Why Scottie Scheffler uses unconventional putter grip to reach top of the golf world

Billy Heyen

Why Scottie Scheffler uses unconventional putter grip to reach top of the golf world image

Scottie Scheffler is the best golfer on the planet.

You won't find anyone to argue that point as the 2025 Ryder Cup gets underway for its three days of action at Bethpage Black on Long Island.

One of the reasons Scheffler took such a major step forward was his putting.

A changed grip resulted in improved consistency for Scheffler, and now, he's really tough to beat.

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What is Scottie Scheffler's putter grip?

Scheffler uses what's called a "claw grip" on his putter.

His left hand remains in a standard position along the shaft.

The right hand is in what some call a passenger position. It doesn't so much grip the club as help guide it with a soft, aiming touch.

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Why does Scottie Scheffler hold his putter differently?

Scheffler's grip conceptually increases stability and control on his putts, especially shorter ones.

By putting that guide hand on there, it keeps the path through the ball steady and true.

With two hands fully on the putter shaft, it's easier to have one wrist be off balance from the other and create a misdirection.

Here, Scheffler is able to ensure that his putter face contacts the ball exactly how he wants.

Scheffler only made the change at the end of 2024, and it's clearly worked very nicely for him.

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Billy Heyen

Billy Heyen is a freelance writer with The Sporting News. He is a 2019 graduate of Syracuse University who has written about many sports and fantasy sports for The Sporting News. Sports reporting work has also appeared in a number of newspapers, including the Sandusky Register and Rochester Democrat & Chronicle