Grip Size
The proper sizing of grips is one of the easiest, yet most misunderstood aspects of customizing your clubs. Having the correct grip size is an extremely important aspect of your clubs. A grip that is too small can cause the player to squeeze the grip too tightly, creating tension and inhibiting wrist action before impact. If the player has the proper grip pressure but the grip size is too small, the golfer may have overactive wrist action which can cause early release resulting in a pull or hook. If the grip is too large, there may be reduced head feel. Also, this can limit the players ability to release the wrists through impact, not allowing the club-face to return to the square position and potentially causing a push or fade. However, the above can be used to your advantage should your normal swing produce undesired shots or choosing a grip that will fit your hands.
a small selection of grips available on the market
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A larger grip (Standards built up, Midsize or Jumbo) would benifit:
A player with large(r) hands A player who consistently draws or hooks the ball A player with arthritus who struggles to hold and smaller grip A player whose fingers wrap around the grip and dig into their palm A smaller grip (Ladies, Ladies built up or Undersize) would benefit:
A player with small(er) hands A player who consistently fades or slices the ball A player who requires more clubhead 'feel' A player whose fingers do not fully wrap around the grip |
The chart below gives a good indication of grip size taken from your measurement and also how to achieve the correct size grip.
1. Measure the distance between the Dominant Wrist Crease and the tip of the longest finger, line A.
2. Measure the length of the longest finger from the web to the tip, line B. (see picture below)
2. Measure the length of the longest finger from the web to the tip, line B. (see picture below)
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1. Take your first measurement (line A) and find it in the chart under 'Line A".
2. Take your second measurement (line B) and find it in the chart under 'Line B".
3. Your measurments will indicate what grip size and number of wraps of tape to go under the grip to build up to acheive your recomended grip size. When we talk about wraps of tape, it is usually referring to either 2" masking tape or standard 2" double sided grip tape.
2. Take your second measurement (line B) and find it in the chart under 'Line B".
3. Your measurments will indicate what grip size and number of wraps of tape to go under the grip to build up to acheive your recomended grip size. When we talk about wraps of tape, it is usually referring to either 2" masking tape or standard 2" double sided grip tape.
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Measurement 1
5 3/4" - 6 1/2"
6 1/2" - 7" 7" - 7 3/4" 73/4" - 8 3/4" 8 3/4" - 9 1/4" 9 1/4" - above |
Measurement 2
2" - 3"
3" - 4" 4" - over 2" - 3" 3" - 4" 4" - over 2" - 3" 3" - 4" 4" - over 2" - 3" 3" - 4" 4" - over 2" - 3" 3" - 4" 4" - over 2" - 3" 3" - 4" 4" - over |
Grip Size
Ladies
Ladies Ladies Ladies Ladies Mens Std Mens Std Mens Std Mens Std Mens Std Mens Std Midsize Midsize Midsize Midsize Midsize Midsize Jumbo |
Tape Wraps
+ 1
+ 2 + 3 + 2 + 4 + 1 + 2 + 3 + 1 + 3 + 4 + 1 + 1 + 2 + 4 + 2 + 4 + 1 |
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Bottom Line
How it feels, whether you are comfortable with the grip, whether you can hold the grip securely with the least amount of hand pressure. These are the key factors of grip fitting regardless what any chart or distance from fingers to palm might say. This becomes more of a trial and error process, but in the end, the sign of a proper grip fitting is that it is comfortable, that you do not have to use any extra pressure to hold on to the club and the most important thing is that it just feels good.
How it feels, whether you are comfortable with the grip, whether you can hold the grip securely with the least amount of hand pressure. These are the key factors of grip fitting regardless what any chart or distance from fingers to palm might say. This becomes more of a trial and error process, but in the end, the sign of a proper grip fitting is that it is comfortable, that you do not have to use any extra pressure to hold on to the club and the most important thing is that it just feels good.
Putter Grips
JUMBO
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MIDSIZE
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STANDARD
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Putter grip sizes have changed dramatically over the past few years. Manufactures are now
producing putter grips with larger and larger diameters. These larger sizes have no correlation with hand size and is purely personal feel and comfort. Although, the sizing can have a dramatic effect on your putting stoke.
If your tendency is to push the ball and miss putts to the right of the cup then a smaller grip may
work for you as this will help you release the toe of the putter and square the putter head at impact. This will help get the ball rolling online towards the hole.
