Pistol Grip
A pistol grip is a putter grip shaped like the handle of a pistol, wider and angled near the top and tapering toward the shaft. The raised back gives the upper hand a fixed reference point for more consistent placement.
What is a pistol grip?
A pistol grip is one of the handful of putter grip profiles a golfer can choose from, sitting alongside round, oval (also called paddle), and the flatter, wider modern shapes. What sets it apart is the cross-section. Instead of a uniform tube, the grip widens as it approaches the butt end, and its axis tilts back toward the player. The USGA describes this pistol shape as the “somewhat traditional” putter grip, a nod to how long it has been around.
The defining feature is the flared back, often called the pistol “kick.” It sits under the heel pad of the top hand and gives that hand a repeatable spot to settle into. The front is usually a flat paddle, which gives the thumbs a place to line up down the grip. Some versions build the angle into the core of the grip rather than only the outer shape.
One point of confusion comes up often. A pistol grip refers to the shape of the rubber on a putter rather than a hand position in the full swing. So when golfers talk about a pistol grip, they almost always mean a putter, not the way someone holds a driver or an iron.
Why it’s called a pistol grip
The name is literal. The grip’s profile, with a bulge and an angle on the back, resembles the handle of a pistol, and that raised rear section is what helps a golfer settle the hand in the same place each time (SportsRec).
The shape is older than the brand-name versions golfers know today. Grips with pistol-like geometry appear as far back as the early 1900s: the Champion Grip, an early molded design also called the “anatomical grip,” and the Murray Putter of the 1910s, which paired a curved wooden shaft with a shaped grip. Drawing on the feel of ax handles, Avon Pardoe patented a similar grip in 1934, and McGregor began offering the Pardoe “Rel-Ax” rubber grip in 1936 (MyGolfSpy). Decades later, PING founder Karsten Solheim developed the PP58 grip to carry the same idea forward, and it remains one of the most recognized pistol grips in the game.
Pistol grip vs. other putter grip shapes
Putter grips fall into a few broad shapes, and the pistol sits between the slim traditional profiles and the fat, straight-sided grips that grew popular more recently. The table below shows how it compares.
| Grip shape | Cross-section | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| Pistol | Widens and angles toward the top, flat front paddle | Steadies the top hand with a fixed reference point; the tapered lower section lets the bottom hand release |
| Round / Circle | Uniform tube, no taper | Encourages even pressure in both hands and quiets the wrists, common in oversized grips |
| Oval / Paddle | Slight taper, flat front | Keeps the hands close for a stable, connected feel |
| Flat wide / Mod pistol | Wide flat top with a pistol-style back | A modern hybrid for players who like their hands turned out |
The sharpest contrast is with the round grip. A pistol tapers and gives each hand a different reference, while a round grip stays the same width from top to bottom and promotes equal pressure, which is why many left-hand-low and claw putters use it (Grips4Less).
Who uses a pistol grip
Smaller, tapered pistol grips tend to suit golfers whose stroke arcs a little and who want the bottom hand free to release through the ball. The flared back settles the upper hand while the narrow lower section leaves room for feel (Grips4Less). Larger pistol shapes do more of the opposite job, adding width that helps quiet the wrists.
The shape can also nudge the putter face. In a PING study presented at the 2018 World Scientific Congress of Golf, 40 players tested a pistol grip against a straight grip on the same putter, and the pistol version delivered the face slightly more closed relative to address, an effect fitters can use to fight a push miss (MyGolfSpy). Among tour players, smaller pistol-shaped grips remain the most popular and winningest style, even as oversized grips have grown across the game (Golf Pride).
Related Golf Terms
- Midsize grip — A slightly thicker grip option for larger hands or quieter wrists.
- Distance wedge — A wedge used for full or near-full shots into greens from longer wedge range.
- Jumbo grip — An oversized grip, common on putters, that calms wrist movement.
- Grip size — The thickness of a club’s grip, which affects hand action and feel.
- Loft gapping — Spacing club lofts so each club covers a consistent distance gap.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a pistol grip good for putting?
It works well for many golfers, especially those with a slight arc who want the bottom hand to release. Fit depends on stroke type and feel, so testing a few shapes is the surest way to know what suits you.
Pistol grip or round grip, which is better?
Neither wins outright. A pistol gives each hand its own reference and suits releasing strokes, while a round grip promotes even pressure and often fits straight-back, straight-through, or left-hand-low styles.
Can a pistol grip go on any putter?
Yes. Putter grips are not tied to a specific head, so a standard putter can be regripped with a pistol grip no matter the model.
Are pistol grips legal under the rules?
Yes. Standard pistol grips conform. The USGA recognizes the pistol as a traditional putter grip shape, and although putter grips must meet a handful of shape rules under the equipment code, an ordinary pistol grip clears them without any trouble.
Is a pistol grip the same as a paddle grip?
Not quite. Both have a flat front for the thumbs, but the pistol adds a raised, angled back section, while a paddle (oval) stays slimmer and more uniform behind.
Sources
- United States Golf Association. “The Equipment Rules (Part 2, Rule 4 — The Grip).” Accessed 2026.
https://www.usga.org/equipment-standards/equipment-rules-2019/equipment-rules/part-2-rule-4-interpretations.html - MyGolfSpy / PING. “STUDY: The Impact of Pistol Grips on Putting Performance.” 2018.
https://mygolfspy.com/labs/study-the-impact-of-pistol-grips-on-putting-performance/ - Golf Pride. “Putter Grips: Finding Success on the Green.” Accessed 2026.
https://www.golfpride.com/us/en-us/blog/how-to-choose-the-right-putter-grip.html - SportsRec. “Different Putter Grips.” Accessed 2026.
https://www.sportsrec.com/13733329/different-putter-grips-2504html - Grips4Less. “Putter Grip Shapes & Sizes.” Accessed 2026.
https://www.grips4less.com/pages/putter-grip-shapes
