The grip is the golfer's only contact with the club. Therefore, it is extremely important to have the correct grip size fitted so as to assist your arms, wrists and fingers to work in unison to exploit the maximum power and control throughout your swing. Many golf instructors believe a correct and comfortable grip size keeps the muscles of the forearm relaxed, which in turn allows a more consistent takeaway and accordingly, a more consistent, repeating swing.

Whether the grip is made of leather, natural rubber, synthetic rubber or Thermoplastic elastomers, a golfer will choose the grip that 'feels and looks the best' to him or her. What is important is the correct grip size rather than the grip type installed on your clubs.

The larger the grip, the less the fingers (and/or hand) are able to close around the grip and the smaller the grip, the more the fingers (and/or hand) can close around the grip. It has been said in other club-fitting publications that the more the fingers close around the grip, the more chance the hand have to "turn over" through impact, thus closing the face angle of the club, and in turn, promoting a hook or pull shot.

Conversely, the opposite has been said that the larger the grip, the more chance for the hands to "stay open" through impact keeping the face angle of the club open, and in the process, promote a push or slice shot.

Grip & Weight

Grip weight is available from 15 to 70 grams depending on the size and type (junior to jumbo). Changing a grip of weight lighter than your existing grip can increase the swingweight and lower the balance point your club. Both factors can make some golfers feel the clubhead's presence more during the swing. Changing of a grip's weight heavier has the vice versa effect.

Technically, every 4 grams of grip weight difference will affect the swingweight by one (1) point. A golfer will have a noticeable feel difference with grip change of more than 10 grams.

Correct Grip Size - How Would You Know?

An indication that grip size is incorrect is the high percentage of shots going to the left or right of your intended target. And the best gauge to determine this is to use your short iron clubs (PW to #7 irons) as a reference for directional dispersions.

Effects on Golf Shotmaking Performance Factors

What happens if the grip is too small for the golfer?

• Could cause a golfer to need more time to feel the assurance that the grip is in the correct position in the hands each time he holds the club.

• Could cause a golfer to subconsciously hold too tight, thus inhibiting wrist action before impact. (Wear out marks especially on the grip's part pressed by the right thumb).

• Could increase additional tension in the forearm muscles at address and takeaway of the club - may cause elbow-tendonitis pain/ache symptoms.

• Adopt a strong grip position (left hand exposing 3-4 knuckle)

• Club's face is closed at impact, causing a high percentage of the ball trajectory to go left of the intended target.

• Pain and discomfort when swinging the club, resulting in widespread blisters and calluses.

What happens if the grip is too large for the golfer?

• A golfer may subconsciously hold too tight, afraid that the club may slip out of the hands. This extra hands and fingers pressure in time will/may result in elbow- and shoulder- tendonitis, muscles pain/ache.

• Adopt a weak grip position (left hand showing less than 2 knuckle position)

• Club head is open at impact, thus causing a high percentage of the ball trajectory to go right of the intended target.

• The golfer might choke down where the grip is more comfortable. This will reduce club head speed and distance.

FAST FACT

The grip is the golfer's only physical contact with the club. It must 'feel' comfortable in the golfer's hands in order to promote a consistent, repeating golf swing. The slicing and hooking shot are primarily caused by errors in the swing path and clubface angle, but with the right grip size the errors of bad shot performance can be substantially reduce.