If you are pulling the ball and missing putts to the left then a larger grip will help you keep the putter head square for longer during your putting stroke.
If you have a very wristy putting stroke or an active right hand, creating a stabbing action at the ball, then the very large putters grips will help. These jumbo sized grips help promote a pendulum style putting stoke and eliminate wrist hinge or wrist break.
If you are thinking about fitting a larger putter grip, you must first consider the weight aspect. Some of the larger putter grips are a lot heavier than the standard thinner sizes. Some of these heavier grips will have the effect of back weighting the putter and lower the swing-weight. This will make the putter feel a lot lighter. Although, a lot of manufactures are taking this into consideration with the latest jumbo putter grips and are using lighter weight materials to help eliminate this problem.
producing putter grips with larger and larger diameters. These larger sizes have no correlation with hand size and is purely personal feel and comfort. Although, the sizing can have a dramatic effect on your putting stoke.
If your tendency is to push the ball and miss putts to the right of the cup then a smaller grip may
work for you as this will help you release the toe of the putter and square the putter head at impact. This will help get the ball rolling online towards the hole.
If you are pulling the ball and missing putts to the left then a larger grip will help you keep the putter head square for longer during your putting stroke.
If you have a very wristy putting stroke or an active right hand, creating a stabbing action at the ball, then the very large putters grips will help. These jumbo sized grips help promote a pendulum style putting stoke and eliminate wrist hinge or wrist break.
If you are thinking about fitting a larger putter grip, you must first consider the weight aspect. Some of the larger putter grips are a lot heavier than the standard thinner sizes. Some of these heavier grips will have the effect of back weighting the putter and lower the swing-weight. This will make the putter feel a lot lighter. Although, a lot of manufactures are taking this into consideration with the latest jumbo putter grips and are using lighter weight materials to help eliminate this problem.
Grip Cleaning & Revival
Grip cleaning is a must of you want to increase the life of your grips. It is vital that they are in good shape if you want to play to your best ability. A grip that slips in your hands and causes you to grip tighter is going to damage your swing. Most people never do this until it's too late, but if you can wash them once a month you will prolong the life of your grips by a substantial length of time. Apart from general wear, one of the main reasons why grips require replacing is from the oil and sweat that comes from your hands that builds up on the grips surface. All that is required to keep your grips clean is to lightly scrub them with a soft brush in warm soapy water and then dry them off with a towel. If your grips are starting to loose there tackiness or are starting to become shiny you can revive them for a few rounds at a time.
Grip cleaning is a must of you want to increase the life of your grips. It is vital that they are in good shape if you want to play to your best ability. A grip that slips in your hands and causes you to grip tighter is going to damage your swing. Most people never do this until it's too late, but if you can wash them once a month you will prolong the life of your grips by a substantial length of time. Apart from general wear, one of the main reasons why grips require replacing is from the oil and sweat that comes from your hands that builds up on the grips surface. All that is required to keep your grips clean is to lightly scrub them with a soft brush in warm soapy water and then dry them off with a towel. If your grips are starting to loose there tackiness or are starting to become shiny you can revive them for a few rounds at a time.
easily revived
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will last 3-4 rounds after revival
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beyond revival
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1 Take a sheet of medium-course sand paper, roll it into a 1 inch diameter tube with the rough side facing outwards.
2 Rub the tube at a 90 degree angle up and down the grip while spinning the shaft to completely remove the surface shine from the grip. At this point the grip will look dull and dusty.
3 Once you have lightly sanded down the grip and removed the outer layer of grime, take some paper towel dipped in mineral spirit, turpentine or white spirit and wipe the grip clean. It will take 3 or 4 pieces of paper towel to clean the grip properly.
4 Set the clubs aside to let the remaining spirit on the grips evaporate or lightly scrub them again with a soft brush in
warm soapy water and then dry them off with a towel.
2 Rub the tube at a 90 degree angle up and down the grip while spinning the shaft to completely remove the surface shine from the grip. At this point the grip will look dull and dusty.
3 Once you have lightly sanded down the grip and removed the outer layer of grime, take some paper towel dipped in mineral spirit, turpentine or white spirit and wipe the grip clean. It will take 3 or 4 pieces of paper towel to clean the grip properly.
4 Set the clubs aside to let the remaining spirit on the grips evaporate or lightly scrub them again with a soft brush in
warm soapy water and then dry them off with a towel.
