8 Best Golf Grips Every New Golfer Should Know About

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MAKING SURE you have a fresh grip on your golf club is one of the best low cost investments you can make in your game. Firm and tacky is the way to go if you want to have the best control and feel in your swing, and the fact of the matter is you need to constantly monitor these features of your club grip when playing consistently. Some clubs come wrapped with subpar golf grips to start, and so if you notice your golf grip feels slick and cheap straight out of the box you might want to swap that out before it even setting foot on a course.

Several of our writers and editors at Men's Health are golf junkies through and through. We took our own years of playing experience and combined our knowledge with a few key golf professionals to find the best golf grips to outfit your clubs here in 2023. Most of these golf grips will fit on your irons, woods, and drivers, but we've highlighted a couple of our favorite putter grips too.

Golf grips are a relatively low cost investment. You usually never have to spend more than $30 for a single grip for your clubs, and sometimes you can even buy your favorite golf grips in bulk so you can outfit all of your clubs in one go. The cost for applying a golf grip is affordable too, and while you can buy golf grip kits on Amazon and save even more money—this best-selling golf grip kit here is a good example—we do recommend paying to get your grip changed by a local professional. They will know how to get your grip placed on your club nice and smooth, void of any kinks or weird air bubbles.

The golf grips below cater to many different types of preferences. Some golf grips are made to be weather resistant, staying sticky even through rain. Other golf grips are boosted with extra cushioning, providing a nice plush feel that can help give relief on your hands when playing those marathon 36-hole days. Ready to see the list?

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Tour Velvet Golf Grip

There's one brand that stands out above the rest when it comes to golf grips, and that brand is Golf Pride. You can find golf grips of all shapes and sizes from Golf Pride, from grips that are ultra plush and soft to grips that are sticky and easy to wield.

Jeff Kaiser, a Manager and Golf Professional at the TaylorMade Player Development Center in Madison, Wisconsin, told us he swears by Golf Pride. "The durability of the product is strong, and other than Bushnell rangefinders, it's the most dominantly used brand on the PGA Tour by its players," says Kaiser. When it comes to his favorite Golf Pride grip, Kaiser named the Tour Velvet; " The Tour Velvet is the particular model that shines above the rest for me, as its tack, texture and durability are second to none. It is the most widely used model of Golf Pride grips," says Kaiser.

Another small feature we loved about the Tour Velvet is its vast size options, so if you're looking for anything outside of a midsize or standard you will have some luck here.

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MCC PLUS4 Align

Another top-seller from Golf Pride is the MCC series. The Plus4 Align offers just the right amount of cushioning on its tapered grip, and in the grip are micro diamond cuts to create texture for a better hold. The different levels of color and markings on the Plus4 also make it nice to track hand placement, as you can find a point of reference on the grip and remember your hand positioning a lot better than if your grip was all one solid color.

"The MCC Plus4 Align is a gem," says Jamie Boudreaux, founder of GolferGeeks.com. "It's like your own personal golf tutor, helping you keep that consistent hand placement. Plus, it promotes that tension-free grip, so you can unleash your inner power."

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PP58 Black Midsize Putter Grip

Tiger Woods has used many different putter grips over the years, but the Ping PP58 Standard grip is his longtime favorite. The grip is made from a blend of natural and synthetic rubber, and it features zero special grooves or grip markings. It's basic, and the only design notes on the grip itself include the marked Mr. Ping logo.

So what makes the grip special? Well, the PP58 is thin, really thin. You are basically getting as close to feeling the metal of the putter as you can, which essentially keeps the putting stroke all in the hands of the golfer—a thick putter grip will engage with other muscles up the arms. We like how the grip itself feels silky smooth in-hand, which points back to the lack of any grooves or indentations in the grip.

If you want a super sticky grip that's plush and comfortable, the P558 is not for you. The P558 has a timeless look about it, and if you're someone who likes to have a true hands-on feel when putting, this is going to give you that. You might have to replace it more often due to the lack of durability features, but hey, if Tiger likes to play with it something must be special. Take the route of mimicking the GOAT and see if this could help improve your game.

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Pure Pro

Pure Grips are loved for their tackiness and durability. The Pure Pro is going to last much longer than other options we've tried, and it combats wear spots and tearing like a champ. Alex Riggs, a Dubai-based golf coach on Skillest, loves using Pure Grips. "I’ve played PURE Grips for years and they feel incredible and last a long time," says Riggs. We also love that it's available in a bunch of different colors, so you can find the right one to match your link style.

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ZGrip Cord Golf Grip

Even the slightest change in details can make a golf grip feel ten times better. Alex Clapp, a UK-based professional golf instructor on Skillest who has taught over 30 regional, mini tour, and European Tour players, loves the Golf Pride ZGrip. "It's my favorite golf grip because of its unmatched blend of responsive feel, superior traction, and exceptional durability," he says. "I struggle in the warm weather, and find other grips slippery whereas the corded element of the grip provides less slippage, through all conditions while maintaining a comfortable feel."

We also were able to test the Z Grip and found the continuous texture along the entire grip was very effective when playing in summer weather with a golf glove on.

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DriTac Standard Grip

Winn's DriTac grip is loved by golfers since it's both soft and sticky. The rubber polymer is responsive to all-weather conditions, and we found it performed well in mild rainy weather. The grip is definitely more plush than most of the grips we've tested, which was a nice surprise when first playing.

