Baseball Bat Grip

[arson_garden]

I have been doing a tremendous amount of grip experimentation and found that for my particular hand-size and preference, I like an old school style grip... maybe because I'm kinda old. I prefer a rib and also like high taper at the butt end. This combination is becoming impossible to find, at least ones that suit me. The butt-end helps me feel comfortable holding the club lightly without fear of launching it down the fairway.

 

So the question is; would it be rules-conforming to create a baseball bat-like "knob" at the end of the grip by adding several small layers of tape? I'm curious because this would have seemed like a logical build, in fact there is a knob-like end on the very interesting Macro PowerStroke grip which conforms.

 

Thanks for your ideas/knowledge!

[Justin.B]

Sorry but unless you have been in an accident or have limited use of hands, need to keep trying to do overlap or interlocked, it's really the only and best way. Coming from baseball myself I feel that your proposal would decrease both stability AND feel through the club shaft. IMO.

[PapaJohick]

Sorry but unless you have been in an accident or have limited use of hands, need to keep trying to do overlap or interlocked, it's really the only and best way. Coming from baseball myself I feel that your proposal would decrease both stability AND feel through the club shaft. IMO.

 

there are several players on/were on the PGA tour who did a 10 finger grip. Those two grips you listed are typical/more common, but not the only nor the best way to hold the club. No need to tell him that.

 

 

You cannot create a baseball like knob at the end of your club btw OP (as far as I know anyhow)

[MarkCPA]

Why not just add layers of tape under the grip to the bottom few inches (butt end) to create an even greater tapered effect? It's well known that Bubba Watson bulks his grips under his right hand, but to a lesser extent under this left hand. I doubt he's going for the tapered effect you are looking for, but it still seems like the same general concept. Plus, the club won't look like really skinny and shiny baseball bat too! ;)

[bladehunter]

OP as a former long time 10 finger gripper that played to a 1-2 handicap with it i can tell you there is nothing at all wrong with it in principle..and my scores havent dropped in teh last 3 years since swapping to interlock .... .as long as you dont let one hand control the swing and they both stay planted and dont "regrip" at the top of the backswing 10 finger is fine ...... I myself went to interlock... which in my opinion is the only grip worth swapping to... the overlap is quite frankly less in control than the 10 finger.... its basically the 10 finger with the top hand pinky off the club... which for me feels out of control... i was able to go interlock in 5 days or so and never looked back... but played with overlap a month and hated it ... still do .... just food for thought

[arson_garden]

Sorry but unless you have been in an accident or have limited use of hands, need to keep trying to do overlap or interlocked, it's really the only and best way. Coming from baseball myself I feel that your proposal would decrease both stability AND feel through the club shaft. IMO.

 

Good points, my overlap grip has become quite disconnected over time, so I'll try interlock and see how that works. Thanks!

[jeffc]

as someone with small hands I find the 10 finger the only one that feels right to me. I wear a mens cadet small glove to give you some perspective. I've tried the others and just can't hit a ball using those grips.

[rawdog]

The guys in the rules section may have some input here.

 

I don't think the OP was looking for the merits of each grip.

 

Certainly, telling him there is only one correct or "best" grip is pretty silly.

[erock9174]

as someone with small hands I find the 10 finger the only one that feels right to me. I wear a mens cadet small glove to give you some perspective. I've tried the others and just can't hit a ball using those grips.

 

Small hands as well. I was using interlock for about 17 yrs and switched to 10 finger grip at the suggestion of a fitter. He noticed my interlock was coming apart at the top of the swing. Immediately gained about 10-15 yds with driver and one club distance with my irons Using 10 finger.

[justwellsy]

If you are willing to make big grip changes and commit to them, here's the basics:

 

1. If you desperately need more distance and are seeking a better "connection" with the club, switch from an overlap to an interlock.

 

2. If you often miss with a hook or block because you feel you grip the club too hard, switch from an interlock to an overlap

 

3. there's not really any reason to switch to a baseball grip unless you have used it in the past with success (use the compass that points to what you want most in this world, not the one that points North)

 

4. Here are two sections of text from the rules of golf that state you cannot do what you say you want to do at the end of the grip...

 

A. The grip consists of material added to the shaft to enable the player to obtain a firm hold. The grip must be fixed to the shaft, must be straight and plain in form, must extend to the end of the shaft and must not be molded for any part of the hands. If no material is added, that portion of the shaft designed to be held by the player must be considered the grip.

 

B. The grip may be tapered but must not have any bulge or waist. Its cross-sectional dimensions measured in any direction must not exceed 1.75 inches (44.45 mm).

 

5. I believe it's more important to analyze how strong or weak your grip is and how that affects your results before you consider an interlock/overlap change

[landolakes]

Sorry but unless you have been in an accident or have limited use of hands, need to keep trying to do overlap or interlocked, it's really the only and best way.

 

Whoa... I strongly disagree

[Scottie68]

Lamkin wrap-tech grips, at least in the oversized version, not sure of other sizes, have a signifcant taper in the last couple inches of the butt end to a large butt (but are overall not a high taper grip). Perhaps worth looking at.

