 WEAK |
 STANDARD |
 BEAST MODE |
| By Doug Hammer, PGA | ||
| Despite what you may think, sometimes it’s okay to have a weak grip. By weak, I mean a grip that promotes less hinge through the downswing and unfolds sooner, helping you hit higher (albeit shorter) shots. Typically, a weak grip (by the way, weak doesn’t mean you hold the club lightly) isn’t the best choice come time to nuke out some extra distance, but a weak grip can help you if you tend to hook the ball too much. If that’s you and you fight the left, grip the handle with only one gloved knuckle showing and your ungloved thumb on top of the grip. You’ll stop hooking in a hurry. | The standard grip allows for more clubface rotation and a bigger hinge, helping you not only close the face through impact, but hit longer tee shots, too. It’s the ideal grip for most of your shots around the course, and with the driver when you want the most control. The standard grip has a gloved hand that shows two knuckles (from the golfer’s view) and an ungloved hand that has a V formed by the thumb and index finger. That V then points at your right shoulder. Use this grip as an all-purpose grip that lends the best blend of distance and control. | The beast mode grip is what you’ll need to squeeze out some extra yards on your next tee shot. With this grip, three to four knuckles are shown on the gloved hand, and the V formed by the index finger and thumb of the ungloved hand points well to the right of the right shoulder. When using this grip, you’re allowing for a big hinge of the wrists and maximum lag; however, it’s critical that you match this grip with a big, powerful swing. Otherwise, you’ll likely hook the ball. |
| If you’re ready to go low, make sure you take care of your grips! We recommend at least one new set of grips every year, and if you play a lot, maybe switch ’em up in the middle of the season, as well. The grip is your only physical connection to the golf club and the ball, meaning whatever momentum you create with your body, its only way to the ball is through the grip. So be sure you not only have a grip that’s tacky and fits your preference, be sure and get the right size for you. Grips that are too small can lead to too much hand action and more pulls and hooks. Too big? You might slice more. Check out our top grip picks this year, and keep those grips fresh and new! |
| Grips | Rounds | ||
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Black Widow
Tour Silk II Key Features: The mid-firmness Tour Silk II has been redesigned to be even more durable and to do a better job of wicking away water for a more secure grip. The classic velvet shape is comfortable and tacky, with frankly, a no-nonsense design. Simple and straight, that’s what this grip is. We like how the texturing looks like snakeskin. |
Black Widow
Hybrid Key Features: The upper portion of the grip features a pebble-like pattern for extra traction, whereas the lower portion of the grip has a wrap-style texture for added feel and vibration absorption. |
Boccieri
Secret Grip Key Features: Jack Nicklaus endorses them! That should be enough, right? The secret behind the Secret Grip is that it’s counterbalanced with a 17g tungsten weight in the butt end of the grip. This raises the balance point of the club for better feel through the swing. We love how it feels in wedges, by the way. |
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Champ
C4 Grip Key Features: CHAMP is still relatively new to the grip world, but the C4 shows they mean business. The added Kevlar and unique textures and guideline patterns lend a tacky and comfortable feel. It’s easy to replicate the ideal grip using the patterns as a guide for precise finger positioning. It’s incredibly comfortable. |
Champ
C6 Grip Key Features: The C6 comes in non-, full- or half-cord models, each with a two-tone rubber design for excellent performance in wet conditions. Like the C4, it has Kevlar for greater control. Unlike the C4, it has a firmer, more responsive feel. Better players will dig that. |
Champ
C8 Grip Key Features: The C8 grip is made of a proprietary TPO and Kevlar material for greater torque and a unique, tacky feel. This grip comes in three different variations: Power for added control with longer clubs; Control for feel and control in middle irons; and Feel for the utmost in feel with short irons and wedges. |
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Golf Pride
CP2 Key Features: A remarkably soft, tacky feel that comes from a new rubber surface makes this grip the softest grip ever made by Golf Pride. It’s soft, but not so soft that you lose performance, thanks to stuff built in like the Control Core, which reduces torque for more |
Golf Pride
New Decade Multicompound Key Features: This grip has been around a while, and there’s a reason for it. Its rugged dual structure (corded upper/softer lower) has made it wildly popular on the PGA Tour. It has a firmer feel, but sometimes better players want that added responsiveness. As for |
Golf Pride
Tour Velvet Super Tack Key Features: The Tour Velvet has undergone an awesome upgrade, this time sporting a new material for even more tackiness. The upper region of the grip has a distinct diamond pattern for the utmost in tacky control and torque reduction. Better players who want a softer grip but still want responsiveness, look here. |
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Golf Pride
Z-Grip Cord Key Features: The firm, fully corded Z-Grip is a fast-growing grip in the professional ranks, thanks to its firm feel, all-weather reliability and responsiveness. If the corded model is too firm and a little rough for you, a non-corded Z-Grip is available, as well. Both have a firm feel that better players like. |
IOMIC