The downside to the DriTac is that the grip wears down fast, much faster than most of the grips on this list. You're getting an awesome feel though, so just be prepared to replace this grip at least a couple of times a year if you're playing regularly.

Traxion Tour Golf Putter Grip

A thick SuperStroke grip like this Traxion model here is likely the most common golf grip you'll see on the course. These grips are popular on putters thanks to their large size that can help create a more comfortable feel on the hands. The Traxion's thick cushioned design helps minimize grip pressure while also stabilizing a golfer's putting stroke.

SuperStoke is a love-it-or-hate-it golf grip, but those who love it have called it a game changer. Consider the SuperStroke if you're looking to try something new in your putting game. Oh, and SuperStroke grips are also available for other clubs too.

CP2 Pro Midsize Golf Grip

If you're looking for a thicker, more plush grip for your clubs, then the CP2 Pro grip from Golf Pride is a solid choice. Jamie Boudreaux is a big fan of this model too, "The shock absorption is something else," he says. "It's like playing golf on a cloud."

The CP2 also has an etched cross-hatching through the grip to reinforce hold even in slippery weather.

Golf Pride Tour Velvet Align Standard Golf Grips, Black

But maybe you're after something with a more plush feel? Then I'd say gofor the Golf Pride Tour Velvet Align. It's got this moisture-wickingtechnology that's pretty rad, plus an alignment strip for a helping hand.But hey, don't get too attached to choosing your favorite color; optionsare a tad limited there. Jaime b

Meet the Experts

Aside from tapping into our experiences and expert knowledge of golf grips, and golf equipment in general, we also made sure to speak with a number of experts in the world of golf. We spoke with a two U.S.-based PGA professional instructors: David Roesch, a PGA Teaching Professional who was rated Golf Digest's #1 Teacher in Wisconsin in 2022, and Jeff Kaiser, a Manager and Golf Professional at the TaylorMade Player Development Center in Madison, Wisconsin. Kaiser was named the 2020 Wisconsin PGA Teach of the Year, as well as the 2020 TaylorMade Golf National Fitter of the Year.

We also spoke with two international professional golf instructors. The first instructor was Alex Clapp, a UK-based professional golf instructor who has taught over 30 regional, mini tour, and European Tour players; and the second was Alex Riggs, a Dubai-based golf coach on Skillest who helps teach touring professionals and aspiring juniors.

Lastly, we spoke with Jamie Boudreaux, the founder and editor of GolferGeeks.com, a site where golfers can find information on buying golf gear and tips on how to improve their game.

What to Look for When Buying a New Golf Grip

Materials: Knowing the type of material used on a golf grip will help determine features like comfort and durability. For example, the Winn DriTac is known for being comfortable and sticky, but the material of the grip is notorious for not lasting much longer than a year. On the flip side, a tough grip like the Pure Pro is known for its durability and stickiness, but not so much for comfort. "When choosing new grips, I look for quality construction and materials that provide traction, comfort and moisture management," says Clapp. "I prefer midsize grips with a cord or rubberized texture to promote stability."

Grip Type: Looking hard at the actual detail of the golf grip is smart, as tons of grips these days offer its own unique textures and cuts to help improve grip and feel. "Often overlooked by most amateurs, the type of grip can impact the overall performance of a club," says Roesch. You should also consider any color patterns or markings in the grip, as these could be a benefit to golfers for having a point of reference on lining up proper hand positioning on every swing.

Grip Size: There are a few different sizes you can choose from in your golf grips, and while they mostly coordinate with your hand size, there's also a bit of a strategy play in going up or down your natural size. If you don't know your size, get fitted by a local professional. They will advise you on what is best. "Proper sizing aligns your hands, wrists and forearms for more consistency," says Clapp.

Testing: Golf grips are all about feel, so it's important to do your research and also try and test in person when you are hung up on a decision. "Golfers need to take more consideration with their grips," says Riggs. "Test out various options to determine what gives you the best feel and ensure you are using the correct size. And remember grips can be customized with layers of tape to add thickness as needed."

When Should I Replace My Golf Grip?

The standard grip that comes on your club when purchasing will normally play quite well. However, golfers will develop a specific preference in how they like their golf grip over time, and so it's common to buy a club and then swap out the default grip with a preferred option.

If you're not too picky about your golf grips and you just want to know when you should replace what you currently have, then there are a few key signs to look for. "I think it's time to replace your golf grips when you notice excessive wearing, slipping or irritation in your current grips," says Clapp. "Grips that are worn smooth, feel slick or hardened with age can hinder your swing and ability to grip the golf club, so I'd say re-gripping your clubs every couple seasons or when wear is noticeable helps optimize performance."

Bordeaux recommends looking at your golf grip like a favorite pair of running shoes. "Once your golf grip starts feeling uncomfortable or less effective, it's time for a change," he says.

How We Selected

For the past 12 months, Men's Health gear editors and writers, including our Gear and Commerce Editor John Thompson, have been testing and reviewing the best golf grips. We evaluated golf grips based on price point, performance, durability, and special features. We also spoke with experts in the world of golf who have significant experience playing with different golf grips. Lastly, we considered golf grips mentioned in popular golf forums, like r/golf on Reddit, for community favorite picks that are lesser known to guys who are just getting into golf.

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