When they played the prototype of golf in Scotland during the Middle Ages, they probably never supposed that the game will gain world popularity and turn into an entire philosophy.
Golf can be considered a science from the golf swing mechanics to the last component of the golf equipment. Seasoned golfers and scientists never stopped searching for methods, techniques, or equipment properties to give an advantage to the players at the golf course.
Players have to fit their golf club grip size, for example, to their hand and technique. However, some golfers, professionals included, realized that playing with an oversize golf grip can provide them with certain benefits.
The correct size of your golf club grip usually depends on your hands’ size, swing mechanics, and your golf shots’ pattern. However, experience with oversized grips shows that in many cases, they can consistently demonstrate better play. In this article, we present you with 20 reasons why oversize golf grips can improve your game.
Whilst reading this article, you might start wondering why you should bother thinking about your golf club’s size and what the point is of sizing at all if you can play better with oversized grips. That is why we have to clarify that achieving better results with oversized club grips is strictly individual. What works for one player does not necessarily work for another. We provide a summarized list of advantages to play with oversized golf grips, but which of them will be valid for you is a matter of testing out for yourself. We are here to encourage you in the potential benefits, going off the experience of some professional golfers that use oversized club grips.
Golf Club Grip Overview
A golf grip is the part of the golf club connected to the shaft, on the opposite side of the clubface. Its purpose is to provide the player with a proper spot for holding during the swing. The first golf grips consisted of leather strips wrapped on the shaft, but modern grips comprise rubber, synthetic, or other composite materials. They have a “sleeve” shape and are put on the shaft and attached by adhesive. The “sleeve’ model provides better fitting of diameter, texture, and consistency according to the golfer’s playing pattern. Some golfers still use leather or synthetic strips under the “sleeve” to add diameter to the size of their grip. (1)
According to USGA regulations, a golf grip must have the same profile along its length but a different diameter. The only exception to this rule is the putter, which can have any profile. Golf grips surface may narrow from thick to thin longitudinally and vice versa, but never wavy–following thinner and thicker sections. The most common golf grip size is the standard size. However, other golf grip sizes find use due to the physical or gender differences of the golfers.
Golf Club Grip Size
A study held by “Golf Magazine” concluded that most golfers play with inappropriate size grips on their clubs. The test consists of hitting shots with different club grip sizes. As a result, about 92% of the tested golfers declared that they would play with different grip sizes than fitted. This study proves that the standard grip size, or the size fitted to the player is not always the best size for him or her. Playing with different sizes can also improve their game. (2)
The hand size of a golfer determines the size of a club grip. The distance between the wrist crease and the tip of the middle finger, in inches, is the length measure of the golf grip. There are several sizes available on the market, which allow a player to choose the size that fits them the best. Besides the standard size, you can find small hands (ladies’ grips)size, large hands (men’s grips) size, tiny hands (junior grips) size, and extra-large hands (jumbo grips) size. Below we present you a shortlist of the formal grip sizes popular in golf circles. (3)
- Standard – 7 to 8 ¾ in.;
- Undersize (junior) – less than 7 inches, 1/64 inches smaller than standard;
- Midsize – from 8 ¼ to 9 ¼ inches – 1/16 inches Larger than standard;
- Jumbo – larger than 9 ¼ inches – 1/8 inches Larger than standard
List Note: (Source 3)
Oversize Golf Grips
The golf grip sizes show versatility in that every category of golfers, no matter of stature or gender, fits one of these grip size proportions. However, some seasoned players find certain advantages in playing with oversized golf grips. According to the specialists, oversized club grips are around 1/16 to 1/8 larger than the standard grips. It is similar to changing your pen with a baseball bat.
20 Potential Golfing Benefits of Oversized Grips Game
Playing with oversized grips is not just a fashion but a proven philosophy that improves some aspects of your game. Numerous professionals practice this philosophy and point to various reasons for that. The summarized list below provides 20 reasons why oversize golf grips can improve your game. Some of the reasons may sound very similar, but even the slightest distinction can make a difference in golf.
- Large hands
- Reduce grip pressure during the entire swing
- Reduces the amount of wrist movement
- Square hit
- Better absorption of the shock of impact or a mis-hit
- Shot shape
- Shot Accuracy
- Control
- Prevent hooking or over swinging
- Create slice
- Additional power for distance
- Trajectory impact
- Smooth putting stroke
- Relaxed grip
- Reduces nervousness
- Weak grips
- Clubs feel lighter
- Comfort
- Arthritis
- Joint pain or other pain relief
List 2 Note (3)
Now lets go into this list in more detail:
Large Hands
Having large hands is typically related to tall golfers because their hands are usually bigger. Even the perfect swing is useless when the club grip slips or gets lost in your hands. An oversized grip will make a tall golfer feel himself in “its own water” and give his best to the game.
