Over 20 new golf grips enter the market every year. We closely monitor what comes up and review them all to help you choose the best one for your game.
If you haven’t paid much attention to what grips you’ve been using until now in your golf journey, now is the time to do so! It’ll add more confidence to your game than you’d think.
Below we’ve found the 11 best golf grips that are available right now.
Let’s dive right into it with our top pick.
Best Pick: Lamkin Sonar Golf Grips
Highlights
The new kid on the block, Sonar from Lamkin, features some new technologies. They are claimed to be super tacky, with a great response from hitting the ball. While not tour proven like the Golf Pride’s, they are still worth a look.
The surface texture is Lamkin’s new Fingerprint Technology – in essence a lot of micro-grooves engineered similar to a human fingerprint. All these micro textures provide a lot of traction when combined and feels more comfortable, since the larger grooves from traditional grips are avoided.
Along with the new Genesis material, which has increased tackiness and durability, the Sonar grips are very much up to date with today’s grip technology. Definitely worth a try if you’re looking to try something new.
What Is Great About This Grip?
The Sonar is really a frontrunner when it comes to new technologies these days. Actually most of Lamkins grips feature the new material and texture technology. Lamkin has really gone above and beyond to try and rethink the grip industry from what we’ve been used to the last many years. The Sonar is a testament to that. The PGA Tour Pro Justin Rose swears to Lamkin Sonar grips, and you can check out what he has to say in this video:
On The Downside
All the new technologies are great, but as with everything else that is new, it’s not proven yet. Let’s see in a year how they have performed, but in the mean time we should trust Lamkin as the premium manufacturer they are, and try out the grips, since they really look promising. They don’t come in a corded version, which can be a dealbreaker for some, though Lamkin claim that all-weather control is still great with the Sonars. The taper of the grips is slightly reduced to induce more control when seeing both hands as one unit. If you prefer standard size grips, the Sonars might not be for you.
Build Quality
Lamkin doesn’t cut corners, and it really shows with their Sonar lineup. Like Justin Rose says; it is really great to be able to forget about your grips, since they’re that good. This proves that Lamkin quality is in the top of the game.
Price
Given the amount of technology stuffed into the grips, the price is decent. When compared to Golf Pride New Decade Multicompound they are a few bucks cheaper, and one could argue that both grip types have nearly an equal amount of R&D put into them.
Features
It’s hard to see what else they could have done to improve the Sonars. Maybe with a corded version or the availability of a non-tapered version could have awarded them with a top rating.
Comfort
Soft rubber compound and fingerprint-like surface texture – it doesn’t get much more comfortable than this. The Sonar’s also come in a wrap style version, which should be just as comfortable for the players who prefer that. Top Rating from GolfersHacks on comfort!
The Verdict
Definitely an interesting choice when you’ve set your mind on new grips. In our opinion, they are super tacky, and the micro-texture gives a feel that we haven’t felt from any other manufacturers. If you’re not convinced, take a look at the other available options. One of the other benefits of the lineup at Lamkin is diversity. Sonar Wrap for a wrap-style grip if that is your preference. The Comfort Plus for a super soft and smooth feel at ball impact.
Golf Pride CP2 Wrap
Highlights
Marketed as Golf Prides softest grip to date, the CP2 Pro comes with some nice features. The Control Core is one of the most remarkable features of this grip. It’s designed to stabilize your swing and reduce torque when your hands twist during the swing.
Furthermore, the CP2 is made with a larger lower hand for increased comfort with lower grip pressure. There are very good reviews on these grips, and most golfers are very satisfied with the comfort levels. They are our best grips for wearing no glove and players struggling with arthritis.
What Is Great About This Grip?
If you’re looking for a soft, comfortable and tacky grip, and have a preference for wrap style grips, this might just be the perfect match.
The feel is very good, and the increased diameter on the lower hand portion of the grip helps reduce grip pressure, for an even better transfer of feel from club to your hand.
The construction of the grip where tack and lower hand diameter is combined, makes the grip ideal for players who doesn’t wear gloves.
It’s also a great option for players with joint pain and might be the best golf grip for arthritis.
Because of the firm Control Core inlay and the oversized lower section the grip is very easy to install. It’s got some rigidity when sliding it on the shaft.
On The Downside
The Control Core which reduces torque isn’t that noticeable, so it’s hard to tell if it has an effect. Golf Pride themselves claim that the firm inlay which is the Control Core reduces torque because of its firmness. They’ve tested the grips without this inlay, and because the grip is soft, it flexed a lot.
Other than that, there is no testament to its working. Check out the video below, where a Golf Pride Product Manager explains the Control Core and other features of the grip.
Build Quality
Excellent, nothing less. It feels great, it looks great and it performs great. Golf Pride has hit it on the nail here, for players looking for a grip in the soft and tacky category.
Price
At just below $10 the price is alright, but it’s in the expensive half. Price is comparable to Multicompounds, but those two grips aren’t really comparable since they do different things.
Features
There’s put some tech into the grips. The Control Core reducing torque and enhancing the ability to strike the ball with the right clubface angle. The larger lower hand which lowers the needed grip pressure and adds comfort. And finally a soft and tacky rubber compound.
