How your hands are positioned on the golf club has more of an influence on the angle of your clubface at impact than most other factors in the golf swing. We are connected with the golf club in only one place: the grip.
The grip on your golf club will help improve traction and give you confidence. The right grip can even improve distance capability. We will show you which golf grips are the best for your game and why.
Why Do Golf Grips Matter?
We are big into equipment and technology and how much of a difference these types of things can make in your golf game. Here’s what to expect from a golf grip:
- The proper grip influences the alignment of the clubface at setup but, more importantly, at impact.
- Having uniform grips that suit you can lead to consistency and repeatable golf swings.
- A grip with better traction can increase swing speed and ball speed.
- The grip’s texture changes the feedback you get on each shot which plays into your overall feel and touch on the course.
- Golf grips, especially the proper size, will reduce tension in the hands and have positive impacts on tempo and rhythm.
- Proper grip size and feel can improve the overall ability to control golf shots.
Lamkin UTx
If you like a cord grip with some tack to it, the Lamkin UTx is a great option. The outer layer of the UTx is firm and made from ACE (a tacky vibration-dampening material). The second layer of the Lamkin UTx is a full cord fabric weave.
The combination of cord and tackiness helps improve traction and moisture-wicking capabilities.
The Lamkin UTx is designed to be an all-weather golf grip suitable for players who want to know their golf club isn’t going to slip out of their hands.
Pros
- All-weather technology
- More advanced traction than something like the Lamkin Sonar
- Unique offering combining tackiness and cord technology
Cons
- Firm feel
- It will wear out your golf glove quicker.
Golf Pride Tour Velvet
The Golf Pride Tour Velvet is one of the most popular Golf Pride grips of all time. The Golf Pride Tour Velvet is considered to be standard across the industry and is even placed on many clubs by the manufacturer.
If you have ever taken your golf clubs in for a regrip and not specified which grip you want, chances are you got the Golf Pride Tour Velvet.
This classic grip has good feel, holds up well over time, is readily available and comes in a variety of sizes. Golf Pride Tour Velvet also has some grips that are similar in technology, like the Golf Pride Tour Velvet Align and the Golf Pride Tour Velvet Tour Tack.
Pros
- The industry standard
- Works for a wide range of players
- Good feel with and without a glove
- Fair pricing for a new set of grips
Cons
- Not as much traction as other grips
- Small ridges can get filled with oil, grease and dirt, making the grip slippery
Golf Pride CP2
The Golf Pride CP2 is Golf Pride’s softest performance grip. The CP2 features the Control Core technology with a 2.5-inch inner-core stabilizer. If you are looking to reduce torque and feel more in control at impact, the CP2 is a good choice.
The CP2 is a reduced-taper design for consistent and even grip pressure. Although the surface can’t be described as tacky, the high-traction surface does keep your hands from slipping.
Pros
- Comfortable and soft feel
- Reduced vibrations at impact
- High-traction dual-material design
- Can be a good option for golfers with joint issues
Cons
- Too soft for some advanced players seeking extra feedback
Lamkin Crossline
The Lamkin Crossline is one of the most affordable and well-known grips for amateur golfers. Crossline grips have a moderate texture that helps improve traction. The Crossline grip has impressive lateral traction, tackiness and durability.
The Lamkin Crossline comes in a wide range of colors and sizes.
Pros
- Fair pricing
- Classic design used by Tour pros and amateur golfers
- Many size and color options
- Improved traction with proprietary rubber compound
Cons
- Not the most technologically advanced grip
Winn Dri-Tac
The Winn Dri-Tac polymer material was a game-changer in the world of golf grips. Finally, golfers could have the comfort of the classic Winn with a ton of tacky feel. If you struggle with confidence in clubface control, tackiness can make all the difference.
The Winn Dri-Tac holds up well in wet conditions and can be a great choice if you play in humid conditions..
Pros
- Great combination of tackiness and comfort
- Good all-weather grip
- Can eliminate the need for a glove, especially in the short game
Cons
- The tacky surface is known to wear out
Golf Pride Tour Wrap
The Golf Pride Tour Wraps are always within the top five best-selling grips for Golf Pride. Although this is not a true wrap grip, it functions like one. Golf Pride used a high-tack rubber for tackiness but still managed to provide a cushioned feel.
If you are a golfer who likes to play with a little extra grip pressure, the wrap style combined with high tack may give you the feedback you need.
Pros
- Cushioned feel
- High-tack rubber
- Good mix of comfort and feedback
Cons
- Not the best all-weather grip
Iomic Sticky 2.3
The Iomic Sticky 2.3 is the latest release from Iomic. The elastomer compound improves tackiness and durability. The Sticky gets its name for a reason! Don’t expect a ton of comfort and cushion from this grip.
Instead, the Iomic Sticky 2.0 is a great feedback tool for players who like a firm feel.
SuperStroke S-Tech
The SuperStroke S-Tech is a medium-soft rubber standard grip. SuperStroke keeps their pricing affordable but provides good tackiness and all-weather control.
With the S-Tech, you can benefit from a cross-traction texture pattern. This is a great alternative for golfers looking for something similar to a Golf Pride Tour Velvet.