Sticky 2.3 Series Key Features: The new IOMIC Sticky 2.3 grips are 30% more firm than the original Sticky 2.3 Grip. That means they’re becoming more popular with better players who appreciate firmer, more responsive and low-torque design. The grips feature the revolutionary IOMAX technology, a proprietary compound that provides a unique feel with added control. This material provides adhesiveness, is water- and friction-resistant, and is naturally white in color, which allows for a full spectrum of colors–IOMIC’s signature trait. |
Lamkin
UTx Key Features: The UTx has Lamkin’s ACE 3GEN material–a softer version is the underlayer and a firmer layer makes up the outer layer. Add a |
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Lamkin
I-LINE Key Features: Co-developed with IOMIC grips, the I-LINE features a softer-feeling thermoplastic elastomer (which tends to be very tacky, but also on the firm side) and the popular Crossline groove pattern. Expect exceptional wet weather performance and an incredibly tacky feel with little torque. |
PURE Grips
DTX Key Features: Designed in collaboration with Hank Haney, the DTX delivers the feel of a corded grip with PURE’s seamless molding and rubber technology. Better players will appreciate the firm feel and responsive texture. Oh, and by the way, they require no grip tape underneath. (You can use some if you want, though.) |
UST Mamiya
Tour PC 360 Key Features: Using a proprietary blend of natural and synthetic rubber compounds, this grip has a soft feel and enhanced durability. It’s also solid in wet weather. If you’re a fan of no-nonsense, classic velvet-style grips, this grip is a worthy candidate. And it looks really good on just about any UST Mamiya shaft. |
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UST Mamiya
Soft Touch Key Features: Do you need a soft grip that’s tacky and comfortable? Oh, and that looks cool, too? The Soft Touch uses polyurethane materials for a grip that doesn’t require a firm hold to retain correct positioning in the hands. This grip is a nice choice for golfers who want a softer feel without skimping on tackiness. |
WINN
Dri-Tac Key Features: Designed for incredible tackiness in all conditions, the popular Dri-Tac uses a WinnDry polymer for awesome feel and performance. There’s no need for a "death grip" here; a light grip is all you’ll need, and watch your swing speed increase. By the way, this grip is killer in wet weather. It comes in a Wrap Lite design, too, for a traditional feel. |
WINN
DuraTech Key Features: The DuraTech grips are still wildly popular, and it’s no mystery why. The hybrid design fuses an Elastom ETX rubber compound with the WinnDry XT polymer, resulting in the most unique grip Winn has ever made. It’s truly for the golfer who wants the best of both worlds. The upper hand has no-slip performance and the lower hand has a softer feel. |
| Grips | Putters | ||
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CHAMP
C1 Key Features: The C1 pistol-style grips have a flat front design that’s made of a supersoft, lightweight polyurethane material for enhanced feel. The diamond and line grip pattern helps the hands remember the same position for each stroke. They’re available in a variety of bold colors, with, of course, the red, white and blue being our favorite. |
Golf Pride
Tour Classic Midsize Key Features: Simple and refined, the Tour Classic Midsize has a brushed rubber texture and a flat paddle front for a maore comfortable, controlled putting stroke. The diameter is bigger in the griaqp, which helps alleviate wrist and finger tension, resulting in a more relaxed stroke with less yips and jitters. |
IOMIC
Absolute X-Putter Key Features: It’s made of the company’s improved IOMAX material and has a new surface pattern for enhanced gripping action. When you have a better grip, the hands can relax more and you can make more putts. Simple, right? We think so. It’s available in a wide range of colors, with Sky Blue being our favorite hue. |
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Lamkin
I-LINE Key Features: Like the round grip bearing the same name, this grip was co-developed with IOMIC Grips and features the same thermoplastic elastomer construction, only now in a pistol-style putter grip. The traditional Crossline texture is here, too, and the standard size grip comes in six colors. By the way, we think these grips have the potential to last forever. |
Pure
PURE Classic Key Features: Like all PURE grips, the PURE Classic requires no tape and is made of 100% rubber. The standard size has smooth edges for a relaxed and comfortable hold, even if your grip is a little less than traditional. Come check ’em out, cross-handers. |
SuperStroke
The Claw Key Features: Designed for golfers who use alternative putting strokes (such as the claw grip–duh!), The Claw is 13 inches long, leaving plenty of room to hold the putter how you wish. Its 100-gram weight also counterbalances the putter, making it easier to put a smooth stroke on the golf ball. |
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SuperStroke
Slim Series Key Features: The "parallel technology" (it’s actually smaller in diameter at the butt end) helps neutralize the hands for even pressure and less tension in one hand versus the other. The Slim series comes three versions–Slim, Mid Slim and Ultra Slim–allowing players who want the SuperStroke feel with or without the added volume. |
WINN
Midsize Pistol Key Features: Available in either Winn’s classic Excel polymer or the responsive WinnDry Polycord, the Midsize Pistol is slightly larger than standard size. This means you get a touch more stability without sacrificing the feel you get from smaller-diameter putter grips. By the way, this is just the Midsize model. There are Standard, Jumbo, Giant and Long putter grips available from Winn, as well. |
WINN
WinnPro X Key Features: Now available in three diameters, the min Related Articles |
