A golf club’s grip is the only contact between the golfer and the club, and they tend to wear over time, making them smooth and likely to slip in the golfer’s hand. It is also possible that the grips that come standard are not suitable for the size of the golfer’s hands. A grip that does not fit correctly can add up to three strokes per round to the overall score.
Like smooth, worn, and unsuitable tires, a problematic grip will impact the clubs’ performance.
A golfer’s hands come into contact with a variety of conditions and oils out on the course. Sunscreen is added for protection, the golf ball is picked up out of rough areas, and sweat makes the hands wet. This build-up of dirt may sometimes give the impression that the grips are worn.
A good wipe-down with some soapy water and a thorough crying would restore the tackiness required for maximum grip and efficiency.
Should the cleaning process not restore the tackiness, it is time to replace the grip.
Wear and tear due to a weak grip that allows too much movement of the grip during the swing can cause damage to the grip necessitating a replacement.
The process on how to regrip golf clubs is not extremely difficult, and many golfers have successfully executed it at home.
How To Regrip Golf Clubs
Factors to Consider in Selecting the Right Grip
Grip Size
Grips that are too small for your hands tend to exaggerate the movement and rotation, often resulting in a pulled shot. To overcome this problem, many golfers tend to grip the club too tightly to reduce
unnecessary movement and rotation.
On the opposite side of the spectrum, a too-large grip will lead to a weak grip that limits writs movement and tend to result in a push.
A visit to the local club fitter will generate loads of benefits in selecting the right size and construction to benefit the golfer’s overall game.
There are two main ways to measure the grip thickness require.
In determining the right size, it is essential to understand how the hand size is measured.
The length of the hand is measured from the crease of the wrist to the top end of the longest finger.
Once the size is determined, it can be placed into one of four sizes in which grips are available as below.
- Undersize / Junior grips are suitable for measurements below seven inches or golfers that wear Small gloves.
- Standard grip is ideal for measurements between seven inches and 8 ¾ inches or golfers that wear Medium to Large gloves.
- The midsize grip is suitable for measurements between 8 ¼ and 9 ¼ inches or golfers wearing large gloves.
- Oversize / Jumbo grips are suitable for hands exceeding 9 ¼ inches or golfers that wear Extra-Large gloves.
Increasing the grip’s circumference can be done by simply adding more tape layers until the correct size is achieved.
The alternative is a less scientific way based on feel. After all, it is the feel of the grip in the hand that determines the comfort zone of the golfer.
Wrapping a hand around a grip leads to the middle and ring finger touching the palm of the same hand.
On a suitable-sized grip, the top of the middle and ring fingers will lightly touch the palm. A grip that is too thick will leave a little space between the fingers and the palm, while a grip that is too thin will allow the fingers to dig into the palm.
Texture
The texture is the feel, appearance, or consistency of the surface of a grip. This enables a golfer to select the texture that feels most comfortable to their circumstances. Using a glove could impact the decision of texture as it provides a different feel.
The texture of the grip can vary somewhere between a coarse feel and a smooth feel. A coarse texture provides more grip and traction in the hand for a secure feel, while a smooth grip tends to be tackier to create a feeling of the grip sticking to the hand.
Ultimately the best grip for a golfer is the one that provides the best combination of feel, comfort, and assuredness that it will not slip from their grip.
Firmness
Faster swing speed requires firmer grips to enable the golfer to exercise control over the shot.
Professional Tour players favor firmer grips as it allows them to apply light pressure while experiencing superior stability.
Comfort Grips are ideal for golfers with slower swing speed or lack hand strength. These grips tend to feel tackier but lack the stability and control provided by firm grips.
Soft grips tend to provide a comfortable feel. Generally, they lead to golfers applying excessive pressure on the grip leading to too much torque with a high swing speed while reducing stability in a grip.
Golfers with low swing speed that lack hand strength prefer the tackiness provided by softer grips.
