Best Golf Grips to Improve Club Control: 2023 Buyer’s Guide

Using the best golf grips can have a major impact on your performance. Why? Because the golf grip is one of the main parts of the club and it’s the only part that you’ll come into contact with. It can also have a major impact on the quality of your golf swing and your ability to control the club.

Choosing the right type of grip can help your hands control the club better, whether it’s a putter, iron, or driver. But if you’re new to the game of golf, you may not know how to correctly choose a new grip, what options are available and how each type can impact your performance.

Because of this, I’ve created a buyer’s guide that includes all the crucial information you need to know when you’re shopping for a new set of grips, how they work, and what features to look for. I’ve also included six product recommendations for some of the best models on the market, so you’ll have your choice of the best grips around.

Best Overall-Golf Pride MCC Plus4 Multi-Compound Golf Grip

Our Rating: (5/5)

This set of grips by Golf Pride feature a 4.6% outside diameter in the lower hand. This set promotes lighter grip pressure, which is exactly what many golfers are looking for. This results in less tension in the hands, for a swing that’s more powerful and fluid. The grips consist of two unique compounds with a brushed cotton cord design for improved stability. On the lower hand, you’ll find a soft rubber compound that helps to improve feel. These grips are classified as hybrid and feature a new softer rubber material and larger lower hand for improved comfort and control.

Conclusion

This set includes four additional wraps for the lower hand, which encourages reduced tension and grip pressure, increasing swing power. The larger outside diameter of the grip is designed to simulate the feel of building up the grip. The reduced taper design promotes lighter pressure, creating more fluidity and power as you swing. The grip’s soft micro-texture increases comfort and traction, while the placement of the texture is perfect for golfers in search of maximum hand coverage.

Best for Rain-Winn Dritac Standard Golf Grips

Our Rating: (4.5/5)

These rubber grips are comfortable to hold and feature a non-slip performance. The grips are classified as all-weather grips, so they can easily handle wet conditions and sweaty hands. The polymer material provides optimal cushioning and a non-slip performance, with ultimate shock absorption. These grips are designed to promote full control of the club, with a tread pattern that improves playability in any type of weather condition. The sturdy, yet soft design offers superior responsiveness.

Conclusion

These ultra-comfortable, easy to install grips are top of the line. If your hands are prone to sweating when you’re under pressure, or if you often find yourself on the course during the rainy season, then these grips, with their non-slip design, will be an excellent choice and one that will ensure total control throughout the duration of your swing.

Best for Putters-SuperStroke Slim Putter Grip

Our Rating: (4.5/5)

These grips are made out of polyurethane with a no taper design. The slim design provides a more consistent stroke during every round. The non-slip grip features a cross-traction surface for improved texture and prevents super stroke. This is a lightweight grip that’s made with EVA foam for maximum feel, allowing you to focus on your short game with reduced pressure and tension in the hands.

Conclusion

If you’re looking for a top of the line grip that’s textured, lightweight, and durable, then you’ll love the Super Stroke grip designed specifically for putters. According to the manufacturer this is the most popular golf grip used on the PGA Tour by the pros. If that’s not impressive enough, just one swing will show you just how much control the grip provides and how it can improve your putting quality.

Best for Irons-Champkey Victor Hybrid Golf Grips

Our Rating: (4.5/5)

This package comes with thirteen golf grips, fifteen golf tapes, and grip tape spray solution. This set also comes with a rubber vise clamp for easy installation, and re-gripping instructions. On the grips, the manufacturer uses an increased number of cross cotton threads to improve control, stability, and durability. The micro-texture is soft and increases comfort and traction, in addition to implementing brushed cotton thread that forms all-weather control, making these grips a good choice in wet environments, and for golfers whose hands sweat when taking a shot. The material is very responsive. The lower portion of the grip is made out of material that provides precise feedback, a softer feel, and reduced tension in the hands. The tapered profile encourages a lighter grip for minimized pressure, resulting in a swing that’s powerful and more fluid.

