Tips
on improving your golf game

When you're ready
to take
the game seriously

A lot of customers assume that a grip is a grip is a grip. Nothing could be further from the truth. There are many factors to take into account when selecting a golf grip. Grips should be replaced at least once per year, more frequently for the golfer who plays more often. How do you know when grips need replacing? Largely due to feel, as grips lose their tackiness as they wear, some becoming slick and shiny in the worst cases. A common analogy of the grip is to the automobile tire, as the grip and tire are the points of contact that link the golfer with the golf club, and the automobile with the road. Coincidentally or not, many golf grips are made out of the same rubber compound found in automobile tires.

Probably the most important factor in grip selection for the golfer is how the grip feels to him or her. The grip must inspire confidence to the golfer, or at least not erode confidence in his or her mind. Golf is a very mental game and the individual golfer's equipment must benefit that aspect of the game, giving a real or perceived advantage over the opponent of the day.

Another important factor in grip selection is the fitting. Whether it's done by Davis Custom Golf or somebody else, every golfer should have properly fitted grips. For illustration purposes, how well do you think a junior golfer would do with a jumbo grip made for an NFL lineman and vice versa? Not very well obviously. If a grip is too small, this invites "regripping" during the swing. A grip that is too large reduces control of the club. Either scenario results in reduced performance, which is completely unnecessary when you factor in the low cost of new grips (usually less than $4 per grip, and free with a new set of clubs from Davis Custom Golf!)

The last factor I'll cover in grip selection is weight. A good clubmaker will weigh every component of a golf club prior to assembly, including the grips. Even supposedly "identical" grips, purchased in the same case lots, will have tolerances of a few grams. Why is this important? It's important because the slightest difference in weight of a grip will change the stiffness and "feel", or swingweight, of a golf club. For example, if an ultralight grip is installed on a golf club and replaces a standard or heavier grip, the finished golf club will feel "heavier" to the golfer, and vice versa for a heavier regrip. The lighter grip will make the club slightly more "flexible", while the heavier grip will make the club slightly "stiffer". At Davis Custom Golf, I weigh each grip and sort them according to exact weights prior to assembly, thus enhancing the "matching" in every set of custom made golf clubs. Every truly custom made club in the set should feel exactly the same to the golfer, thus eliminating the need to have different swings for different clubs in the bag.

Is a slight change in grip something the average golfer will notice? Probably not. However to the low handicapper the attention to detail makes the difference. I give the same amount of attention to detail to every customer that walks in my shop, be it a scratch golfer or a person just starting out. Some customers notice, some don't. Thanks for reading and visiting the web page. Please contact me if you have any questions or want to see my shop. I'd love to hear from you, and am always willing to give a free analysis of your current clubs.

-- Chris Davis
August 1999

click here for details

About Davis Custom Golf | The Custom Advantage | Improve Your Game | Contact Us