The grip comes in four different sizes; Undersize, Standard, Midsize and Jumbo, so there should be something for every taste.
Comfort
As stated above the comfort of the CP2’s are outstanding. If you’re into soft grips, this is the way to go. If you’re not, you might be more of a multicompound type, while staying in the Golf Pride world.
The grips are exceptionally great for arthritis pain relief. The shocks that travels up through the shaft on a mishit is absorbed in the soft rubber compound of the grip.
The Verdict
The CP2’s are a grip family that deserves a spot amongst the top grips. It’s very well-engineered and tackle some issues that can target most club golfers.
They come in two different styles with four different sizes in each, so a total of eight combinations are available.
They live up to the great quality of Golf Pride, and perform very well in not-so-wet conditions.
Comfort levels are second to none, and if you are struggling a bit with sore hands or arthritis, look no further. We find them to be the best golf grips for no glove play.
Lamkin ST2 Hybrid
Highlights
If you look at the features of the grip on Lamkin.com, the ST +2 is made for wet conditions and offers tackiness and grip traction.
The key thing about this grip is that it offers a very tactile experience in all weather conditions, something that wasn’t possible some years ago in the golf industry. Lamkin has come a long way in engineering next level grip materials. They call it “Smooth Tack” (ST) in it’s recent version.
The Calibrate Technology offers a good way to consistently place your hands, and bears similarity to ribbed golf grips. Though Lamkin has done something new and embedded a sort of “spine” in the grip. It is placed between the grip material and the shaft and elevates the grip in a way that enhances comfort. Check out the video below.
What Is Great About This Grip?
The combination of tack and the Calibrate reminder technology makes this grip one of the best choices out there for players who struggle with inconsistent hand placement and need all weather control.
This version of the grip is a hybrid solution where the upper part (light grey) provides excellent traction and the bottom part (black) will add to a softer feel and increase short game control.
The other versions available are the Sonar Wrap Calibrate which is a traditional wrap style grip with Lamkins proprietary Fingerprint Technology and the Sonar Tour Calibrate which is made for high swing speed players. The material of this grip is firmer, so that flex is eliminated.
On The Downside
Like many other Lamkin grips these are truly well made. If your swing speed is high you will not benefit from these though. The rubber blend is simply too soft and will allow for more flex than what is good.
Higher swing speed players should look for the Sonar Tour Calibrate, but will loose out on the hybrid solution. That’s the major downside – but as with many other grip types every type of player can’t be recognized with all grips.
Build Quality
The build quality on these babies are truly exceptional. The way they feel when you get them into your hands is just second to none. The way that the two zones compliment each other is noticeable when swinging the club, but in a good way.
Price
You can’t argue with the price on these grips. They are premium grips, with lots of features, and come at a very reasonable price.
Features
The top three features on the grips are the hybrid sections with different softness, Calibrate Technology for increased awareness around hand placement and lastly the tackiness that performs very well even in rainy conditions.
Comfort
One might think that the grips are uncomfortable with the Calibrate spine running along the back. But when you’re getting used to it, it is not that intrusive. Since the spine is rounded, there’s a cavity to the sides (see in the video above), which leads to increased softness in that area.
There are more comfortable grips on the market, but the Genesis rubber compound makes up for what the reminder spine lacks.
Overall Rating
A great grip overall and surely just the beginning of what Lamkin is capable of in terms of great technologies.
It is best for low to medium swing speeds, higher swing speed players will benefit more from firmer grips.
The Verdict
A very promising grip from Lamkin which shows what they’re capable of in the world of the best golf grips. It is available in standard size, midsize and oversize and great for all clubs, not just the irons.
You will especially feel the benefits of it when you’re playing the shorter irons where the black lower section will increase accuracy and feel.
Lamkin UTX Cord
Highlights
A very interesting grip from Lamkin which combines tackiness with cord. This combination is rarely seen in the grip industry and provides players with exceptional control over the club, with very little effort.
It’s subtle in looks but the inside consists of Lamkins Tri-layer technology. The technology makes it possible for Lamkin to engineer the grip with different firmnesses in all of the grips length. Very handy for providing great torsion control.
What Is Great About This Grip?
This single greatest thing is the combination of cord and tacky rubber compound. For players with high swing speeds looking for the ultimate control, there is no grip out there to match the UTx.
It is mostly made for higher swing speed golfers, because of the firm rubber compound on the upper part of the grip. It makes for excellent torsion control so that the grip is twisted as little as possible during the swing.
On The Downside
If you aren’t a high swing speed golfer, you should look for another cord grip, like the Golf Pride ZGrip Cord. The UTx is simply too firm for most golfers with slower swing speeds.
The UTx’s only come in standard and midsize sizes, which hits a broad audience but still leaves those with smaller or larger hands without the possibility to get these grips.
Sadly if you’re a high swing speed player with large hands, you will have to experiment with extra tape layers, or look for other grips. It’s hard to do something as a high swing speed player with small hands.
