Scottie Scheffler tests claw grip, expert explains benefits

Scottie Scheffler tested a new control during the first round of the World Hero Challenge. And the transition from his conventional control to one claw variationor not, the catch came as a surprise to many, as Scheffler had drastically improved his pitching since working with coach Phil Kenyon over the past year.

Since the pair joined forces, Scheffler has led the tournament with a 1.68 earned run average and increased his slugging percentage by .396 percent on the year, going from -0.301 to .095. That translates to seven wins, including another Masters title, and his most dominant season since joining the Tour in 2020.

So if Scheffler’s pitching was winning him innings and seemingly trending in the right direction, why make the change?

In an interview after the round, Scheffler explained that it’s really just an experiment.

“I’m always looking for little ways to improve,” Scheffler said, “It’s something Phil mentioned to me last year when we started working together. And over the last couple of months it’s something we’ve been working on and we figured this is a good week for me to try things out.”

He explained that he is using the claw grip mostly on shorter shots.

“So within the 15-foot range, I think that’s where I’m seeing a lot of benefit from it,” Scheffler said.

So what are some of the benefits that Scheffler refers to?

GOLF Top 100 TeachersJoe Plecker explains that the claw grip can be helpful for players who want to regain feel for the greens because it puts your fairway arm in a position to hang loosely and swing in a swinging, pendulum-like motion. This helps you feel the weight of the club as it moves back and in, which Plecker says is key to developing your feel for the greens.

“I like the idea of ​​a grip where they (amateurs) won’t manipulate the face, they’ll let off the pressure and experiment with a longer, more fluid stroke,” says Plecker.

The claw grip is also a great option for players who twist their trail hand a lot or place it too far under the grip. Plecker explains that when players make this setup mistake, they usually try to compensate by bending the shaft forward at address or overrotating the clubface through impact. Which creates poor spin, inconsistent strokes and if not corrected, can even lead to yps.

By placing your palm on top of the handle, you take your trail hand completely out of the equation and are able to focus on creating that smooth pendulum swing.