Sometimes it is helpful to state the obvious, and Learn About Golf does so about golf grips: They are your only connection to the club. Ensuring that you have the right golf grip can make a big difference in your game. While the "right" grip is somewhat subjective, involving feel and comfort, there are some specific reasons that should lead you to change your grips in order to play your best.
Correct Size
A standard-size golf grip might be fine for the majority of golfers, but if you are not in the majority, using standard-size grips is akin to wearing golf shoes that are too big or too small. If your grip is too small, you will tend to close the club face at impact and produce hooks. If your grip is too big, you will tend to leave the club face open at impact and slice. In addition to standard size, grips come in midsized, oversized, undersized and jumbo.
Alignment Help
There are ribbed and round grips. Ribbed grips have a rib, or ridge, running down the length of the inside of the grip. When you address the ball, you will feel the ridge in your top hand, which can help you align your grip correctly. Ribbed grips were popular in the 1970s, according to Golf Grips.com, and about 20 percent of golfers continue to use these grips in 2011. Round grips, in contrast, are smooth. If you like the feel of ribbed grips, it can help keep your alignment be consistent, a boon to any golfer.
Weather Conditions
There are uncorded and corded grips. The latter have cloth cords embedded in the grip that serve to wick away moisture. So when you are playing in high humidity and hot temperatures, or when you are trying to win the U.S. Open and your hands are sweating profusely from nervousness, you have an advantage with cord grips. In addition, cord grips are more durable that uncorded grips. Some golfers say that corded grips are hard on their hands, but that might be the result of holding the club too tightly.
Wear and Tear
You should change your golf grips about every 12 months. If you don't, your grips will become hard and slick, costing you control and confidence. You can have your grips changed by most pro shops. The cost of a new, high-quality grip will run about $5 to $8 per club, or about $80 to $110 to re-grip your entire set. Some golfers like to re-grip their own clubs, although the Galt Buying Guide notes that doing it yourself won't save much money and might take a considerable amount of time.
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