Build Quality
Lamkin are known for their quality grips and these are no exception. It is apparent the moment you get them in your hands that it is quality craftsmanship. Check out this video if you’re interested in Lamkins manufacturing method and their current technologies.
Price
The cost of exchanging all your grips to UTx’s is decent. At around $100 you will get some quality grips. If you can do the exchange yourself, and keep the cost at a hundred bucks, then you will have a great bargain at hand.
Features
The bare looks of the grips reveal no apparent features. But looking deeper you will find a multi-layer construction, made so that the grip have excellent torsion control and different levels of softness/firmness in different areas.
Further the grips are made of Lamkins ACE (Advanced Cohesive Elastomer) which provides great tacky and shock absorbing capabilities.
Comfort
The UTx are right in the middle between soft and firm and give no extraordinary comfort benefits
The Verdict
Are you a high swing speed player? Do you seek improved grip both in good and bad weather conditions? Look no further – the Lamkin UTx’s will match your needs. They are even good on your wallet.
Additionally they will help you keep the clubface squared to your aim, since they don’t come out of shape during the swing. This makes them the best golf grip for high swing speeds, because high swing speeds add to the stress in the rubber material of the grip.
Winn DriTac
6. SuperStroke S-Tech Golf Grips Review
Highlights
The grip of choice for Sergio Garcia and Jordan Spieth. SuperStrokes S-Tech is engineered with superior feedback and control in the high seat. It’s a pure performance grip, made from a new and improved rubber compound. This new compound improves tackiness and is very soft to the feel.
Cross-Traction surface pattern makes sure that you hold on to the grip very well when paired with the tack. This way the grip performs in all weather conditions, also in the wet.
What Is Great About This Grip?
The main benefit of this grip is the rubber compound which is very soft and tacky. It’s great for the player that doesn’t want cord in their grips, but still demand maximum traction with minimum effort.
The special rubber blend is paired with SuperStrokes cross-traction surface pattern which offers nice resistance with the hand and by that a great grip with less effort.
Additionally to these above benefits, the actual profile of this grip is inspired with tour players feedback in mind. The taper is minimal to ensure an even grip pressure with both hands.
On The Downside
The downside to the grip is a relatively quick wear-rate. With lack of maintenance (wash and wipe after all rounds), it will lose its tack and become firmer than what is comfortable. There are different opinions on this, and the old model of the grip was worse than this new one is.
Our Rating
Build quality 6/10
Right off the bat build quality is good, but when the grips are a few months old they will be marked and start to stiffen up if not properly maintained. If you’re not into taking good care of your grips after each round, these won’t be for you.
Price 8/10
Price is alright and in the lower end. Given that they’re the chosen grip of more pros, it is a nice way to get into some good grips for a small investment.
Features 7/10
The rubber compound for one is a nice feature. It’s god great capabilities when new. Soft and tacky. Then there is the surface pattern that offers great resistance when gripping the club. These are the main features, and do what they’re supposed to very well.
Comfort 9/10
Top comfort levels because of the softness and the tackiness. The tack makes it so that grip pressure can be very low as it’s supposed to in the game of golf.
Overall rating: 7.5/10
Pros And Cons
- Great tack
- Soft feel
- Good price
- Durability can be low
- Features are limited
The Verdict
The SuperStroke S-Tech gives ordinary golfers the ability to experience a tour level performance grip. Several pros use it, and that is a testament to the performance level it offers. On the downside the performance quickly goes down hill, and ordinary golfers are usually not able to regrip as often as the pros.
7. Wedge Guys Multi-Material Performance Golf Grips Review
Best Golf Grips For Sweaty Hands
Highlights
They look quite similar to Golf Pride MCC grips, but when looking at the price there are no similarities. If you’re looking into the benefits of hybrid grips, but are reluctant to break the bank on Golf Prides, the Wedge Guys could be interesting for you. They have excellent reviews on Amazon, and one of the only downsides is sizing, which is not very accurate. Some buyers report that the grips are smaller than expected – but most are very satisfied.
What Is Great About This Grip?
The upper part is made from corded rubber. Cord helps to create friction in wet conditions so that you can keep the club in your hand at all times. This constructions makes them win the category of best golf grips for sweaty hands.
The upper corded part is fused together with the lower non-cord part. The lower part is made from a firm high-performance rubber, which improves feel and control.
Many are surprised by the level of quality compared to the cheap price-tag. At some level, they look like copies of the Golf Prides – but the design is a bit different, and the surface texture is different. Probably not something of very high importance.
On The Downside
It’s actually quite hard to find a downside to these grips. Price is good, design looks good (of course a matter of who is looking), build quality is great and they are quite easy to install. Some reports of grips smaller than they should be though.
The Wedge Guys are a fairly new company in 2019, and with only two employees they are not as established as the great brand names of the industry. There are not many reports of the durability of the grips, so we are not sure if they are totally up to par with the GP’s or they are lacking a bit behind in some areas.
Our Rating
Build Quality 7/10
Countless great reviews is a testament to the quality. That’s really well done by such a young company. There are a lot of stories from people who used to go for Golf Prides, but tried the Wedge Guys grips and never looked back. Another great thing about Wedge Guys is their superior customer service. Several reviews on Amazon report of some minor faults on the grips, or even faulty installation on their own part, with Wedge Guys correcting and taking action quickly and smoothly.
