Golf grips are one of those pieces of equipment that golfers often don't think too much about until they actually start trying a few different options.
People will spend plenty of time choosing a driver, irons or wedges, but the grip is the part of the club you're actually connected to. If it doesn't feel comfortable in your hands, that's not a great starting point.
The biggest thing I would say about choosing a golf grip is that personal preference matters.
Some golfers like a really soft rubber grip. Others prefer something much firmer. Some love cord because they feel like they can really hold onto the club, while other golfers can't stand the feel of cord in their hands.
There isn't necessarily a right answer.
What's the difference between rubber, cord and multi-compound grips?
A traditional rubber grip generally feels softer and a little more comfortable in the hands. For a lot of golfers, that's all they need.
Cord grips have fibres running through the surface of the grip, which gives you considerably more traction. They're particularly useful if your hands get sweaty or you're playing in damp conditions.
The trade-off is that cord grips generally feel firmer and can be a little more aggressive on your hands.
Then you've got multi-compound grips, which combine different materials. You might have cord through the upper section of the grip, where you want plenty of traction, and softer rubber further down.
Personally, I quite like that sort of combination on my driver.
If you want to get a feel for the different styles, you can have a look through our golf grip range. We carry plenty of options, with Golf Pride grips making up a large part of what we fit in-store.
You don't have to use the same grips on every club
This is something I think gets overlooked.
There's absolutely no rule saying every club in your golf bag needs to have exactly the same grip.
My own bag is a good example.
I might use a multi-compound grip on my driver, cord grips through my irons and then softer rubber grips on my wedges.
That's simply because I like different sensations for different shots. I'm very much a feel player, so I'm quite particular about how a club feels in my hands.
If you find something you like, that's more important to me than trying to make every grip in the bag match.
If you're going to prioritise two clubs, make it your driver and putter
If you're not looking to replace every grip in your bag, there are two clubs I would pay particular attention to: your driver and your putter.
I often see golfers treat themselves to a slightly more premium grip on the driver, and I think that makes sense.
You're creating a lot of speed with a driver. You want to feel confident that the club isn't moving around in your hands. If you're someone who likes cord or a multi-compound grip, the driver is a very logical place to use it.
I'd put the putter right up there as well.
The putter grip is quite different because we're less concerned about creating speed and much more interested in how the putter sits in your hands.
The shape, thickness and overall feel of a putter grip can have a noticeable influence on how comfortable you feel over the ball.
Some golfers love a traditional narrow putter grip. Others prefer much larger grips that can make the hands feel quieter during the stroke.
For a club you're potentially using 30 or more times during a round, I think it's worth finding something you really like.
What size golf grip should I use?
Grip size is another area where golfers sometimes assume there is one correct answer.
You'll commonly see grips available in sizes such as undersize, standard, midsize and jumbo.
Hand size is certainly relevant. My hands are reasonably small, for example, and I generally prefer a standard-sized grip.
But again, feel matters.
A thicker grip can make the hands feel less active through the swing, while a thinner grip can give some golfers a little more awareness of the club in their fingers. I wouldn't choose purely based on a rule or a chart though.
Put a few different sizes in your hands and see what feels natural.
Grip size can also be considered as part of a proper golf club fitting, particularly if you're ordering new clubs and want the whole setup to feel right.
What about grip thickness and taper?
Even two grips that are technically the same size can feel quite different.
Some grips taper considerably from the top down towards the bottom hand. Others have less taper, which makes the lower section feel thicker.
You can also change the finished thickness of a grip by adding extra layers of tape underneath it.
It's one of those relatively small adjustments that can make a club feel much better without changing anything about the clubhead or shaft.
Are expensive golf grips actually better?
Sometimes, but I wouldn't automatically assume the most expensive grip is the best one for you.
More expensive grips may use different compounds, offer more traction or simply have a feel that you prefer.
That's where I come back to prioritising certain clubs.
If you've got a grip that you absolutely love and it costs a bit more, I wouldn't be too worried about putting it on your driver. The same goes for your putter.
But you certainly don't need to put the most expensive grip available on every club in the bag just because it's marketed as premium.
Find something that feels good and works for the conditions you normally play in.
Do Golf 360 fit golf grips?
Yes.
We do our golf club regripping in-store at Golf 360, and if you buy the grips from us, fitting is included in the grip price. There is no additional regripping charge on top.
You don't need to know exactly which grip you want before you come in either. Bring your clubs in and have a feel of a few options. We can talk you through the different sizes, materials and styles and help narrow things down.
If you already know what you're after, you can also browse our golf grips online.
How do I know when my golf grips need replacing?
A good grip should feel secure enough that you don't need excessive pressure just to hold onto the club.
If your grips have become hard, shiny or slippery, they're probably past their best.
Sometimes golfers don't realise how worn their grips have become because the deterioration happens gradually. Then they pick up a club with a fresh grip and immediately notice the difference.
I've gone into that in more detail in when you should regrip your golf clubs.
So, which golf grip should I buy?
Start with what feels comfortable.
Think about the size of the grip, whether you prefer something soft or firm, whether your hands tend to get sweaty and whether you regularly play in wet conditions.
And don't be afraid to mix things up throughout your bag.
Your driver might benefit from a really secure multi-compound or cord grip. Your irons might suit something different, and your wedges might be more about feel.
Your putter is almost a category of its own.
Ultimately, the best grip is one that feels comfortable in your hands and gives you confidence when you stand over the ball.
If you're unsure, come into Golf 360 in Mount Maunganui and have a feel of a few different options. With grips, that's often much more useful than trying to choose one from a picture.
Happy golfing,
Scott
