Golf grips aren't usually the place golfers turn to when looking to improve their game. Most players simply stick to the grip that comes with the club and only get new grips when they buy a new set of golf clubs.
What most golfers don't know is they are leaving strokes on the table by not getting the best grips. Golf grips are the single point of connection between the player and the club, and play a big role in the feel and mechanics of the swing.
If you're looking to easily shave some shots off your game with new grips, this post is for you. This post will cover exactly what you should look for when considering various golf grips, and reveal ten of the best golf grips to improve your game.
The Different Types of Golf Grips
Before jumping in and analyzing various grips on the market, it's essential first to understand what the different types of golf grips available are.
In the section below, we'll cover the various golf grips and their unique advantages and disadvantages.
Corded Grips
Corded golf grips are rough to the touch and contain cord material within the grip to make them sturdy.
One of the biggest pros to corded grips is how well they perform in adverse conditions. Whether it's pouring outside or your hands are just sweaty, you can count on your corded grip to provide you with the extra friction you need to hold on tight to your club.
The main disadvantage to them is how fast they wear away. Due to the rough material, they tend to rub away quicker than non-corded grips. Over time, you may lose the same feeling you had with the corded grip when you first got it. Also, because of how rough it is, it's more likely for you to get blisters with corded grips (especially if you grip the club tightly).
Rubber Grips
Rubber grips are typically the standard ones that come with your clubs when you first buy them. Though they are under the universal title of “rubber” they can be made out of anything from elastomer, to silicon, to plastic.
These grips are usually soft and will prevent blisters much better than corded grips. Also, you're likely to find much greater variety with rubber grips in terms of size, design, and softness.
One disadvantage of rubber grips is that they don't tend to hold up as well as corded grips do in rainy weather. If you tend to get sweaty hands, these will probably slip away from you easier than corded ones.
Wrap Grips
Wrap grips are similar to rubber grips, but just designed in such a way that it looks like the old leather-wrapped design. Functionally, the key difference is that wrapped grips have nice grooves that can help with holding onto the club and increasing tackiness.
These are great for providing lots of comfort and can be a good balance between the soft rubber grips and the corded grips.
The one caveat is that because of how tacky they are, wrapped grips tend to wear out a little faster than rubber grips (and also tend to lose tackiness the longer you play with them).
Mixed / Multi-Compound Grips
Plenty of grips nowadays employ a mix between rubber and corded created an advanced surface texture. Usually the rubber is used for the lower hand (to improve feel) and the cord is used for the upper hand (to increase control is various different weather types).
The multi-compound grips aim to combine the positives of both rubber and cord grips, and for certain players, it does just that.
That being said, be sure to try out this grip on only a few of your golf clubs first before switching your entire set. Some people may find them hard to get used to after playing with single-type grips for a long time.
Golf Grip Sizes and What They Mean
When considering which golf club grip is best for you, you'll want to also be aware of the various sizes and which one you best prefer. There are typically four different kinds of golf grip size: undersize, standard, midsize, and oversize.
Larger grips usually limit wrist action and work to prevent a hook, whereas smaller grips can help to reduce a slice.
If you want to make adjustments to grip size without needing to purchase a new grip, you can also add an extra wrap of tape to your club. The main reason a golfer would choose to do this instead of buy a new grip is if they want to have pressure on specific areas of their hand.
Make sure to try out different sizes before settling on a golf grip size for your set of clubs.
The 10 Best Golf Grips on the Market Today
As mentioned above, the right golf grip can make a world of difference in your game. If you're considering switching your current grips to something else, be sure to check out these ten grips below!
Golf Pride Tour Wrap 2G Standard Grip
Golf Pride grips are known for being some of the best on the market, and these golf club grips are no different.
Unlike a lot of the multi-compound grips produced today, the Golf Pride Tour Wrap 2G is just a one-piece plastic grip. Don't let its simplicity fool you though.
With a modern look and available in various colors, this grip is one of the most used grips for a reason. It features exceptional tackiness with soft material to create a grip that looks like beautiful leather but feels like high-performing rubber.
If these grips are too small for you, you can also get the Tour Wrap Oversize grips to fit onto your clubs.
Winn Dri-Tac 2.0
Coming in four different sizes, the Winn Dri-Tac 2.0 is one of the most popular grips that players choose to switch to.
Winn effectively employs polymer technology to create grips that perform well is all kinds of different weather. Not only that, but the grips are also able to absorb plenty of shock and provide cushioned comfort for less hand fatigue.
The only drawback to the Dri-Tac 2.0 is that it tends to wear out faster than other golf grips. That being said, the amazing feel of the grip far outweighs the fact that you'll need to replace them yearly.