 

[jeffc]

as someone with small hands I find the 10 finger the only one that feels right to me. I wear a mens cadet small glove to give you some perspective. I've tried the others and just can't hit a ball using those grips.

 

Small hands as well. I was using interlock for about 17 yrs and switched to 10 finger grip at the suggestion of a fitter. He noticed my interlock was coming apart at the top of the swing. Immediately gained about 10-15 yds with driver and one club distance with my irons Using 10 finger.

 

the funny thing is I put with an interlock grip

[BIG STU]

as someone with small hands I find the 10 finger the only one that feels right to me. I wear a mens cadet small glove to give you some perspective. I've tried the others and just can't hit a ball using those grips.

I will state this and I am not a golf instructor by any shape of the imagination--- Use what ever grip style feels comfortable to YOU! the grip is what connects you to the club. Any tension at all will create a myrid of bad shots. According to proper golf gurus Paul Azinger's grip simply sucked but I think he did pretty well with it. My dad was a pro and instructor and he had small hands and he used the interlock grip. He started me off like that but my hands are huge ( XXXL glove) and another pro friend of his persuaded him to let me go to the interlock grip and I have been there since age 14. I have always stressed a comfortable grip to folks on putting. I have had putting problems the last few years and I have went through all kinds of grip changes including the claw. I found out the most comfortable grip for me was what I used for years the same grip I grip the rest of my clubs with the interlock. I have said this many times and all the old timers on here have seen me type it before. There is no proper one way to swing or play this game everyone is different.

[Justin.B]

Sorry but unless you have been in an accident or have limited use of hands, need to keep trying to do overlap or interlocked, it's really the only and best way.

 

Whoa... I strongly disagree

 

I could be wrong, certainly never seen otherwise from a swing coach or 80/90% of the tour. Would like to see it first hand.

 

-JA

[High Plains Driver]

Sorry but unless you have been in an accident or have limited use of hands, need to keep trying to do overlap or interlocked, it's really the only and best way.

 

Whoa... I strongly disagree

 

I could be wrong, certainly never seen otherwise from a swing coach or 80/90% of the tour. Would like to see it first hand.

 

-JA

 

Bob Rosburg, Scott Piercy, Bob Estes, and other pros have played with a 10 finger grip. Moe Norman was one of the best ball strikers in the history of the game with a 10 finger grip. Steve Jones played using a reverse overlap (left index on top of right pinkie instead of vice versa.)

A couple of guys play cross-handed. There are no absolutes.

[jeffc]

as someone with small hands I find the 10 finger the only one that feels right to me. I wear a mens cadet small glove to give you some perspective. I've tried the others and just can't hit a ball using those grips.

I will state this and I am not a golf instructor by any shape of the imagination--- Use what ever grip style feels comfortable to YOU! the grip is what connects you to the club. Any tension at all will create a myrid of bad shots. According to proper golf gurus Paul Azinger's grip simply sucked but I think he did pretty well with it. My dad was a pro and instructor and he had small hands and he used the interlock grip. He started me off like that but my hands are huge ( XXXL glove) and another pro friend of his persuaded him to let me go to the interlock grip and I have been there since age 14. I have always stressed a comfortable grip to folks on putting. I have had putting problems the last few years and I have went through all kinds of grip changes including the claw. I found out the most comfortable grip for me was what I used for years the same grip I grip the rest of my clubs with the interlock. I have said this many times and all the old timers on here have seen me type it before. There is no proper one way to swing or play this game everyone is different.

 

I have no plans on changing at this point in my career. It works for me is all I can say.

[arson_garden]

If you are willing to make big grip changes and commit to them, here's the basics:

 

1. If you desperately need more distance and are seeking a better "connection" with the club, switch from an overlap to an interlock.

 

2. If you often miss with a hook or block because you feel you grip the club too hard, switch from an interlock to an overlap

 

3. there's not really any reason to switch to a baseball grip unless you have used it in the past with success (use the compass that points to what you want most in this world, not the one that points North)

 

4. Here are two sections of text from the rules of golf that state you cannot do what you say you want to do at the end of the grip...

 

A. The grip consists of material added to the shaft to enable the player to obtain a firm hold. The grip must be fixed to the shaft, must be straight and plain in form, must extend to the end of the shaft and must not be molded for any part of the hands. If no material is added, that portion of the shaft designed to be held by the player must be considered the grip.

 

B. The grip may be tapered but must not have any bulge or waist. Its cross-sectional dimensions measured in any direction must not exceed 1.75 inches (44.45 mm).

 

5. I believe it's more important to analyze how strong or weak your grip is and how that affects your results before you consider an interlock/overlap change

 

Excellent advice and exactly what I was wondering pertaining to the rules... a "bulge" would be non-conforming, got it. Thanks!

[arson_garden]

Just thought I'd share what I found out after some grip scrutiny at home, Hogan-inspired, really helped:

 

I found that my LH thumb was veering over the club, as in wrapping around. Among the many problems it caused was that my RH went way strong as to secure the thumb/palm connection between hands. I looked at the Hogan principals and saw that my thumb needed to fit "shorter" and more down the shaft for a proper grip. This corrected my RH magically and produced a more solid grip on the club overall, eliminating a need for any security like I first ventured.

