How to ensure putter grip gets properly installed

[mjo23]

Last time i got a new grip installed at my local golf galaxy, it took me a couple weeks to realize it wasn’t aligned properly. Is there anyway to ensure the tech installs the grip properly aligned? I know this can be done using a level device, but it seems like most techs just eye-ball it. Do I just need to ask them to use a level, or is that not a thing?

[DYOS4]

Just be there and ask them to use a little more solvent so you have time to adjust it to exactly how you want it. 

[Socrates]

5 minutes ago, DYOS4 said:

Just be there and ask them to use a little more solvent so you have time to adjust it to exactly how you want it. 

This^^   I like to have the customer there when I do it.  I can put it on square, but the user might not like it that way or sees it differently so I ask them to put it down and I can adjust it to suit. Most people don't have a clue so I make every effort that is not only is square, but looks square when I put it down.

[mjo23]

27 minutes ago, DYOS4 said:

Just be there and ask them to use a little more solvent so you have time to adjust it to exactly how you want it. 

@Socrates So is using a level generally not a thing and considered overkill? I feel like it would only take an extra 30 seconds or so, and guarantees perfect alignment. Maybe i’m just a bit OCD about this stuff haha

Edited December 7, 2022 by mjo23

[Socrates]

44 minutes ago, mjo23 said:

@Socrates So is using a level generally not a thing and considered overkill? I feel like it would only take an extra 30 seconds or so, and guarantees perfect alignment. Maybe i’m just a bit OCD about this stuff haha

Many grips don’t have a flat enough area to really get a reading.  It’s not really that hard to get it square to the face of the putter by eye.  The trick for some of the thinner grips is to get the square for the entire length as there can be a slight twist.  Your eye is exceptionally accurate.  

Edited December 7, 2022 by Socrates

[SE Gamer]

Do you have an air compressor? If so, blow it on yourself. With this route you can make adjustments until your heart's content.

[Gohigh]

Do it yourself. It literally requires nothing but a roll of grip tape, and some solution.

 

Not everyone aligns their grips perfectly down the middle with flat side of the putter running parallel to the target.

 

Ive tried every possible solution including laser, rulers, etc, but the only consistent and true way is to use your eyes.

 

Regardless of method you use to do it, its STILL going to come down to your eyes anyway to check whether it was done correctly or not.

 

The problem was discovered with your eyes, not with some advanced measuring device.

 

My trick is my bathroom with white square 1x1 tiles, with bright lights, and I make sure I drench the inside of a grip and tape with plenty of solution to keep it from setting for at least 5-10 min. I do it as perfectly as I can get it, and then walk away for like 5min, come back and see if it still looks good and make any small adjustments then.

[mjo23]

1 hour ago, Gohigh said:

Do it yourself. It literally requires nothing but a roll of grip tape, and some solution.

 

Not everyone aligns their grips perfectly down the middle with flat side of the putter running parallel to the target.

 

Ive tried every possible solution including laser, rulers, etc, but the only consistent and true way is to use your eyes.

 

Regardless of method you use to do it, its STILL going to come down to your eyes anyway to check whether it was done correctly or not.

 

The problem was discovered with your eyes, not with some advanced measuring device.

 

My trick is my bathroom with white square 1x1 tiles, with bright lights, and I make sure I drench the inside of a grip and tape with plenty of solution to keep it from setting for at least 5-10 min. I do it as perfectly as I can get it, and then walk away for like 5min, come back and see if it still looks good and make any small adjustments then.

A sturdy work bench, with the club mount, and a small level device to ensure that the putter head is vertical, and then to ensure that the flat part of the grip is perpendicular with the face. @Socrates I assumed most putter grips are still flat in areas, at least flat enough but maybe not. I’d still think it would help knowing if the putter head is exactly vertical. I guess I must’ve had just an irregularly poor experience

Edited December 7, 2022 by mjo23

[Socrates]

One thing I will mention is that perfectly square does not always make the putter square at impact.  When I put on a grip for myself, I always make sure that it not only is square when my grip pressure is light, but when it gets a little tighter (you know, when you are a little tense).  I repeat several times to make sure the face doesn't move as I increase the pressure on my grip.   I find that I like the grip to be just a hair open.  One less thing to worry about while putting. I grip it lightly and then tighter. 