Alignment
For consistency lining the ball up, correctly, many grips come standard with some sort of alignment aid.
This comes in the form of some markings and even the brand name that is positioned in the middle of the perfect clubhead placement. Consistency in hand placement and shot pattern is possible as a result of the alignment markers.
Some grip manufacturers place a ribbed portion running along the length of the grip to enable the golfer to feel the correct hand placement. However, this makes precision crucial when replacing the grip of your clubs. Any misalignment will cause incorrect alignment.
Having ribbed grips on the wedges will create an uneasy feeling when opening the club for feel shots around the green.
Weather Conditions
The weather conditions that prevail in the area play a significant role in the selection of a grip.
Coarse grips or corded fabric grips are the most suitable for wet and humid weather conditions. It adds traction and reduces the amount of movement in the hands, and prevents the club from slipping from the hands.
Plastic and polymer grips tend to lose traction and get slippery in the rain. This may necessitate the occasional application of a tack spray on smooth plastic and polymer grips.
Types of Golf Grips
The availability of a wide selection of natural and synthetic materials enables manufacturers to produce grips for nearly every situation and golfer. It offers an equilibrium between feel, tackiness, and vibration damping.
Wrapped
Traditional genuine leather-wrapped grips were manufactured by wrapping strips of leather around the
club’s shaft and remaining a favorite with golfers. It is now possible to mold synthetic materials to provide the look of a wrapped design. The synthetic materials are more consistent in various weather conditions thus less affected by temperature and humidity.
Rubber
Most brands use rubber grips as standard on their off-the-shelf packages. This is mainly due to the cost-saving that they can realize.
Although rubber grips offer the grip stability required in good weather conditions, they tend to become slippery in wet and humid conditions.
Corded
Corded grips are generally manufactured from coarse corded materials ideal for wet and humid conditions. The moisture diffusion into every nook and cranny between the cords promotes additional grip when required most.
Fast swinging golfers generally prefer corded grips as a result of the additional grip during the swing. Friction provides grip and not a tacky feel as is expected on smoother grips.
Hybrid
Hybrid grips offer a combination of corded and non-corded surfaces. Normally, the upper hand’s surface contains a corded grip for improved grip and the bottom half of the grips consists of a rubberized grip offering more feel on long and short irons.
Regripping Golf Clubs
The process of regripping a golf club could take some practice and result in a loss of some grips until the process has been mastered.
Once the process is mastered, it is a relatively straightforward process that can be completed in a few minutes.
There is a multitude of videos on YouTube that will explain the intricacies that may be experienced during the full process.
Tools Required
-
- Rubber vise clamps
- Utility knife / straight blade
- Rubber gloves
- Deactivating solvent
- Clean cloth
- Two-sided grip tape available in ¾ inch or 2 inches.
Secure the Shaft
It is possible to regrip a golf club without clamping it in a rubber vise, but the risk of the club rotating is quite high thus resulting in rework. Any movement during the cutting process can cause the blade to slip and cut into the shaft. This is something to be avoided, especially on graphite shafts. A hook blade is
recommended for cutting the old grip off a graphite shaft.
The use of rubber gloves is recommended to protect against solvent burns or cuts.
No-Vise Method
Regripping a club without using a vise requires the club to be wedged securely between the handler’s feet and the ground. The club needs to remain steady in this position throughout the process. Excess downward force must be avoided to prevent the shaft from bending or snapping.
Vise Method
Clamping the shaft in a rubber vise is the preferred method as it leans stability to the process and reduces any possibility of shaft movement. This will offer more leverage to push the grip onto the shaft until it is seated properly by removing any space between the top of the shaft and the butt-end of the grip.
Remove Old Grips
Start the cutting process of the old grip from the bottom end of the grip, keeping the cutting edge moving upwards and away from the installer’s body. Although it is possible to peel the grip off before reaching the butt end, the removal becomes much simpler when the grip is cut to the butt end.