Price 9/10
The low price point is what sells these grips. If they were the same price as the Golf Prides which they imitate, they would have a hard time, since they are far from as well established. And since they are knockoffs, the price fits at around half the GP’s give or take. You can really lower your regrip cost if you’re willing to try something else.
Features 7/10
A lot of features go into these grips, and as a hybrid grip, they offer great all-weather control with the upper corded part. As well as increased performance on the precision shots due to the firm rubber lower part. Alignment aids are engineered to help you place your hand correctly, and they come in a variety of different colors to suit the color scheme of your gear.
Comfort 7/10
Like all other grips with cord it will give blisters and irritate your palms in the process of getting used to them. When your skin toughens, you’ll have no worries. The lower part gives your fingers a comfortable base to grasp, and will most likely contribute to a better feel than if the grip was all cord.
Overall Rating 7.5
Pros And Cons
The Verdict
In the budget category, these grips are top sellers. They perform well and have some great features. They are imitations of Golf Pride Multicompounds, but there are quite a few imitations out there, and the Wedge Guys grips are some of the best. Maybe not quite up to the quality of the GPs, but close enough considering the price point.
They will be a good investment if you’re thinking of trying out hybrid grips. They come in different colors, so there should be something for every taste. Be aware that sizing can be a bit off, but generally they should be okay.
8. Golf Pride Tour Velvet Golf Grips Review
Best Golf Grips For Irons
Highlights
The #1 pick for tour pros, and rightly so. When looking at the Tour Velvet from afar, it is quite understated and subtle. But looking closer it has some unique features. It’s made from a state of the art rubber compound, specifically designed to not slip in your hands. These are Golf Prides own words, but they have some weight to them, given the track record of 2 major wins in 2016, 60 tour wins in 2017 and over 600 wins worldwide in the last decade!
You should seriously consider checking out the Tour Velvet. Mikkel, the founder of Golfers Hacks did, and never looked back. He found them to be the best golf grips for his irons. Not only because they are the most popular golf grips on tour, but because they feel great and perform very well.
What Is Great About This Grip?
We found that the single greatest thing is their subtleness while delivering outstanding performance. When looking at the grip, nothing is disturbing the eye. That allows for full focus on your pre-shot routine, followed by an effortless swing due to the performance of the grip. No alignment aids will need focus, and the medium-soft feel of the grip will provide you with a great feedback of how you hit the ball.
On The Downside
Its upside for some will be its downside for others. It is a very simple grip, and for players looking for a little more help, the Golf Pride Tour Velvet comes in short. If struggling a bit with hand placement, you will find no help.
While the rubber compound is tacky and great for dry conditions, these grips are not for humid or wet conditions. If you want to be covered completely, you should look for the competitor Lamkin Crossline Cord which offers improved wet condition grip.
Our Rating
Build Quality 9/10
Golf Pride is known for their quality grips. The Tour Velvets are no exception. Great build quality and state of the art materials are used.
Price 8/10
The price of these grips is in the higher end when compared to other grips with similar features. The price can be justified since you get a lot of value, but you might consider looking at some of the budget options further down if the price scares you off.
Features 5/10
The features are built-in, and not visible like other grips with alignment aids and dual compounds. Traditional grips, without much fuzz.
Comfort 6/10
Striking the ball will give you a great response on how great your ball impact was. This is one of the reasons that the pros like them so much. They are not especially comfortable, but also not uncomfortable. A great choice for the more advanced players.
Overall rating: 7.0
Pros And Cons
- Great track record – proven performance
- Simple
- Great tackiness for a simple rubber type grip
- High price for simple grips
- Not a lot of features
The Verdict
9. Champkey X Rubber Golf Grips Review
Highlights
There are many views on the Champkey brand. For the looks of it, they copied their grip types from the larger brands.
Even so, it seems like they’ve earned their place on Amazon.
This set of 13 Champkey X Rubber contains not only grips, but also grip tape, solvent, hook blade and a vise. It’s really value for money.
The X Rubber is made of nice and soft rubber, with Champkeys X surface pattern that’s supposed to provide extra traction in all weather situations.
It has a reduced taper profile and thicker lower section, to reduce grip pressure.
What Is Great About This Grip?
This pack really speaks to the value oriented golfer. Here you’ll get some decent grips, with all you need to regrip for a great price.
Furthermore they come in a few cool colors.
Because of the soft rubber compound they are very tacky. The softness makes them very comfortable, and all this adds up to less grip pressure during the swing. They are also claimed to be very good in rainy conditions, and most reviews back this up.
On The Downside
It’s possible to be a bit negative from the get go with these grips, since they aren’t an established brand.
When looking at the Champkey brand it’s hard to overlook that they’ve seemed to copy a lot of the larger brands.
Some people might be thrown off because of the design – it can be a little over the top with some of the color combinations.
When trying to fit the grips be careful with the tape that comes with them. They can be a bit fiddly, and it would be a shame to ruin a grip because the grip tape acts up.