Arthritis
If you suffer for arthritis in your hands and struggle to grip your clubs, there are oversize/jumbo
grips available and even arthritic grips. Some of the arthritic grips are covered in tiny dimples which stimulate the nerve ending in the hands which makes it easier to grip the club. If you suffer from severe arthritis there is another alternative which is fitting putter grips to all of your clubs. We have fitted many sets of clubs with putter grips for golfers with advanced arthritis in their hands. Tiger Shark and SuperStroke (among others) make very large putter grips these days, much larger that the largest club grips. The flat front of the putter grip can also be used as an advantage. Fitting the flat edge of the grip parallel to the leading edge of the clubface and pointing towards the target will help you feel where the clubface is pointing during your swing and at impact. Provided you are not playing in competitions and your playing partners have no issues with this, there is no reason why they cannot be fitted.
If you suffer for arthritis in your hands and struggle to grip your clubs, there are oversize/jumbo
grips available and even arthritic grips. Some of the arthritic grips are covered in tiny dimples which stimulate the nerve ending in the hands which makes it easier to grip the club. If you suffer from severe arthritis there is another alternative which is fitting putter grips to all of your clubs. We have fitted many sets of clubs with putter grips for golfers with advanced arthritis in their hands. Tiger Shark and SuperStroke (among others) make very large putter grips these days, much larger that the largest club grips. The flat front of the putter grip can also be used as an advantage. Fitting the flat edge of the grip parallel to the leading edge of the clubface and pointing towards the target will help you feel where the clubface is pointing during your swing and at impact. Provided you are not playing in competitions and your playing partners have no issues with this, there is no reason why they cannot be fitted.
Grip Fitting
1. Cut the old grip off using a hooked blade Stanley knife. Start from the open end of the grip going up towards the butt end.
2. Clean off all the remaining old grip tape that is on the shaft. On steel shafts this can be done with a flat blade knife. It is a slightly more delicate operation on graphite shafts as you do not want to cause shaft damage. A heat gun will soften the old grip tape or use some mineral spirits. Rub the shaft with a strong cloth or towel. Pick off any remaining tape then wipe the shaft clean.
3. Measure off a length of grip tape against the length of the new grip.
4. Leaving a 1/2" flap of tape over the butt end, wrap the tape around the shaft, making sure there are no folds or creases. Fold the 1/2" flap of tape into the butt end of the shaft. This prevents any sand or debris getting into the shaft after the grip has been fitted.
5. Pour enough grip solvent, mineral spirits, or paint thinner into the new grip to completely wet the inside.
6. Pour the excess solvent from the grip over the grip tape which you have just fitted onto the shaft.
7. Holding the open end of the grip between your index finger and thumb, push the grip over the butt end of the shaft making sure to push the grip all the way down so that the butt end of the grip stops at the butt end of the shaft.
8. Line up the front face of the grip with the leading edge of the club head.
9. Wipe away any excess solvent which remains on the grip and shaft. Leave club to dry for 2 to 3 hours.
1. Cut the old grip off using a hooked blade Stanley knife. Start from the open end of the grip going up towards the butt end.
2. Clean off all the remaining old grip tape that is on the shaft. On steel shafts this can be done with a flat blade knife. It is a slightly more delicate operation on graphite shafts as you do not want to cause shaft damage. A heat gun will soften the old grip tape or use some mineral spirits. Rub the shaft with a strong cloth or towel. Pick off any remaining tape then wipe the shaft clean.
3. Measure off a length of grip tape against the length of the new grip.
4. Leaving a 1/2" flap of tape over the butt end, wrap the tape around the shaft, making sure there are no folds or creases. Fold the 1/2" flap of tape into the butt end of the shaft. This prevents any sand or debris getting into the shaft after the grip has been fitted.
5. Pour enough grip solvent, mineral spirits, or paint thinner into the new grip to completely wet the inside.
6. Pour the excess solvent from the grip over the grip tape which you have just fitted onto the shaft.
7. Holding the open end of the grip between your index finger and thumb, push the grip over the butt end of the shaft making sure to push the grip all the way down so that the butt end of the grip stops at the butt end of the shaft.
8. Line up the front face of the grip with the leading edge of the club head.
9. Wipe away any excess solvent which remains on the grip and shaft. Leave club to dry for 2 to 3 hours.
