Your golf grip is the only connection you have with your golf club. With hundreds of grips on the market to choose from, there is a significant variation in performance from one grip to the next. As Golf Pride’s Global Head of Engineering Greg Cavill says, “Golf grips are no longer just a handle on the club.” I spoke with Cavill about the signs that suggest you’re playing the wrong grip and what to do if you are.
Slipping at impact or during transition
If you feel the club twisting in your hands during the downswing or slipping during transition, your grip likely lacks the right tack, size and/or texture. Slipping at impact isn’t just about wear. It’s about matching grip material, size and firmness to your swing.
Tour-level players with higher swing speeds often prefer firmer grips for better control. If you swing fast and play a soft grip, it may be working against you. In addition, your hands may be too big for your current grip. Slipping at impact is a red flag that your grip is too small.
Abnormal grip wear or abrasion
Check your grips. Do you see uneven wear, especially in spots your hands wouldn’t normally contact during a proper swing? That’s a red flag.
According to Cavill, abnormal abrasion is often caused by golfers compensating for a poor fit, twisting, over-gripping or adjusting during setup and throughout the swing. When a grip doesn’t fit your hands properly, you’re more likely to wear it down faster which means replacing it sooner than you should.
