How To Pick Golf Grips: Size, Material & Performance

It’s the only part of the club you touch on every single shot, yet it’s often the last piece of equipment a golfer considers upgrading. Confused about how to pick golf grips when faced with a wall of different sizes, materials, and textures? You’re not alone. The process can feel overwhelming, but choosing incorrectly can actively harm your game, leading to inconsistency and frustration.

To pick the right golf grips, you must first measure your hand to determine the correct size, then select a material (like rubber, cord, or synthetic) based on your climate and personal preference for either soft comfort or firm control and feedback.

This guide eliminates the guesswork. Leveraging a deep analysis of established patterns and performance data, we will walk you through every critical factor in the grip selection process. You’ll learn the precise method for sizing your grips, understand the performance trade-offs between different materials and shapes, and discover how this single change can unlock a new level of comfort, control, and confidence in your game.

Key Facts

The Sole Connection: Your grips are your only physical contact point with the club, making them a crucial component for control, comfort, and consistency in your swing.

Size Dictates Shot Shape: An ill-fitting grip is a primary cause of swing faults; data shows grips that are too small can lead to excessive hand action and hooks, while grips that are too large can restrict movement and cause slices.

Material Matters for Weather: For golfers who play in humid climates or have sweaty hands, a corded grip is shown to offer superior traction and prevent slipping.

Comfort for Longevity: For players with arthritis or those who prioritize reducing hand fatigue, soft grips offer significantly more cushioning and vibration dampening, making the game more enjoyable.

Shape Influences Hand Action: The taper of a grip directly impacts performance; a standard taper encourages faster clubface rotation, while reduced or zero-taper grips are designed to quiet the hands and reduce grip pressure.

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Why Your Golf Grip is the Most Critical Connection to Your Club

A properly selected golf grip is your primary connection to the club, directly influencing your comfort, control, accuracy, and overall consistency on the course. While drivers and irons get the spotlight, the grip is where every swing begins. Think of it this way: just as an F1 car uses different tires for varying track conditions, your golf grips should be chosen to perform optimally for your hands and your environment. How you pick golf grips is a fundamental decision that can either support or sabotage your performance.

The profound impact of this choice stems from a simple, unchangeable fact: the grip is the conduit through which you feel and control the clubhead. An improper connection can lead to a cascade of negative effects, from subconscious tension in your hands and arms to a complete loss of clubface awareness. If your grips are the only part of the club you touch, shouldn’t they be perfect for your hands and your game?

The right grip enhances your game in four key areas:

Comfort: A grip that fits your hand size and has the right softness reduces vibration and minimizes hand fatigue, especially for those with conditions like arthritis. This allows you to practice and play longer without discomfort.
Control: The correct size, material, and texture give you a secure hold without needing to apply excessive pressure. This translates to better clubhead control throughout the swing, from takeaway to impact.
Consistency: When your hands are placed on the club the same way for every shot, your swing becomes more repeatable. Grips with alignment aids can further enhance this shot-to-shot consistency.
Confidence: Playing with grips that feel secure and comfortable in your hands provides a mental boost, allowing you to swing freely and aggressively without worrying about losing control of the club.

How to Determine Your Correct Golf Grip Size

To find your grip size, measure from your wrist crease to the tip of your middle finger. Under 7 inches suggests Undersize; 7 to 8.75 inches suggests Standard; larger sizes indicate Midsize or Oversize. This single measurement is the most crucial first step in learning how to pick golf grips that will actively improve your swing rather than hinder it.

There are two universally accepted methods to find your starting point for grip size, and using both will give you the highest degree of confidence in your choice.

The Hand Measurement Method: Using your upper grip hand (your left hand for a right-handed golfer), take a ruler and measure from the crease of your wrist to the tip of your middle finger. This length corresponds directly to a recommended grip size.
The Glove Size Correlation: Your golf glove size is an excellent and simple indicator of your ideal grip size. Look on the inside of your glove for its size (e.g., Men’s Large) and cross-reference it with standard grip sizing charts.

You can use the following table to match your hand measurement or glove size to the correct grip category. This data-driven approach is essential for anyone serious about how to pick golf grips for optimal performance.

