David Toms is back thanks to new putter & claw grip

David Toms finished tied for second at last week’s Sanderson Farms Championship. And if you didn’t catch the coverage, you might naturally be wondering if the Louisiana native was doing anything differently to record his best finish in three years.

True, his long, slow putting stroke is pleasant to watch, but it hasn’t served him well in recent years. DT has ranked 131st, 85th, 160th and 118th in Strokes Gained: Putting over the past four seasons.

The decline isn’t totally surprising, given Toms’ age: 48 now, in his mid-40s at the time of the drop off.

In response to the earlier question: Indeed, Toms was doing something different last week. A couple of things, actually.

First, DT put a Cleveland TFI 2135 1.0 in the bag at the Frys.com Open to begin his season. The other big chance is a commitment to the “claw” grip on the greens…

“CLAWING IT, OR WHATEVER YOU CALL IT,” TOMS CALLED THE METHOD. “I’VE TRIED IT A FEW TIMES IN MY CAREER – I’VE SHOT IN THE 60S EVERY TIME,” TOMS SAID. “I’VE NEVER WENT TO IT FOR A WHOLE TOURNAMENT.”

Read more and check out photos of the putter and Toms’ grip at GolfWRX.com…