Conclusion

These lightweight grips can totally change how you play, from start to finish.

This set of thirteen grips is perfect for a variety of weather conditions, providing stability, improved control, and durability. The soft micro-texture of the grips will improve user comfort, offering a more responsive surface that will make your clubs feel like new.

Best for Drivers-Lehui Golf Grips

Our Rating: (4.5/5)

This set of grips is made out of cotton corded rubber, with a grip length of 10.50” and a core size of 0.600”. These grips are designed to provide all weather control, with a lower hand that offers high feedback. The taper profile will help the golfer loosen up as they take a swing, using lighter grip pressure. This promotes less tension when at address and creates swings that are more powerful and fluid. The textured design and compound material provide a higher level of stability and a non-slip design that will allow you to take a swing with ultimate control, even if your hands are sweating or you’re playing in rainy weather.

Conclusion

These versatile grips are perfect for all types of weather conditions and golfers of all skill levels.

These midsize grips can have a major positive impact on your performance and can be used year-round, thanks to their all-weather design. They can also help to improve your performance throughout your swing by encouraging a relaxed grip, promoting better club control and overall swing quality.

Best for Sweaty Hands-Lamkin Crossline Standard Golf Grips

Our Rating: (4/5)

This set of Lamkin grips are made out of a synthetic EPDM compound material and feature a high traction pattern. The surface of the grips consists of a lateral traction design for better grip stability. This type of firm material will reduce torsion at impact, resulting in better shot consistency and improved control. The synthetic rubber materials are durable and designed to last. The grips themselves will provide maximum feedback for more control over your club and a better feel.

Conclusion

These lightweight grips are durable, offering better than average grip stability. The densely-space surface pattern will allow golfers to grip the club with reduced tension in the hands and wrists. A more relaxed grip will result in a smoother shot and better control.

Golf Grips Buyer’s Guide

In this buyer’s guide, I’ll go over what you need to look for in a set of grips that can totally change how you play the game, whether you’re focusing on chipping or how to gain more distance without swinging faster.

Now, let’s learn about the different types of golf grips available, what each type has to offer, and the importance of choosing the right size.

Choosing the right type of grips can be tricky for beginners. It starts with choosing a size, which is why many people recommend having a grip assessment, so a pro can properly determine which size and thickness level is right for you. The grips you use should be proportionate to your hand size and should accommodate for the hand movements that occur when you take a swing. For example, if the grip is too small, the hand will be more prone to rotating too much through impact, which can result in shots that stray from the target. On the other hand, if the grip is too big, then the club can be more difficult to handle, which will also change the player’s hand movement pattern when they take a swing, resulting in a stray shot. If you end up with a grip that’s the wrong size, you can always finetune the size properly using a little grip tape. Grips that are the proper size will allow for the right level of club control and improved accuracy and shot consistency.

Moisture

Moisture is an important factor. Whether you’re playing in wet weather or you’re someone who tends to sweat under pressure, moisture can make a club difficult to control. Fortunately, the right type of grip can help. In potentially rainy, humid, or very hot environments, you may need to use a material that’s designed to mitigate the grip slipping from your hands when you take a swing. The texture of the grip, combined with the surface design and the type of material used can alter a club and provide a more secure grip, allowing you to remain in total control of the club when you take a swing.

Types of Golf Grips

Grips come in a variety of styles, focusing on feel and weight. The main types of grips are rubber and corded. The rubber type comes in stiff and soft styles, allowing for varying degrees of shock absorption and smoothness. Most types of grips will not add much weight to a club, since they’re incredibly light. Of course, how much weight they add will depend on the type and the materials they’re made out of. In most cases, the grips will only add a matter of ounces to your club’s weight. Choosing the right golf grips can give you better hand control when you take a swing, regardless of the type of club you’re using. In fact, grips have a much bigger impact on our swing quality and technique than most people realize. Below, I’ll go over the different types of grips available and what benefits each type offers.

