Lets examine the above questions in reverse.
If a player has problems getting the correct
grip, there are grips available with diagrams
of how to place the hands. Examples of this
would be any vendor grips( Taylor Made, Titleist,
and Callaway to mention a few) and the traditional
Victory grip.
If a player has the tendency to hook/slice
the golf ball, the grips could be too large/small
to accommodate the hand. If grips are not sized
properly then what happens is that the club
release is affected either not enough, or too
much, causing the ball to move left if too small
and right if too large.
If a player doesn’t wear a glove/ perspire
they may need to go to a grip that has a course
texture so that a firm grip can be maintained
throughout the swing.
As time goes on and advances in technology
are made, even the simplest of things are affected.
One change that seems insignificant, but carries
a large impact, is with grips that players are
now able to put on their equipment. Grips have
gone more or less from leather to rubber to
multi compound construction. For our explanation
we will use 2 examples of grips that would more
than likely make Hogan himself go Hmmm. The
first grip is GolfPride’s Multicompound
and the second is the V17 AVS by Winn Grips.
Grips in today’s day and age are focusing
on control, comfort, and durability through
the use of science.
Example 1: GolfPride’s
new decade Multicompound grip which “combines
black velvet cord for the upper hand with soft
red rubber for the lower. A unique combination
of control and comfort”. This particular
grip “features innovative two layer thermoset
rubber construction. A firm inner layer assures
maximum control while the soft outer wrap delivers
comfort and sensitivity”.(golfsmith clubmaker
magazine2004 vol. 13 no.8)
Example 2: The V17 AVS by
Winn Grips
“Revolutionary departure from standard
rubber grips, the V17 AVS is engineered from
the latest grip material to date. V17 is a proprietary
polymer that offers a firm, responsive feel
with unprecedented tackiness in all weather
conditions. This extraordinary material utilizes
an Advanced Vertical Seam process that allows
the wrapped grip a virtually seamless appearance.”
(Winn home page)
Mitson's Quick Grips Fitting System
The quick fit method for grip sizing:
- Take your grip with the left hand only.
- Take notice of where the ring and middle
finger end up.
- If these fingers end up wrapped into the
palm (like making a fist) then the current
grips are too small.
- If the fingers on the other hand almost
form the letter “c” then the grips
are more than likely too large.
- A properly sized grip will fit in the players’
hand with comfort and the ring and middle
finger will almost touch the palm
Another pertinent question is when should a
player change the grips? This is based on amount
of play and practice. However grips should be
changed a minimum of once a season, usually
this is done before the beginning of the season..
Due to the fact that as time passes grips get
slick, dry out, wear where the thumbs and fingers
are placed. Another note is that as practice
and playing time is put in some grips may need
to be changed more often (example would be wedges,
7ir. and driver).
In conclusion this tech would recommend having
your grips changed in Feb. so that you beat
the rush and are ready to get to the links and
play instead of searching for that club that
just slipped out of the hands.
Upcoming articles:
-Nanotechnology and how it
affects the golf industry
-Drivers with weighting, does it really
make a difference?
-Your wedges, what to carry and why.
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