Reducing Grip Pressure During The Swing
At the peak of their concentration during the swing, golf players, especially beginners, tend to grasp the grip very hard and put a lot of pressure on both the grip and their muscles. Such pressure is counterproductive and hinders the production of a fluent stroke. Using an oversized golf grip will not allow you to put so much pressure.
Reducing The Amount Of Wrist Movement
Several tour golfers confirm that playing with an oversized club, especially a putter, reduces wrist movement and makes the putting stroke easy and natural. Some books from the 80-s discuss this philosophy, concluding that grips thicker in diameter provide a firm-wristed stroke. The oversized grip makes you use only shoulders and gives you confidence, which is the best during a golf swing. (4)
Square Hit
Firm wrists and a smooth shoulder movement during the swing will also allow a square hit on the ball. Square impact with the golf ball guarantees a precise shot, which every golfer desire. Many golfers achieve all that by using an oversized golf grip.
Absorption Of The Shock Of Impact
Scientists confirm that oversized golf grips better absorb the shock of impact or mis-hit. That feature is significant for players with weak grips or hands. Adsorption decreases the stress on the hands and prevents undesirable reactions.
Shot Shape
Playing with oversized grips can also improve the shape of your shots. Smaller grips may cause hooking of the golf ball, while oversized grips will straighten your shot. Feeling comfortable with the grip will allow you to shape your shots more precisely.
Shot Accuracy
Experienced golfers confirm that the shot’s accuracy depends significantly on the size of the grip. The tighter you hold your grip, the better shot accuracy you will achieve. Oversize club grips facilitate a tighter grip.
Control
The grip connects the golfer with the club and provides (or hinders) the player’s control over the club. An oversize club grip allows a better and more compact and comfortable grasp to avoid any slip or uncontrolled movement during the swing.
Hooking And Over-swinging Prevention
Using an oversize grip during the swing reduces the smaller muscles of the hand and fingers, slowing your hands down. This motion produces more slices and decreases the swing speed, which prevents hooking the ball and over-swinging. (5)
Creating Slice
Although creating slice is considered counterproductive, its proper application can prove beneficial. Golfers with inside to outside swing patterns tend to strike shots that hook away from the hole. A larger grip size will create a slice and straighten their shots. (3)
Additional Power For Distance
An oversize golf grip ensures a square hitting of the ball. The square hit, along with a smooth swing, transforms into additional power to the point of impact with the ball. More energy, consequently, means a more considerable distance of the shot.
Trajectory Impact
The ball flight trajectory is affected by many factors, and one of them is the ability of the golfer to grip the golf club well. If you cannot hold your standard club grip properly, you most likely will create more slice, hook, and disperse your balls left and right from the target. Playing with an oversize grip will solve this problem, allowing you to grasp your grip firmer and tighter.
Smooth Putting Stroke
As per putting, hitting a smooth stroke is a mandatory premise for success. However, producing such a stroke highly depends on the tension of your muscles at this moment. A small or standard club grip requires tightening your muscles to grasp them better, while an oversize grip does not.
Relaxed Grip
An oversize club grip ensures a relaxed grip, which, on the other hand, provides a smooth putting stroke. It also provides relief from pressure in many other muscles of your body, such as forearm muscles, for example. Reducing muscle pressure during the game allows you to refresh, concentrate and improve your game.
Reducing Nervousness
Muscle pressure also increases nervousness, primarily if you cannot concentrate and your game does not go well. An oversize golf grip that provides relaxation for the body will also relax the mind, reducing nervousness and hopefully replacing with confidence 🙂
Weak Grip
Oversize golf grips provide an equal start for golfers with weak grips. Using them, women, for example, who genetically have a weaker grip than men, can perform their best swing without putting extra pressure on their grips. Additionally, they will feel relaxed and confident during their play.
Clubs Feel Lighter
Golfers and researchers claim that oversize golf grips make the clubs feel lighter. The reason behind this feeling might be only the tighter grip and the better control. However, this may mislead you when choosing the best fitting grips for you. (2)
Comfort
Comfort is a pivotal characteristic of every golf grip. Comfort provides everything – from accuracy and control to relax, and confidence. Oversize golf grips are incredibly comfortable for taller golfers and players with weaker grips.
