Buying guide for best putter grips
Because putting can be such a maddening part of the game, many golfers have a few superstitions on the green. They might use two practice swings. They might use a lucky penny as a ball mark. They might even talk to their putters. They don’t care if they look crazy as long as they sink that birdie putt. But while superstitions are fun, golfers have more success when they focus on the equipment. And one thing that sometimes gets overlooked is the putter grip.
There are many different putter designs, and most golfers pay attention to the putter head and the angle of the shaft, but you don’t want to forget the grip. Use the wrong grip on your putter, and your game may suffer. Once you find a putter that works for you, spend some time finding the right grip to pair with it.
When it comes to putter grips, there are now lots of choices. Let BestReviews help you find the one that’s right for your game. Our buying guide is full of useful information, tips, as well as some of our favorites.
Key considerations
Material
Putter grips are available in a few different materials. Start by determining which one you want to use.
Rubber: Rubber golf grips are the most common, especially for beginner to intermediate players. Inexpensive putters may have rubber grips because they don’t cost as much as some other materials. Rubber delivers a nice softness, as well as a little bit of stickiness, so your hands don’t slip.
Elastomer: Also called resin, elastomer grips provide many of the same benefits as rubber, including stickiness, but they’re more durable and won’t compress over time.
Leather: Leather putter grips are the most expensive. However, because you’re only using the grip on your putter, you might be willing to spend a little extra for it. Leather has an impressive softness and durability that can help players have better success on the green. Additionally, leather comes with widely varying levels of stickiness, so you can find the perfect match for your style of play.
Polyurethane or EVA foam: Putter grips made of polyurethane or foam are among the lightest. They have an extremely soft feel, allowing you to squeeze the grip tightly if desired. You’ll frequently find these materials in oversize putter grips, with a polyurethane cover and EVA foam inside.
Expert Tip
If you’re using a shorter than average putter (33 inches or less), you might need a special type of grip made for these clubs.
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Features
Other than material, several other aspects of putter grip design set one model apart from another.
Color
There are a number of different colors available in putter grips, especially in polyurethane/EVA foam grips. Black is common, but there are lots of other colors to choose from.
Shape
Three common putter grip shapes are pistol, round, and paddle.
Pistol: The pistol grip has a shape that resembles the handle of a pistol, with a small section that widens near the end to help you correctly position your hands on the grip.
Paddle: The paddle grip has a flat side on the front that’s made for your thumbs to help with proper hand alignment.
Round: In putter grips, a round shape is uncommon, although it’s the grip shape used on other golf clubs, like irons and woods. (In fact, the rules of golf say irons and woods can’t have a flat side on the grip. According to the rules, a putter grip cannot have indentions that match the contour of the fingers but can have one flat side.) Some golfers who prefer having the same shape of grip on all their clubs may choose a round putter grip.
Oversize vs. standard
Oversize: The popularity of the oversize, or jumbo, putter grip has grown in recent years. This grip approaches the maximum diameter allowed under USGA rules, which is 1.75 inches. For those golfers who tend to break their wrists when putting, they’re better able to maintain the position of their wrists with a jumbo putter grip.
Standard: Standard putter grips measure between 1.0 and 1.33 inches in diameter. Some golfers prefer the standard grip because they can feel the club and control the putter head better during the putting stroke.
Did you know?
The USGA rules allow golfers to place two different types of grips on extra-long putters, one for the upper hand on the shaft and one for the lower hand.
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Accessories
Putter: Scotty Cameron Select Newport Putter
There’s no point in buying a new putter grip for a putter you hate. Pick a great putter first and then add a grip that fits your game. This Scotty Cameron putter is well balanced to give you the feel you need on the green.
Golf glove: Bionic StableGrip Golf Glove
To reduce the amount of oil and sweat from your hands that ends up on the putter grip, wear a golf glove. This comfortable Bionic model wicks moisture away from the hand to help keep the grip clean and dry.
Putting mat: Putt-A-Bout Grassroots Putting Green
Practicing at home can help you improve your putting stroke while also gaining a good feel for your new putter grip. This mat is made of high-quality materials and will last a long time.
Expert Tip
A putter grip’s maximum diameter is 1.75 inches, according to golfing rules. However, if you only play recreationally, other golfers probably won’t care if you have a putter grip that’s thicker than regulation.
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Putter grip prices
Putter grips are extremely inexpensive, especially compared to the cost of a new putter. Adding a new grip is a smart way to add life to an existing putter or create a new feel for an older club.
Inexpensive: The lowest-priced putter grips cost $5 to $10.
Mid-range: You can expect to pay $10 to $25 for these putter grips.
Expensive: For specialty putter grips, such as oversize models or those made of an exotic material, you could pay anywhere from $25 to $100.
Regripping: You can choose to put the new grip on the putter yourself, but unless you plan to regrip your clubs relatively frequently, it’s probably not worth the cost of adhesive, tape, tools, and other materials needed to do the job. Instead, take your new putter grip to a pro shop or golf club retailer and you can have the grip put on for about $3 to $7.
Tips
- Store your clubs in a temperature-controlled environment. All grips will last longer if stored indoors. Leaving your clubs in the trunk of your car can expose them to extreme temperatures, which may cause the grip material to break down prematurely.
- Clean the grips. As you use the putter, the grip collects dirt, oil, and sweat from your hands. After every few rounds of golf, clean the grips with a mild dish soap, a little warm water, and a soft-bristled scrub brush. Don’t submerge the grips in water. Pat the grips dry with a towel and let them air-dry for a few hours before using them.
- Don’t use soap on leather grips. Only use a small amount of water to clean leather grips, no dish soap or any other kind of cleaner. Unless the grip manufacturer recommends otherwise, don’t use leather conditioners on this type of putter grip either.
- Follow the manufacturer’s instructions. If you’re using putter grips made of a nonstandard material, follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for cleaning and maintaining them.
FAQ
Q. Are there putter grips made from exotic materials?
A. Yes. Beyond the common grip materials listed above, you can find grips made from exotic types of hide, including alligator, lizard, ostrich, salmon, and snake. These are rare, and they’re more expensive than standard putter grips.
Q. How does the weight of the putter grip affect the putting stroke?
A. The putter head feels lighter with the extra weight in the grip, which some golfers prefer. Conversely, a lightweight putter grip makes the putter head feel heavier. Which style you prefer is a matter of personal choice.
Q. How often do I have to change the putter grip?
A. Frequent golfers should change the grips on irons and woods every 6 to 18 months. However, because you don’t place stress on the putter grip when using it like you do with other clubs, the putter grip might last several years. Putter grip replacement is more about aesthetics and feel than the grip wearing out.
Q. Should I change the original grip on my putter?
A. You certainly can. You may love the putter head, but the grip might not be comfortable for you. If so, changing the grip to something that’s more comfortable and fits your putting stroke is a good idea. Additionally, some golfers prefer a putter grip in a certain style or color.
