Grip Weight

GRIP WEIGHT: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

The grip is the most overlooked aspect of the golf club. Many golfers assume they can use any grip as long as it’s tacky, but the latest golf science shows they’re missing out on an easy opportunity to improve their game. That’s good news for golfers looking to gain an advantage. 

Before we talk about grip weight, let’s take one step back. The first thing to consider about a new grip is the size, because choosing the right size is going to give you the most immediate improvements in distance and accuracy. Getting the right grip weight is the next step, and it’s where golfers really take consistency to the next level. 

If you don’t know your JumboMax® grip size, you can find it using our Online Grip Fitting Tool

Contrary to what you may have heard about grip weight, a lighter grip will not necessarily help you swing faster. A heavier grip will not necessarily make you swing slower, either. Golfers have to match the weight of the grip with their individual needs and tendencies, and when they do, it’s a match made in grip heaven. 

Like club fitting in general, finding the ideal grip may take a little experimenting, but the payoff is well worth it. There are some guidelines to follow that will help you choose the best grip for your game.

CHOOSE A LIGHTER GRIP IF…

NO. 1: YOU SWING YOUR DRIVER FASTER THAN 100 MPH

Golfers who swing faster than 100 mph have developed the strength and technique to create lag in the swing, holding the correct angle through the downswing and then accelerating the clubhead through impact. Players like this benefit from the balance point being away from the hands and farther down the shaft, and this is the function of lighter grips.

NO. 2: YOU’RE VERY SENSITIVE TO SWING WEIGHT

If you know the swing weight of every club in your bag or are always tinkering with your clubs to find the optimal swing weight, you’re probably going to be a candidate for lighter grips. The UltraLite™ is the most popular JumboMax grip for such a player because it weighs about the same or even a little less than the skinny grips most golfers play. This allows golfers to enjoy all the advantages of JumboMax grips without changing anything else about their clubs.

NO. 3: YOU PLAY ULTRA-LIGHT CLUBS

When you’re playing a set of clubs specifically designed with ultra-light components for an overall reduction in club weight, you don’t want to add a heavy grip to the mix. For players with these clubs, lighter grips are the best choice because they won’t throw off the intended balance point or swing weight of the club. 

CHOOSE A HEAVIER GRIP IF…

NO. 1: YOU SWING YOUR DRIVER SLOWER THAN 100 MPH

Golfers with swing speeds below 100 mph will benefit from heavier grips because they move the balance point of the club closer to the hands, in effect making the clubhead feel lighter. The lighter feeling helps create additional speed through impact, and the counter-balancing effect helps square the face at impact more easily and consistently.

This is how many golfers can actually swing faster with a heavier grip — especially golfers who are looking to create lag or fight an early release of the club.

NO. 2: YOU WANT YOU MAXIMUM STABILITY ON ALL SHOTS

There’s a reason why Samurai swords have heavy handles. Their counter-balanced design speeds up the swing of the sword and makes it easier to control. The same is true with golf clubs.

A heavier grip creates a counterbalancing effect that makes it easier to play shots from bad lies. When the clubhead hits long rough, for example, the heavier grip act as a counterweight to help cut through the rough. And because the added size of a JumboMax grip puts the hands in a stronger position to prevent twisting, the benefits are two-fold.

NO. 3: YOU WANT BETTER COMPRESSION

If you’re a golfer who wants more compression, you can get it from a heavier grip. Because heavier grips help golfers delay the release of the club, the result is often better ball compression at impact, which leads to better distance and control.