The butt cap is the closed end of the grip at the end of the club shaft. It is important to note that the butt cap thickness is different across different grips and can affect the final length of the gripUndersizeStandardMidsizeOversizePutter grips do not operate this way and have OEM or model specific sizesRibbed grips are grips that have a ridge of extra material on the underside of the grip. If you rolled up a piece of tape to make a long string and put it on the underside of the grip that is what ribbed grips are meant to emulate.All grips are measured in grams and different grips have different weights. This is an especially important factor when you consider swing weight. With grips varying in weight by more than 20 g in some cases, it can have quite a large impact. Oversized putter grips are going to be especially important to look after as they are generally heavier than others. In general, the larger the grip the heavier it will be. There are other models that are made to be lighter, however. Sometimes even different colors from different models have different weights.Putter grips are the only grips that are allowed to not be round. Putter grips are allowed to have one flat side that you can use to help align your hands.The material in grips varies greatly in order to change the feel and performance, however rubber mixtures, synthetic leather, and real leather make up the vast majority of grips that you will find. Each has its pros and cons. Typically leather is softer while rubber is more flexible and more durable.Texture is added to grips in order to help people align their hands and to increase performance. Similar to a car tire texture on grips not only allows people a more firm grip but also wicks away some of the moisture. In addition to textures, cord can also be added to the grips for extra absorption and grip. Cord is essentially string that is sewn into the grip. Wrap patterns are also quite common. Wrap patterns have material that spirals around the grip as it moves along the length.Almost every grip tapers from the butt cap to the end of the grip, however, there are a few models that have less taper built-in. Overall, there is not a performance difference and it is a feel preference.Double sided tape is used to adhere the grip to the shaft. In addition to that job, you can use extra tape in order to build up or thicken the overall grip. You can get as creative as you want with this and several famous players have unique combinations of tape. The bottom hand thicker than the top to reduce taper or more tape on one side over another. 4 wraps of tape is generally going to increase the size of the grip by one.While specialized grips with counterbalancing weights do exist. Especially if you are a tall golfer or have over length equipment, counterbalancing may help you create a more playable swing weight.
View all episodes
