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Scottie Scheffler examined out a brand new placing grip throughout spherical one of many Hero World Problem. And the change from his typical 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 yr.
Because the pair joined forces, Scheffler has led the Tour with a 1.68 placing common and elevated his strokes gained proportion by .396 p.c in a single yr, 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 proper course, why make the change?
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 stated, “It’s one thing that Phil had talked about to me final yr once we first began working collectively. And during the last couple of months it’s one thing that we fiddled round with and figured this can be a good week for me to form of attempt issues out.”
He defined that he’s utilizing the claw grip totally on shorter putts.
“Sort of that inside 15-foot vary, I feel that’s the place I’m seeing a number of the advantages of it,” Scheffler stated.
So what are among the advantages Scheffler is referring to?
GOLF Prime 100 Instructor, Joe Plecker explains that the claw grip will be useful for gamers who need to regain some really feel on the greens as a result of it will get your path arm ready to hold freely and transfer in a rocking, pendulum-like movement. This helps you’re feeling the burden of the membership because it strikes again and thru, which Plecker says is essential to creating 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 important 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 way of impression. Which creates a poor rotation, inconsistent strikes and if left uncorrected, may even result in the yips.
By inserting your palm on prime of the grip, you are taking your path hand out of the equation utterly and are in a position to deal with creating that clean pendulum movement.