Is the "oversized putter grip" fad over?

[5hort5tuff]

Hate the way they look and feel. I've tried them all, but it usually ends up lasting a single round before I take it off. 

[Sean124]

I think the oversized grips followed the trend of heavier putter heads, which is more prevalent than ever with all this Jailbird/counterbalance stuff.

 

I used SS Tour 2.0 for years. It turns out I only liked them because I was using 360-375 gram heads. I’ve gone back to the old 330 gram heads and guess what, the old Pistolero feels perfect. 
 

[BHI 99]

2 minutes ago, Sean124 said:

I used SS Tour 2.0 for years. It turns out I only liked them because I was using 360-375 gram heads. I’ve gone back to the old 330 gram heads and guess what, the old Pistolero feels perfect. 

Agree 100%
 

I was messing with my old Anser 2 this morning (that has a PP58 and always will) and it still feels perfect. That grip on a heavy head is a no go. 

[ae1985]

Never will use a regular sized grip again.

[Itsjustagame]

On 9/15/2023 at 8:06 AM, BHI 99 said:

Definitely agree there. Pleated pants and baggy shirts were a fad. These grips are an innovation. 

If you are over 65 you might be using all three.

[ALX]

I've noticed the huge grips have declined a bit but the less drastic "oversize" will always be a thing. Even if not being used as an "oversized", it will always be an option for someone with larger hands to act as a more comfortable standard size.

[callawayjay]

On 9/15/2023 at 11:35 AM, philly2kuk said:

Same. My long putts I lost all feel and my short putts I got worse on. Plus they seemed to wear out quicker than any normal grip I’ve had.

I’ve never ever got along with SS grips. The wet paper towel is a great analogy. I’m glad they help a lot people. But I’m not one of those. 

[bcjim]

On 9/14/2023 at 11:42 PM, tatertot said:

Man, I hope not. Counterbalanced putters with an extralong SuperStroke 2.0 has done wonders for my putting ... Like night and day difference.

I don't get it honestly.  These putters fell like what mine would feel like if I grabbed the head and hit the ball with the grip.

 

I do like the graphite but with a normal putter grip and a heavy head. 

[BHI 99]

7 hours ago, bcjim said:

I don't get it honestly.  These putters fell like what mine would feel like if I grabbed the head and hit the ball with the grip.

 

I do like the graphite but with a normal putter grip and a heavy head. 

A regular SS 2.0 is only 55g, same weight as a PP58. Maybe a gram or two lighter. The head certainly feels lighter, but the swingweight stays the same. The amount of “hands to grip” contact is much more with the SS. Hands are certainly more relaxed and wrists are sort of muted in my experience.
 

I’ve gone to heavier weights in the head and adding 50g to the grip to balance it out. Overall weight is certainly heavier, swing weight about the same, but the extra weight at my hands makes for a really smooth take away. My pace is the same as with a thinner grip, but everything feels more stable/smooth.  
 

There’s no right answer, but I think it’s one of those things you have to try and see what you like. 

[NRJyzr]

On 9/15/2023 at 8:56 AM, TheDominator273 said:

Grip shape has a pretty big effect on things, this article is great about putter grip choices.  https://ping.com/en-us/blogs/proving-grounds/pistol-grips

 

On 9/15/2023 at 10:10 AM, BHI 99 said:

Check out that Ping article above, it’s interesting. 

 

I've got a moderate to strong arc in my putting stroke.   Seem to putt better with 8802-a-likes and other larger toe hang putters.  Use a number of pistol grips on most everything.

 

Interestingly, the putter that gives me the best results is a Golden Ram 8802 style, but with a paddle grip.  Along the lines of that blog piece, I seem to have a bit more left tendency with heel shafted sticks and pistol grips.  The pistol grips work nicely with Anser styles I own.  May explore this a bit more.

 

Now, speaking to the thread topic....

 

My wife had been using a leather pistol grip on her Zing analog.  One of my friends uses a Winn 1.32, she tried his putter, liked the grip.  We went grip shopping, she ultimately decided on a SuperStroke 5.0.  Now after a couple months, still really likes it.  

 

[jarediogolf]

On 9/15/2023 at 12:00 AM, MattM97 said:

Like the old 5.0 yeah that's way gone but there will still be oversized grips being used.

 

But the one issue I find myself is the difference in size and shape are just too contrasting so have to compromise somewhere. 

 

Oh no! I bought a used putter that came with a Fatso 5.0 and I’ve come to love that grip. I was thinking about buying a backup. 

[MattM97]

3 minutes ago, jarediogolf said:

Oh no! I bought a used putter that came with a Fatso 5.0 and I’ve come to love that grip. I was thinking about buying a backup. 

 

They still make the Tour 5.0, if you really like the old Fatso then eBay.

[hagimihale]

On 9/15/2023 at 9:12 AM, GolfGuitarsCars said:

It was time to replace the small Matador on my Scotty Cameron.  I wanted to try a Midsize.  I went through four grips in four weeks.  I settled on a Super Stroke Tour 2.0.  I one putted four greens in nine holes Tuesday.  I might stock up in case they decide to discontinue it.