Our Rating
Build Quality 6/10
There are different reports on the build quality. Generally it is positive feedback, but there are a few who mentions paint chipping off and the grips not being as soft and tacky as advertised.
Seeing that most of the reviews are positive, we believe that the build quality is quite good, especially with the price taken into consideration.
Price 9/10
With the price of around $40 for a full set of grips it’s hard to find something to complain about. And when all the tools and utilities needed for a regrip are supplied, it’s yet another plus.
Check out this post if you need information about regripping yourself.
Features 5/10
The most elaborate features are the soft rubber material, the X surface pattern and the reduced taper profile.
These three features combined make for a comfortable grip, even with low grip pressure.
Comfort 8/10
The soft rubber compound and reduced taper profile make the X Rubber a very comfortable grip. With the tacky X-pattern surface the grip is appealing for those struggling with arthritis.
Overall Rating 7.0
Pros And Cons
- Soft rubber
- Good value
- Regripping supplies included
- Not a well established brand
- Copies of larger brands grip types
- Design can be a little busy for the eyes
The Verdict
If you’re looking for a well-performing, soft and tacky grip, for a reasonable price, you should try out these Champkeys. Champkey makes quite a few different grip types and reviews are very good for most of them. Take a look if you’re looking for some multi-compound or polymer grips.
Along with plenty of grips for a full set, you will also get the supplies needed for a regrip. With all the different color options there will be something to choose from to match your bag.
10. Golf Pride New Decade Multicompound Golf Grips Review
11. Karma Velour Golf Grips Review
Get the Karmas if you’re on a tight budget or are changing from more complex grips to simpler grips, but you are unsure if you’ll like it. For the price they’re really worth a try if you’re not sure what grip to get next. They come in different sizes to fit most hands, but do read the reviews on Amazon before buying, since there are a few people with experiences on this.
Choosing The Right Golf Grip
One of the most important aspects of your game, and one you have the influence on, is choosing the right golf grip.
The importance of this choice can not be stressed enough!
There are countless combinations of shapes, sizes, materials and technologies going into grip making these days.
Grips that doesn’t match your physique and preferences can easily add 4-5 strokes to your rounds.
On the other hand the perfect grip can lead to strokes shaved off and better overall comfort and playability.
Fortunately, you’ve stumbled upon this comprehensive guide to help you choose the best golf grips for your game.
Let’s get into the details!
What Golf Grip Size Do I Need?
Different Sizes Available
There are quite a few sizes available on the market today. Here they are listed in order, smallest first (if that’s not a given):
- Junior
- Undersize
- Standard
- Midsize
- Oversize
The size of your next grip is not a given. If you’re a junior with large hands, the standard grip might be for you, and so on.
In the effort to choose the correct size, take a look at our in-depth guide.
Be aware that not all grips comes in every one of the above sizes.
Most big brands have every option available, but it’s not a given.
Why Oversize Golf Grips Can Improve Your Game
There can be several benefits to changing your grip for something a little beefier. You don’t necessarily need to change to a whole new grip type – it is possible to thicken the grip by means of golf grip tape. More on that later.
The oversized golf grips benefits can be better comfort levels and increased accuracy. Take a look below.
Comfort Level
The reasoning behind bigger grips is that by increasing the diameter of the grip, your grip pressure will lower, thus making you use less power each and every time you swing the club.
It makes sense, and you can try the benefits of oversize golf grips right now if you want! Try fetching some slim one inch diameter stick. Or maybe grab one of your clubs at the shaft.
You will have to apply quite some pressure to hold it firmly, especially if you swing it around.
Now try finding something beefier, around two inches thick. Maybe you have a baseball bat laying around, or some yard tool.
Your grip pressure will be significantly lowered, and you will feel more in control than with the one inch counterpart.
Of course you can not go thicker and thicker on the grip – there is a threshold.
Increased Accuracy
The benefits of thicker golf grips in regards to accuracy can also be quite significant.
When the grip diameter increases, the unintentional wrist movement decreases.
That would also be noticeable with the experiment explained in the previous section.
It is normally said that extra wrist movement can lead to excessively pulling the ball or general loss of distance.
Check out this video which describes it well.
Use Golf Grip Tape To Fine Tune
When you’ve found the right grip for your game, it can be annoying to have to change size or even find totally new ones.
One thing you might try if the above is the case, or if you just need to fine tune, is adding extra golf grip tape under your new grips.
The pros do it, and it can be done in many different ways.
The main keywords here are “trial and error”. You will have to try some things and fail, before it gets good.
With grip build-up tape it is also possible to apply it in a small region under the grip. It is actually very customizable when you first get started.
Be sure to use regular masking tape for the build up layers and double sided golf grip tape as the last layer.
It makes the process easier since you don’t have to struggle with merging two adhesive pieces of tape.
The Different Types of Golf Grips
There are many different types of golf grips on the market today, and each individual person will have their own opinion about which one is the best.
Common for all modern grips is that there usually is put quite some technology into them.
Some companies, like Winn for example, do a lot of R&D on the material of which the grips are made.
Others rely more on optimizing surface pattern to ensure the best non-slip performance.
