A professional golfer stuck in a putting slump will try most anything to break out of it. Altering the stance or stroke, switching to a new or different type of putter, even putting with the off hand – all things pros do regularly.

Changing grip technique is another popular slump-buster. In fact, some pros use highly unconventional means of holding the putter, like Chris DiMarco and his “claw” grip.

In his younger days DiMarco considered himself a good but streaky putter, not consistent enough to reach the game’s upper echelon. He diagnosed that his left and right hands didn’t work together properly, and sought a solution. Fellow pro Skip Kendall showed DiMarco the claw grip and, though skeptical at first, DiMarco tried it. Success ensued.

DiMarco’s left hand holds the top of the grip in the traditional manner. He puts his right hand below the left, with four fingers open across the grip’s front, the thumb wrapped around the back side of the handle.

Like most putting grips, the claw is designed to eliminate movement in the hands and wrists and promote a consistent, back-and-through stroke. Besides DiMarco, golfers who use the claw or a variation of it include Mark Calcavecchia and Mark O’Meara.

Give it a try if you’re looking to improve your putting by any means necessary.