GRIPS

Driver Grip Diameter

Dear Frank

My question is about grip size, I routinely grip all my clubs at least 1" down, but I grip my driver with my left thumb on the lower edge of the grip (I’m left handed). Would I do better cutting 1 " off the butt and playing with a standard size grip?  What are the consequences of playing with a small diameter grip? My current driver is a Callaway 454, 10.5 degrees,  swing speed 100 MPH, carry 260, total 275. The "gripped down" habit started when I played a lot in windy/rainy conditions, and it stuck. As you can see, distance is not an issue. I gave up about 20 yards when I started gripping down, but I still have the length to challenge most 5-pars.

Bruce

Bruce,
As long as you consistently grip your driver at this location on the grip, don’t change anything. You are doing very well with the distance you’re getting with 100 mph head speed.

Some experiments have been performed on the effect of grip size as it relates to performance. In the extreme, a large grip will tend to restrict the wrists from rotating and leave the face open at impact. Conversely, a small grip will tend to allow the rotation to take place more effectively and square or close the face a little. This small grip may even result in a slight draw. I must advise you, however, that these are in the extremes, and I would not suggest that you try to affect your flight by changing your grip size beyond that which feels comfortable.  (See http://www.franklygolf.com/Q_A/grips.asp for a series of questions about grips)

Consistency is one of the most important ingredients in golf, so do whatever you do consistently and feel comfortable doing.
Hope this helps.
Frank

 

 

My hands are quite large and my clubs are gripped with a midsize grip. Both my middle and ring finger just touch my palm. The books say that is correct, but to be honest, it does not feel comfortable. Is it better this way or should I have my clubs re-gripped to regular size? Stephen

Stephen,

You must feel comfortable with your grip size. Try one club (a six iron) and see if the different size grip works for you. Comfort is the most important part of fitting clubs not what a book says. Sometimes the grip size will influence the amount of wrist rotation, a smaller grip will allow the club to rotate more than the larger one. If you are hitting the ball well, then this may influence your choice of grip size, as this is the object of the game and that which gives us the most satisfaction.

The grip on my putter needs replacement. I have never replaced any golf grips before. I wanted to do this on my own so I bought a Sport Pride putter grip. What is the most effective and easiest way to replace golf grips? Thank you for your reply as I'm anxious to use my putter again!

-- Frank Chao

Let's be Frank about this; changing a grip is not too hard if you follow these steps. First, fix the putter in a vice with the toe pointing up and the grip end toward you. The vice must be well padded so you don't scar the putter head or the shaft. Make sure you have two blocks of wood or rubber padding to prevent damage. Take the box cutter and carefully make a slit along the side of the existing grip down to the shaft. Peel the old grip off the shaft and clean off any old tape, etc. with lighter fluid or gasoline (BE CAREFUL THIS IS FLAMMABLE). You will now need to spiral wrap some double-sided masking tape over that portion of the shaft, which will be covered by the grip. Make sure that the end of the shaft is covered and closed by the tape to prevent the too much fluid entering it during the next step. Now half fill the grip with the lighter fluid or gasoline, keeping you finger over the hole in the end of the grip. Slosh the fluid back and forth inside the grip pinching one end. Now from the half filled grip, pour the fluid over the tape onto the shaft making sure it is all covered especially the tape end over which you must now slip the grip. The fluid you use will make the sticky tape slippery for a short period of time allowing the grip to slide on to the shaft, so don't delay too much before you slip the grip on.

Once the grip is all the way on the shaft you can remove it from the vice to straighten it out with it resting on the floor in the normal address position. I do not recommend you change your own grip unless this is really something you have always wanted to do yourself. If you think you are going to do this on a regular basis, contact www.golfworks.com and get the proper equipment and detailed instructions. If not, go to the pro with your own grip, it may cost you about $5 for him to do it for you and take about 10 minutes.

I have come across some professionals and other low handicappers who have a thin ridge running the entire length of the underside of the grip. I presume this is a result of them running a small roll of tape under the grip. The effect is that the grip does not seem entirely circular and that you almost always hold the club square. My question is whether this is legal? While certainly making it uncomfortable if I were the type to vary the strength/weakness of my grip, it would help in assuring me of the 'squareness' of my grip. Thanks. -- FAREZ

In the Rules of Golf, Appendix II, under 3 GRIP a subsection reads:

"For clubs other than putters the grip must be circular in cross-section, except that a continuous, straight, slightly raised rib may be incorporated along the full length of the grip, and a slightly indented spiral is permitted on a wrapped grip or a replica of one."

I bring your attention to the clause "... except that a continuous straight, slightly raised rib may be incorporated along the full length of the grip ..." This therefore does allow for a rib. I should warn you, however, that this must be slight in size. Placing a wire the size of a standard wire coat hanger under the grip may not conform. There are standard grips, which incorporate the rib, and they do conform to the rules.

SIZE

I am rather tall golfer (6-foot-9) with a 10 handicap and I was wondering what might occur if I change from my oversized grips to a regular grip. I don't have particularly large hands for my size (I can barely palm a basketball). Should I stick with my oversized grips or would I find any benefit in downsizing? -- Todd Manley

Next time you need a new set of grips -- or if you can't wait -- then take your favorite club and get it re-gripped with a smaller grip and try it. This experiment will give you more information than I can.