Scottie Scheffler unveiled a fresh saw/claw putting grip at the Hero World Challenge after a three-month break from golf.
The world No.1 had not hit the greens competitively since the Tour Championship at East Lake, which he won, enjoying a break following a successful season that saw him clinch titles at the Masters, Arnold Palmer Invitational, and The Players Championship.
Scottie Scheffler debuted a new putting grip (Image: Getty Images)
Always keen to refine his game, Scheffler, who ranked 77th in putting strokes gained but first in strokes gained from tee to green and approach last season, experimented with his putting technique. At The Bahamas tournament on Thursday, he alternated between his usual grip for longer putts and the new saw/claw grip for those within 10 feet, resulting in a stellar 5-under round, placing him just three shots behind the leader, Cameron Young.
In 2023, Scheffler teamed up with putting coach Phil Kenyon and recently disclosed their early discussions about adopting this grip change. He shared: “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.
“Took a look at it this offseason and figured this is a good week to try stuff just because you can practice and practice 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.”
Additionally, Scheffler continues to play with his mallet putter, a strategic change made last season following advice from fellow player Rory McIlroy, who had made the suggestion ahead of the American’s win at the Arnold Palmer Invitational. “For me, going to a mallet was a big change,” he explained.
Scottie Scheffler made a change to his putting grip at the Hero World Challenge ( Image: Getty Images)
“I really persisted with the blade putter for a long time, but I just feel like your stroke has to be so perfect to start the ball on line, where the mallet just gives you a little bit more margin for error. So, I’d love to see Scottie try a mallet. But selfishly for me, Scottie does everything else so well that he’s given the rest of us a chance.”
Scheffler seems to have heeded the advice by choosing a mallet putter for the tournament, ultimately securing a victory with a comfortable five-shot lead.
