how much does the grip size matter in my golf swing?

The simple answer is a grip that’s too small will engage your hands more during the swing, while a larger grip will reduce rotation and activate the larger muscles. That means a smaller grip could accentuate a hook if it’s your common miss or do the same for a slice if the grip is too big.

Full Answer

Does grip size affect Golf Club performance?

Grip Size Affects Golf Club Performance. There's also the matter of personal preference in golf grip size. Some golfers believe smaller grips deliver better feel and feedback, particularly on mishit shots and chipping around the greens. Others prefer the added control of a thicker grip. Taking feel out of the equation,...

Should you swing with bigger or smaller grips?

With the right grip, the players were relaxed and swung naturally. When forced to swing with larger grips, our testers seemed to labor over their swing. Smaller grips made some testers “hold back” as if they were afraid the club would fly from their hands. This myth, a favorite among better players, is 100% busted.

How to choose the right Golf Grips for your hands?

The trick is to look at your golf glove. If you wear a small golf glove, a women’s medium or smaller, or any junior size glove, then undersized grips with smaller diameters will probably fit your hands better.

How do you determine your golf grip size?

Taking feel out of the equation, clubfitters may measure your hands to determine the best grip size. Factors like finger length, palm width and glove size are used to recommend grips of standard, small, midsize or oversize dimensions by companies like Thomas Golf.

Does grip size affect golf swing?

Yes, your grip size can affect how high or low you hit the golf ball. Playing a grip that is too small can force you to squeeze the grip and not use your wrists enough. Oppositely, if you're using too big of a grip, it can make it harder to square the clubface at impact.

How do you know what size golf grips to use?

Crease to Fingertip: < 5″ Recommended Grip Size: Junior.Crease to Fingertip: 5″ to 6.5″ Recommended Grip Size: Undersize.Crease to Fingertip: 6.6″ to 7.5″ Recommended Grip Size: Standard.Crease to Fingertip: 7.6″ to 9″ Recommended Grip Size: Midsize.Crease to Fingertip: 9.1″ to 10″ Recommended Grip Size: Jumbo.

How do I know if I need bigger golf grips?

Check things yourself Ideally, they should just be touching. If it digs in too much, your grips are too small; if it doesn't come close to touching the thumb pad, the grips are too big.

Do larger golf grips make a difference?

Because the grip is larger, the golfer will get a better feel for the club by using a larger grip. According to GolfGripGuide.com, larger grips will also better absorb the shock of impact or a mis-hit, which means less stress for golfers with weak hands or grips.

Who should use midsize golf grips?

Midsize golf grips are best for those that have a large hand, wear an oversized glove, and also those with arthritis. The midsize grip makes it so that your hand does not have to bend and close quite as much. This certainly helps those that felt as though they were having too much of their hand on the club.

Should I use oversized golf grips?

If you're a golfer with larger hands, hand arthritis, or a player who tends to grip the club too tight, Midsize or Jumbo golf grips could provide a huge boost to your golf game. As a general rule, if you wear a golf glove size of Large / Cadet Large or bigger, a Midsize or Jumbo grip is the proper fit for you.

Do any pros use oversize grips?

Pros will use anything that gives them a legal advantage over their competitors, which is why some of them do use oversized grips. The most high profile tour player who uses jumbo grips is the big-hitting Bryson DeChambeau.

Do any PGA Tour players use midsize grips?

Breakdown of Golf Grips Used by Top 100 PGA Tour Players What is this? Tony Finau meanwhile opts for 4 wraps under the left and 3 wraps under the right hand of his Lamkin UTX Midsize Full Cord grips.

What happens if your golf grips are too small?

If you're playing with grips that are too small for your hands (regardless of your golf glove size), the smaller muscles of the hand and fingers have to work harder, often causing an overactive motion through the ball. In other words, smaller grips can make you handsy and cause you to release the clubhead too quickly.

Why does Bryson DeChambeau use larger grips?