 

This is what you want:

[400yards+]

To the op... Try some pure grips. The wrap in standard or Midsized depending on your hand size. The butt on these grips feels to me like a baseball bat. And the taper is very similar. IMHO it's the closest you are going to come to the feeling you are looking for without some type of buildup tape.

[sixtysevensixtyseven]

When I try full swing grips that aren't tapered much I tend to grip it with my top hand really close to the butt so I like a tapered grip that has a larger butt cap. I've found that the Royal Grips Interlocking has the most taper with a larger butt cap that almost feel like the nob of a bat. You'd have to built them up to get the desired size but I think you'll be pretty happy with the overall feel and performance. They're also made from real rubber so they last forever.

[arson_garden]

I'll definitely try the Pure Wraps and Royal Grips Interlocking you mentioned... When I think I've tried them all there's always a few more. My all-time favorites are the Ping 703 grip from a few years ago. I measured about 25 different grips at the butt-end, 3.5" and 7" marks to find out why. Turns out they have a relatively high taper from the butt-end cap relative to the 3.5", then flatten out by 7". Perfect design for me, only reason I'm still looking is that they are no longer widely available, just through a few online outlets. I can't figure out why this grip design is so hard to find, but trust me, it is.

 

Thanks for the suggestions.

[spezza11]

on this topic, I use a 10 finger grip. currently play to a 6 index but had it down to low 3's about 4 years ago. It has gone up due to having kids and not playing 3-5 times a week....lol However, I have tried in the past to use interlocking. (overlapping, I felt had no control) But even interlocking I just didn't get thru the ball near as nice as 10 finger. I even made my buddy go that way and he tried it mid round hit a great shot and kept it ever since with greater contact and distance. To each their own. Provided your hands are working together and in the right position then go to it. I have also gone in the past and currently do, go to interlocking with driver for some reason my 10 finger grip did work against me with my hands not syncing up. I would hook, be quick, etc. I found i got better flight and a nice slight fade.

 

Does anybody else use one grip for driver or something and another grip style for anything else. (not including putting)??

[Davewn]

Once upon a time, grips like that were legal...They were called Silouette.

[wareagle12]

To the op... Try some pure grips. The wrap in standard or Midsized depending on your hand size. The butt on these grips feels to me like a baseball bat. And the taper is very similar. IMHO it's the closest you are going to come to the feeling you are looking for without some type of buildup tape.

 

^^^^^

I tried the Pure tour velvet style grip recently and the top hand felt huge. Wasn't for me but sounds exactly like what you are looking for. Large butt end lots of taper.

[sixtysevensixtyseven]

I'll definitely try the Pure Wraps and Royal Grips Interlocking you mentioned... When I think I've tried them all there's always a few more. My all-time favorites are the Ping 703 grip from a few years ago. I measured about 25 different grips at the butt-end, 3.5" and 7" marks to find out why. Turns out they have a relatively high taper from the butt-end cap relative to the 3.5", then flatten out by 7". Perfect design for me, only reason I'm still looking is that they are no longer widely available, just through a few online outlets. I can't figure out why this grip design is so hard to find, but trust me, it is.

 

Thanks for the suggestions.

 

I actually used an extra wrap and stretched them to 10.25". It made the butt cap taper a little more pronounce and retained the same size. Worked like a charm for me.

[BIG STU]

as someone with small hands I find the 10 finger the only one that feels right to me. I wear a mens cadet small glove to give you some perspective. I've tried the others and just can't hit a ball using those grips.

I will state this and I am not a golf instructor by any shape of the imagination--- Use what ever grip style feels comfortable to YOU! the grip is what connects you to the club. Any tension at all will create a myrid of bad shots. According to proper golf gurus Paul Azinger's grip simply sucked but I think he did pretty well with it. My dad was a pro and instructor and he had small hands and he used the interlock grip. He started me off like that but my hands are huge ( XXXL glove) and another pro friend of his persuaded him to let me go to the interlock grip and I have been there since age 14. I have always stressed a comfortable grip to folks on putting. I have had putting problems the last few years and I have went through all kinds of grip changes including the claw. I found out the most comfortable grip for me was what I used for years the same grip I grip the rest of my clubs with the interlock. I have said this many times and all the old timers on here have seen me type it before. There is no proper one way to swing or play this game everyone is different.

 

I have no plans on changing at this point in my career. It works for me is all I can say.

I messed up on my first post I was on cold meds--- I use the overlap grip I switched to it at age 14 from the interlock and I also putt with the same grip too.

sorry about the confusion

[jasonp87]

All this talk about interlock and overlap.

Did people even read the OP???

 

And no you cannot create a bulge at the end per the rules

[sixtysevensixtyseven]

All this talk about interlock and overlap.

Did people even read the OP???

 

And no you cannot create a bulge at the end per the rules

 

My recommendation doesn't involve any sort of bulge, the Royal Interlocking grips just taper to a larger butt cap. You can buy little reminder ribs and add them under the Interlocking since it is round.