It will be apparent on the individual reviews in this article.
Rubber Golf Grips
The most common material for golf grips is rubber. Rubber i characterized by its softness and tackiness, and therefore it is the preferred material of the masses.
While bringing some good things to the table, rubber grips also have some downsides. In wet weather, or with sweaty hands, they can become slippery.
Also, when rubber grips comes of age it has a tendency to harden. With lower quality grips, this process comes sooner rather than later.
Rubber golf grips also require to be maintained and wiped over with a moist cloth pretty often.
Pros: soft and comfortable, tacky in dry weather
Cons: slippery in wet weather, hardens depending on quality
Bonus information: As technology advances, some manufacturers experiment with different rubber blends. Winn Golf Grips launched their new rubber/polymer blend which is claimed to be tacky, even in wet conditions.
This could be a gamechanger – and reviews on the Winn Duratech Grips are good so far. It is certainly a nice alternative to corded grips, if you’re looking for something more comfortable
Speaking of corded grips, let’s continue with those.
Corded Golf Grips
In short corded golf grips are essentially rubber grips with cord weave embedded in the surface.
They are popular amongst golfers who want additional grip, whether it is just a preference, or they’re challenged by humid weather conditions.
All grip manufacturers have corded grips, so it shouldn’t be hard to find one that will suit your needs.
If corded grips are too hard on your hands, there is an alternative, combining the best of two worlds = hybrid grips.
Hybrid Golf Grips
What do you do, when you like the grip of the corded grips, but the softness and tackiness of rubber grips?
You combine them into one grip!
The upper part will usually be the corded section. Providing excellent traction for your left hand (for right-handed players). This way, the grip is enhanced on long shots, and in wet conditions.
The lower part is made out of a softer pure rubber material, providing softness and feel for your right hand. This enhances the short game, and the accuracy of your shots.
If you’re not quite sure about going all rubber or all cord, the hybrid grip is a great option.
Wrap Style Golf Grips
Actually wrap style golf grips are not that different from ordinary rubber grips. They are a testament to the old days of golf where things weren’t that advanced.
Back in the day, leather strips were wrapped around the club shaft, and formed the grip.
Nowadays some golfers still prefer the feel of the wrap style golf grip, but benefits from the technology that is put into the rubber blends.
There are no real benefits or downsides to wrap style golf grips, compared to rubber grips.
Leather Golf Grips
This is the old school choice. For the golfer seeking nostalgia and likes the soft feel of leather.
While it is not something every golfer puts on their clubs, leather golf grips do have great characteristics.
They are comfortable and the natural feel can not be replicated, no matter how much technology is put into the grip.
They can be tacky too, even in wet weather. But to call them all-weather might be an overstatement.
Leather grips are usually pricier, and if you take performance into account, they will loose against modern grips.
Lightweight Golf Grips
With the evolution of golf clubs, especially woods are made lighter. This calls for lighter grips, så that the swing weight can remain balanced towards the clubhead.
More on this subject later in the post.
Lightweight golf grips are usually not used on irons.
They can be used on putters, but that is very individual. It is only a preference and will only enhance your putting if it fits your playstyle.
Soft Golf Grips vs Firm Golf Grips
It is easy to get drawn to the softness of soft golf grips. They are comfortable and feel great in the hand.
But there are downsides, and there are more things to consider to optimize performance.
If you have high swing speeds and a lot of power behind your golf swing, it is advisable to go for firmer grips. They provide excellent torsion control when ripping through the swing.
Also firmer grips offer better feedback, as you’re closer connected to the club, without the vibration dampening of a soft grip.
With slower swing speeds softer grips will be more applicable. Torsion in the swing is not a big issue, and comfort comes more into play.
Softer grips are preferred by a lot of beginners, seniors and golfers with arthritis because of the comfort levels.
One big caveat about soft grips is the danger of increasing grip pressure because the material is too soft. Increased grip pressure can lead to unwanted pain and loss of accuracy because you’re too tense.
Lamkin sums it all up nicely in the brief 2:36 minute long video.
Round vs Ribbed Golf Grips
Most normal grips are round and tapered. Then there is all the other variations we’re covering in this post.
One variation of a golf grip we haven’t covered yet is the ribbed grip. It has a special characteristic which is really helpful for hand placement when addressing the club.
It is also known as the reminder grip and has a rib running all along the bottom of the grip.
This rib promotes the same hand placement every time and helps your muscle memory remember, and replicate.
Ribbed golf grips can be good when you’re in your first years playing the game.
But as the handicap lowers, most golfers turn to ordinary round grips. There are more choices available.
More on all these above topics in the article about how to choose the best golf grips.
Weight of The Grip
Swing weight is a concept which mostly golf “nerds” pay attention to. It relates to the weight ratio between the club head and the grip end of the club.
Simply put the swing weight of a club can be balanced towards the clubhead or the grip. This correlates to how heavy or light the club feels when swinging, and not the overall weight of the club.
Then you might think to yourself: “what swing weight do I need?”
See the answer is not that simple. The tempo and force of your swing comes into play. Your general physique and strength, and also your personal preference matters.
