Reminder, or ribbed, grips were once the go-to choice for most golfers. These grips have a raised ridge that helps with consistent hand placement and they’re making a comeback. They’re legal so there’s no downside to giving them a shot. If you’re wondering whether reminder grips could help your game, here’s what you need to know.
What are reminder grips?
A reminder grip has a raised ridge along the underside. When properly installed on the shaft, this ridge (or “rib”) fits into the creases of your fingers and palms.
Putting your hands on the golf club in the same way every time is beneficial to your game. The reminder grips offer a built-in guide that’s subtle enough not to feel too bulky or as if the grip is larger than it should be.
Years ago, clubmakers had to build the back of the grip up using materials to create this ridge. With new technology like the Golf Pride Align Max, the ridge is built into the grip’s construction, making it easier to install.
How reminder grips can help your game
A reminder grip can impact your game in three main ways: consistency, better awareness of the clubface and improved feel and feedback.
- Consistency. If you struggle with your hands rotating or feel like you have a weak grip, the pronounced reminder can serve as a built-in checkpoint.
- Face Awareness. When your hands are in the same place every time, you can learn more about what the face is doing and how your hands control the face.
- Feel and Feedback. The raised ridge provides tactile feedback which can be especially helpful for feel players or golfers who want that “locked-in” sensation to go after the ball at full speed.
Do golf professionals use reminder grips?
If you thought reminder grips were just another gimmick, think again. About one in five Tour players use reminder grips which means there’s real value, even at the game’s highest level. Consistency is everything for the pros and a grip that helps them repeat the same hand position swing after swing is worth considering.
Who should use reminder grips?
Golfers spend far more time and energy researching golf clubs and balls than grips and shafts. Golf Pride conducted a study and found that only 38 percent of surveyed players had heard of the Align grips (Golf Pride’s reminder grip line).
Try a reminder grip if:
- You feel like you regrip the club during your swing or your hand placement is inconsistent from one shot to the next.
- You’re a new golfer and you are trying to understand proper grip positioning.
- You want a built-in reminder of where your hands should be on the club.
Stay away if:
- You change your hand position often to hit a draw, fade, etc.
- You are worried about proper installation and don’t want to invest in higher-quality reminder grips like the Align Max which makes installation easier.
- Your hands are small and you struggle with grips that feel larger than standard.
Here are a few to try
If you decide reminder grips are a good option, here are a few to consider:
- Golf Pride Align Max: A beefier ridge for enhanced feel.
- Golf Pride MCC Align: Less pronounced than Align Max but still has a ridge
- Lamkin Sonar Tour with Calibrate: Calibrate (Green spine) alignment for consistent hand placement
Installation Tip: If you’re going the reminder route, be sure the rib is aligned exactly how you like it. Some golfers prefer the slightly “off-center” ridge to accommodate their natural grip. Consider having a professional club fitter do the installation.
Final thoughts
If you think inconsistency in hand placement could be causing higher scores, try a reminder grip. Put it on one club (like a driver) and test it out for a bit before replacing everything in the bag.
Chris Cooper
1 year ago
Use the Golfworks Rib pack – put the rib on where you want it, then layer of grip tape. Then you can use whatever grip you like… and when you regrip the rib stays where it is ready for the new grip.
I have the rib under Bestgrip leather grips, and place the rib on top so I can feel it’s position in the ‘V’ between thumb and forefinger.