Scottie Scheffler assessments out claw grip, professional explains the advantages

Scottie Scheffler examined out a brand new placing grip throughout spherical one of many Hero World Problem. And the swap from his standard grip to a variation of the claw, or noticed, grip got here as a shock to many, as Scheffler had drastically improved his placing since working with placing coach Phil Kenyon during the last 12 months. 

Because the pair joined forces, Scheffler has led the Tour with a 1.68 placing common and elevated his strokes gained proportion by .396 % in a single 12 months, going from -0.301 to 0.095. Which translated to seven wins, together with one other Masters title, and his most dominant season since becoming a member of the Tour in 2020. 

So if Scheffler’s placing was profitable him tournaments and seemingly trending in the suitable path, why make the swap? 

In a post-round interview, Scheffler defined that it’s actually simply an experiment. 

“I’m all the time in search of little methods to enhance,” Scheffler mentioned, “It’s one thing that Phil had talked about to me final 12 months once we first began working collectively. And during the last couple of months it’s one thing that we fiddled round with and figured it is a good week for me to type of attempt issues out.”

He defined that he’s utilizing the claw grip totally on shorter putts.

“Form of that inside 15-foot vary, I feel that’s the place I’m seeing numerous the advantages of it,” Scheffler mentioned. 

So what are a few of the advantages Scheffler is referring to?

GOLF Prime 100 Instructor, Joe Plecker explains that the claw grip may be helpful for gamers who wish to regain some really feel on the greens as a result of it will get your path arm able to hold freely and transfer in a rocking, pendulum-like movement. This helps you are feeling the load of the membership because it strikes again and thru, which Plecker says is vital to growing your really feel on the greens.

“I really like that concept of a grip the place they [amateurs] gained’t manipulate the face, they’ll let the stress go and experiment with an extended, extra flowing stroke,” Plecker says.

The claw grip can be an ideal possibility for gamers that twist their path hand an excessive amount of, or set it too far beneath the grip. Plecker explains that when gamers make this setup mistake they usually attempt to offset it by leaning the shaft ahead at deal with or overly rotating the clubface by means of affect. Which creates a poor rotation, inconsistent strikes and if left uncorrected, may even result in the yips.

By putting your palm on high of the grip, you’re taking your path hand out of the equation fully and are in a position to concentrate on creating that easy pendulum movement.