Arthritis
Because the newest oversize grips reduce the need to grasp the grip more tightly, they can decrease arthritis effects during golf. Absorbing the shock of stroke also has favorable effects for arthritic players. Scientists point out that playing with oversize grips may determine whether a golfer with arthritis can play golf. (3)
Joint Pain Relief
If oversize golf grips can reduce the pain from arthritis, they can reduce other body pain as well. As active participants in the club holding process, joints are some of the most affected. Golfers with joint pain prefer playing with oversize grips because they do not need to squeeze the grip that much and still play well.
Experts Opinion
Oversize golf club grips proved their advantages on the professional golf course, too. Several professional tour players that have used oversize golf grips share their positive experience. It was not easy to overcome the stereotypes and biases related to the standard and oversize golf grips for some of them. However, “deeds speak louder than words,” as the famous saying goes. Facts reveal that in the weeks of the PGA Tour, about 30 players used oversize golf grips! (4)
Researchers testify that the practice of playing with oversize golf grips originates from the early years of golf when players used to wrap extra leather strips on their grips to achieve larger diameters. The more modern historian knows players like John Daly and Bubba Watson, who used to wrap several layers of tape under their putter grips to keep their wrists less active. The champion Choi, who also used an oversize grip on his putter, shared that he felt confident when he played with his oversize grip because it allowed him to use only his shoulders, making the ball roll way better. (4)
Right now on the PGA tour, the highly successful Bryson DeChambeau talks about his love of oversized golf grips, as you can see from the video below.
Oversize Golf Grips FAQ
How Do Oversize Golf Grips Improve My Game?
Oversize golf grips provide a firm grasp on the club, which improves the golf ball trajectory significantly. Oversize golf grips also support more significant golf swings due to the reduced wrist activity and total leverage of the shoulder movement. Many prefer this type of grip for putting, especially professionals, because of the relaxed motion that improves the putting stroke considerably. Oversize grips also benefit taller or older players with arthritis that can still enjoy this fantastic game.
What Happens If Golf Grips Are Too Big?
Oversize golf grips have plenty of benefits, many of which we already pointed out above. However, way too big grips for your hands may also have some adverse effects. You can expect unpredictable shots or even mis-hits. The failure may happen because an extra-large grip would change the angle of your wrist on the downswing. It will reduce your swing speed and, consequently, affect your square hit onto the ball at the point of impact. Oversized golf grips improve your game as long as you can grasp them well.
Who Should Use Oversize Golf Grips?
Generally, everyone can use oversize golf grips. However, some extreme situations, such as small hands with oversize grips, may lead to a reversed effect. As we highlighted earlier, some advantages may work for one type of golfer others may not. Before deciding to play with oversize golf grips, it is recommendable to hit a few shots to feel the grip and see how it changes your game. Other than that, tall golfers with large hands or seniors with arthritis or joint pain are among the biggest beneficiaries of oversize golf grips.
Final Thoughts On Oversize Golf Grips?
The game of golf nowadays goes beyond an exciting sport to combine science, philosophy, and strategy. However, probably the most extraordinary fact about golf is that it is accessible to all ages, no matter gender. There are advanced techniques or small strategy tricks in every sport that help restrict nobody to play this fantastic game. Oversize golf grips are one more ace in the sleeve of the seasoned and pro-golfers. They are also an excellent asset for senior and physically disadvantaged players who love playing golf and can practice it with less pain.
Sources
- 1. Wikipedia, “Golf Club.” Wikimedia Foundation, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golf_club#Grip Assessed May 19, 2021
- 2. Raudenbush, David. “Do Golf Grip Sizes Make a Difference?” Chron.com, https://livehealthy.chron.com/golf-grip-sizes-make-difference-3974.html Assessed May 19, 2021
- 3. Chi, J.D. “The Advantages of Larger Grips on Golf Clubs.” USA Today, Gannett Satellite Information Network, https://golftips.golfweek.usatoday.com/advantages-larger-grips-golf-clubs-1524.html Assessed May 19, 2021
- 4. Evers, Derek. “Oversize Grips Have Earned the Respect of Many Elite Players.” Golf Digest, www.golfdigest.com/story/oversize-grips-on-tour Assessed May 19, 2021
- 5. Noll, Ryan, “Why Grip Diameter Matters When It Comes to Your Golf Swing.” Golf, https://golf.com/gear/golf-accessories/fully-equipped-grip-diameter-golf-swing/ Assessed May 19, 2021
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