[bekgolf]

46 minutes ago, mjo23 said:

A sturdy work bench, with the club mount, and a small level device to ensure that the putter head is vertical, and then to ensure that the flat part of the grip is perpendicular with the face (most putter grips are still flat in areas, at least flat enough). A quality bench and club mount are pretty expensive tools, and are readily available to techs. I still think this is a simple technique that should almost guarantee perfect alignment, unless i’m not understanding something

 

I know that’s not how everyone likes their grip aligned, but that should be the standard unless requested otherwise

 

FWIW the human eye can discern angles to 1/2 minute.  1/2 minute of angle is 1/120th of a degree.  A calibrated machinists level could do better provided the entire flat surface of the grip is perfectly flat and the putter head had a perfectly flat surface to reference.

 

If you look it up many sources will state the human eye can only tell one minute of angle but that's not what I was taught.  Even at one minute it's 1/60 of a degree. 

 

Trust your eyes.  After all they initially told you the grip was misaligned 🙂

[bluedot]

I’ve changed my own grips, including putter grips, for many, many years because I assume that nobody else is going to be as careful as I am.  

[UnderPar18]

https://www.golfworks.com/the-golfworks-quick-shaft-clamp/p/gw0051/

 

Invest in one of these and do it yourself. Nothing worse than getting someone who doesn't do a good job OR you just have different preference to how it is installed. I have done my own grips for years and it saves time, money, and aggravation.

[DYOS4]

If you are getting a SuperStroke, once you figure out which one you want, take it out of the packaging and check it out for straightness. They get crooked in shipping and sitting awkwardly in the bins. It will make it easier to align once it's on the putter. Please don't be that guy and take 10 grips out and throw them all over the place. 

[coreyhr]

Been said multiple times, but just start doing it yourself. It's so easy to do. You'll start with that like I did and next thing you know you'll be adjusting loft/lie on putters and using hotmelt to swing weight your clubs out in your garage while your wife badgers you about why you're constantly "tinkering" on your golf clubs. 

[Socrates]

1 hour ago, bluedot said:

I’ve changed my own grips, including putter grips, for many, many years because I assume that nobody else is going to be as careful as I am.  

Correct.  Some people that work in golf shops have no talent for it and shouldn't be allowed to do repairs of any kind.

[bluedot]

34 minutes ago, Socrates said:

Correct.  Some people that work in golf shops have no talent for it and shouldn't be allowed to do repairs of any kind.

Or they’re hurrying to finish before lunch or the end of the day.  Or they are having a conversation with another employee. Or they are on the phone. Or they are having a bad day. Or they are still learning.  Or whatever…

 

If regripping clubs was difficult or time consuming or took a lot of specialized, expensive equipment, it might be different.  But none of that is true of grips, and it’s not like you have to do it especially often anyway. 
 

Putter grips, because of the flat top, are marginally more “difficult” to line up properly, but that difficulty is the exact reason I want to do it myself.

[JCAG]

15 hours ago, Socrates said:

One thing I will mention is that perfectly square does not always make the putter square at impact.  When I put on a grip for myself, I always make sure that it not only is square when my grip pressure is light, but when it gets a little tighter (you know, when you are a little tense).  I repeat several times to make sure the face doesn't move as I increase the pressure on my grip.   I find that I like the grip to be just a hair open.  One less thing to worry about while putting. I grip it lightly and then tighter. 

I agree. Level does not mean the best position as a putter grip will sit different due to their shape. The grip needs to sit comfortably/naturally in the hands when the putter face is square..

Edited December 7, 2022 by JCAG