Golf Grips: When to Replace Them (And What to Buy)
Here's a wild stat: a worn grip can add 3–4 strokes to your round.
When grips get slick, you subconsciously squeeze harder. That tension travels up your arms into your shoulders. Your swing gets tight. You lose speed. You mishit the ball. You blame yourself when you should be blaming rubber that's seen better days.
New grips feel like new clubs — except they cost $50 for the whole set instead of $1,500.
When to Replace
The Simple Test
Hold a club and run your thumb across the grip. Does it feel:
- Tacky and textured? You're fine.
- Smooth, hard, or shiny? Time to replace.
That's really it. When the grip has lost its texture and your hands slide during humid days, the grip is done.
By the Numbers
Most grip manufacturers say 40 rounds or once a year, whichever comes first. That's optimistic if you're playing in Florida, Texas, or anywhere with real humidity.
In hot, humid climates, expect to replace every 25–30 rounds or every 6–8 months. Sweat, sunscreen, and heat break down rubber faster than moderate weather.
Cold-weather golfers can stretch grips a bit longer — less moisture, less degradation.
Signs It's Time
- Shiny or smooth patches where your hands sit
- Visible cracks or hardening
- You feel like you're gripping harder than you used to
- Club turns in your hands on wet days
Pro tip: if you can remember when you last regripped, you're probably overdue.
What to Look For
Grip Size
This matters more than brand. The wrong size grip affects your release and can cause hooks or slices.
Too small: Encourages overactive hands → hooks and thin shots Too big: Restricts release → push-slices and lack of power
Standard size works for most people. If you have large hands or arthritis, go oversized. If you have small hands, consider undersized.
An easy test: when you grip the club, your fingers should just barely touch your palm. If they dig in, you need bigger. If there's a visible gap, smaller.
Material
Rubber: Most popular, good all-around feel. This is what you're probably used to.
Cord: Rough texture for maximum grip in wet conditions. Common on irons for players who sweat a lot or play in humid climates. Harsher on hands.
Wrap-style: Softer, cushioned feel. Good for players who want to reduce vibration and hand fatigue.
Multi-compound: Combines cord in the upper hand (for grip) with rubber in the lower hand (for feel). Best of both worlds.
Firmness
Grips range from soft to firm. Soft grips feel plush and absorb vibration. Firm grips offer more feedback and tend to be more durable.
There's no right answer — it's personal preference. I prefer slightly softer grips because my hands take a beating on mishits. Others want to feel everything and prefer firm.
The Picks
Golf Pride MCC (Multi-Compound) — Best All-Around
Price: $6–8 per grip
This is the most popular grip on Tour for a reason. Cord in the upper hand keeps things stable when you're sweating, rubber in the lower hand provides feel.
If you don't know what you want, start here. It's the industry standard for performance.
Golf Pride CP2 Wrap — Best for Comfort
Price: $5–7 per grip
Ultra-soft, cushioned feel. These are designed to reduce pressure and absorb vibration — great if you have hand or joint issues, or if you just want the most comfortable swing possible.
Some players find them too mushy. Others love the cloud-like feel. Try one club before committing to a full set.
Lamkin Sonar — Best Value
Price: $4–6 per grip
Underrated option that feels close to the Golf Pride MCC at a lower price. Good feedback, solid durability, and the Genesis Technology material stays tacky longer than most.
If you're regripping 13 clubs, the savings add up.
Karma Velour — Budget King
Price: $2–3 per grip
These are shockingly good for the price. Soft rubber, decent tackiness, and perfectly adequate for recreational golfers.
Are they as durable as $7 grips? No. But at this price, you can regrip twice as often for the same money — which honestly might be the smarter move.
SuperStroke S-Tech — Best for Sweaty Hands
Price: $5–7 per grip
Polyurethane outer layer with a unique texture that gets grippier when wet. If you play in humidity or have naturally sweaty hands, these are worth trying.
Also interesting: they come in multiple colors without upcharging, so you can match your bag.
DIY vs. Shop Regrip
DIY (about $3–4 per club including supplies)
What you need:
- New grips
- Grip tape (double-sided)
- Grip solvent (or mineral spirits)
- Utility knife
- Vice with club clamp
Time: About 5–10 minutes per club once you get the hang of it.
It's not hard, but there's a learning curve. Your first few will probably be slightly crooked. That's fine — it's rubber, not brain surgery.
Pro tip: YouTube has dozens of tutorials. Watch one, buy the supplies, and try it on a club you don't care about first.
Shop Regrip (about $5–10 per club including labor)
If your time is valuable or you want perfect alignment, pay a pro. Most golf shops and Dick's Sporting Goods can regrip a full set while you wait (or in 24 hours).
The cost is higher, but you're paying for someone else's expertise and avoiding potential mistakes.
When to Do a Partial Regrip
Not all grips wear at the same rate. Wedges (high-spin shots with more hand pressure) and drivers (high-speed swings) tend to wear fastest.
If most of your grips are fine but a few feel worn, just replace those. You don't have to do the whole set at once.
I do a full regrip on irons and wedges every year, and only replace driver/woods when they actually need it.
One More Thing
Grip size affects swing weight. If you switch from standard to midsize grips, your clubs will feel slightly lighter and faster. Going to undersize grips makes them feel heavier.
Neither is wrong, just be aware. If your clubs suddenly feel different after regripping, it's probably the grip size, not you.
The Bottom Line
New grips are the best bang-for-buck upgrade in golf. They cost less than a round of golf, take less than an hour to install, and make every club in your bag feel better.
If you can't remember when you last regripped, it's time.
Favorite grip we didn't mention? Have a regripping tip? Let us know on X (@bogeylicious).