Pros
- Medium-soft feel
- Helps improve and even out grip pressure
- High feedback golf grip
Cons
- Not much cushion
JumboMax
If you have larger hands or arthritis issues, the JumboMax is a great solution. The large JumboMax grips help reduce overall grip pressure and tension. If consistent hand pressure is a concern, JumboMax has solutions.
As great as the JumboMax grips are, ensure your hand size is large enough to accommodate a larger grip. Golfers with small hands could end up struggling to release the club when the grip gets too large.
Pros
- Large but lightweight grips
- Helps reduce grip pressure
- Can improve consistency
- Available in many styles and colors
Cons
- Don’t use a jumbo grip unless your hands can accommodate
What to Look for In The Best Grips?
Golfers very rarely have the option to test one grip against another and see how each will feel in their hands. Even if you go for a club fitting, they may have a display that lets you get the feel of a proper grip but it’s still different when the grips are on your club.
One of my favorite ways to ensure a grip is the best for you is to order just one, put it on and see how you play. If you like it, do the rest of the set.
Weather Conditions and Climate
Decide if you are a fair-weather golfer or if you will putt out on 18 regardless of the conditions. Some grips do a better job with excess moisture and hold up well in poor weather conditions.
If you want the strongest hold and highest traction in a grip, the corded grip is best. Even when it gets humid or rainy, the cord can still give you that little extra grab. The problem, of course, is that the cord is rougher on the hands.
For seasoned golfers with callouses, this may not be a problem but for new players, it’s a bit tough to handle.
Soft Feel Versus Hard Feel
A soft-feeling grip can help you with lighter grip pressure and added comfort. Many golfers feel they have more control around the greens, especially without a glove, when using a soft grip.
Players who like a harder grip are those who need more of a firmer feel and a little more pressure in their hands.
Durability
Most of the larger golf grip manufacturers, like Golf Pride, Lamkin, Winn and SuperStroke, all make quality grips designed to last. However, some golf club grips will wear out faster than others simply because of the materials they are made of.
The softer polymer-style grips have been known to deteriorate faster than rubber grips, especially for those with sweaty hands. If you play golf often, go with a durable rubber grip that can be replaced less often.
Color
Golf grip manufacturers know that having a grip that matches or complements the shaft and clubhead on your golf club is important. New grip options that come to market are available in many colors, making customization much easier.
Be aware that lighter colored golf grips aren’t going to look pretty for very long. Even if you wear a glove, the grip will get dirty in the most frequently used areas.
Brand
More and more knock-off brands of grips are coming to market. These are good for a cheap replacement but most will need to be replaced more often. The brands that we have had experience with and trust include:
- Golf Pride
- SuperStroke
- Winn
- Lamkin
- Jumbo Max
- Ionic
Sizes
One of the most important features from a performance perspective is grip size. The standard grip put on the majority of stock golf clubs is appropriate for a golfer who wears a size large glove.
If your hands are smaller or larger than average or you struggle with arthritis, you have a couple of options:
- Customize grip size by adding layers of tape under the grip to build up the size
- Purchase a custom grip size (i.e., midsize, undersize, jumbo)
Go for a golf club fitting and talk to them about grip sizes for all of your clubs, including putter grips.
Materials
Rubber: Most common material. Comfortable and cushioned feel with plenty of tackiness. Should perform well in rough weather conditions.
Cord: Rubber grips combined with synthetic fibers to help improve traction and decrease moisture. Old-school golfers with tough hands love the cord
Synthetic: Synthetic grips are durable, resistant to UV exposure and made from materials like TPE, polyurethane or synthetic leather.
Hybrid: Not for your hybrid club but instead a mix of two different grip materials. Hybrid grips mix feel and performance and provide versatility.
Elastomer: Cushiony feeling at impact. Elastomer helps absorb some energy and may decrease any pain you may have (physical pain—the mental pain is something we all have to deal with).
Polymer: Polymer is most well known in the grips from Winn. This is one of the most popular grip choices for golfers who want a soft yet tacky feel.
Taper
A standard golf grip is thicker in the butt end and gets more narrow as it travels down the shaft. The concept of reduced-taper golf grips has become quite popular. Reduced-taper grips are not nearly as thin at the bottom of the grip.
With a reduced-taper design, the lead and trail hands will have equal amounts of pressure. For players who grip too tightly with their right hand, a reduced-taper grip can make all the difference.
Personal Preference
Finally, you have to choose a grip you like. Even if you know that comfort and cushion are what you technically need, maybe you play your best golf with a cord style. Again, a club fitting is a great place to test different golf grips.
Frequently Asked Questions
What grips does Rory McIlroy use?
Rory uses the popular Golf Pride MCC grips. He has a SuperStroke Pistol GT on his putter.
How do I know which golf grips to use?
The best way is to go to a custom golf fitting and test different types of grips. If you don’t have this option, order one grip of a type you may like and play with it before regripping all your clubs.
When should you use midsize golf grips?
If you have a glove size that is large or extra large the midsize grip can help reduce grip pressure. In addition, midsize grips help golfers who have hand pain and arthritis. If you wear a XXL or even sometimes an XL the jumbo grips may be even better than midsize.
Johnny Kinsella
1 month ago
Golf Pride Z Grip is standard on so many new clubs and doesn’t even get a mention. And there’s no better grip for Drivers and fairway woods.