Grips - connecting with your clubs

[Queen of the Beach]

As golf season winds down in a few weeks, we have to examine our clubs and come to a decision. Is it time for a new set of grips or is it time for a brand new set all together? How important are good grips to improving better golf play? Does anyone know how to determine the correct size for grips?

[Stablefordvet]

QB,

Grips would be last on the importance scale for me because I think it doesn't have a major impact to my game... There are your standard rubber grips and then you have softer feeling grips like Winn grips that give you a good feel but may have a tendency to slip when damp. If you feel comfortable with your current set of clubs then re-gripping them can be a better cost efficient option but they still would run you about $6-15 per. You might wanna think about shafts instead?

[Queen of the Beach]

Hey SFV, I guess you're saying that grips are only important to people that are picky about the feel of their clubs? I actually don't like the fact that most lady clubs have the soft grips. I really like rubber grips that aren't slippery when wet. As for my shafts...I think I have graphite shafts. But what is the big deal with all the different shafts out there anyway? :confused:

[Mok]

graphite shafts are for slow swings (more flexible)
regular steel shaft for regular swing
stiff steel shaft for fast swing

[Stablefordvet]

Shafts are very important. Depending on your swing speed club control will be affected.

[Mok]

Shafts are very important. Depending on your swing speed club control will be affected.
i think what Stablefordvet means is that depending on your swing speed, you should select a different shaft for better aim control

[Stablefordvet]

something like that

[Queen of the Beach]

graphite shafts are for slow swings (more flexible)
regular steel shaft for regular swing
stiff steel shaft for fast swing

Thanks for making this clear. I guess since I have a slow swing, I will stick with graphite shafts.

[smak]

I've read some posts about This forum and not agree on some of the views.

Grip size plays an important role in your swing. If the grip dia. is too large, you'll a tendency of slicing the ball and via verse.

Graphite shaft is not necessary for slow swinger. John Daly uses graphite shaft irons. Lighter weight can help faster swing speed. But weight can be added to the graphite shaft to slower it too.

[Jaydog]

i agree with WS. sometimes if the diameter of the grip is too wide, i makes it more difficult to grip the club properly between your fingers as opposed into your palms.

[LongestDrive]

Custom clubs is the way to go. You can find out info about your swing, and proper equipment(correct shaft and grips) for yourself which you can use in the future to determine what you need.

[marc757]

Grips are very important as they are the only connection between you and the golf club and allow you to control the clubface. Bigger grips tend to inhibit hand action whereas smaller grips encourage it. Generally, grips that fit will be comfortable where your fingers are just touching the fleshly thumb pad of your hand when gripping the club. Grip size can be used to fine tune your ball flight (i.e. larger grips to straighten out a hook).

Weir's totally correct in saying that graphite shafts are not necessarily more flexible and for slow swingers. If that was the case, there wouldn't be a single PGA Tour Pro or Long Drive competitor using graphite shafts. Graphite is used for its weight saving properties however they do come in various weights, flexes, and bend profiles. It's totally possible to have a graphite shaft that is stiffer than a steel one.

The key is finding a shaft that fits your swing with regards to speed, tempo, weight, and desired ball flight.

Cheers,

Marcus
Pure Golf Equipment Services
www.puregolf.ca (http://www.puregolf.ca)

[Nocturnal]

Speaking of grips :D Has anyone ever come across a putter grip with a Canadian flag on it, if so where? I've been searching the web for one but no luck so far.

[Tintin]

Speaking of grips :D Has anyone ever come across a putter grip with a Canadian flag on it, if so where? I've been searching the web for one but no luck so far.
You can make your own. Golfworks in Ottawa used to sell them.

http://www.c-thrugrips.com/

[Tintin]

I've read some posts about This forum and not agree on some of the views.

Grip size plays an important role in your swing. If the grip dia. is too large, you'll a tendency of slicing the ball and via verse.

.Not necessarily. Been there done that. If you have a cut across motion you'll still slice no matter what . Grips have very minimal effect on ball trajectory. As long as grips are comfortable and don't allow you to lose control because they are too slippery that's all that really matters.I've seen adds where they claim that a grip change will save you an average of 4 strokes per round. That is bologna and a great marketing ploy. The only time this is likely to happen is when someone is playing with old clubs with very slippery(slick) grips.

[Special_K]

Speaking of grips :D Has anyone ever come across a putter grip with a Canadian flag on it, if so where? I've been searching the web for one but no luck so far.
Winn makes one and it's on my Odyssey right now. You can get it at Golftown.

[Bogeybog]

Not necessarily. Been there done that. If you have a cut across motion you'll still slice no matter what . Grips have very minimal effect on ball trajectory. As long as grips are comfortable and don't allow you to lose control because they are too slippery that's all that really matters.I've seen adds where they claim that a grip change will save you an average of 4 strokes per round. That is bologna and a great marketing ploy. The only time this is likely to happen is when someone is playing with old clubs with very slippery(slick) grips.Sorry, I totally disagree. Shafts are the "engine" of the club and grips are what connects you to them. Grips have a definite effect on the way the club aligns in your had, the way you release and the timing of the release and on hand pressure points and fatigue. The right grip will not cure a slice, (millions of golfers wished it was that easy) but it can help it along. The right grip for you is vital to allow you to have a more consistent swing.

[Tintin]

Sorry, I totally disagree. Shafts are the "engine" of the club and grips are what connects you to them. Grips have a definite effect on the way the club aligns in your had, the way you release and the timing of the release and on hand pressure points and fatigue. The right grip will not cure a slice, (millions of golfers wished it was that easy) but it can help it along. The right grip for you is vital to allow you to have a more consistent swing.
Some people with humongous hands even on the pro tour played with standard grips all of their lives. Natural Golfers play with oversize grips. The owner of one iron golf promotes oversize grips. http://www.1irongolf.com/index_files/page0005.htm
Go figure. More on this later.

[Bogeybog]

Some people with humongous hands even on the pro tour played with standard grips all of their lives. Natural Golfers play with oversize grips. The owner of one iron golf promotes oversize grips. http://www.1irongolf.com/index_files/page0005.htm
Go figure. More on this later.Tintin, I use an SA swing and use oversized, non tapered grips. From my personal experience when I use someone else's (or in a couple cases, rental clubs while vacationing) clubs, I cannot feel comfortable with my swing or strike the ball anywhere near as consistently as with my grips (although the clubs probably have something to do with it as well). I personally know several golfers that have found more consistency by changing grips, either different sizes or different "feeling" grips. I also know a couple of golfers whose game used to suffer in the later holes due to hand fatigue who improved by a couple of strokes just by going to a softer grip. In certain cases the only way to find out is to experiment which grip is right for you. You can purchase grips for less than $3 (golfworks, global-golf etc.) and it doesn't require much skill, equiptment or tools to re-grip your own clubs.

Now you might say its only psychological (and who knows, in some cases you might be right) but IMHO grips do make a very big difference. To me its like saying it makes no difference what kind of tires you have on your car, they are only there to keep the rims from carving up the pavement and creating sparks.

[Tintin]

Bogeybog. All I am saying is grips should feel comfortable and non slippery and that the size won't help cure a swing flaw. Ever seen the following item:

http://www.stargrip.com/TapelessInstallation/graphics/PromoColorB.jpg