Golf grips must fit the player or consistency will suffer. A well-struck shot happens when the player's wrists correctly unhinge in time to bring the clubface square to the target at impact with the ball. An improper size grip can impair the wrist action, making it too loose with an undersized grip and too inhibited with an oversized grip.
Oversized Grips
If your grips are too large, it makes it harder to release the club through the strike. Master clubmaker Ralph Maltby says the inhibited wrist action makes it harder to close the clubface, resulting in pushed shots--those that stay right of the target for right-handers and left of the target for left-handers.
Undersized Grips
If grips are too small, the hand action is inconsistent. Maltby says this can show on the course as inconsistent shots, not just shots that are pulled or hooked because of a wrist action that is too loose.
Take Your Regular Stance to Check
You can determine if your current grips fit, but only by first taking your regular grip and stance. Your normal hand position at address will determine exactly where and how the club normally fits in your hand. Test this way instead of standing erect and gripping the club.
Determine If Your Grips are Correct
The two longest fingers on the top hand on the club--the left hand for right-handed players--should barely touch or leave a small gap from the base of the thumb. If they dig in, the grips are too small. Too much of a gap means the grips are too large.
Changing Sizes
A club fitter can help find your correct size. Some shops have a display of different grip sizes that you can test. Be sure to test the correct way. The club fitter can also measure your hand and the longest finger on that hand, then apply those measurements to a chart that directs what size grips and how many layers of grip tape, if necessary, are needed to build your grip to the correct size.
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