Golf Digest Senior Writer Alex Myers is on a year-long mission to see how much he can improve at golf through daily training, practice, and play. Click here to read the rest of his “Late Scratch?” series.
The Hot List is Golf Digest’s most popular issue each year, and for good reason. First, our equipment editors have done a great job of providing this reliable and comprehensive equipment guide. For another, golfers are willing to stick a new shiny toy in their pocket if they think buying something will improve their game.
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But what if I told you that there is an easier and (much) cheaper way to upgrade your equipment, and one that most golfers, myself included, overlook?
(re)gain the grip
That’s right, I’m talking about your grip. You’ve probably heard this PSA before. And maybe you’ve ignored it before. Considering I’ve only regriped a club twice in my life and have been playing golf for nearly 30 years, I’ve typically regripted in the past. According to our equipment experts, I was neglecting this area.
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However, I have vowed to do better this golf season, as I have been diligently pursuing ways to lower my handicap. So when I left for a family vacation, I decided to drop off my clubs at a nearby PGA Tour Superstore. It was hard to say goodbye to the babies, but I decided now was the best time since I wouldn’t be using them for a few days (don’t worry, I was still training and took my old clubs to the range). I selected some replacement grips and left them at the front counter.
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Grips vary in price. Additionally, there is a small installation fee. Or, if you’re handy (I’m obviously not), you can do this process yourself. Well, a few hours later I received an alert that my plane was already ready for takeoff. (Oops, there’s really no excuse not to do this more often.) I went back and picked them up first. Easy peasy.
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When should you regrip your golf club?
According to the aforementioned excellent equipment editors, this should be done once a year, or once every 40 rounds. To be honest, my grip seemed pretty good, but about twice as good in terms of wear and tear. Not to mention the extra exercises I’ve been doing lately.
Additionally, mud, oil, sunscreen, and even sitting in the trunk when it’s extremely hot or cold can have a negative effect on grip and usually make it slippery. Part of me still thought I didn’t need this process, but when I picked up a fresh batch, I could immediately feel the difference. It’s like getting a new set of clubs for a fraction of the price.
Related: Make this small adjustment to flush more putts (yes, putts)
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“Most golfers don’t notice it because it happens so slowly over time,” writes E. Michael Johnson, who describes grips as “tools of the hand,” about grip wear. “This is important to remember because the slightest, invisible slip at contact can be magnified many yards by the time the ball reaches its target.”
It’s like changing your oil every 3,000 to 5,000 miles. You have to trust the experts and do it. But Johnson is surprised at how few golfers regrip their clubs on a regular basis (in case you’re curious, here are seven signs that it’s time to regrip your club). However, don’t count Stephen Curry among the slackers, who famously accomplished this before the 2022 NBA Finals.
My trip didn’t attract much attention, but they also fixed my putter grip during my stay. And, in a move that really puts golfers off, I did the same thing with stacked training clubs. Because after a few years of swinging at home, the black grip was really starting to disintegrate in my hands. Of course, we matched this grip to other clubs for consistency.
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I think Steph would approve.
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Do the new grips really make a difference?
yes! Our equipment editors aren’t just saying you should do this.
“If your grip loses traction, you’ll end up gripping the club harder, which is a big no-no,” Johnson writes. “The traction provided by a new grip allows you to grip the club normally without the subconscious fear of losing the club during the swing. This relaxed state promotes proper swing mechanics and wrist action. A worn grip, on the other hand, causes you to grip the club tighter, creating tension in your arms and wrists that prevents proper swing mechanics and leads to a loss of power and control.”
Related: The one thing speed training is probably missing
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And to help your new grips last longer, Mike Nicolette, a former PGA Tour pro and current senior director of R&D at PXG, suggests cleaning them. Frequently.
“You should clean your grips every two or three rounds,” Nicolette told Golf Digest. “Put the grip in a tub of boiling water, take a small scrub brush, and wipe all around the grip. Use a nice, dry towel to dry it completely and your grip will feel like new. People underestimate how much it affects performance, and you don’t have to worry about the grip getting wet. Tour players just wipe the grip with the wet end of a towel and dry it with a dry end right before the shot.
Johnson also noted that a recent study by Golf Pride showed the new grips could add an average of two yards to a golfer’s carry. This doesn’t seem like a big deal, but as I’ve pointed out before, these small margins add up.
I’ve seen other tests with similar results regarding the use of golf gloves. That’s why I started wearing gloves again a few years ago after going without them for about 15 years. I swear I’m not in the pocket of big gloves or big grips, but like most avid golfers, I’m willing to do and spend what it takes to get better. I would like to start with a small amount of spending.
Related: See all articles on Late Scratch? series
