Claw-grip putting technique spreading among golf professionals, with Scottie Scheffler among those successfully utilizing it at Portrush.

Scottie Scheffler is making waves in the golfing world, with his innovative approach to putting proving to be a game-changer. At the ongoing 153rd Open Championship at Royal Portrush, Scheffler is leading the pack, having gained an impressive +6.39 shots on the field via his putter.

The secret to Scheffler's putting success lies in his adoption of the claw grip. This unconventional technique, which he first trialed at the 2024 Hero World Challenge, has now become a staple in his game. Notably, Scheffler worked with putting coach Phil Kenyon when making the switch.

The claw grip, as it is known, involves forming a claw/pincer shape with the space between the thumb and index finger of the right hand. The putter grip rests on the palm of the left hand, with the back of it pointing towards the target. This grip style puts the shoulders in charge and encourages a hands-free action, which seems to be working wonders for Scheffler.

Scheffler isn't alone in his use of the claw grip. Three of the world's top 10 golfers, including Russell Henley and Collin Morikawa, are also fans of this technique. In fact, it has yielded six victories on the PGA Tour in 2025, with Scheffler registering three of those wins himself.

However, the claw grip isn't without its challenges. On slower greens, it can cause problems due to the lack of a traditional hand release. But for Scheffler, it seems to be a small price to pay for the benefits he reaps, particularly in the shorter putts inside the 15-foot range.

The claw grip has also played a significant role in some of Scheffler's most notable victories. He won the 2024 Hero World Challenge using the claw grip for the first time, and he added a fifth PGA Tour title to his CV at the Sony Open in Hawaii in 2025 while using the grip.

Most recently, Scottie Scheffler won the Arnold Palmer Invitational in 2025 with the claw grip, and William Mouw claimed the ISCO Championship in the same year using the same technique.

As Scheffler continues to dominate the field with his claw grip, it's clear that this unconventional approach is proving to be a winning strategy for the young golfer. His journey serves as a reminder that sometimes, stepping outside the box can lead to great success.

Claw-grip putting technique spreading among golf professionals, with Scottie Scheffler among those successfully utilizing it at Portrush.