I actually 7-putted a hole in a college match one time. I had the yips so bad that day, with that involuntary twitch of the right wrist through impact, that I literally couldn’t make a 12 inch putt. I finished that match putting with a sand wedge, so trust me, I can relate. Stick with your new grip; it will serve you well in the years to come. 👍

I just want to let you know that I just watched your video, went out and played 18 holes, and putted better than I ever have! I've had the yips for decades and the saw grip cured it. I am forever grateful!

Your last statement regarding watching RU-vid and too many sites has hit home to me. When I discovered your site the other contributors were a waste of time. I like your teachings and a simplified method of swinging the club. A back saver as well. Thanks so much.👍🇨🇦

This is a most brilliant explanation of how the saw actually works - elbow, shoulder, arm and wrist. Thanks so much

You've described my affliction perfectly, Julian. I too have had the yips for 30 years. The club face twists closed and the contact point is the toe of the club with very little follow through to the hole. I've managed the yips with distraction - long putter, left hand low, side saddle, etc. Changing my focus has worked quite well all these years but until lately I've felt the yips are lurking and going to grab me again. A couple weeks ago I started using the saw grip and I'm confident this is the answer. You point out the right elbow position. I hadn't thought of that as an explanation, but you're right. What I've also found is that for putts 10 feet and less, if I position the ball outside my vertical eye point (so further away), I have a very pure straight back- and-through stroke with a very high make average with the left shoulder doing the work. That ball position doesn't work great for long putts because distance control is more difficult. Thank you for confirming my switch to the saw and explaining the physics of it being the solution to my neurological disorder.

I can't wait to try this- I've been a yipper since the 1980's- I've tried all sorts of stances and grips and clubs. When it's particularly bad it can really take all the joy out of a day of golf.

This video is outstanding. Thanks for your honesty. My putting has been horrendous, I can’t even call it the yips…much worse than that. I simply could not stabilize my putter face at impact. I tried this method today and shot one of my best rounds. I did not even practice this beforehand, just went to the course and tried it. My miss was short today, but the putts were online. Here’s something crazy. I practiced putting after my round, six feet and in. I made 24 putts in a row. I was in disbelief but that’s the honest truth. Thank you!!!!!

Looking forward to trying this tomorrow. Thanks for a great video lesson.☺

Julian great explanation on saw grip.I will begin my practice with it tomorrow.Keep up your very understandable lessons.Thank You

That's great Julian, you must be enjoying your golf so much now you have cured the dreaded yips. Thanks for sharing 👍

Thank you ! I have not been able to stop the slight “ flipping” of the putter. Tried every thing. Watched this vid and raced to my mat in garage. Less tension and square through contact. Work to be done but think I am on the right path , thanks to you.

Played last week after watching this vid….didn’t miss a single putt under 4ft !! Brilliant, thank you.

Thank you so much. Your description is EXACTLY what I have been facing for years. I can putt well when practicing but as soon as I am playing a round , I get this involuntary hand spasm at impact. I just can't go through impact. I have tried all grips and like you I putt with left hand below. Left hand above I have no hope. Best I have putted is not looking at the ball but at the hole. Claw too suited me for some time. Last few rounds I barely hold it with my right hand and basically push back with left and pull back through impact with left hand ( I am right handed). The saw grip is definately something I am gonna try tomorrow. Who knows it maybe exactly what I need. Very excited!!! Thought something was wrong with me.

Thank you so much Julian to give me back some hope! After 2 rounds this WE with exactly those symptoms (which are utterly awful to feel) I cannot wait to put that "saw" in practice!

I’m so happy for you. Congratulations mate.

Julian, thank you for the video. Like you, I have tried every type of putting grip over the years. I've had great difficulty in controlling putting distance and particularly making close in putts; primarily due to involuntary muscle action in the right arm. I tried your approach using the saw grip and found great success! My lag putting is now typically within the 3 ft circle and short putts are now dead on! I now look forward to the challenge of each putt.

