The grip is the only part of your golf club you have direct contact with. Every swing, every shot, every putt goes through the grip to the club. Yet, most golfers completely ignore this part until the grip is so slick that they can barely hold onto the club. In this article, we explain everything about golf grips: what types there are, how to choose the right size, when to replace them, and how to change them yourself.

Why the grip is so important

A worn grip has direct consequences for your game. If the grip starts to get slick, you unconsciously squeeze the club harder to hold it. That extra tension in your hands, wrists, and forearms prevents a free, smooth swing. Players who complain about muscle pain in their shoulders or forearms sometimes have simply played too long with worn grips.

Moreover, grip thickness affects ball flight. A grip that is too thin causes the hands to be too active in the swing, most likely leading to a closed clubface and a pulling ball flight (to the left for right-handed players). Conversely, a grip that is too thick suppresses hand activity, causing the clubface to remain open more often at impact, resulting in a push to the right.

In short: a good grip costs little, but a bad or worn grip costs you strokes.

The four types of grips

Rubber grips

The most common variation. Rubber grips are durable, affordable, and available in dozens of texture variations. They offer a good balance between grip and a cushioned feel. In damp conditions or with sweaty hands, rubber grips sometimes have less grip, unless they have a rough texture.

Cord grips

Cord grips contain textile threads (braided cord) in the material, which provides a rougher but firmer grip even in wet conditions. They are popular among advanced players and tour players who play a lot in variable weather conditions. They feel harder than rubber grips. The Golf Pride Tour Velvet Cord is one of the most popular grips on the PGA Tour.

Hybrid grips

A hybrid grip combines cord on the top (upper hand) with a softer rubber section on the bottom. The Golf Pride MCC is a well-known example. This combination gives the feel of a cord grip for the upper hand, while the lower hand experiences more comfort.

Leather grips

Leather provides a premium feel and was formerly used by most professional golfers. Nowadays, leather is rarer, more expensive, and less resistant to moisture. It is primarily used in putters by players who prefer a soft, traditional feel.

Check out the range of grips and club accessories on the Reswing Golfstore accessories page.

Determining the correct grip size

The size of a grip is at least as important as the material. There are four standard sizes: undersize, standard, midsize, and oversize (jumbo).

The starting point for determining your size is the size of your hand. A simple test: hold the club in your normal grip and see if the fingertips of your top hand lightly touch the palm of that same hand. If they press firmly into the palm, the grip is probably too small. If there is a lot of space in between, the grip may be too large.

PING has developed a color-coded system where you measure your hand size and determine the correct grip thickness using a table. This system also works if you don't play PING clubs.

Extra layers of grip tape under the grip are an inexpensive way to increase the thickness. Four layers of tape are roughly equivalent to half a size extra. Tour players often apply this to get their grip exactly right.

When should you replace grips?

The rule of thumb: every 40 to 60 rounds, or at least once a season if you play regularly. In practice, most golfers wait too long. Seventy percent of all golfers never replace their grips, while worn grips directly cost game quality.

Signs that replacement is needed:

• The grip feels slick or shiny
• There are visible cracks or tears
• You have to squeeze harder than normal to hold the club
• The grip feels hard and dried out

If you buy the grips of a new set of clubs, they come with standard grips that are not necessarily the best choice for your hand. It's smart to have new clubs immediately fitted with the grip that suits you.

Replacing grips yourself: is it possible?

Yes, and it's cheaper than you think. Replacing a grip yourself takes 10 to 15 minutes per club once you get the hang of it. What you need: a grip cutter or sharp knife, double-sided grip tape (specifically for golf clubs – hardware store tape doesn't work well), grip solvent or mineral spirits, and the new grip.

The process in brief: cut off the old grip, remove remaining tape, apply new tape to the shaft, pour solvent into the grip and over the tape, slide the grip directly and smoothly over, align, and let it dry (at least 20 minutes).

Having a complete set of 14 clubs regripped at a golf store costs an average of 150 to 200 euros including grips. Doing it yourself with a grip set costing 42 euros and some patience is much less expensive. The downside of doing it yourself is that alignment requires a bit more attention; a crookedly mounted grip is uncomfortable and affects your grip.

The grip as a neglected investment

If you last bought a golf set but have never replaced your grips, chances are you are now playing with slick, hardened grips. For less than 15 euros per club or less if you do it yourself, you'll have grips that feel like new. It's probably the cheapest improvement you can make to your golf game.

Author: Team Reswing Golfstore Reswing Golfstore offers a full range of golf grips and related accessories for all types of golfers.