Golf Grip Fitting and FAQ's 
This is likely the most overlooked and under appreciated part of club fitting. Most of you golfers have been through a club fitting of some sort. However, did you get to the grip fitting part? If so, did the club fitter ask if you had a grip preference? Did the technician measure your hand for size or ask what size glove you wear? Did you have an opportunity to see, touch, feel, test different types of grips or grips sizes? If you answered no to any of the above then you didn't go through a through club fitting. Overlooking one element of the fitting process can mean missed opportunities.Hopefully this newsletter will educate you on the importance of a properly fitted golf grip.
Question: Does the Size or Thickness of a Grip Really Matter?
Answer: Yes. It can be difficult to consistently hit decent shots if the grips on your clubs are too large or small for your hands.
One of the most overlooked aspects of a golfer's equipment is the grip. Most players are unaware of the various grip sizes available. Did you know there is an undersized, standard, midsize, and jumbo sizes?
Sizing - We don't just measure your hand. For example, some golfers have a long palm and short fingers which might be more ideal for a cadet type glove and a thinner (tour velvet type grip). On the opposite hand (pun intended) you might see a golfer which measures to an average hand size with narrow yet long fingers. This golfer will most likely prefer a larger grip like a jumbo. The jumbo is also a popular option with those with large or strong hands. Those who have a lack of strength in the hands due to arthritis or physical limitations may prefer a similar yet more shock absorbent oversize grip.
Question: What if I work with my hands for a living?
Answer: After years of fitting clubs, its obvious that those who work with their hands have a strong tendency to hold the club with a death grip. Because of their occupation, the muscles in the hands and arms are much strong than the average person. With lessons from Butch Harmon or David Leadbetter, they'll still find themselves giving the golf club the choke hold. The best way to combat excessive grip-pressure is to use a grip one size larger than standard. Larger grips tend to reduce grip-pressure, which is a critical key to smooth tempo and a good golf swing.
Question: What are the parameters for fitting a grip?
Answer: Our philosophy is all about fitting golfers properly, individually, and taking into consideration all the variables. This may also mean making exceptions when needed. So when selecting a new set of clubs and or grips, see a golf professional, and tell him or her all about your game-including your sense of grip pressure, glove size, current type of grips, skin type (dry or sensitive), your physical limitations, and your preferences.
Question: Will a smaller grip enable me to hook or draw the ball.
Answer: This urban legend this is typically incorrect. In fact, smaller grips = tighter grip pressure = less forearm/clubface rotation.
For whatever reason, many golfers have been told that by switching to a small grip, they will reduce their slicing. The same has been said about a larger grip promoting a fade.
Fact is, the size of the grips on a golfer's clubs should be determined by the size, type of a golfer's hands and yes, grip-pressure. In fact most golfers hold the club too tight so those golfers with excessive grip-pressure will typically prefer and play better with a larger grip.
A grip that is too small will make it exceedingly difficult for any golfer to hold a club properly. With such a grip, a player is likely to manipulate the clubface resulting in erratic shots.
Question: How Important is grip pressure anyway?
Answer: Even a seasoned player who uses a grip that is too small for his or her hands, will find herself or himself creating excessive grip pressure. Excessive grip-pressure locks up the limbs from the fingertips up through the biceps and throughout the rest of the body. Tight grip-pressure leads to TENSION, and tension is bad for any golf swing. This can lead to a multitude of problems including: an outside-in swing path, casting, slice, inconsistent divot pattern among other problems.
Question: Does wearing a hole in my glove have anything to do with my grips?
Answer: As mentioned above, such wear in the glove comes from losing the club at the top of the backswing. At this point, the club separates from the glove-hand heel-pad, resulting in the player re-griping at the top to start the forward swing. The friction of re-gripping gradually wears a hole in both the thumb and heel-pad of the glove. As much as this is a swing flaw, it stems from an improper grip or inadequate grips/size.
The most common wear spot on a glove are on the heel pad of the palm and thumb areas. If you wear a hole in the glove in any spot, your hands are moving on the club during the swing. This can be caused by your grips being worn out, improper hand placement and the incorrect grip size. Let's face it, even if your grips are the correct size that doesn't mean that the grips aren't worn out or that you achieve the proper grip.
Question: How often should you replace your grips?
Answer: If you play once a week or more you should consider re-gripping your golf clubs once a year. New grips can add traction and prevent the club from twisting in your hands. Old grips dry out over the course of a year and tend to be less shock absorbent after just a couple of months. Ultimately, new grips add life to an old set and may eliminate tension in the hands and arms.
Question: - Does grip alignment make difference?
Answer: Absolutely! Grip alignment is what many golfers use to set the clubface into a square position at address. So not only should the grip be properly aligned with the leading edge of the clubface, the butt cap of the grip should be square. It's also important that the grip doesn't fit lose or isn't twisted. If the grip is not correctly aligned, it will make aligning the clubface (at setup) more difficult resulting in shots missed left and right. This subtle deviation may cause you to make setup and swing adjustments when the culprit is a crooked grip.
Question: What type of grip should I choose?
Answer: First, get fit for size. Depending upon your hand size, grip pressure, skin type and preference we can help you decide. Base your decision on what feels most comfortable.
Question: I'm having my clubs re-gripped, should I consider being fit for length and lie?
Answer: Depending upon your height and arm length, your clubs may need to be extended or shortened. This can be done during the re-gripping process. Finding the ideal lie angle for your swing will help you hit the ball straighter and improve ball striking. If you're 5' 8" or shorter or 6'1" or taller, standard length clubs will not likely fit. Consider this. If a person 5'8" and another person 6'1" walk in to a store and buy a suit. The first (shorter person) will likely walk out with a 30-inseam pair of pants while the other (taller person) will walk out with a 32-inseam pair of pants. So if there is a two inch difference in their pants shouldn't there be at least a one inch difference in the length of their clubs? We at Bob Burns Golf can help you with all of your custom club questions and needs.
