Using Baseball Grip Tape For Golf Club Grips

[clevited]

So I had an old driver that needed a new grip and I thought to myself, I wonder how baseball grip tape would work on it. I have tried it out and I like it so far I like it. It is an experiment so I will be making observations on durability, performance, ease of installation at home or even on the course, etc, but initially it seems pretty good. Feels similar to Winn Drytac material to me.

I have only done this to one driver that I primarily use as a practice driver at the range and at home when hitting into a net but I am wondering if it is legal. I have read the rules and they don't seem to explicitly say re-gripping a club in this way is illegal. Does anyone have first hand experience as to whether or not this would be acceptable for any USGA sanctioned event for instance? I like the idea of being able to build up the taper myself to the thicknesses I want and then that always being the same and just applying new tape anytime anywhere without any hassle whatsoever. The look and feel seems quite good to me as well.

I did a little research after I tried this and there is someone on amazon selling grip tape meant for golf clubs. No mention of being legal or not of course.

 

Any thoughts on the legality of this rules wise, and has anyone already experimented with this? If you have, I would love to read about your experience.

 

 

[Colej]

Guy on another forum called golfbuzz is experimenting with something like that. It’s for tennis racquets, but I’m not sure on the legality issue though.

[HitaHouse]

In the old days, leather grips were wrapped on over a rubber underlisting and this sounds like a similar approach. I think the only legality issues would be the shape/taper of the grip and I'm not up on the rule details there.

[clevited]

I was thinking a guy could build up a taper with tape, or even just wrap over an old worn out grip if the grip tape being used is thin enough. I just don't know how the rules play out.

[Vintage1976]

Didn't Justin Leonard do this back in the day? I wouldn't think it creates any unfair advantage.

[clevited]

Here is test try 2 (test 1 was too squishy with the base layers used to make the taper being made out of duct tape and the grip tape being 1.8mm lizard skin tape). This time I built up the taper with aluminum tape to prevent excess squishiness and I used thinner .5mm lizard skin tape. Other than not having a very good solution for the grip end cap, I am much more pleased with this version.

[HitaHouse]

This is going way back too but they used to make grip end caps - or plastic sheeting that you dipped into acetone to soften it so you could wrap an end cap.

[OrangeGravy]

I have a putter that has a Lizard grip like that on it. The original was really chewed up, so I just used the Baseball Lizard grip. It is very similar to a Winn grip. It works fine on my back up putter.

[James the Hogan Fan]

1. Making a tape wrap grip is completely legal. It was the only way before the 50's and can still be done today. Leather is the classic form but what you have is fine. I quote the provisions most relevant:(i) 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.(iii) 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).

Since your grip meets those provisions (and the other ones not listed as well) I cannot imagine why it would be an issue. Just remember: no flat spots (think putter pistol grip), no bulges, and no molded places to guide your hands.

2. https://forums.golfwrx.com/discussion/1811430/underlistings-and-leather-strapping#latest go to the bottom of thread, you could just order the underlisting.

3. Another option for a cap would be to cut the butt off of an old grip, screw it to a piece of cork or something and drive it into the shaft. On ebay you might also find grip caps on occasion.

 

Enjoy!

[BIG STU]

A lot of times experimenting with vintage clubs I find especially putters I will use gauze tape which can be found in any Drug Store. i bought a bunch one time at Walgreen's that was being discontinued and it was senior day too. In fact I found a set of 1957 Macgregor Diamond Back irons on the scrap pile one day. Decided to play them the next day at the last minute on a bet. wrapped the worn rubber grips with that tape. They hit so good that 2 years later I have not changed them. Justin Leonard and I think Ben Crane it was used to wrap their putter grips with gauze tape a few years back

[clevited]

Awesome, thank you for the information!

[clevited]

Just an update. Experimented just putting baseball grip tape over top of a worn grip instead of building up a custom base layer. Works great. Got the .5 mm thick stuff from Vulcan. You just have to be careful not to overlap it too much or you won't have enough to cover a standard grip. So far the grip tape is holding up well. Its really tacky when used with a glove. It has oddly been outperforming my mcc corded grips in the heat and humidity. Hand sweat seems to make the grip tape even tackier while the corded grips felt slippery.

The super tacky feel fades away quickly but again, with a glove i think they are plenty grippy.

I really think i will be using grip tape for the long term. It has exceeded my expectations.

 

EDIT: I spoke too soon about the Vulcan grips. They aren't nearly as durable it seems as the Lizard Skins version. I think I will grab a few more Lizard Skins brand ones and try those long term on various clubs. So far the one on the driver is holding up very well. Stay away from Vulkan if you want to try this as well.

[David Pobran]

Has anybody ever wrapped a golf club grip like the top of a hockey stick is wrapped after the tape is twisted into a cord at the top?  Intended for another who loves golf, but has had post surgery carpel tunnel issues, and cannot maintain the grip in her backswing.