Grips: An Easy Performance Upgrade
by Jeff Jackson, Tour Golf Products

When was the last time you had your clubs re-gripped? Was it last year? Maybe the year before? If you can’t remember, it’s definitely time to have the performance of your clubs upgraded with the simplest of upgrades…new grips. The grip is the only direct contact you have with the club. If the grips are slick or worn, your hands are likely to change position on the club during the swing. And, if your hands change position, the club face also changes position, leading to errant shots and higher scores. If your grips aren’t sized to fit your hands, there may be a tendency to re-position your hands on the club during the swing as well, again causing shots with which you won’t be happy.

You should have new grips put on your clubs at least once a year – more if you play and practice more than most. Grips are a relatively inexpensive way to provide that "new club feel" to your present clubs, while at the same time upgrading their performance. What do you need to do to make certain your new grips will lead to lower scores? You probably already know there are many kinds of grips. But did you know each one has certain features that make it a good choice for certain players? The most popular grip over the years has been the Golf Pride Victory grip. It has been the number one grip on all of the professional golf tours over the past 30 or so years. It is available in sizes from junior to jumbo. The grip is identified by the words "Swing Rite, Grip Rite" in green letters on the black rubber grip. A key characteristic of this grip is the lines that help you position your hands in the same place for every swing-something that can help even experienced golfers make a good start to a swing.

Another type of popular grip is the "Tour Wrap" type. This grip, usually black in color, is made from a synthetic material molded into a wrap pattern to look like a leather wrap style grip. These grips provide good traction in wet or dry weather and have become standard on many company’s clubs in recent years. There are a number of variations on the popular wrap style, with many having patterns on the grips to increase traction and create a different feel. It is safe to say that some form the synthetic wrap style of grip is found on more than 50% of clubs produced today.

A grip preferred by many better players and golf professionals is the cord grip. These grips have layers of cord in the rubber compound, providing a "rougher" feel than standard rubber grips. Available in many styles, cord grips tend to last longer than other types of grips due to the addition of the cord, making them a smart choice for players who spend a lot of time practicing. They provide a good grip in all weather conditions, particularly on rainy days. If there is a disadvantage to cord grips, it may be that they will tend to wear gloves faster and may wear calluses on your hands more quickly due to the cord in their design.

If you prefer a softer feel, you are in luck. Softer grips have become tremendously popular during the past 5-10 years. Soft grips began with grips that had "air pockets" as part of their design. Typically these grips are labeled cushion or chamois grips. The inside of the grip actually had spaces in which air was trapped, making them feel very soft. They initially had a strong following among senior and lady golfers as they tended to absorb vibration more than other types of grips. The trend in recent years is toward even softer grips. The first among these was a wrap type grip called the Winn grip. These grips have a soft elastomer layer wrapped over an underlisting, effectively creating a one-piece grip that is actually wrapped and is very soft. Many other companies, notably Golf Pride and Karakal have been active in the softer wrap grip market as well. Although these wrap style grips are a bit more expensive when compared to rubber grips, they have become very popular and are available in a number of sizes and colors. In fact, the wrap styles have become so popular, they are now produced in a number of firmness categories, so players who prefer a firm feel in an elastomer wrap can select this as a grip of choice.

Now that you are aware of some of the common grip styles, let’s turn our attention to grip specifications. All grips are also identified as being either "round" or "ribbed." A round grip is just that, round. In cross-section it is uniform in its diameter at any given position along its length. Round grips seem to be favored by better players as they allow the player to comfortably place his hands on the grip in any position. Ribbed grips have a raised area along the back of the grip. The rib is designed to help the player position his hands on the grip in the same place each time. The choice between round and rubber grips is a matter of personal preference. One type is not better than the other, except perhaps when it comes to feel in the player’s hands.

Core size is important when it comes time to make sure a grip is the proper size for you. Grips commonly come in one of three core sizes: 56, 58 or 60. (There are other sizes that are used for juniors or larger diameter graphite shafts.) What these numbers correspond to is the size of the opening (called the mouth) in the grip that fits over the shaft. Shafts commonly measure .560", .580" or .600" at their butt ends. A 58-core grip on a .580" shaft produces a standard size men’s grip. Mixing core sizes or adding grip build up tape on a shaft prior to installing a grip is the way to create non-standard grip sizes. But how do you know what size is right for you? As a general guide, take your normal grip and remove the lower hand from the club. Look at your middle two fingers and the area below your thumb called the heel pad of your hand. The two fingers should just touch your heel pad. That shows a grip is the correct size. If the fingers dig into the heel pad, you need a larger grip. If there is a space between the heel pad and your fingers, you need a smaller grip. It is best though to hit some balls with grips of different sizes to determine if what feels good in the golf shop is equally comfortable and effective on the course. If you are concerned about a grip size change, have just one of your clubs done and try it out. You will find whether this new size is right for you or not without having your entire set re-gripped. Your golf professional or clubmaker will be able to easily install grips of the correct size and in your choice of material for just a few dollars-a small price to pay for properly sized, good feeling grips.

Be sure any time you have your clubs re-gripped that they are sized correctly. So what if your grips aren’t the right size? Big deal, huh? Could be. As mentioned earlier, even if your grip is just a little too big or small, you will tend to change the position of your hands on the grip during your swing. This will lead to shots that will not be consistent or solid feeling-a situation that can only hurt your scores. When it comes time for new grips, make sure they are sized for you. The person who puts the grips on may take measurements of your hands and will surely have you try grip samples of many sizes. The grips that feel best to you can then be sized to your clubs using calipers to make sure the grips fit you as well as they can.

As the season rolls on, check your grips often to see if they are wearing. If you see shiny areas, it’s time to get new grips. If you see areas that are worn thin or worn down, that is a sign it’s time to have your clubs re-gripped. Re-gripping can be done in a matter of hours, so you don’t have to worry about being without your clubs for a long time. To make your rubber grips last longer, wash them with warm soapy water and a brush every couple of weeks. This will get rid of dirt and will not only make the grips feel better, but they’ll last longer too. Some of the softer elastomer grips require different care; ask your repair professional for specifics when you pick your clubs up after re-gripping. Also, use common sense when taking your clubs out of the bag or when putting them back in. Never force the clubs in or out of the bag. Doing so can tear the grips (especially softer ones), requiring replacement even before they show signs of wear.

Grips are probably the part of the club most often taken for granted. Do yourself a favor and check your grips each time you play. When it comes time for new grips ask about the availability of different sizes and make sure your grips are the correct size for you. Take time to clean them every now and then. Check out the many types and colors of grips available today. Make an effort to find the best feeling and performing grip you possibly can and do your best to keep them in good shape. A good swing starts with a good grip; upgrade the performance of your clubs with new grips – your scores will be lower for it!