Scottie Scheffler Unveils Revolutionary Claw Grip at Hero World Challenge—Will It Transform His Game?

In a bold move that could redefine his putting technique, Scottie Scheffler has adopted a claw putting grip at the Hero World Challenge. This shift represents the culmination of extensive experimentation and coaching, as Scheffler seeks to bolster his performance on the greens.

As part of an ongoing collaboration with renowned putting coach Phil Kenyon, Scheffler focused on refining his grip last season but refrained from making drastic changes. Prior to the 2023 Ryder Cup, the duo explored the possibility of a grip adjustment but ultimately decided it would be wise to wait until the end of the season to pursue this avenue. Following that decision, Scheffler dove into practice and quickly found a comfortable feel with the new grip.

"I'm always on the lookout for ways to improve my game," Scheffler commented. "Although Phil and I addressed grip changes before, it felt right to give this a shot during competition after all my practice. I enjoyed the feeling it brought, and I'm starting to see improvements in my stroke as a result."

Last year at the Hero World Challenge, Scheffler unveiled a customized Logan Olson putter that played a pivotal role in his three-shot victory in the Bahamas. The bespoke putter significantly contributed to his subsequent performance before he transitioned to a mallet-style TaylorMade Spider Tour X L-Neck putter, which fueled an impressive series of outings throughout the rest of the season.

Analyses show that Scheffler's putting game has seen remarkable improvement, elevating his Strokes Gained: Putting ranking from a dismal 161st in 2023 to a markedly improved 76th in 2024. This newfound confidence propelled him into a historically successful season, which included an astonishing seven PGA TOUR victories, an Olympic gold medal, and his first FedExCup title. He also played a key role in the American team's triumph at the President's Cup.

Despite this success, Scheffler remains committed to enhancing his putting. While he has excelled at longer putts, ranking 40th on the tour for attempts between 10 and 15 feet and third for those between 15 and 20 feet, his prowess takes a dip with putts inside 10 feet—placing him at 139th.

"Interestingly, I find myself more comfortable using a conventional grip from a distance," Scheffler remarked. "I’ve always been strong with long distance putts, especially in terms of speed control. However, inside 15 feet is where I think this new grip will really make a difference for me."

As Scheffler navigates this new chapter with the claw grip, golf enthusiasts are eager to see if this adjustment can further elevate his already stellar game. Will this innovative change be the key to unlocking even greater performances on the green? The golfing world will be watching closely.