Went from missing 6 inch putts on Sunday to rolling 10 footers in on Monday evening. Never felt the ball come off the putter face like that. Pure roll - Thanks for sharing Julian 🐐

Hi Julian thank you very much for this video. I have for quite awhile been aware of the claw grip (Not trued)but I’ve definitely been struggling with a kind of flinch-disease that has started I would say in the last 4 to 5 months and Been devastating my scorecard. I played In a competition Thursday And had 43 putts including 9, 3 putts. it’s been getting tremendously worse because of identifying that I have a hips problem. The shorter the putt for me the more I would be expected to get it, the more likely I am to miss it until you get to literally I would say about 8 inches or 9 inches and then I can get it but if it’s a foot or a foot and a half I can still miss it. The reason I love your video is because you,ve immediately characterised and described and diagnosed the problem precisely (I seen your studies and research on this )I think for most people yips is an involuntary rotational movement just before impact as soon as I heard you talking about that I started watching the whole of your video. I obviously know about the claw group but I haven’t tried it I will definitely give it a go because actually my whole golf game is good some parts are great but I have a problem putting the very last putt into the hole and the shorter it is the more likely I am to miss it because of the pressure to get a short putt and the last second rotation.Thank You very much. I’m now going to use the saw grip. I have a competition on the 12th

this is brilliant

I have struggled with the same problem for the past 3 years. Tried the claw grip on the putting green last night and during my round this morning and it was like a miracle. No three putts. Made a few long par putts and a long birdie putt. Completely changed my attitude. I've seen this grip, but your video motivated me to try it. Thank you!

Thank you for this Julian. Really helpful. I have suffered from the putting yips for several years. For me it is part mental 'expectation leading to nervousness which manifests into tension which creates the push, pull, over-hitting, under-hitting' and part physical. I find that there are several things which I am working on which are helping me personally: 1) The grip (I have used umpteen different ones, but the saw grip is the most comfortable). 2) Grip pressure. Don't grip too tightly with the top hand 3) Taking my time to line up properly as opposed to just walking up and nervously jabbing at it. 4) Picking a spot to roll the ball over for short putts, or for longer putts with break, the 'breaking point' away from the hole 5) Keepng my head still until the putter head has followed through (particularly important on the under 6 foot putts, where the head can follow the ball too early and send it off line). 6) Reinforcing the good putts by telling myself I can do it. 7) Practicing putts under 6 feet at home on the carpet by aiming to knock over an inverted castle tee peg. (this not only improves your confidence when you putt into a much bigger target but also affirms whether you are lining up properly and striking the ball square on the putter face. It is a constant battle though, but one you have to try and win if you are going to enjoy the game. The amount of competitions I could have won had I holed 5 or 6 more putts per round doesn't bear thinking about......

I tried this last round. Putted really well, without any prior practice. All my putts were on line. Most surprising was how well I putted on long putts. With the right hand in a "weak" position I expected to come up short. Not at all. I tended to go past the hole. Very promising. Thanks.

This is me! I played so well from tee to green today and left depressed given how poor my putting was! I've tried cackhanded, fat grips, skinny grips, reverse taper, thumbs up etc. I even bought a LAB putter (expensive mistake). Im off to practice this and see how I get on.

Packed in completely because of my putting disasters but this makes complete sense to me, definitely ty

Many thanks Julian

Julian, I’d the same on Friday, didn’t miss anything less than 4ft. As you say the confidence factor is enormous but it doesn’t just cover putting, your whole attitude to the round changes because you’re not nervous about what you’ll do on the green. You know that if you can get the ball inside 3-4ft, you’ve nailed it !

Played today with the claw grip both putting and short chip and runs . Great improvement and stable feeling on and around the greens

I feel your pain Julian. Same issue for me 25 years. Even tried left handed but not good enough. Was trying pencil now. But will now look seriously at Saw.

putting has always been a weakness. excited to try this!

Thanks, worth a try. I suffer from the yips on chips. Rod

Excellent

Julian, that's exactly what I have been experiencing over the last three years. I three putt 4 to 5 greens a round and my handicap has sky rocketed from 3.9 to double digits. It is so frustrating. I have tried the claw grip in the past without much success; however, I think it was because I had zero confidence over a short putt. Your video has given me hope because my right wrist is doing exactly what you are describing. I am switching tomorrow. Wish me luck!

The 'claw-grip' works great in chipping, and even more so if one take advantages of using the natural swing of your trial arm (as while walking) - walk up to the ball from behind with loose arm and line up so your arm swing naturally towards the ball - and then take a claw grip... 👌

Tried this today after a couple of seasons of poor putting and major "yips", tried armlock (worked for one round, shoot personal best) then using broomstick putters with some uncomfortable feeling but descent results. Today was the best putting I have felt in a while using the saw grip on a standard length putter! I recommend anyone who struggles with involuntary movement in putting to give this a try! thanks!

Had the yips twice in my golfing life, first time taught myself to putt left handed with some success, second time was advised my my club pro to try the claw grip which I have been using for about 5 years and very comfortable with it. Still keep a left handed putter though just in case!

Tried this yesterday. 29 putts. Holed 4 20 footers. Uphill 4 footer - biggest nightmare ever. Went straight in with pace. Might fall in love with golf again.