When Bryson DeChambeau began using JumboMax grips as a junior golfer, he was drawn to the fact that the grip, which is larger than a standard grip, provided more surface area for his hands to hold the club.

Are Midsize grips bigger than standard?

The midsize grip is just slightly larger than a standard grip, measuring 1/16 of an inch larger. These are a slight cross between the standard grip and the oversized or jumbo grip.

What size grips does Rory McIlroy use?

McIlroy's driver plays 45.5 inches from “end of grip,” but Trott pointed out you can't simply slap on a grip and call it good. When he selects a Golf Pride Tour Velvet BCT grip for McIlroy, the rubber butt cap on the end of the grip, which measures one-eighth of an inch, must be taken into account.

Do Tour players use midsize grips?

Tony Finau meanwhile opts for 4 wraps under the left and 3 wraps under the right hand of his Lamkin UTX Midsize Full Cord grips....Breakdown of Golf Grips Used by Top 100 PGA Tour Players.GOLF GRIPNO. OF TOP 100 PGA TOUR PLAYERSPING ID8 White 1/2 Cord1 (Lee Westwood – irons)Check eBay18 more rows

What are the benefits of midsize golf grips?

The midsize grip is ultimately designed to help your hand bend less and you don't have to close quite as much in the grip. The primary benefit of the midsize grip is the ability to help arthritis but also to relieve pressure from the grip if your hands are small.

What size is a standard golf grip?

around 1"1) Golf Grip Size (Outer Diameter) Every manufacture has a slightly different definition of diameter sizing, but in general Standard grips are around 1" in diameter. Midsize and Oversize/Jumbo grips can vary quite a bit, but in general will range around +1/8" to +3/8" larger in diameter.

What happens if golf grip is too big?

Grips too big Instead of engaging the smaller muscles, a bigger diameter grip restricts and slows the hands down — often causing you to lose both swing speed and the ability to square the clubface fast enough through impact. Meaning, you're prone to slice it a whole lot more if your handles are too big.

Much Ado About Nothing?

While it’s a topic that doesn’t get a lot of coverage in the mainstream golf press, an avid golfer can talk your ear off about his or her grip size preferences. Midsize with an extra wrap under the right hand, standard stretched an extra inch, jumbo with five full wraps…the combinations and specifications are endless.

How We Tested

For this test, we brought together five golfers of varying abilities. Each player selected a driver and hit 20 shots with it – 5 with an undersized grip, 5 with a standard sized grip, 5 with a midsize grip, and 5 with a jumbo grip. We then had each player repeat the same process with a six iron.

The Results

After looking at the results of the 200 shots that were hit, we came to the surprising conclusion that grip size is not as important as we expected…at least not in a measurable way.

Conclusion

Based on our testing, it seems that the grip is the one part of the club that every golfer is equipped to fit for themself. Our testers showed the ability to adapt to play any size grip, but they were clearly the most comfortable and confident with a grip that fit their hand.

Why are my golf grips so big?

Instead of engaging the smaller muscles, a bigger diameter grip restricts and slows the hands down — often causing you to lose both swing speed and the ability to square the clubface fast enough through impact. Meaning, you’re prone to slice it a whole lot more if your handles are too big.

Why is a thicker grip better for hitting the ball?

And if you naturally tend to swing too much with the hands and fingers causing you to hook , a thicker grip can help mitigate your handsy action through impact. Both instances are not paramount for everyone, though.

Why do golfers use grip tape?

Furthermore, several professional golfers often use grip tape to build up the lower region of the grip, thus reducing the taper. Depending on who you ask, this is also to mitigate hooking the ball.

Does grip size matter in golf?

Grip size, or diameter if you want to get technical, is often one of the most overlooked parts of getting your clubs fit for your game. And yes, it can make a huge difference in how well you swing the handle. Luckily, determining the right grip diameter isn’t all that difficult. The trick is to look at your golf glove.

Can thicker grips make you swing faster?

Some players might actually swing faster with thicker grips and so on. It’s really up to you and your club-fitter to test and find out what works best for your swing. Additionally, some players opt for different grip sizes on different clubs.