Grip Size Category	Hand Measurement (Wrist to Fingertip)	Common Glove Size
Undersize	Under 7 inches	Men’s Small, Women’s S/M
Standard	7 inches to 8.75 inches	Men’s Medium, Men’s M/L
Midsize	8.25 inches to 9.25 inches	Men’s Large
Oversize (Jumbo)	Over 9.25 inches	Men’s Extra-Large (XL) or larger

Pro Tip: An ill-fitting grip can cause hooks (too small) or slices (too large). Getting the size right is your first step to a more consistent shot shape.

The Impact of Grip Size on Your Swing

A grip that’s too small encourages a hook; a grip that’s too large promotes a slice. This cause-and-effect relationship is one of the most fundamental aspects of club fitting and a critical piece of knowledge for how to pick golf grips. An incorrectly sized grip forces your hands to compensate in ways that directly manipulate the clubface at impact, leading to predictable miss-hits.

Understanding this connection is like having a diagnostic tool for your game. If you’re struggling with a consistent miss, checking your grip size should be a top priority. Here’s a breakdown of how size influences your swing mechanics, based on established golf wisdom:

Grips That Are Too Small: When a grip is too small for your hands, it allows for excessive hand and wrist action during the swing. This overactivity often causes the hands to roll over too quickly through the impact zone, closing the clubface and resulting in a pull or a hook. The strike may also move more towards the toe of the club.
Grips That Are Too Large: Conversely, a grip that is too big restricts the natural movement of your hands and wrists. It makes it difficult to release the club properly, leaving the clubface open at impact. This is a very common cause of a push or a slice. This can also move the strike pattern towards the heel.

Quick Fact: A larger grip can quiet your hands and limit wrist action, which is why some players with arthritis or who want less hand rotation prefer them. Many PGA Tour pros have even opted for midsize grips to gain this feeling of stability and control.

Fine-Tuning Size: Extra Tape vs. Stretching

Add extra tape to increase size or stretch the grip during installation to decrease it, but be aware that extra tape can shorten the grip’s lifespan. Beyond the standard Undersize, Standard, Midsize, and Jumbo categories, you can make micro-adjustments to dial in the perfect feel. This is a common practice among club fitters and experienced players who understand that even a tiny change can make a big difference.

The most common method for a subtle size increase is adding extra layers of grip tape under the grip during installation. Each additional wrap of standard tape will increase the final grip diameter slightly, allowing for a highly customized fit. This is an excellent option if you feel you are between two standard sizes.

On the other hand, if a standard grip feels just a hair too large, it can be made slightly smaller by stretching it during the installation process. By applying more force when sliding the grip onto the shaft, a technician can stretch the rubber, resulting in a slightly thinner, smaller-feeling final product.

However, it’s important to understand the trade-offs of these customizations.

When you add extra layers of tape to build up a grip, you are effectively reducing the grip’s wall thickness. This can make the grip feel firmer than intended and may negatively affect its durability and lifespan over time.

This expert insight is crucial for anyone considering how to pick golf grips and then customize them. While fine-tuning is beneficial, it’s important to be aware of the potential consequences for the feel and longevity of the product.

Choosing the Right Grip Material & Texture

Choose your grip material based on your needs: Cord for wet conditions, soft rubber/synthetic for comfort and arthritis, and firm rubber/hybrid for maximum feedback and control. After you’ve determined your size, the next step in how to pick golf grips is selecting the material. The compound and texture of the grip dictate its feel, tackiness, durability, and all-weather performance.

This choice is highly personal and depends on your priorities as a player. Do you need maximum traction for playing in humid conditions? Do you value a soft, cushioned feel to dampen vibrations? Or do you prefer a firm, direct connection for maximum feedback? As mentioned before, much like F1 tires are designed for specific conditions, different grip materials are engineered to meet specific player needs.

Let’s break down the most common materials to help you make an informed decision. The following table provides a clear decision matrix, linking materials to specific user needs and helping you synthesize your choice.

Material Type	Best For	Feel	Key Benefit
Rubber	All-around performance, durability	Varies (Soft to Firm)	Good balance of comfort and traction. Easy to clean.
Synthetic	Comfort, lightweight feel	Generally Soft	Excellent cushioning, flexibility, and often very tacky.
Corded	Wet/humid conditions, sweaty hands	Firm and Rough	Maximum traction and control in all weather conditions.
Hybrid	Players wanting the best of both worlds	Multi-textured	Combines cord in the upper hand for traction with softer rubber in the lower hand for feel.

