When Should You Replace Your Old Grips?

Sun, 07/27/2014 - 12:00 -- Don Trahan

PPGS Certified Fitter, Frank Stranick was kind enough to shoot some videos on club fitting while I'm recovering from surgery. Frank is very knowledgable about all things related to custom golf clubs. One of the great things about swingsurgeon.com is that we have such a strong core of instructors and fitters, all certified under the PPGS banner. Many of you have seen Doc Griffin on the blog over the years, and Frank is another fine example of the wonderful community of professionals that are available to you.

Today, Frank is going to talk about grips and why they are the most overlooked part of a golfer's equipment. He'll provide you with some key information that will serve you well as you look for your next set of grips. He'll also explain how you can tell when it's time to get a new set of grips and what information you will need in order to get ones that fit correctly!

Keep it vertical!

The Surge

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Comments

phaser@geocities.com's picture

Submitted by phaser@geocities.com on

I like this video and the fitter. He doesn't talk down to you about fitting issues like some I've used. I do have an Endlow grip that I'm trying but I'm undecided about it. It's big alright and you don't have to grip too tight. It tires out the muscles in my upper forearms when I hit balls at the range.

Brady's picture

Submitted by Brady on

Makes sense. I ride mountain bikes a lot and used to race something called Downhill which is extremely brutal on your upper body (you can youtube "downhill mountain bike racing" to see what it's like). The smaller the grip on your handlbar translate to less fatigue you get in your forearms (what we called forearm pump). Same applies to Motorcross riding/racing, same thing happens. I know the Enlow grips can be good for people with bad arthritis in their hands that cannot bend their fingers as much. Don actually uses the Enlow grips on some putters.

Robert Meade's picture

Submitted by Robert Meade on

Excellent coverage of grips. I have talked about grips many times here. One point that I have found is that the thickness/size of the grip is truly in the hands of the beholder. I have experimented with most sizes. I also have and occasionally use the Enlows. My brother prefers them because of there thicker size, the reverse taper and the bumpy criss cross easy to hold on to feel of the surface ridges on the surface. I primarily use and prefer one grip he did not include- the JUMBO MAX. They make all so called "jumbo grips" seem tiny. I love 'em. Now I wear a normal large glove size so my hand size is not a clear reason why I prefer these giant grips.
I also use a couple of the fatso and flatso Super Stroke putting grips. So as a "fitting" aspect of custom fit clubs I think it is something that can and should be experimented with. That leads me to comment on how I can easily try various grips both quickly and more affordably. I do all my grip replacement with an air compressor. I can try and or replace grips without having to cut and destroy the one being replaced. That allows me to put (older but still usable) grips back on. Fun and easy.
I love it..

romano45@iinet.net.au's picture

Submitted by romano45@iinet.... on

What is the advantage or disadvantage to wrapping different lengths of lead tape around the end of the club and then putting the grip on.I've been told that's what Jack Nicklaus used to do. Interested in your comment.

Robert Meade's picture

Submitted by Robert Meade on

romano45,

According to the following article adding weight or 'counter-balancing' the handle end of the grip on a shaft creates a better (somewhat slower) transition from the top and allows the golfer to get into the slot more effectively and also can create more speed at the bottom with the feel of lighter swing speed.

http://www.golfdigest.com/blogs/the-loop/2012/01/back-weight-your-golf-clubs-wi.html

I have indirectly added butt weighting by using the Jumbo Max grip. They are much heavier and along with their thickness tend to reduce the amount of wrist action I formerly had. To each his own and I would encourage experimentation with any of this. I am a constant club tinkerer and am lucky in that I am not that smart so I am willing to test any and all so called normal traditions when it comes to club fitting and traditional ideas. Because I have my own club fitting tools and an air compressor for quick and easy grip switches all this can easily be played around with in my garage.

PS. This was not an endorsement for counter-balancing, only an attempt to answer Romano's question. I waited three days for others to speak up. No takers including Frank Stranick who made the video but perhaps does not follow the blog. Would love to hear from him or any one else who may have experimented with back weighting.

fsgolf@comcast.net's picture

Submitted by fsgolf@comcast.net on

He wrapped lead tape under the grip to move the club Center of Gravity slightly closer to his hands and to give the head a slightly lighter feeling. If you move the CG closer to the hands it makes club control somewhat easier. Another way of saying that is that the closer the CG is toward the head, the more precise must be your swing fundamentals. Of your clubs are SwingWeight matched, for every 5 grams you add to the butt end your SwingWeight will be reduced by one SW point, e.g. If you go from a 50 gram grip to a 75 gram grip your SW will drop from D0 to C5. If your clubs are MOI matched, the affect will be minimal, maybe 8 to 10 MOI points which is discernible only to the player more sensible to feel.
Frank Stranick

Kevin McGarrahan's picture

Submitted by Kevin McGarrahan on

Doctor gave me the okay to start swinging again. He was quite surprised when I demonstrated a full PPGS swing with no problems or pain. I just need to take it a bit at a time.

Robert Meade's picture

Submitted by Robert Meade on

Wow Kevin, that's great news. Seems your return to golf is ahead of schedule.
Cindy and I played in a best ball tournament today. Lots of fun and we actually finished in a tie for 3rd. We both had birdies. Her on the part 5 9th and mine on the 175 yard part 3 17th. Hit a 5 iron that landed just over the flag and stopped 5 feet past the pin. Trickled it in.
Fun day with my wife as my partner.
Life's good.

fsgolf@comcast.net's picture

Submitted by fsgolf@comcast.net on

Players who have a tendency to have an over active right (lower) hand can get some relief when the lower section of the grip is built out somewhat. For example, the tapered shape of a grip gets skinny feeling under the lower hand so if, for example, you put a mid-size grip on your club(+ 1/16 oversize) I generally recommend the player add 4 build up wraps or two double sided wraps of added tape. With respect to the back weighting comment, the added tape which are half the length adjust the swing weight by about 1/3 of a SW and have essentially no effect if your clubs are MOI matched. The added wraps are primarily for comfort and control. Players with arthritic issues sometimes find this technique helpful. Most if not all the Surge Fitters use air to blow grips onto the shafts so specialty wrapping is an easy thing to do since you can blow the grip off and re-tape and test again.

Next subject - Backweighting
It works for some players but others that I have tested just don't care for it. I believe it is an individual preference. If it works for you than I would encourage you to go for it. The one caveat I have is test with one or two clubs before adapting all your clubs. There are several backweighting devices out there of which some are semi-permanent and others can be removed rather easily with an Allen wrench. I prefer the latter and that system also has a device that can be lowered down the shaft about 14 inches. Putters are also back weighted by players with the most common weight being 100 grams.
Lastly, I have 5 -7 irons setup with back weights.
Hope this answers your questions.
Frank Stranick

georgekirn@cfl.rr.com's picture

Submitted by georgekirn@cfl.... on

I use Reverse Tappered Full Release Grips. I have arthritis in both hands-fingers, especially my right-hand (lower one on e the club) and this helps me with my grip pressure, Has anyone else tried these grips?