Corded

Corded grips contain a type of corded material that helps the hands in terms of improved control of the grip, especially in rainy weather conditions, or if the golfer’s hands tend to sweat. Basically, these grips will excel in wet conditions.

Wrap

This type of spiral grip features a piece of leather that wraps around the shaft. This material is tacky and soft and designed to help improve grip.

Rubber

Most golf grips will come with a standard rubber grip. However, you can also find grips that are exclusively made out of plastic, silicon, and elastomer.

Ribbed

A ribbed grip is beneficial because it will remind the user where they should place their thumbs and hands when they’re holding a club. There’s a small ridge that runs the length of the grip.

Rounded

A rounded grip is symmetrical and runs evenly throughout the club’s shaft. It doesn’t have a ribbed edge, so the user won’t be able to feel anything other than the grip when they’re holding the club.

Counterbalance

Most modern grips that are used for putters and irons will come with a counterbalance option, which will allow the user to adjust the weight in order to find the perfect feel and fit.

Lightweight or Heavy Grips

Some manufacturers will produce lightweight grips that go hand in hand with lighter fairway woods or drivers. A heavier grip is commonly used on irons.

Ribbed Versus Round

Every grip that’s made for irons or woods will be ribbed or round. A round grip is smooth and symmetrical all the way around, while the ribbed grip will include the ridge that runs along the grip, which serves as an alignment guide. Ribbed grips are often a better choice for beginners or high handicappers. Of course, in some cases, you may need to experiment with different types of grips to determine which type will feel the most comfortable and secure for you. Fortunately, grips are very affordable and easy to change out. In many cases, whether you decide to go with ribbed or smooth will be a matter of personal preference, your playing style, and your skill level.

Grips for Fairway Woods and Drivers

Choosing the right grips for fairway woods and drivers are very important because these are the clubs that start off a hole and can also set up the opportunity to make birdie or par. These types of grips also have a tendency to wear down faster because the driver is one of those clubs that’s used the most often out on the course and at the range. Finding a grip that’s durable will be crucial and can end up saving you plenty of money later down the line.

Grips for Irons

For the iron, the grips are pretty standard in terms of size, since you’ll choose just one size to fit all of your irons, instead of choosing different sizes of grips for every club in your bag. Most golfers love higher tac grips because they allow them to loosen their hands on their clubs, without negatively impacting their grip.

Grips for Putters

The grip for the putter is the only type of grip that’s not rounded. Most putters will have a grip that’s square shaped on the front, where the thumbs should be placed. It’s actually the only club in your golf bag that’s allowed to have this type of flat edge. Grips for putters are available in a wide range of sizes. They come in wrapped, rubber, or corded types.

Better control of the putter is crucial. When you’re putting there are chances that your wrist can hinge during the stroke. This can be detrimental to your shot. It’s crucial that your wrists and hands remain stiff, hanging from the shoulders in sync, just like a pendulum. If you feel your wrists hinging often when putting, then an oversized grip may be the best option. Oversized grips can help with club control while also reducing wrist break, minimizing instances of the ball skidding in the wrong direction. Instead of using a standard reverse overlap grip, the hand can now be placed side by side, minimizing the dominance of one hand over the other. This results in a reduction of undue wrist action, increasing putting accuracy.

Sizes

Grips are available in different thicknesses and sizes. Because golfers have different hand sizes, some players will prefer to use thicker grips if they have bigger hands, while people with smaller hands will prefer thinner grips.

Thicker grips can fill up more of the hand, which can take away hand and wrist movement in order to keep the hands quiet.

One reason that many pro golfers choose thick putter grips is for their ability to quiet the hands, allowing them to use their arms and shoulders to rock the club back and through.

