Tim Clark opts for wacky BioMech putter

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With the anchored putting ban now in full effect, former long-time broomstick wielder Tim Clark has been forced to pick a new putter - and on first look, you might think he's gone a little crazy. 

Clark, 40, has opted to use a BioMech Acculock Ace putter ahead of this week's Sony Open in Hawaii, which as you can see from the image above features a long, wide face where the shaft connects to the back of the sculpted mallet.

Upon testing tens of different putters, Clark laughed as he picked up his new putter. "It's the closest thing to the old one," he said. 

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While slightly unusual in its design, when you're currently ranked 212th on the PGA Tour's strokes gained putting statistic - losing more than two shots to the field - after five starts of the new wraparound season, anything is worth a try in the eyes of the South African.

"I haven't used a shorter putter for 19 years, so you could have given me a shovel and it would have felt okay," said the 2010 Players champion.

"It's either going to work or it's not, but I'm going to go with what I think is going to be better."

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Clark has been one of the most ardent members of the anchoring method, and had continued to sweep his broomstick on the PGA Tour throughout 2015 despite knowing the anchored putting ban was looming. 

It will therefore be like starting all over again for the two-time PGA Tour champion, who last tasted victory at the 2014 Canadian Open. 

"You can't wipe away 18 years of a habit," said Clark. "So in some ways, I feel like this is a rookie season for me."

The AccuLock Ace ($279.99), which has also been used by the likes of Bo Van Pelt and Heath Slocum, is built with a considerable forward shaft lean. The company claims this helps a player secure the grip against the players’ lead arm during the stroke, just as we have seen with Matt Kuchar's Bettinardi Arm Lock putter.

Clark, who was born with a congenital problem that prohibits him from being able to supinate his wrists, will use a belly-length model but employ an arm-lock stroke so his putting remains legal.

He feels the new stroke will allow him to have his hands forward-pressed naturally and provide him with a similar sensation to his anchored stroke. 

Regardless of a putter switch, however, Clark knows there are few guarantees in this game.

"Bottom line, it still comes down to nerves, confidence," he added.