Consider your typical playing conditions: Do you frequently play in the rain or humid weather? If so, a cord or hybrid grip is a non-negotiable for maintaining traction.

The Trade-Off: Comfort vs. Control

Choose soft grips (like Winn) for comfort and to reduce fatigue, or firm grips (like cord) for better control and swing feedback. This is the fundamental decision at the heart of material selection. While some grips try to blend these attributes, most fall on one side of the spectrum. Understanding this trade-off is essential for how to pick golf grips that align with your primary goal on the course.

Soft grips offer more cushioning to reduce hand fatigue and are ideal for players who prioritize comfort, perhaps due to arthritis or a desire to minimize harsh vibrations on mishits.
* Key Benefits: Soft grips reduce vibration transmission up the shaft, offer superior cushioning, and can help lessen hand fatigue over the course of a round. This makes the game more enjoyable and can allow for longer practice sessions.
* Product Examples: Brands like Winn specialize in soft, cushioned feels. Other examples include models like the Golf Pride CPX, which uses a soft rubber compound and texture to maximize comfort.

Firm grips provide a more direct connection to the club, offering maximum control and feedback to the player who wants to feel every nuance of the swing.
* Key Benefits: Firmer grips have less torque (twisting) during the swing, which provides a more stable and direct connection to the clubhead. This allows you to feel the clubface position more acutely, providing maximum feedback on the quality of your strike.
* Product Examples: Cord grips are naturally firmer due to the woven fibers. Many tour-style rubber grips also fall into this category, offering enhanced control for players with higher swing speeds.

What do you value more in your game: A comfortable feel that lets you play longer, or precise feedback on every strike? Your answer points to the right grip firmness for you.

Understanding Grip Shape & Taper

Choose grip shape to influence hand action: Standard taper for faster club rotation, reduced taper for more bottom-hand feel, and zero-taper to reduce overall grip pressure. The “taper” of a grip refers to its profile and how its diameter decreases from the top (butt end) to the bottom. This shape is a more advanced selection criterion in how to pick golf grips, but it can have a significant impact on how your hands interact with the club during the swing.

The shape you choose can either encourage or discourage hand rotation, making it a powerful tool for players looking to fine-tune their shot shape. There are three main categories of grip shape:

Standard Taper: This is the traditional grip shape, where the grip is noticeably smaller in the area where the bottom hand is placed. This design can encourage faster clubface rotation through the impact zone, which can be beneficial for players who fight a slice or want to hit a draw more easily.
Reduced Taper: These grips taper at a much slower rate, resulting in a grip that feels fuller in the bottom hand. This provides more connection with the club for the lower hand and can help reduce overactive hand or wrist movement.
Zero Taper (No Taper): This style maintains a consistent diameter from the top to the bottom of the grip. This design offers extreme comfort for both hands and is engineered to reduce grip pressure and unwanted vibration significantly. It promotes a feeling of unity between the hands.

Brands have innovated significantly in this area. SuperStroke grips, for instance, are well-known for their oversized and no-taper technology, which is specifically designed to help golfers reduce tension in their hands and arms for a smoother, more consistent stroke.

Pro Tip: If you feel your bottom hand is too active or you squeeze the club too hard, a reduced-taper or zero-taper grip could help quiet your hands and smooth out your swing.

What About Alignment Aids and Core Sizes?

Alignment grips use a raised ridge for consistent hand placement. A .580 core grip installed on a standard .600 shaft will result in a final grip size that is 1/32″ larger than a .600 core grip. As you delve deeper into how to pick golf grips, you’ll encounter a few more technical specifications. Two of the most common are alignment aids and grip core sizes. While they may seem minor, they can impact consistency and final feel.