How does the size of your grip affect your swing?

It all has to do with how you control your swing, specifically as you rotate through the ball at impact. Playing with the wrong grip size can cost you five shots every ...

How to determine golf grip size?

There are two ways to determine what size golf grips you need. You can either: Measure your hand with a ruler, or.

How to know if your golf grip is right?

As a general rule of thumb, you want the tips of your fingers to just barely reach your palm as you close your hand around the golf grip. Here’s a quick check you can do on your current grips to see if the size is right. First, take a grip of your club as if you’re about to address the ball.

What is the Lamkin grip selector?

The Lamkin online grip selector tool is another option you can use. Like Golf Pride, they ask a few questions and then take you to some recommended products. I tend to prefer the Golf Pride tool, as it actually tells you which grip size you fit into.

What happens if you play the wrong size golf grip?

Consequences of Playing the Wrong Size Golf Grips. The correct size grip will allow you to square the clubface at impact and hit the ball straight (assuming proper fundamentals. Grips that are too small can cause you to hook the ball more. Grips that are too large can cause you to push or slice your shots.

How to address a golf club?

First, take a grip of your club as if you’re about to address the ball. Now take a look at your lead hand (left hand if you’re a right-handed golfer). If the tips of your fingers are touching your palm, your grips may be too small for you. If your fingers are not touching, your grips may be too large.

Why use golf grips?

These golf grips can enhance your swings’ accuracy and offer you better control over all your shots. Moreover, larger golf grips will also offer you a pain-free experience. The final choice will depend on your swing technique and various other elements that any club-fitter will help you understand. Hit ‘em straight!

Why do I need a grip change on my golf club?

If your fingers are crowded or you feel as if you can’t control the club without increasing grip pressure, it might be time to consider a grip change. The simple answer is a grip that’s too small will engage your hands more during the swing, while a larger grip will reduce rotation and activate the larger muscles.

What does a good golf coach do?

A good golf coach will help you match a specific grip to your body type. If your grips aren’t the right size, you’ll struggle to position your hands on the golf club the way that’s best for you. So work with a good coach and get fit so you can avoid any issues. 1.

Does grip size affect weight?

2. It can change the weight of your club. Andrew Tursky, Senior Equipment Editor: Grip size effects how your hands fit together on the club, so it absolutely matters. It can also impact swing weight of the club, overall weight, and it can mentally impact how you’ll release the club.

Can a smaller grip accentuate a hook?

That means a smaller grip could accentuate a hook if it’s your common miss or do the same for a slice if the grip is too big. I’ve seen some players go smaller to combat a slice and large to straighten out a hook, but it’s not a foolproof fix. I’d suggest getting a Top 100 Teacher involved to take a proper look. 2.

How does grip size affect golf?

Grip Size Affects Golf Club Performance. Golfers seldom notice the grips on their clubs unless the surface becomes slick or worn down. But the golf clubs grip's thickness can have a major impact on a club's performance – especially if it doesn't match the player's hands. As a general rule, golfers with large hands should use thicker grips.

Why are my golf grips so thin?

Grips that are too thin allow the hands too much freedom during the swing, often causing wild hooks. Overly large grips have the opposite effect, restricting hand movement and preventing a proper release through impact. The result: sliced or pushed shots. There's also the matter of personal preference in golf grip size.

How to know if your grips are too big?

When you wrap your hands around the club, the middle finger on each hand should be able to just barely touch your palm. If there is a big gap between the end of your middle finger and the palm of your hand, your grips are too big . If your middle finger pushing into your palm, your grips are too small.

What is the purpose of a special tape on a golf club?

A special tape is used to affix the grip to the shaft of the club, and you can opt for an additional layer of that tape simply for the purpose of providing a thicker feel . This is a great way to fine tune the size of your grips.

What color are golf grips?

While golf grips have traditionally been black with maybe a bit of white lettering, today you can find grips in a wide range of colors. While the color of your grips will have nothing at all to do with their performance, you may wish to liven up your bag by picking a loud color.

