Hi everyone,
Well after a week in the Portuguese sun and nice firm fairways, I've come back to cold, windy weather and a ball that refuses to bounce! Undaunted though we actually had a good weekend, probably better than was forecast, and we enjoyed some good golf here at Chestfield.
On Tour there were two great wins for two of the most famous players in the world but I think, because of the changes that both have made recently, these were actually very significant wins and ones that we can learn from. Adam Scott won in America just weeks after having to change from the long 'anchored' putter because of the rule change, and in Australia, my favourite, Louis Oosthuizen also won having recently changed his putting style for different reasons.
The claw grip
Significantly, they have both gone to the same style which involves a claw right hand.
So what is that and why does it work?
The standard right hand below left grip usually involves your right palm facing the target. That is also the same as your grip for other clubs and of course with them you would use a wrist hinge to create speed in your swing. It is therefore quite difficult, and almost impossible for many, to not use your wrists at all when you putt. If you do use even the slightest hinge as you take the putter away, then you must release it or the ball goes right - but over-release it and you pull the ball left!
So you have made things hard for yourself!
Better not to use your wrists at all and just use a pendulum motion with the arms (some will feel it comes from their shoulders). The claw grip tries to defeat this problem by setting your right hand in a different position with your palm facing you and the grip resting in the V between your thumb and forefinger. This is an alien position to your hand but in this position it is far less likely to hinge away from the target. If you try it, you'll feel it becomes very passive and you have to feel your arm swinging in front of you. I'm not someone who feels they have a problem with my putting but I've tried it and it works! Like all things it needs practise to make it second nature but it is definitely a style that I would recommend you try, even if you putt reasonably well now.
It works for Scott and Louis!
For Adam Scott it is fantastic confirmation that far from the rule change ending his career, it may actually have been an enforced opportunity to improve! One of the best swingers of the club now looks like he'll be challenging for majors once again this year. In Oosthuizen's case, it is perhaps even more telling. To me he IS the best swinger of a golf club at the moment but his putting has been a major concern for years. He has always putted left hand below right but the change to a claw right hand below left seems to have changed everything. He holed a number of important putts and I cannot remember seeing him more confident on the greens.
What about Rory?
Interestingly, this week we see Rory McIlroy sporting a new putting grip but, unfortunately, I'm not so certain this will be as successful. Rory has always held the putter off through impact (which is why he misses right so often) and left below right may not solve that. Of course I'd love to be proven wrong and time will tell but he looked less than convincing with it on Thursday. We will see!
Great news for two great players though and perhaps something that we should all be considering. The claw grip is a style that can really benefit you so don't be afraid to give it a go. If you'd like help with that or any other putting idea please feel free to pop in and see me or get in touch here for a lesson.
What's going on at Chestfield?
It's offers all the way at the moment as we head towards the season's start! We have Bag Trade-Ins from Titleist and Motocaddy that can save you up to £30 on a bag. We have lots in stock as a result so come in and see what's available.
As well as this, we also have the yearly 4 for 3 offer on Pro V1s from Titleist - order yours online here.
The new PowaKaddy F3 in stock. You will see us carrying both Motocaddy and PowaKaddy this year and remember we are also now a service centre so we can also look after your trolleys.
Boxes of new stock has been arriving in the last week so you will see a very fresh look in the shop. Believe it or not the warmer weather is not far off so now would be a good time to see what's available.