Tour News

Clark switches to split-grip chipping style

Published

12 years ago

Jul 26, 2014

If you saw Tim Clark on television during the RBC Canadian Open, you may have noticed the unique way he gripped the club on chip shots. The South African, who is currently second in the tournament behind Jim Furyk, is employing a split-grip-style chip shot.

You can check it out below in this Vine Shane Bacon of Devil Ball Golf posted.

Clark, if you’ll remember, was born with a genetic defect that prevents him from rotating his wrists inward. The condition, which he has had multiple surgeries to attempt to alleviate, necessitates the use of the long putter. In the wake of additional elbow and wrist issues earlier this year, Clark apparently feels the split-handed approach is best.

The tour winner is hitting 75.9 percent of greens in regulation for the tournament, so he hasn’t had to employ the split-handed grip often at Royal Montreal. However, he’s only made one bogey for the week, so when he’s had to scramble, he’s done it well.

Clark finished tied for fifth at the John Deere Classic in his last start. He explained the state of his game following his third-round 64.

Right now I feel pretty good and I am able to swing how I want to swing. That wasn’t the case at the start of the year. I had to have cortisone into my left elbow at the start of the year, and I think that slowed me down for the first few months. Like I say, three months ago I started to hit the ball good again, swing it good, but I just wasn’t scoring.

Part of scoring is getting up-and-down for par. Clark seems to have gone to the split-handed approach out of necessity. It’s working well this week.

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Ben Alberstadt

Ben Alberstadt is the Editor-in-Chief at GolfWRX, where he’s led editorial direction and gear coverage since 2018. He first joined the site as a freelance writer in 2012 after years spent working in pro shops and bag rooms at both public and private golf courses, experiences that laid the foundation for his deep knowledge of equipment and all facets of this maddening game. Based in Philadelphia, Ben’s byline has also appeared on PGATour.com, Bleacher Report...and across numerous PGA DFS and fantasy golf platforms. Off the course, Ben is a committed cat rescuer and, of course, a passionate Philadelphia sports fan. Follow him on Instagram @benalberstadt.

9 Comments

Ollie 123

Aug 1, 2014 at 1:09 pm

After watching Tim Clark do this last week I thought id give it a try and it works great for me.It just looks awful though but cannot argue with results.

Reply Report comment
Dennis Clark

Jul 30, 2014 at 8:14 am

Terrible idea for most amateurs. Low right hand is greater danger of fat. But obviously effective for him. Remember Craig Perks won the players chipping cross handed.

Reply Report comment
bgsu

Jul 28, 2014 at 11:41 am

Cant say anything about a guy with a disability winning a PGA event.

Reply Report comment
Rich

Jul 27, 2014 at 6:16 pm

Man that looks unco. Guess you don’t have to draw pictures

Reply Report comment
Craig Mcmahon

Jul 27, 2014 at 4:24 pm

Paul Runyan advocated this way of chipping and putting and he was apparently one of the best ever at getting up and down

Reply Report comment
Wally Kim

Jul 27, 2014 at 1:52 pm

Looking at the stroke it looks very shaky to me. No wonder he is fight to use anchoring in his putting stroke.

Reply Report comment
paul

Jul 27, 2014 at 10:18 am

Big break saucer pass almost.

Reply Report comment
RG

Jul 27, 2014 at 5:43 am

It ain’t how….

Reply Report comment
Abc

Jul 26, 2014 at 11:26 pm

Watched him doing this 2-3 years ago at Nelson Mandela championship in South Africa

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