Grip It and Rip It

By Greg Stenzel P.G.A
Consultant V.P.
To A Tee, Bermuda Ltd. www.toateebermuda.com

 

One of the most under appreciated pieces of equipment in your golf
bag is your golf grips. Grips are made of materials that age and wear as a
function of time. Heat, cold, rain, dirt, and oils from your hands all age your
grips and cause the natural degradation of the grip. The traction that a fresh
grip provides lets you hold the club lightly without the subconscious fear of
losing the club during your swing. This promotes proper swing mechanics
and wrist action, while a worn grip causes you to grasp the club tighter,
causing arm and wrist tension that inhibits proper swing mechanics.

 

As a rule of thumb, you should re-grip once every year. Regardless of
whether you play golf every day or only twice a year, it is important that your
grips are soft and tacky. Granted, frequent play and personal preference may
dictate re-gripping more often, but normally there’s enough degradation of
the material after a year to warrant fresh grips. Keep in mind that grips lose
a significant amount of their original feel long before they become hard and
glazed over.

 

Many people find that getting in the routine of re-gripping every
spring as the golf season “officially” begins is the easiest way to remember.
Your PGA Professional can assist in choosing the proper grip. Golf grip
manufacturers have improved the number of options available including
ribbed grips which provide helpful placement of the hands on the grip, grips
that reduce vibration for those with arthritis, cord grips for those whose
hands perspire and grips with soft and firm composites to fit your “feel”
preferences.

 

Don’t forget that putter grip! The putter is in your hands more than
any other club in your bag. A golfer will use the putter once, twice and
unfortunately three and four times per hole played. There are plenty of
choices for putters as well. The fitting of the putter grip maybe the most
important of any of your clubs. An improperly fit putter grip can promote
off-line putting. Ask your PGA Professional to join you on the putting green
to check your inconsistencies.

 

Keep your grips clean. Most grips can be cleaned with mild dish
washing liquid. Take a wet towel and apply the dish washing liquid. Wipe
your grips and get ready to be surprised at the amount of dirt that you can
remove. Then simply towel dry or let the grips dry naturally.
I would also mention that studies have found that a new set of grips
can save golfers three to four strokes per round. Now that’s a reason to plan
a grip change today.

 

Remember that you can change your own grips and save a few dollars
for the driving range. Simply cut the old grips off with a carpet knife.
Remove any access tape from the shaft. Apply two sided tape to the shaft
in spirals in the same length of your grip. I then take a spray bottle of paint
thinner and spray three squirts into my golf grip placing my finger over
the hole on the top of the grip. Covering the bottom of the grip, shake the
solvent inside the grip, then pour it over the two sided tape. Slide the grip
over the shaft and position it. Then leave for twenty to thirty minutes and
the clubs are ready for use.

 

Now you are ready to “Grip it and rip it!”

 

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