Alignment Aids (Ribbed/Align): Many golfers struggle with placing their hands on the club the exact same way for every shot. Alignment grips are designed to solve this problem. These grips feature a visual or tactile aid, most commonly a raised ridge or “rib” that runs along the underside of the grip. This provides a distinct reminder for consistent hand positioning. Brands like Golf Pride with their “Align” series and Lamkin with their “Calibrate” grips are leaders in this technology. In contrast, “Round” or “360-style” grips are uniform all the way around and are often found on adjustable clubs where the orientation might change.
Core Sizes (.580 vs .600): The “core size” of a grip refers to the diameter of its inner opening. The two most common sizes are .600″ and .580″. This number is designed to match the “butt diameter” of the golf shaft it’s being installed on. While most shafts have a .600″ butt diameter, the core size of the grip you choose will have a minor effect on the final installed size. This is a technical point, but one that demonstrates a well-researched approach to how to pick golf grips. If you install a .580″ core grip on a standard 0.600″ butt diameter shaft, the rubber has to stretch more, resulting in a final grip that is slightly bigger (+1/32″) than if you had installed a .600″ core grip. For most players, this difference is barely perceptible, but for highly sensitive golfers, it’s another way to fine-tune the feel.

Quick Fact: Ribbed or Align grips are tour-legal and can be adjusted by a clubfitter to suit a player’s strong or weak grip preference.

To take the guesswork out of your purchase and ensure you have everything needed for a fresh set of grips, consider looking at complete golf grip kits.

FAQs About how to pick golf grips

How do I know which golf grips to buy as a beginner?

For beginners, the best approach is to start with the fundamentals. First, use the hand measurement or glove size method to determine if you need an undersize, standard, or midsize grip. Then, choose a standard all-rubber grip. This type offers a great balance of comfort, durability, and performance without being too specialized, providing a reliable feel as you learn your swing.

Do pro golfers use standard or midsize grips?

While preferences vary, a significant number of PGA Tour pros opt for midsize grips. Many players find that a slightly larger grip helps to quiet their hands and reduce unwanted wrist action, leading to more control and consistency, especially under pressure. However, many others still use standard size, often customized with extra wraps of tape to achieve a perfect feel.

Should I use the same grips on all my clubs?

Generally, yes. Using the same grip model on your irons and wedges promotes a consistent feel and swing from club to club. However, the putter is a major exception. Many golfers, including professionals, use a much larger, often oversized and no-taper grip on their putter to help reduce wrist movement and encourage a more stable, pendulum-like putting stroke.

How often should I be regripping my clubs?

A common rule of thumb is to regrip your clubs once a year or every 40 rounds, whichever comes first. Over time, the rubber in grips degrades due to exposure to sweat, dirt, and UV rays. They become harder, slicker, and less effective. Regular regripping is an essential maintenance task to ensure you maintain optimal performance and traction.

What’s the best grip for hot, humid weather or sweaty hands?

For hot, humid conditions or for players whose hands tend to sweat a lot, a corded grip is the superior choice. The woven cord material in the grip provides maximum traction and wicks away moisture, ensuring you can maintain a secure hold on the club even in challenging weather. Hybrid grips, which often feature cord in the upper hand section, are also an excellent option.

Final Summary: Making Your Perfect Grip Choice

The process of how to pick golf grips is a journey into finding what works best for your body, your game, and your playing conditions. It’s clear that this single piece of equipment has a disproportionately large impact on your ability to control the golf club and repeat your swing consistently. By moving beyond random selection and embracing a data-driven approach, you can turn your grips into a genuine performance advantage.

To synthesize the key factors and ensure you make the right choice, follow this final checklist. It encapsulates the most critical insights and provides a clear path from analysis to action, reinforcing how a few simple steps can dramatically improve your connection to the club.

1. Measure Your Size First: This is the non-negotiable starting point. Use your hand measurement or glove size to place yourself in the correct category—Undersize, Standard, Midsize, or Oversize. Getting the size right is the foundation for a good swing.
2. Match Material to Climate & Feel: Be honest about your priorities. If you battle humidity or sweat, choose a Cord or Hybrid grip. If comfort is paramount due to arthritis or personal preference, select a soft Synthetic or Rubber grip.
3. Consider Shape/Taper for Hand Action: If you want to influence your shot shape, analyze the grip’s taper. A standard taper can help you turn the club over, while a reduced or zero-taper grip can help quiet overactive hands.

Now that you have the framework, take the first step: measure your hand and confidently choose a grip that will improve your connection to the club and your scores on the course.

Last update on 2025-09-17 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

How to Pick Golf Grips: Size, Material & Performance