 

@GolfGuitarsCars, wondering what your longer-term experience is, going from Matador to Tour 2.0.     I finally had to replace my Matador, it was falling apart.  Settled on a 2.0 but wondering if I went too large, as I've lost some feel for the putterhead.  I should have measured the swingweight before I made the change, kicking myself for not doing so.    

 

 

[GolfGuitarsCars]

1 hour ago, hagimihale said:

 

@GolfGuitarsCars, wondering what your longer-term experience is, going from Matador to Tour 2.0.     I finally had to replace my Matador, it was falling apart.  Settled on a 2.0 but wondering if I went too large, as I've lost some feel for the putterhead.  I should have measured the swingweight before I made the change, kicking myself for not doing so.    

 

 

I like it so much I put one on my back up Bettinardi.  The 2.0 is one of the lighter SS grips and that’s important to me.  Both putters are 340 grams and I didn’t want to lose any swngweight.

Edited January 16 by GolfGuitarsCars

[BHI 99]

I went off the deep end and put a 17” SS 3.0 on an Odyssey 7. Never say never, that’s an interesting gig right there. 

[LeftyMatt24]

On 9/16/2023 at 9:43 AM, Sean124 said:

I think the oversized grips followed the trend of heavier putter heads, which is more prevalent than ever with all this Jailbird/counterbalance stuff.

 

I used SS Tour 2.0 for years. It turns out I only liked them because I was using 360-375 gram heads. I’ve gone back to the old 330 gram heads and guess what, the old Pistolero feels perfect. 
 

I have the same set up in my office. The ruler and all. I have done experimenting with both sizes and find I hit better feel putts (big benders or down hill) better with a pistol style. I find short putts easier with a super stroke. I usually use the ruler as the measurement for 10 putts with both to see which one I do better with. 

[Puttersaurus Rex]

Different horses for different courses.  
 

I prefer rubber pistol grips over the thicker grips, but it is in the back of my mind that I may try and like a thick grip on a different putter.  I don’t like them, but I may find one that works down the road.

 

A lot of thick grips being played in the LGPA Celebrity tournament and other tours this weekend.  It isn’t a fad.

[BHI 99]

9 minutes ago, Puttersaurus Rex said:

 It isn’t a fad.

 

Yep. 
All you have to do is dig through the WITB pages and it’s pretty clear. 

[akronswitness]

It all depends on preference. I think they blew up years ago when they were first released and since we live in a copy cat culture a lot of golfers switched because it was the popular thing to do. However, now that people have used them they can make a informed decision about what their actual preference is. 

 

Personally, I used one and hated it. The putters balance felt off and it played with my muscle memory too much. That might have all been placebo effect but I'm used to Ping blade putters and those IMO work much better for my taste with a pistol grip. Would be interesting to see if oversized putter grips tend to play better with mallet style putter though.

 

 

Edited January 22 by akronswitness

[Barnacle]

I’ve got 4 putters and half are super stroke half are regular. I like the feel of standard grips but I do find keeping a consistent stroke with a super stroke is a bit easier. 

[GG43]

30 minutes ago, Barnacle said:

I’ve got 4 putters and half are super stroke half are regular. I like the feel of standard grips but I do find keeping a consistent stroke with a super stroke is a bit easier. 

This makes a lot of sense to me. 

 

As an aside, I recently switched from a SuperStroke Pistol GT 2.0 to a Tour 2.0 and I feel so much more comfortable.  There is no right answer for putter grips other than each individual finding the right one for themselves.  For those fairly new to the game (like me), I do encourage everyone to go through the effort of trying to find the "right" grip and not settling on what happens to be on their putter.  If you can spend less than $100 to improve your game in an area that comprises so many shots during a round, it makes all the sense in the world

Edited January 25 by GG43

[BHI 99]

It’s so funny to read my old posts as I’m constantly messing with grips, just using an air compressor to install them. 
 

Todays grip: Win-Dri Tac Midsize

 

🤣

[A.Princey]

My favorite is the Signature Leather Tour GripMaster pencil grip. 

[I_heart_birdies]

Oversized Pure grips. Perfect weight, size, and most importantly.....feel. RIP

[zrheisler22]

I’ve tried to and want to like an oversized grip, but just can’t. Have messed around with the Pistol Tour, 1.0, and 2.0 but just can never seem to find a comfortable way to grip the putter. Always come back to the Lamkin Deep Etched with 2 extra layers of tape

[GG43]

16 minutes ago, zrheisler22 said:

I’ve tried to and want to like an oversized grip, but just can’t. Have messed around with the Pistol Tour, 1.0, and 2.0 but just can never seem to find a comfortable way to grip the putter. Always come back to the Lamkin Deep Etched with 2 extra layers of tape

And now you can have peace of mind and confidence in your set up. 

 

What's amazing to me is the myriad of different options in putters - head shape, length, size of grip, type of grip (claw, lead hand low, etc, etc).  Shocking that Wyndham Clark was trying out nine different putters before his Pebble Beach win.  Granted it's his job to find the right formula for him but at this point you'd think he'd have it somewhat figured out.  I just bought an AI-One 7S (and like it) and now I'm wondering about the 7CH because I sunk a few putts with it at a PGA Tour store.  Golf is a strange game. 

Edited February 9 by GG43