I suffered from it many years ago. I went to side saddle putting like Snead and then went to a long putter for side saddle putting. It worked really well for me. I think splitting the hands apart helped a lot. Glad to see how you solved this terrible problem. It reminds me of the final years that Hogan played and how he was so ashamed of his putting yips. Just goes to show it can happen to anyone.

Most interesting might try this for delicate chips. I had the yips with the driver took two years to sort out the cure? Shorter more compact swing and I keep my upper arms close to my chest and the trailing elbow more tucked in. I now have more control, better strikes And more distance! The secret of golf? You have to find your own salvation. I do think though that rhythm and tempo are important and that is why you have good and bad days keep this under control leads to more consistent golf. Keep the great videos coming!

Will give it a try.

Thanks, Julian. The thing I’m most appreciative of is your understanding and diagnosis of the yips. I am completely over being told it is a symptom of nervousness when putting. Until people, teaching pros in particular, experience that tremble or twitch they will not understand. The saw grip kept me playing golf but I will have a try at your suggestion. Any ideas for chipping and short pitches?

Pleased for you. I've had issues from time to time with an over dominant right hand. Best grip I discovered was the one Tommy Fleetwood uses.

I can honestly say the only thing that cures my yips at the moment is 3 or 4 beers great for my putting but then affects the rest of my game 😂 so I'm going to give this a go tomorrow Thanks Julian 🤞amazing how the mind works

Great to hear you've found a solution. Out of interest, did you ever try arm lock putters? Also did you try putting left handed for short putts?

THANK. YOU.

Thanks! It works! Yips gone!

Hi Jullian. As you may remember I putt left handed and often use this grip.

Have been doing this for about 6 months, had to change putter to get better feel on long putts but does get rid of yipps.

Thanks

I've adopted this grip as suggested by your video and for the first time in a long time I can see a ray of hope. The putting yips hit me out of the blue suddenly one year with no warning and prior to them coming putting was a strength of my game. Like others commenting below and as you mentioned in your video I have tried about everything with minimal or temporary results. Golf was becoming not much fun! This grip and your tips regarding it are showing promise. Question I'd like to ask you is in regard to a bit of the mental aspect of this, especially when first changing over to this grip. If say you do 3 putt the first hole or a hole or two when first starting this, did you have anything you would say or do to not let that bother you? Thanks

Thank Julian really clear explanation of why the change helps.

I'm going to try this, my God anything to help this dam game!!!

Yeah, this has helped for the last 2 years, but it is difficult to get stability and accuracy but does helps yips. Down from 45 to 35 putts but still miles off before.

Great tip. I have the same problem on putts under 3 feet and the claw grip has cured it. It was soul destroying missing such short putts. On longer putts I use the regular grip and don't have a problem until I get close to the hole. I wonder what causes the yips ?

I must try your grip.; i ve tried nearly every other way. I ll get back to u. Current putting method is like for chipping. Weight on my left foot with my right foot back about half a shoe length with my hands resting lightly on my left side thus removing any inaccurate hand and arm movement. It currently works well. My left eye is directly over the ball. I do modify my stance depending on circumstances but weight on left side remains.

Julian, excellent. Do you feel your right or left arm controls the putter for speed? I am a new fan would like to drop the long putter I have gone to ,but am streaky with saw grip.

The claw grip is a great solution, the yips invariably affects the trail hand when the palm faces the hole, - that's why cack handed doesn't really solve it. I'd bet if you tried putting left handed you wouldn't yip even with the right hand being in control. It's surprisingly easy to putt left handed, if you've played any racquet sport playing backhands and forehands are essential skills. I'm sure many golfers would putt far better with the dominant hand on the lead side dragging the face through impact. I also think many would instinctively aim the face better depending on their eye dominance. When I first started snowboarding I was asked the question whether I was regular (left foot forward) or goofy (right foot forward) I had no idea but they told me to run and slide across the lino in my socks. - I was goofy, right foot forward which is unusual for a right hander but the point is the checked my natural tendency, no one does that with golf, golfers and golf coaches just assume right handers should play with right handed clubs. Maybe it's no coincidence that Hogan, Woods, Mickelson with a stack of majors between them all play with their dominant side leading?

I agree to many videos can make it worse my twitch happens like 2mms before the ball it mad me give up golf

Thank you for a most helpful video. I never thought you suffered from the yips. I will give the SAW grip a try although I do NOT have the yips. HOW MANY FINGERS OF YOUR RIGHT HAND GO ON THE FRONT PART OF THE GRIP ? DO THE FINGERS GO MORE ACROSS THE GRIP ? OR DO THE FIRST & SECOND FINGERS GO AT ABOUT 20* & THE OTHER FINGERS GO AROUND THE BACK. I WANT TO TRY THIS GRIP BUT WANT TO DO IT THE CORRECT WAY. I really appreciate your help. IS THIS GRIP DIFFERENT TO THE CLAW GRIP ? Renewed thanks to a great golf teacher.

