Club Fitting Series w/ Doc Griffin: Grips

Robert 
I have a range finder I think it would be hard to pick up the ball on the ground from the tee box. It may hit the ground before the ball etc. I have to watch when shooting the flag sometimes from a distance if there are trees around it will pickup on the tinniest branches and  throw it off. You may try to go to your ball and see if you laser it back to the tee box and one of the markers. 

I also prefer Chamois grips, for many of the same reasons. Though I do recommend people change them more often than mine (still the original grips from when the clubs were built, in remarkably good shape considering that was 20 years ago). Just waiting for Golfsmith to send me replacements and Robert M will be kind enough to swap them out for me.

You are the best Doc!!!  Have enjoyed all of your club fitting videos. This one on the grip was excellent but I am disappointed you did not address what happens with grip size and swing weight??? 

Doc, great video solved a lot of misconceptions I had. From now all I need to know
is CFE, COMFORT, FEEL, ENGAGEMENT.

If you've been following the series then you know I fit to MOI.  So, when you take all the combined parts (head, grip, and shaft) they sum total of these parts should produce the desired MOI.  So, what each weighs plays a part but the sum is more important than the individual.

Surge Nation,
Here's a link to a Trahan treasure in case anyone would like to own this classic.
http://www.amazon.com/Golf-Pla...

I bought some jumbo grips on line a couple of years ago & when they turned up, they were massive. The 13 grips weighed 3 1/4 bls & the butt was 3 1/4 inches in circumference. As I have big hands they felt ok, about eastwing size, like I'm used to, so I got them put on. I felt I lost club head feel because of the weight & when cleaning my wifes clubs one time , I held her club at my normal address & rotated my wrists back & forth as you would in a swing .I noticed the amount of movement in the toe of the club & then tried it with mine. There was heaps more movement in the club head due to the circumference of the grips & felt that would make more margin for error & replaced them with golf pride jumbo , that are smaller. I would consider going to a mid size grip in future , but not bigger. I have to grip too tight on normal grips, especially in summer with sweaty hands, so wont go there, but do have some extra large jumbos going cheap

I'm assuming that you mean Golf Pride Tour Wrap or Tour Velvet as I'm not familiar with a grip by the name given. They want to sell the larger more expensive grip.

 I checked the distances on the greens and flags on the driving ranges in China. They were not as the signs said. I found it helpful. On the course TM and folks, you could always have your 'caddy' ball hound or wife stand by the ball, then you could scope her ; - )
Seems like MikefromKy would be the expert on that hahahaha. PMGAS

Let's get this out of the way, so maybe posters who follow can decide it's been covered: 

OMG DOC SOUNDS LIKE HE'S DOWN A WELL! SOMEBODY TELL LASSIE TO GO FOR HELP!

Ahem. 

If you had trouble hearing Doc, he said buy the grips that make you feel comfortable and don't worry about what people say about the size of the grip affecting your swing because it's baloney.

It would be almost an impossible task to do with a laser.  

It would be almost impossible to get a very accurate reading doing it this way.

Though I am very careful and am getting quite profecient at changing out grips, some are a little more sensitive to the air pressure and take special care. The Winn W7 wrap style is a comfortable grip that I used for a couple of years but several of them tended to comes apart when I switch a while back. They are good for those with arthritus and such. Funny, an example of how the size is really about feel, when I recently switched (back)to the Jumbo Max I put the grips I took off (the Golf Pride Jumbo Wraps) on my wifes clubs because she perfered a larger grip and liked those. She has really been playing better since the change so what one might think would be a grip for men actually suits her better. I can't imagine ever going back to a standard normal size grip again now for myself.
 I have had no problem with slipage and I have had fun doing it myself. I never need to drop my clubs off and I can try a big variety of grips. Of course there is the initial investment in the air compressor and attachment and it takes some practice. Either way, it is not that expensive to change out your grips and all should get it done at least what every two years or less depending on how often they play and the condition of there grips presently.

