Golf is a fun sport that many pick up to challenge themselves and as a relaxing way to spend time with others. This sport is known for having a variety of pieces of equipment that players need to play well. It’s important for players to know what pieces of equipment they need and the correct sizing.
The most common size people use for their golf grip is a standard or midsize. These have a diameter of 1 inch or a little more. These are good for most golfers, as they allow the player to grip the golf club decently hard without the golf club feeling bulky or too thin.
Knowing the basic procedure for getting the right golf grip is nice. Yet, there is so much more to consider before purchasing a golf grip. A golfer needs to know why golf grips are important, what size golf grips are available, what materials golf grips come in, and how a golfer can tell which golf grip is best for them.
Why are Golf grips Important?
Golf grips are an important part of a golfer’s game because they can impact the way a golfer chooses to swing. Golf grips are the only part of golf that golfers actively touch and use. Good grips should allow the golfer to have stable control of the golf club from the beginning to the end of the swing. It can help a golfer swing straight and consistently or make a golfer twist the club and strike out.
Size
There are a few different sizes of golf grip available. The main sizes are junior, undersized, standard, midsize, jumbo, and oversized. The size ultimately defines the diameter and the length of the grip.
Junior-sized grips are made to be thinner in diameter and smaller to adjust for younger players. Undersized grips are less than 1 inch, sometimes as small as .8 inches. They also are smaller than 7 inches long. Standard golf grips are about 1 inch in diameter and around 7 to 8 inches long.
Midsize golf clubs are bigger than an inch in diameter, usually by 1/8th of an inch. They are also about 8 to 9 inches long. Jumbo and oversized golf grips are usually interchangeable titles. They can have a diameter of 1 inch and 3/8th. They also can be 9 or more inches long.
Materials
The next important thing to consider with golf grips is the material it is made out of. The material that a golf grip is made out of will impact how a person grips the golf club. It will also impact the wear and tear over time in different environments. The main materials that golf grips can be made out of include velvet, cord, fake leather, and a mix of materials. Each of these has different pros and cons.
Velvet
Velvet golf grips are not made of true velvet but are a mix of rubber types that produce a good feel and allow feedback. They are softer typically. This kind of grip also tends to help players maintain a strong grip in a variety of environments.
Cord
Cord golf grips are a rougher material. They are excellent at durability and make firmer grip material. They also are awesome in more humid environments.
Fake Leather
This style of grip is made to mimic the older golf clubs. These also are soft to the touch. The main problems are that they struggle in humid environments and also don’t last as long as others.
Mixed
Mixed golf grips combine the cord and velvet properties. Usually, the rubber part will be lower on the grip to help the lower hand not cramp or hurt. The upper part of the grip is corded to help the upper hand retain a good grip in all environments and circumstances.
How-to Tell Which Golf Grip is the Best for a Player
One of the main ways that golfers typically use to decide which grip size is best for them is by using their glove size. The glove size often can be correlated with grip sizes. People usually use the following size correlation.
| Golf Glove Size | Golf Grip Size |
| Men’s Small/Women’s Small/Medium | Undersized |
| Men’s Medium or ML/Women’s Large | Standard |
| Men’s Large | Midsize |
| Men’s XL or XXL | Jumbo or Oversized |
This can be a great place to start as a major part of a golf grip is the space available for the golfer’s hands to grab. After looking at this, it is important to consider the other factors. Some people like to modify their golf grip size due to the way they swing. People who tend to swing outside to inside like to have smaller grips. People who tend to swing inside to outside like to have larger grips.
The size of the grip impacts how people swing the club, and can even encourage a draw vs Fade depending on the size. A wrong sized grip might make a golfer look worse than their skill level.
Another important factor to consider is the diameter of the grip, as that can impact the grip pressure a golfer needs to use when they swing. The firmness of the grip will also have a big impact on how the player plays. A softer grip is typically a more comfortable style and is perfect for people who have delicate hands or bone pain. A firm grip will give the golfer more impact when they hit the ball. People who are more competitive or do better with more feedback on a swing will like this kind of grip.
The last factor worth considering is the shape of the grip. Some grips have a taper, while others don’t. The taper can impact how the person swings as it changes the grip. Ultimately, people learn what style and size of golf grip are best for them the longer they play and the more types of grips they try.
It is great to have a golf grip that works well for a player. Golf grips can complement and enhance a player’s performance when combined with other pieces of equipment. Golf ultimately is an amazing sport that is enjoyable for many and the writers at Red Gate Golf want to help you make the game much more fun.