Grips make a difference to you?

[RichieHunt]

This is something I've done quite a bit of experimentation on.  It all started when I tried the Enlow Grips (reverse taper).  I found the Enlow Grips to work surprisingly well, but I had issues with hitting knockdowns, less than full swing shots and short shots around the green.  I liked the reverse taper concept, but Enlow grips were a little extreme.

 

I then tried another reverse taper concept, but the butt end of the grip was way too small and I couldn't help but hit hooks.  

 

From there I tried a variety of grips from the original JumboMax Grips (everything went high and right) to the SuperStroke wrap grips that were quite heavy (66 grams) as well as the JumboMax JMX Ultralight grips (weighing about 48 grams).

 

I've read research that says that grip size doesn't play a role if you hit blocks or hooks, but I think that research didn't account for grip weight.  With the JumboMax original wrap grip, it came in at something like 110 grams.  Just impossible to not block everything with it.  And that heavy of a grip means the hands are going to lag behind the clubhead, thus increasing dynamic loft and the ball launching high.

 

For me, the left (lead) hand is king.  I have decent sized hands (XL glove) and anything that is standard grip or less I'll be fighting a hook all day.  The size of the grip under the right hand makes a difference, but it is much smaller of a difference.

 

I think your grip size should change throughout your set if you want optimal performance.  I think optimal grip fitting takes into consideration the size of the rip, weight, the club being used and how high the handle is at impact (higher the handle, the more sensitive the lead hand is to grip size and weight).

 

I've been using the JumboMax JMX Ultralight Large grip over the past 2 years.  As much as I've tried, it feels great in the driver but not as well in the irons and even worse in the wedges.  I think it's because I generate more force in the driver and less force in the irons and even less force with the wedges.  

 

The driver is swung the fastest and hit off a tee.  The irons are swung slower, it's very difficult to really 'go after it' with an iron and I think the divots from iron shots mean less force is applied to the handle.

 

I haven't executed it yet because I'm considering getting a new set of irons with new shafts, but I'm thinking my grip setup will look like this:

 

Driver - JumboMax Ultralight Large 11/32"

3-wood - JumboMax UltraLight Small 8/32"

Hybrid - JumboMax UltraLight Small 8/32"

4-iron thru PW - JumboMax UltraLight Standard 4/32"

GW - LW - SuperStroke Traxion Wrap 1/32"

 

The only thing I'm curious about is how the Standard Jumbo grips in my irons would perform given they only weigh 35 grams

 

 

 

 

RH

[hitnfades]

I play the GP MCC+4 standard across all clubs besides my oversized Toulon putter grip and hybrids. The variation I use with the hybrids is the “align” version of the MCC+4 to help me align the face in theory. I am generally looking for a square face with these clubs so this is a safety valve for me.  Using the +4 prevents me from gripping to tight on my lower hand. I tend to grip the club to tight as is. Same idea for my oversized putter grip. Softer hands and less tension throughout my arms/body. When I hold other peoples clubs I can tell the difference if the grip is not a +4. When I get new clubs I change the grips immediately if they are not my preferred grip.  I always have a few grips on hand for new clubs or if they wear out. My wedges and driver grips wear out faster than other clubs for sure. But, I try to only change the grips 1 time a year unless they are just too slippery.  Which, usually turns out to be when it’s hot and humid in our area. 

[cgallery]

Anyone do +4 on the woods and then only 1 or 2 wraps on irons and wedges? 

I know generally people like there wedges to be larger but I am curious

[cavemeister]

I have large hands, but like tour velvet standard that I can hold in my fingers. It gives my body confidence that I can use my wrists in the chain of power. Thick grips limit my hands and unfortunately create tension in my swing...

[Inexorable_Fate]

Lamkin crossline full cord grips in standard .58 on all clubs except the putter. Woods and irons get +3 wraps and wedges get an extra +2 under trail hand. Logos down because I got tired of wondering whether they aligned with the club face. I'm going to be upset if Lamkin decides to discontinue these grips.

 

 

[Pepperturbo]

On 5/23/2022 at 6:56 AM, Vater said:

Do you have the same grips throughout your clubs or is it a mixed bag - especially because you're just playing whatever grip came on your woods/hybrids/wedges?

 

For those who make it consistent - is it consistent all the way across your woods and irons and wedges?

 

Separate question: How much of a difference do standard vs midsize - or like a plus4 - make for you or is it basically all the same to you?

To your first question, no.  I use two different grips, driver and 4wd and 52 & 58 have GP_CP2 PRO +4 and 2-PW have GP_MMC-Align +4.  Whether standard vs. midsize is noticeable depends on the user sense of feel.  To me, they feel different during my swing, reason I stay with Standard.  Standard +4 wraps works nicely with the osteoarthritis in my hands too.

[cgallery]

On 5/31/2022 at 2:17 PM, cgallery said:

Anyone do +4 on the woods and then only 1 or 2 wraps on irons and wedges? 

I know generally people like there wedges to be larger but I am curious

Like I like the MCC +4 on woods but like my Utx on irons and wedges

[Is Golf Fun or Work]

I don't wear a glove, so yes grips are important. 

Yes, all my grips, sans putter, are the same.

Iomic for the win!  I play about 50 rounds a year, and generally get about 3-4 years out of a set.