Remember even with the saw grip..you still have to practice the grip until it becomes second nature…but yes the yips are awful..I had the yips using the conventional putting grip and had 40 to 45 putts per round…And the thing about the yips is you keep gripping the putter more firmly and now your distance control is waaaay off…one putt will be 3 foot short and next putt will be 7 to 10 foot past the hole…now with the saw grip my putts per round is approx 30 to 32 And my scores are lower too…

Does the grip size matter? I have a pencil grip. Would I need the oversized grip? Thanks

Pleased for you. Not sure I have the yips but certainly a poor putter. 90% mental for me. I’ve tried all these things but always revert to Bobby Locke style and my 2nd hand Scotty Cameron studio no 1 putter. Top putting tip - leave the head cover in the car boot.

Does the acceleration come from the right or left hand? In other words, is the right hand just going along for the ride or is the left hand just going for the ride?

If anyone who has the yips has tried putting with right hand only, you know how the right hand, arm, wrist elbow, and even the shoulder will do everything possible to mess up the putt. It's actually kind of funny to watch myself...lifts, flicks, tops, and these are 12 inch putts. The interesting part is when I do practice swings without the ball I can move the putter back and forth without twitching. But as soon as the ball is there everything goes haywire. The one thing I found during these frustrating and crazy right hand practice sessions is my right elbow wanted to lead the putting stroke, and I think my right hand didn't like it and maybe that's why it twitches. Who knows, but if I actually look at my right elbow while putting right hand only, my right elbow didn't lead the putt. Weird stuff. The saw grip nullifies the right hand and elbow, and the elbow position is very important as noted because it will want to move, if anywhere, in the direction of the putting line. When the right elbow is turned out it seems to promote hand, wrist, elbow, and shoulder twitching. As for putting with the right hand only, and driving yourself insane watching all the twitching and craziness, I think it's worthwhile to do so even if you can't make a 4 inch putt because the right hand needs severe training. The great part is when I switch to the saw grip, the right hand is VERY silent, almost like it's exhausted and wants to take a break. LOL.

Julian, I’m like you but with chipping! My practice is great but on the course under pressure I just chuck it. Any tips?

by the way have you had the yips come back or darken your portals again since this video?

Well I be… this is exactly what happened to me. Years of yips, everything tried and failed then as a last resort discovered the claw grip and like you problem solved. Well done Julian another problem solved.

What’s the driving force with this grip? Trying to get a feel for it. Shoulders? Left hand? Right? Never felt so discouraged than I have the last 2 months 😢

wow 50 putts. that is nuts. i am a 6 handicap w/ an average of around 35 to 36 per round. yesterday i had 40 and shot 82. i am really struggling and it is killing my game.

What toe-hang angle for a putter would be best for the saw / claw putter grip?

Looking at the hole instead of the ball cures my yips every time. Problem is, I have trouble hitting it on the sweet spot. I need to get serious about the saw grip though. Thanks

Interesting - would you recommend this claw grip to anybody, or just as a cure for this specific problem?

Julian, it's been 2 years since you posted this video on putting. Do you still feel the same way about putting as a few years have gone by? Thank you.

How did you play tournament golf with the yips?

As you say, not only direction is affected but distance, because twisting the head as you strike , kills distance too. I was over the yips for several years, but now they are back, worse luck! Will try this.It is also a treat to listen to a nice soft-spoken Englishman as opposed to a harsh, loud snake-oil salesman Yank! ... sorry Americans but you just can't help it!

....works great in putting!.... But also in chipping 😊

I'm lucky i always find putting easy, my technique is odd, i stand way open, that allows me to swing the putter back and through with nothing in my way, right palm facing the line i want, one practice swing for feel with right hand and let it go, to me putting is feel, guess I'm lucky, it's the driver that gives me the yips, so bad I've no idea where its going, left right, high, low, i feel so twitchy and nervous with it I've started using my 2 Iron

Yep, same troubles and the same cure…for now., thank you

Is there a putter that is more suited to this? I have…….. Toe hang Plumbers neck Two ball Dime store Obviously, non of which have changed a thing. Sean Rule #5 If my mechanics are right, I can use any putter If my mechanics are wring, I can’t use any putter 😌

If you putt with trail hand only you will have great success.

Thankfully no yips here.

... sorry - swing naturally towards the hole... 😂

You are putting using mechanics rather than visual and feel, the short game is all feel.