Why has World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler changed his putting grip?

Scottie Scheffler’s putting has seen a variety of changes in recent years and this week there was a relatively dramatic one as he switched to a claw grip.

Before last year’s Ryder Cup, the World No. 1 began working with putting guru Phil Kenyon and he quickly lowered his hands to alter the path of his stroke. This time last year he used a Logan Olson blade putter which brought him a three-shot win in the Bahamas and he kept it in the bag for a couple of months.

Then came the TaylorMade Spider Tour X L-Neck putter, a mallet style that Rory McIlroy had talked about that might suit the American, and he then won at Bay Hill and a further five times in the next three months. Two of those victories came at Sawgrass and Augusta and he would add a gold medal at the Olympics and the Tour Championship.

The Spider remains in the bag so why the change with the grip?

“I’m always looking for ways to improve and I felt like this was something that we had looked at last year when Phil and I first started working together, but it was really our first time working together and it’s something that’s different than what I’ve done in the past,” Scheffler said.

“Took a look at it this offseason and figured this is a good week to try stuff just because you can practise and practise and do all the stuff at home, but there’s just something different about being in competition. I really enjoyed the way it felt, I felt like I’m seeing some improvements in my stroke.”

Scheffler’s first round was a five-under 67 at the Hero World Challenge and he would use the claw putter on the shorter putts and the more conventional grip on the longer ones.

Stats wise it is inside 10 feet where Scheffler has struggled – he ranked 139th last season – which contrasted with 3rd for putts between 15-20 feet. The two-time Masters champ is also noticeably strong in avoiding three putts (14th) so it’s clear where he’s looking to improve.

“Typically the further I am away from the hole I’d say the more likely I am to use the conventional grip because, like I said, I feel like my speed has always been extremely good, especially from long range.

“I think I’ve always been a really, really good lag putter. That’s an area where I don’t think I would see much improvement with the grip. The closer I get to the hole, kind of that inside 15-foot range, I think that’s where I’m seeing a lot of the benefits of it.”