Golf Grips Explained: What to Check Before You Buy Used

Golf Grips Explained: What to Check Before You Buy Used
Explainer, Fitting

Golf Grips Explained: What to Check Before You Buy Used

Sizing, wear signs and the oversized putter grip trend, broken down in plain English.

20265 min readExplainer

A single extra wrap of tape under a grip can shift swingweight by a couple of points without anyone touching the clubhead, which is one reason two seemingly identical used clubs can feel completely different in your hands.

Grip condition is one of the first things we check when we grade a club in Adelaide, because a cracked or glazed grip changes how a club feels more than most buyers expect. Every club in our used golf clubs in Australia range is graded with that in mind.

1/64in
Thickness added per grip tape wrap
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The BasicsWhat Size Grip Do You Actually Need?

Standard grips suit most golfers with an average glove size. Midsize and jumbo grips add diameter for larger hands or for golfers who want to quieten down hand action through impact, since a thicker grip is harder to grip tightly and release quickly.

Getting this wrong in either direction has a real effect on ball flight. A grip that's too thin for your hands can encourage an overactive release and a hook, while one that's too thick can leave you unable to feel the clubface at all.

Buying UsedWhat Does Grip Wear Actually Tell You?

Shine, hardening and surface cracking are signs of age and UV exposure, not necessarily a sign the club underneath has been hammered. A worn grip is also one of the cheapest, easiest things to put right on an otherwise good used club.

Our club grading system notes grip condition alongside head and shaft condition, so you know before you buy whether a regrip should be part of your budget.

A worn grip is the easiest, cheapest thing wrong with a used club. A worn face or a bent shaft is not.

The TrendWhy Are Oversized Putter Grips Everywhere Now?

Oversized putter grips quieten down wrist and hand action in the stroke, which is why so many tour pros switched to them over the last decade, often as a way to manage nerves over short putts. The trade off is feel: a thicker grip gives less feedback on where you struck the putter face.

If you're curious whether an oversized grip suits your stroke, it's a cheap experiment compared to buying a new head. Browse our putters range and check the grip fitted before you decide whether to keep it or swap it.

MaterialsRubber, Corded or Hybrid: Which Suits You?

Rubber grips feel smooth and are the cheapest to replace. Corded grips add texture that bites in wet weather or sweaty hands, at the cost of feeling harsher against bare skin. Hybrid grips sit in between, with cord only in the lower hand or a softer cord blend.

None of these change the clubhead's performance. They change how secure the club feels in your hands, which matters most in the wet or in a tight finish when grip pressure tends to creep up.

Honest tipIf a seller mentions a club was "just regripped," ask what grip and size went on. A regrip in the wrong size can mask a club that never actually fit the previous owner either.

Buyer's ChecklistWhat to Check Before You Buy a Used Club

Cracking and glazing. Fine surface cracks or a shiny, slick patch where your thumbs sit mean the grip is near the end of its life, regardless of how the club underneath looks.

Grip size against your hand. If you already know your preferred size or glove size, check the stated grip size rather than assuming standard.

Regrip cost factored in. A full regrip is a minor cost against the price of the club. Factor it in if the grips look tired rather than treating it as a dealbreaker.

Consistent grips across a set. Mismatched grip models or sizes within an iron set usually means at least one club has been reworked. Worth asking why.

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FAQCommon Questions

What size golf grip do I need? Most golfers suit standard. If you wear a large or XL glove, or want to calm down hand action, midsize or jumbo is worth trying, ideally before you buy rather than after.

How do I know if a grip needs replacing? Look for shine, hardness or visible cracking. If it feels slick in dry conditions or you have to grip noticeably tighter than you used to, it's due.

Why do so many pros use oversized putter grips now? They reduce wrist and hand action in the stroke, which can help under pressure. The trade off is less feedback on exactly where you struck the ball.

Does grip condition affect how much a used club is worth? A little. It's a minor, cheap fix, so it affects price far less than face wear, shaft condition or head damage.

Can I just regrip a club myself? It's a straightforward job for a club fitter or pro shop with the right solvent and tape. If you're not set up for it, it's a quick, inexpensive job to have done.

Bottom LineCheck the Grip, Then Check Everything Else

Grip size and condition are easy to overlook next to head technology and shaft flex, but they change how a club feels in your hands more than either. Check size against your own hand, check wear against our grading, and treat a tired grip as a cheap fix rather than a reason to walk away.

Honest prices, quality gear. Simple.

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