U.S. Open 2026: Scottie Scheffler's grip change range session, explained

Nairavoice | Jun 18, 2026 1h ago 73 0 3 min read

U.S. Open 2026: Scottie Scheffler's grip change range session, explained

SOUTHAMPTON, N.Y. — In some ways it’s the highest compliment you could possibly pay Scottie Scheffler.

Yes, Scottie Scheffler remains the best player in golf.

No, Scottie Scheffler’s golf swing isn’t quite clicking at the moment.

First, his approach play is down—he’s 16th on the PGA Tour this season, and lost -1.1 SG on his approach shots in the first round at Shinnecock on Thursday.
Second, he’s working in more misses to the right than in previous years. His left-right miss split is essentially 50-50 this season, and the two fairways he missed during his first round were both in the right rough.

First, his approach play is down—he’s 16th on the PGA Tour this season, and lost -1.1 SG on his approach shots in the first round at Shinnecock on Thursday.

Second, he’s working in more misses to the right than in previous years. His left-right miss split is essentially 50-50 this season, and the two fairways he missed during his first round were both in the right rough.

Brandel Chamblee highlighted his theory on Live From earlier this week: His downswing is steeper; it moves more left than in previous years.

But as you can see in our Ball Flight Diagnoser right here, that’s only one half of the equation. It’s pairing that move with an open clubface which leads to over-fades and other rightward misses.

Which brings us to Scheffler’s range session after his first round.

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It wasn’t particularly long—only 30 minutes or so—and his grip was a central focus.

Scheffler and his coach, the legendary Randy Smith, often work on his grip, and they seemed hard at work on it on Thursday evening.

Scheffler has a tendency to get his left hand grip into a slightly strong position, meaning his left hand palm sits more on top of the club. Left to its own devices it may send the ball left, or it can create a compensation move at the start of his swing.

You can see the pair discussing it below.

When Scheffler presses and lifts his hands to start his swing, it can have the effect of rolling the clubface open. No more left misses—but now the clubface is open, so you’re working in right misses.

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One way they worked on it was by Randy putting Scheffler’s club into a fully released position on the follow through, and then taking his grip. That’s the move they’re demonstrating here.

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That positions Scheffler’s hand in the position where he has historically played his best golf. And with the help of the grip trainer on his 7-iron, it’s what the pair worked on dialing in ahead of his second round.

Will it work? Golf, sadly, isn’t that easy to predict. But it’s worth pointing out that Scheffler has navigated a grip change mid-major before. He ended the week slipping on a green jacket.