Get a Grip!

 

Has anyone ever told you to "get a grip?" Honestly, I hope not because that would mean you were probably acting crazy. Well, I want to tell you to get a grip. Not because you’re acting crazy, but literally to get a grip, for your clubs. When was the last time you got new grips? The grip is the most important part of the golf club, and far too many amateur players neglect them. The problem is that there are so many grips available. Dozens of brands and styles can make it intimidating to choose, and a lot of players don’t even know where to begin. That’s where I come in. This week I want to give you some easy tips to help you decide which grip is for you. Then you will be well on your way to getting a grip, the right grip. 

Size

I think it’s safe to say that most people don’t realize how the size of your grips can affect your game. I’ve played golf for about 25 years, and it wasn’t until I worked as a professional that I learned how important grip size really is. Your ball flight can be affected by the size of your grips and even though it is a minute amount, in golf that can lead to significant issues. Grips range in size from undersized to jumbo, based on the thickness of the grip. Ultimately, picking the right size grip comes down to your own comfort and what gives you the most confidence when you swing the club. However, there is also a little science that goes into grip size that can give you a starting point. Hold your hand straight out in front of you, palm facing you. Now measure the length of your hand from the base to the tip of your longest finger. Then measure the length of the longest finger itself. Some grips base their sizes off of the hand measurement, but some base sizes off of the finger measurement. It's best to have both. Next, I recommend heading over to lamkingrips.com and using their guide to pick the perfect grip. Other brands have grip recommenders and tools that are great as well, but I’ve always preferred Lamkin Grips. Based on your measurements, whatever brand you choose will help you pick the recommended size grip for your hands/fingers.

Feel

The feel category is where choosing a grip gets pretty subjective. I could literally just write, "It's all up to you now," and call it good. But I won't. Feel is important in a grip because it is the only thing that connects you to the rest of the club on every swing. Your point of contact between the club and your swing is the grip, and you want it to feel right. As I said, this is subjective, so try out a few different styles at your local golf shop to see which one you like the best. Almost all grip brands make a variety of styles of grips ranging anywhere from really soft and cushioned to firm and almost rough in texture. Everyone is different and may have a different preference when it comes to how a grip feels. I prefer a firmer grip, but that doesn’t mean that’s what you should go with. You’ll know when you’ve picked up the right grip when you feel it, trust me. 

Durability

The final thing that I consider when selecting a grip is durability. Most grips aren’t cheap, and with 13 clubs in the bag, or 14 with a putter grip, having to replace grips can get pricey. I like to replace my grips every 2 years depending on how much I’ve played at the end of each season (I live in Missouri, so I don’t get to play year-round). If you live in a warmer climate and play year-round, I’d recommend new grips every season, but that’s just me. Typically speaking, firmer, chorded grips are more durable than softer, rubber grips. That isn’t always the case, but it’s pretty typical. This is something to consider when you are choosing a grip. Will this last me all season? How likely is it that I’ll have to replace this grip mid-season? What is the price? There isn’t a right or wrong answer when it comes to choosing a durable grip, but it’s something to consider. 

Putter Grips

Here is all I’ll say about putter grips: Play around with a few at the golf shop or Dick’s, Golf Galaxy, etc., and pick out whichever one you are most comfortable with. Conventional wisdom goes out the window with putter grips; get the one that feels best to you. 

When it comes down to it, I’m always going to tell you to go with your gut; as long as that gut feeling isn’t absolutely crazy. The same is true with grips. Go with your gut feeling when it comes to size, feel, and durability, and you will have more confidence on every shot because you got a grip.