Take extreme care not to cut into the shaft when changing a grip on a graphite shaft. A utility knife with a hook blade is the best option to use on graphite shafts.
Remove Tape
Once the grip has been removed, the underlying tape must be removed to ensure that the rest of the process is completed on a glue-free shaft with no remnants of the old grip.
The tape can be removed by pulling it off and then removing the persistent pieces with the cutting knife by scraping it against the shaft. Using the heat from a heat gun or a hairdryer will reduce the grip of the old glue thud, making it easier to remove the tape.
With the old grip and tape removed, it’s time to remove the residual residue by wiping the shaft down with the solvent and a clean cloth.
Apply the New Tape
Before applying the new tape to the shaft, it is highly recommended to measure and cut the length of tape required. Ensure that extra tape is allowed to be pushed into the top of the shaft.
Pull back the protective tape from the two-sided tape and carefully align it on the shaft. Start at the bottom end of the grip and carefully wrap it around the shaft, leaving the extra length sticking out at the top end of the shaft. Push the portion of tape sticking out on the top into the shaft.
To build a thicker grip, additional layers of tape can be added in the areas required.
Apply Solvent
Distribute the solvent evenly across the new grip’s interior surface by plugging the hole on the butt end. A golfing tee is near perfect for this purpose.
Turn the grip upside down with the bottom end of the grip facing upwards till it with the solvent. Place a finger over the open end and shake to ensure that the solvent is distributed to the new grip’s interior surfaces.
Pour the remaining solvent over the two-sided tape on the shaft until it is well soaked.
Once satisfied that all surfaces have sufficient solvent, drain the solvent into a tray for further use.
Applying the New Grip
At this stage, the grip is ready to be placed onto the shaft. Position the new grip, ensuring that the alignment markings, or ribbed cord, is in a perfect position.
Push the new grip down on the shaft while it is still wet until the grip’s back end touches the top of the shaft. To ensure that it is correct, bounce the back end of the shaft on the ground lightly to push it all the way.
Approximately one minute remains for the final adjustment of the alignment before the glue settles.
Allow several hours for the new grip to settle and the glue to before trying it out.
Alternative Liquids That Can Be Used
It is quite possible to replace traditional grip solvents with soapy water while the process remains the
same. However, the soapy water’s waiting time to dry before the club can be used is 24 hours rather than 2 hours required with solvents.
Using Air to Replace The Grip
Liquids can be eliminated from the process by using compressed air to separate the grip from the shaft.
The air is pushed in through the hole in the back of the grip until sufficient pressure is built up and expands the grip leaving enough space to remove the grip from the shaft.
FAQ
How much does it cost to Regrip golf clubs?
Regripping clubs at a club-fitter can cost between $75 and $130 depending on the quality and material used.
Although it may cost between $2 and $4 each to purchase the grips without fitting, a saving of between $30 and $60 can be realized by self-fitment.
Types of solvents that can be used to replace a grip on golf clubs?
The most frequently used solvent is mineral spirits through water can be used as well. The drying time varies between a mineral spirit-based solvent and a water-based solution.
Can you remove a golf grip and reuse it?
Good quality grips can be reused if it is in good condition. However, this requires a non-destructive option during the removal process. The use of air was discussed earlier as a way of removing a grip without cutting it.
Bottom Line
Grips are a significant component in the swing process, and any defect in a grip can cause shots to go offline or create difficulties.
The best way to avoid grips’ replacement is by keeping them clean and giving them an occasional wipe-down. Lightly colored grips are more likely to highlight dirt than darker grips bringing attention to the maintenance requirements.
Although the process to replace a grip on a club seems relatively simple and straightforward, the first few attempts could be disastrous and require rework. As the experience grows, so will the ability, confidence, and workmanship.
Follow the steps carefully and advise in our column section below whether it was a simple yet effective way to replace grips.