Below, you’ll find a list of standard grip sizes:

Oversized: 1.8 inches larger than standard sized grips

Midsized: 1/16 of an inch larger than standard sized grips

Standard: 0.580 inches in diameter

Undersized: 1/66 of an inch smaller than standard sized grips

Junior: These grips can come in a variety of sizes that are shorter and smaller than standard sized grips.

Most golfers will stick with the standard size grip. However, you should try out clubs that have different sizes of golf grips in order to determine which size grip feels the best to you. A comfortable grip can have a positive impact on your performance. If you play with a certain grip thickness, if you find it uncomfortable after a period of time, you can always switch the grips out. Fortunately, there are many sizes to choose from, so you’ll be sure to find the perfect fit.

Firmness

The firmness of the grip is another important consideration. A pro golfer will usually prefer a grip that’s firmer, since a firmer grip will promote improved torsion control that’s designed to suit higher swing speeds. A firmer grip can also promote a lighter grip, so the golfer isn’t tempted to squeeze the club too hard. A lighter grip pressure will promote a faster swing speed.

Durability

Grip durability is another important factor and one that will determine how long a grip lasts before it must be replaced. There are many factors that can impact how long the grip will last, such as how the grip is held and weather conditions. The grips on golf clubs should be changed about once a year, for the avid golfer. If you play rarely, then the grips should be changed about once per forty rounds.

Price

The price of a new set of grips can cost you anywhere from $20 all the way up to $80. The price will be impacted by how many grips come in a set, the type of material the grips are made out of, the style, and the overall quality. If you’re deciding to go all in and do the grips yourself, then I recommend investing in a top of the line set, considering you’re saving plenty of cash that you would otherwise have spent on having a pro do the installation job for you.

Maintenance

A grip can wear down and will begin to tear at some point. Because of this, it’s important to inspect them and take proper care of them to lengthen their lifespan. One way to lengthen their lifespan is to clean them regularly. This can easily be done by using a mild dishwashing detergent. Cord and rubber grips must be cleaned using a type of abrasive pad in conjunction with a mild dishwashing detergent. After the grips have been scrubbed down, they should be rinsed in warm water in order to remove any soap residue. They should also be placed outside to air dry.

How Grips Impact Shot Patterns

A grip that’s too small can cause the club to twist, forcing the golfer to tighten their grip, squeezing the club at impact. This closes the face of the club, causing the shot to hook, preventing it from flying straight. Larger grips can make the club become loose at the bottom of a swing and will open the club face, creating a slice. The shots will be more likely to go right or left of the target instead of in line, if you don’t have grips that are the correct size.

Swing Mechanics

Golfers that tend to have an outside to inside swing pattern usually hit plenty of shots that fade away from the target or slice. To correct the ball’s flight, a smaller sized grip can do the trick. This promotes draw patterns or hooks with shots that can counteract the tendency to slice. Golfers that hit inside to outside usually hit shots that hook away from a target. A larger grip size promotes a fade or slice and helps to straighten out the flight of a shot.

Are Golf Grips Important?

The grips are in fact, very important. For some reason, they also happen to be one of the most underrated features on a club. Most golfers tend to focus most of their attention on the loft of the club head, the adjustability of the club head, shaft flex, and shaft weight. However, the grip is the only contact point the golfer will make with the club, so it needs to have good traction and should be comfortable to use and hold. This will make it much easier to control the face of the club during a swing, which will produce a consistent golf swing.

Essentially, the grips are the feel center of your game. In order to play the variety of shots required, the game of golf requires extraordinary feel in the hands. This is true for trouble shots, woods, irons, sand bunker shots, pitching, chipping, and putting. The grip placement is the heartbeat of a golf swing. Because of this, it makes sense to use the best grips for your clubs to make it easier for you to get comfortable and feel more confident on the course. This new level of confidence will allow you to maintain the same type of grip pressure from the takeaway to impact and follow through.