In essence club fitters will go for the highest swing weight possible, while you are still comfortable.
To achieve this the fitter will add lead tape to the clubhead and have you swing at some balls on the range. He will continue adding tape in small increments until you report back that the clubhead starts to feel heavy.
At this point he’ll remove one or two strips of tape, have you hit some more balls, and if you’re comfortable with it, that’ll be your desired swing weight.
It allows for maximum mass in the clubhead, providing maximum distance, while still maintaining a healthy weight, so you can control the club.
All-Weather Golf Grips
If you’re living in areas where rain and moisture is an issue, you have to take special considerations when choosing new grips.
A few years ago, cord grips were always the go-to choice when playing in wet conditions. While this is still pretty much the case, the manufacturers are coming out with claimed “tacky-while-wet” non-cord grips. Some of them get good reviews, check out our best choices further down.
When trying to play golf in wet conditions it mostly comes down to keeping your glove and grip as dry as possible. So with a decent grip and some dry towels in the bag, you will be well on your way to a great rainy round.
Regripping Golf Clubs
If you’re a budget-minded golfers (let’s face it, our sport is expensive), regripping golf clubs yourself might be a good option.
It is not as hard as it may sound, and if you learn the skill it’ll give you the ability to do some experimenting with new grips easier than going to the local shop time and time again.
You will also be able to find bargains on the internet, instead of paying the standard price at the shop + the regripping fee.
When is it time to regrip?
On the golf course, not only yourself but your gear is also affected by the elements. Whether it be UV rays from the sun, rubbing of sand from the sand trap, or your sweaty hands, everything will wear on your grips.
With all these effects you might wonder when it is time to regrip.
Most manufacturers suggest that you regrip your entire set once a year or every 40 rounds.
This all depends on a few things. How much do you play? How much do you practice?
Consider this, and remember to use all clubs in your bag when you’re practicing. This to avoid wearing the same grip while keeping the others fresh. (and also to get better at all shots, not just one :-))
GolfersHacks advice: Be smart about grip changes, and don’t just change them all at once. The putter won’t need a yearly change if you’re satisfied with the grip. The wedges might need frequent grip change if you’re practicing a lot on your short game.
Cost to regrip golf clubs
If you go to your local pro it will cost from $1 to $5, some places even more. This is just the regripping fee. On top of that comes the actual cost of the grip.
Grips can range from $5 to $15. If you need to regrip every club in the bag it might cost you more than $200 every time, depending on your choice of grips.
Looking at these numbers it might be clear for you that it can pay off to learn this skill yourself.
How To Remove Golf Grips
The first step is to figure out how to remove the old golf grips from the shaft.
This can be done in a few different ways – the easiest is with a golf grip removal tool of some sort.
Normally a blade knife will do the trick, but it is possible to get specially made hooked blade engineered for the job. Here is an example.
When you’re done the next tricky part comes. Removing the old tape. This can also be done with a blade knife, but again there are specially made golf grip tape removal tools out there. Check out this one.
How to regrip golf clubs
After you’ve removed the old grips and tape you’ll need some other tools and materials. It is all described in detail in our article about regripping.
The easy way to get sorted for a regripping job, would be to buy a golf club regripping kit.
They contain everything you need to get the job done, except the grips. But some grip packages also comes with solvent and grip tape, and even a clamp for your vice.
All in all, the regripping can be done in 7 easy steps, summarized here:
- Remove the old grips
- Remove the old grip tape
- Measure and apply new tape
- Add solvent to tape and grip
- Slide on the new grip
- Align the new grip properly
- Rinse and repeat for the rest of the clubs
Cleaning Golf Grips
Figure out the best way to clean golf grips, and they will last longer and provide more value.
The first step is to take care of the grips after every round or training session.
This is done by wiping them with a moistened cloth and drying them with a clean towel.
Once in a while, you should give the grips a more thorough cleaning.
Fill a container with warm (not hot) water. Splash in a small amount of soap – you can use dishwashing soap. Don’t use car washing soap since it can contain wax.
Important note: Some manufacturers discourage using soap. For instance can Winn grips get ruined by using soap. It is wise to consult with the manufacturers homepage.
Rinse down you grips with the mix, and use a microfiber cloth. No abrasive items should be used.
When grips are rinsed down, clean them under running water to get rid of all soap residues.
Lastly dry as much as you can with a dry towel.
This is in our opinion the best way to clean golf grips for prolonged performance.
How To Keep Golf Grips Tacky
The above described method is great for restoring tackiness.
The process needs to be repeated on a regular basis, to keep the grip in their best condition.
If for some reason you feel like tackiness could be better, you can try another approach.
Very fine grit sandpaper rubbed up and down the grip a few times.
This will remove old oils from your hands and other pollutants.
After this treatment, start from scratch with method described in the last chapter.
When doing this, do not hesitate to throw out the grips, if you don’t feel an improvement.
After all grips shouldn’t be grinded down.
Golf Grip Manufacturers
You won’t get around the three top level golf grip manufacturers. They really know what they’re doing and they have many years in the industry to back it up.