I bought my range finder originally for the range to shoot the flags or yardage signs but use it on the course also along with my GPS they seem to be with in a yard or two of each other close enough for the girls I dance with and every once in a while the gps will be off on a course and the range finder comes in handy. At the range the remarked there yardages from the center of the range and if you are off to either side of center the yardages change from center to either end as much as 10 yards. If I had a do over I would not buy the gps and take the range finder mine has two modes 1 measuring to the pin and you can change the setting and measure to bunkers and the first setting you can measure to trees or any object if need be.

The benefit of the range finder at my home course there is a big walking,Running trail that runs around 80% of the course that you can keep a eye on the honeys out running. LOL

Thanks Mike. I'm really starting to realise that it is not useful to have the laser for determining how far we hit each club. My GPS actually would do a better job. I did find a handy "radar" endorsed by Vijay Singh that would do a far job.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v...

I guess I miss uderstood in thinking the laser would be the ultimate for determining all averages. Of course I know pretty much how far I hit each club already but was hoping for more accurate way short of and opti shot or buying my own doppler radar or barrowing a fitters flight scope.

Any other ideas guys and gals??

 Thanks Doc and Robert F, a time limit on golf? My wife would not mind in the least. Oh! the agony hahaha. Will be off line for a few days. Enjoy your golf in my absence DH

I think he was just focused on how, in the course of fitting a player, Doc figures out what grip is best for them. If you're looking at changing out your own grips and what it might do to the dynamics of the club, it wouldn't just be a matter of the size of the grip, but also the composition. Some materials are more dense, and so they're heavier even at smaller sizes, etc. That would be for a series on club modification, rather than on fitting. :)

Even trackman does not track the ball all the way to the end of the flight.  The vector doesn't even track the ball past the first few inches of flight.  This means that they all are using their own algorithmic expressions to approximate distance. The one VJ uses is approximating distance as well. The most reliable method for getting distance is a GPS system.  This is what the PGA Tour uses to get distances as well.

Granted, some balls spin more than others but the lower spin balls will not produce an appreciable difference where you could tell it. The Bridgestone e6 is a less side spin ball however it will still hook or slice.  I'd work on the swing.

The USGA recently posted and highlighted a series of videos specifically on water hazards and how to determine what to do:
http://www.usga-rules.com/Rule...

Depends on where the ball last crossed the line of the hazard and what type of hazard it is.

I can also recommend the book. I purchased a well kept used copy for about $4.00 a couple years back. The copy right date on mine is 1986. This is the early days of Don's eventual progression to the PPGS of today.

RF:  Funny stuff LOL,LOL!!  Thanks for taking care of business :-)  R2

Thanks T .  I will definitly get some Chamois for my next grip change. My current grips have plenty of life in them, but I will start shopping around incase I find some on sale some where

Excellent comments Doc. I agree 100% that what matters most is what "feels" best and is over all comfortable for us. I am in agreat position now as i can change out and try a variety of grips only limited by $$, though I seldom let that hold me back. The reason it's easy is I now change 'em out with an air compressor now and use no glue or tape. I never have to cut or waste good grips either unless they're worn out.
On that note, if you haven't changed your grips in a while, why not?? It's so much better with fresh grips and good clean gloves. Even if you never get fit there is no excuse not to get new grips when needed. You'll be glad you did, especially now as there are soooo many choices.

Thanks R2

The grip size is located just inside the small end of the grip.

Doc,  I was told at one of our PGA Superstores when buying some Tour Pride Grips, not to double tape, that the factory didn't recommend it. Instead purchase a larger grip that felt good. What is your take on this?

RM:  See my response to your post on yesterday's blog:  Hope it helps. R2

Be sure to check shipping costs from various outlets as well, as that can make what appears to be a good deal actually more expensive. Also be sure to check avongrips.com for a base price on them to compare any offers.