If you’re on a tight budget and you want to improve your golf gear, grips are the most cost-effective approach. A new set of grips will make your clubs feel new, so you’ll enjoy a better performance at the fraction of the cost of new clubs. When your clubs feel good in your hands, they’re easier to play with, more comfortable to use, so you’ll notice an improvement in your swing performance and quality, right away.

For more golf grip tips, visit my full article on the topic!

Signs Your Grips Need to be Replaced

When a golf grip starts to feel slick, this is a big indication that the grips are wearing down and should be changed promptly. A slick grip will make holding the club feel slippery, as opposed to when the grips are new and have a rough, sticky feel to them. During the initial stages when the grips begin to feel slick, you can try sanding them lightly in order to rough them up. Doing so can lengthen their lifespan.

Regripping Clubs

You’ll need to use several tools to regrip your clubs, including:

• Bucket
• New grip
• Solvent
• Vise
• Stanley knife
• Double sided tape

To regrip your clubs follow the instructions below:

• You’ll begin by cleaning the old grips, in addition to the area surrounding them. Doing so will make it easier to remove the old grips. You don’t have to use a vise, although it’s highly recommended. Using a vise will keep the club steady, making the job easier for you as you pull off the old grip and slide on the new ones. Additionally, you’ll have more leverage, which will make it easier to get the grip down to the proper position. You can use a rubber insert from the grip kit and place it in the vise, tightening it enough so that the club remains securely in place when you’re applying force in order to get the grip all the way down.
• Once you have the club secured in the vise, the next step is removing the old grip.
• Using a knife, you’ll cut a line down the length of the old grip, cutting away from you to prevent an injury. Avoid cutting too deeply, otherwise you may accidentally cut into the shaft.
• Remove the old grip from the adhesive or tape, using some pliers or your hands.
• Once the old grip has been removed, you must clean the shaft and prep it for the tape and the new grip.
• The shaft should be wrapped with some double-sided tape in order to create an adhesive material that allows the grip to stick to the club’s surface when the new grip is slid onto the shaft. Wind the adhesive around the shaft using one piece and make sure that the tape does not overlap since this can create a bulge under the grip.
• Use a solvent to make the tape slippery, allowing you to slide the new grip down the shaft. The grip should slide down the shaft until it hits the butt end. You may need to use more solvent if you’re having a hard time sliding the new grip on.

Should You Regrip Your Clubs Yourself?

The entire process of regripping your clubs can take anywhere from one to two hours. This isn’t exactly the easiest project, but after you’ve done it once, you’ll find that the next time around is much easier and faster.

Whether or not you should regrip your clubs yourself is usually a matter of money. You can have a local golf pro shop do it for you. Depending on where you go, you’ll be looking at $4-$5 per club for labor, so doing it yourself can save you some serious cash.

However, another concern is making a big mistake if you decide to do it yourself. Messing up a couple of grips can set you back a good chunk of change and can end up costing you big if you end up having the pros fix your mistakes.

Aside from the potential damage that can happen if you’re not careful, this can be a fun project and one that will make you feel like an accomplished golfer.

If you’re determined to do it yourself, then I recommend watching some tutorials on YouTube, prior to taking on the task. This will give you an idea of how easy or difficult it can be and you can watch videos that show different techniques you can try.

Final Thoughts

Grips are available in a variety of styles, thickness levels, and sizes. Finding the type that’s right for you can involve some trial and error, since every golfer’s hands are different. What may seem comfortable and right for one player may not seem like a good fit for you.

When you’re shopping for the best golf grips, remember that you need to consider maintenance needs and durability, both of which will help to prolong the life of the grips. You’ll also need to check out the different sizes and thickness levels available and determine which grip will offer the best fit and feel. The sets of grips that I’ve included here are designed to help improve your control over your clubs and your swing speed and distance. This buyer’s guide will point you in the right direction, so you can choose the right size and type of grip that will help to improve your performance out on the course, instantly.