Every one of them have a unique approach to the R&D behind golf grips.
Golf Pride
When looking into the history of Golf Pride, the company was founded in 1949 by a golf enthusiast named Thomas L. Fawick.
Fawick was quite the engineering genius, and invented a few very useful things to the mechanical industry.
Among his smart thoughts came the idea go use rubber on golf grips instead of leather.
He partnered up with some rubber specialists and the ball started rolling.
Today Golf Pride grips are used on around 80% of golf clubs on the tours and the brand continue to flourish with their well engineered grips.
Golf Pride Grip Selector
To make it easier for you to choose the right grip, Golf Pride has made a grip selector available on their site.
First if gives you two ways to enter the selection process. One is your glove size and the other is to measure your hand. The last being the most precise option.
After making your first choice, you’re getting a question about what conditions you play in.
Third, do you sweat on your hands or not?
Fourth option is about your preference, soft vs firm.
Lastly, which surface pattern suits your preferences?
Then you’re presented with an option, and it’s safe to say that you are able to give quite a lot of input. This makes hitting the nail on your grip choice a bit more likely to hit the sweet spot.
In case you don’t agree, alternatives are also provided.
Lamkin
Lamkin Golf Grips was founded in Chicago, Illinois in 1925. The founder was Elver B. Lamkin and he was the first in America to dabble in the world of golf grips.
He manufactured leather golf grips in his garage, and this was the beginning of a great family company.
Today the third generation of the Lamkins, Robert J. Lamkin is CEO and has been since 2001. He’s pretty active in the company’s YouTube videos interviewing Justin Rose and other big names in golf.
Lamkin has solid beliefs and have done a great deal in charity too. It is a company centered around healthy values, which you can read more about on their homepage.
Lamkin Grip Selector
Step 1 is the size of the grip. If you already know, you can enter it, or you can go another route for measuring your hand.
Step 2 is what weather conditions you want to optimize for. There are three possibilities, plain and simple.
Step 3 is the surface texture. Again not much fuzz, and just three possible answers before you proceed.
Then it’s step 4 and firmness/softness of the grip material. Again, straight forward with one of three boxes to tick.
This gives some results, and it’s not really clear why the tool has selected these grips for you.
Winn
Winn has quite an interesting history. It’s founder Dr. Ben Huang was an aerospace engineer and assisted in the design of the Saturn V Rocket that took Neil Armstrong and his team to the moon in 1969.
In 1973 Dr. Huang starts developing tennis balls. This evolves further into tennis strings and grips and eventually golf grips in 1996.
Through the years Winn has focused on state of the art material research. In 2001 the third Winn factory is opened, with advanced production machinery and R&D facilities.
The events of the world is close at heart to Winn. When 9/11 happened, a special stars and stripes putter grip was made, with donations to the families of the victims in the tragedy.
To honor the brave american soldiers Winn also made a special camouflage grip, with donations to the Troops First Foundation.
All in all a very exciting company which contributes a lot to not only the golf community, but also other various important causes.
Read more on Winns about page.
Others
There are countless other manufacturers, some replicate what others developed and some come to the market with their own inventions.
We at GolferHacks recommend going with some of the well established brands.
If you’re adventurous look at the reviews on Amazon beforehand or try searching on GolfWRX forums for some validation.
Which Grip For The Woods?
As you might be noticing the lower part of the grip looks a bit thicker – it is actually noticeable. It promotes less grip pressure, leading to less tension in the hands with increased power as an effect of that. Also, a rolling movement in the wrist is countered, making you less likely to pull the ball, if you have a tendency to do that. For us at Golfers Hacks this grips is great for the driver and the woods, but we prefer normal tapered grips on the rest of the clubs.
Which Grip For The Putter?
This is a REALLY subjective matter. The putting stroke is less of a technical and standardized stroke than the full golfswing is. With the putter you are able to experiment and find out what is comfortable for you. Whether it’s cutting down your shaft to 30″ and putting on a super thick grip, or it’s going long shafted with a big-ass putter head sporting a lot of weight.
Before this new age of different thicknesses of putter grips there was one grip that ruled them all. The simple Pingman Putter Grip.
This grip has been preferred by Tiger Woods for a long time, and he’s actually only ever played one tournament with another grip – the 1997 Masters. Try out this grip if you’re feeling nostalgic, like the classic look and feel, or maybe you just want to feel some of the Tiger-putting-magic 😉
Or take a look at our comprehensive guide to the best putter grips out there right now.
Summing It All Up
In this post we’ve tried to give you the best possibility to choose the best grips for you. Whether you’re looking for feature-rich grips like the Lamkin Sonar, or it’s the simple but powerful Golf Pride Tour Velvet, we’ve been through them.
If you’re still in doubt we suggest you pick the two most appealing to you and flip a coin on which you’ll try first. After the first set is worn out, try out the looser of the coin toss. You will never get smarter if you don’t try something and fail sometimes.
If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us – if you liked this guide and want to be in the loop about future articles, consider signing up for our E-mail list. We will not send any spam and promise that the e-mails we do send will be relevant and full of value to you.
Have a good day – and happy grip shopping!