What happens when you have small grips?

With small grips, your hands will have too much control over the club face through the hitting area, and the face is likely to be closed at impact as a result.

Do soft grips cause blisters?

Soft grips feel comfortable in your hands, and they are unlikely to lead to blisters. However, some golfers feel that they lose a bit of control over the club head when they play with a soft grip. On the other side of the coin, firm grips are far less forgiving, and your skin is likely to pay the price.

Why is it important to choose the right golf grip size?

Going through the custom fit process, choosing the right golf grip size becomes really important because it helps to give you the control on that clubface and during your swing to influence the ball in the best possible way.

What happens if your golf grip is too small?

In the former case, if the golf grip is too small, the club could twist and cause the golfer to tighten his/her grip and squeeze the club at impact which will close the clubface and cause a hook instead of the ball flying straight. In the latter instance, a golf grip that is too big will likely cause an open clubface which creates a slice.

What does swing weight mean?

Swing weight is how heavy the club head feels when you swing it ; for the techies, it’s how much the club tips towards the club head when you balance the club on a fulcrum.

What are the different sizes of golf grips?

There are four standard golf grip sizes, undersized, standard, midsize, and oversized. Learn How To Re-Grip a Golf Club. Many people refer to the oversize golf grips as jumbo. Playing with a Golf grip size that is not a good match for your game is going to result in some inconsistent shots while on the golf course.

How to measure your hand for a golf grip?

Take your left hand and measure from the tip of your middle finger down to the base of your palm. Make sure that you include the entire hand and stop your measurement right at the wrist. Once you have this measurement, you can determine which of these grips will be best for your game.

What is the best grip for a golfer with arthritis?

Handsy players tend to have some very low rounds of golf and some very high rounds. If you want to be a more consistent player, the oversized grips will be a better choice. In addition, the oversized grips can help those golfers that have pain or arthritis in their hands.

What is the only connection you will have with a golf club?

Golfers must always remember that the golf grip is the only connection they will have with the golf club. Making sure that this connection is secure, comfortable, and consistent is essential for proper performance on the course. The good news is that regardless of your hand size, golf grips are very customizable.

Why is my golf grip so big?

When wrist action is limited too much, golfers tend to leave the golf ball out to the right. If you are a player who truly struggles to release the club and turn it over at impact, your golf grip could be too big. If the golf grip is too big, it can cost a player distance.

What happens if your golf grip is too big?

When your grip is too big, this is too difficult to do. If your golf grip is too small, it can lead to a pulled golf shot.

How to make your golf clubs more manageable?

Once you find a golf club grip size and style that works for your game , apply it to all of your golf clubs. This consistency between the feel of each of your grip s will help make the game much more manageable. Having to adjust your grip position from one club to the next will not lead to consistency in your scoring.

No Knuckles

If you don’t see any knuckles, your lead-hand grip is very weak. Jordan Spieth grips it like this (so did Johnny Miller) because they had less body rotation. A grip likee this can also encourage more left-hand rotation through impact for players that need it.

One Knuckle

Still on the weak end of the spectrum and best-suited for players whose upper body tends to get slightly open to the target at impact (see Rory McIlroy ).

Two Knuckles

If you see two knuckles, like Adam Scott or Jason Day do, you have a neutral left-hand grip. It’s the most commonly taught hold, often paired with a stronger right-hand golf grip.

Three Knuckles (or more)

Three knuckles or more means a strong left hand golf grip, à la Zach Johnson. It helps players who have a lot of body rotation through the ball more consistently square the clubface.

Much Ado About Nothing?

The Myths

How We Tested

• For this test, we brought together five golfers of varying abilities. Each player selected a driver and hit 20 shots with it – 5 with an undersized grip, 5 with a standard sized grip, 5 with a midsize grip, and 5 with a jumbo grip. We then had each player repeat the same process with a six iron. All testing was done at, and with the help of, Club C...

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The Results

Conclusion