Golf Pride CP2 Pro
With a focus on providing superior comfort and control, the CP2 Pros are yet another popular choice for golf grips.
The main thing players will notice when using this grip is how large the lower part of the grip feels. The CP2 Pro is intentionally designed with the lower hand geometry thicker than normal grips. This encourages even grip pressure and allows you to freely swing through the ball consistently.
The best part: the CP2s are extremely durable. Pair this with its all-weather attributes and you've got yourself a golf grip that will last you ages.
Golf Pride Tour Velvet
If you've ever played golf before, chances are you've used something similar to the Tour Velvet grips.
This golf club grip combines all-weather control, a non-slip pattern, and a rubber-blend compound to create a strong standard which many golf club manufacturers base their designs off of.
If you're looking for a standard golf grip that you absolutely can't go wrong with, definitely check out the Tour Velvets.
Lamkin Sonar Wrap Standard+
Made with a hybrid compound that's softer than most rubbers, the Sonar Wrap is a grip that provides players with excellent control and durability.
The grip is tacky and responsive and employs a wrap-like style to enhance grip. One thing that's special about the Sonar Wrap is that it has a slightly wider lower hand area than regular grips, allowing for a straighter profile and more overall consistency.
You can get this in standard size or as a midsize golf grip.
MCC Plus 4 Swing Grip
The MCC Plus 4 Swing grip is a hybrid-compound grip that features a blend of soft rubber material and brushed cotton cord.
Not only does the material look nice on the grip, but it also provides players with better downswing stability (employing strategically placed Micro Texture).
With all of its unique features and game improvement technology, it's no wonder that the MCC Plus 4 Swing Grip is one of the most popular hybrid grips on tour. If you like this grip, also check out the Golf Pride Decade MultiCompound MCC Plus4 Standard for a more original look.
Golf Pride Tour Velvet 360
Designed specifically for adjustable clubs, this golf club grip sports a modern look while featuring patented tour-preferred plus signs.
It has a consistent pattern all around so that regardless of what position you set your driver/wood/hybrid to, what you see when you set up doesn't change.
Surprisingly, this non-cord grip holds up really well in adverse conditions. Due to its unique design and material, the Velvet 360s actually have some of the best wet traction out of all available grips.
SuperStroke Traxion Tour Club Grip
Known in the golfing world for their unique putter grips, SuperStroke has expanded its domain to swing grips with the Traxion Tour.
The Traxion Tour golf club grip uses a soft, tacky out layer to provide players with comfort, yet also has a firm rubber core for the stability that players need.
Furthermore, SuperStroke uses Spyne Technology to create a small ridge that runs along the underside of the club. This is great for players who have trouble with consistent hand placement and can help them square up the face at impact every time.
Golf Pride CP2 Wrap Grip
The CP2 Wrap grip is one of Golf Pride's softest grip offerings by far.
The exclusive Control Core technology that Golf Pride employs reduces torque and provides enhanced stability throughout the swing. Furthermore, the larger lower hand grip surface simulates what four extra layers of tape would feel like, providing for even grip pressure when you swing your clubs.
The best part is that these grips hold up quite well in wet and humid conditions. The only potential concern is that these golf grips have the potential to wear out faster than other grips (especially if you tend to grip your clubs hard).
Winn Dri-Tac Standard Grips
One of the most classic golf grips in the industry, the Dri-Tac Standard grips are known for being exceptionally comfy, while delivering peak performance.
Not only is the Dri-Tac Standard soft and cushioned but it also provides varied pressure in different parts of the grip to deliver enhanced traction.
These grips are great for seasoned players who swing the club with a lighter grip, but tend to wear out pretty fast for people who hold their clubs tighter.
If you like these but are looking for some larger grips, feel free to check out the Winn Dri-Tac Oversize golf grips (and the Winn Dri-Tac Midsize grip).
Recap: A Guide to Golf Grips
Golf grips are some of the least noticed pieces of golf inventory. When players think about game improvement, the first things that come to mind are typically buying golf clubs and getting golf lessons.
That being said, the right golf grip for your clubs can make a huge difference in your performance on the course. After all, it is the one point of contact between your hands and your swing.
This post has covered some of the key aspects of golf grips that you should pay attention to before making a buy.
On top of that, it has also revealed some of the best golf grips on the market today.
Armed with this information, you can now confidently go out and buy some new golf grips for your clubs. Your playing partners won't know what changed when you start beating them in your matches.
Jeff is a current Harvard student and author of the blog Financial Pupil who is passionate about learning, living, and sharing all things personal finance-related. He has experience working in the financial industry and enjoys the pursuit of financial freedom. Outside of blogging, he loves to cook, read, and golf in his spare time.