As a golfer, you have many options when you're looking to upgrade your equipment. There are many metals to choose from when selecting the composition of your club heads, and there are many materials to choose from when deciding upon your shafts. Why should your grips be any different?

Most golfers know the basic materials grips are made of. You've got rubber, leather, various cording and other fabrics. However, what most golfers don't know is that many of these materials are actually terrible for your game and for your hands.

The worst offenders are the grips that are made out of cords and half cords. Most of the time, golfers buy these grips because they hear or read their claims that cord grips are exceptionally weather resistant and are "all-weather" grips. This could not be further from the truth. Cord grips might, and I stress might, do a better job of wicking away moisture than other clubs. That's the primary purpose that they're designed for. However, they are no less waterproof than any other type of grip. In fact, when cord grips get really wet and the fabric is saturated, you can wipe them with a towel all you want and they will still feel slick. So, you still have to take precautions to keep them dry. The other problem with cord and half cord grips is that they rip your hands to shreds. They are so rigid and so unforgiving that they will cause blisters, cuts and torn skin.

Polymer and plastic have become extremely popular in golf grips because they can be molded in bright colors, but these are not durable materials for use in golf. Like rubber, the quality of polymers is variable. There are lots of very cheap polymer grips available out there that wear very quickly, get dirty and play very slick in wet conditions. Good polymers are being used, with better results but they still lack the inherent advantages of rubber and often cost a fortune!

Leather is also a pretty poor material to use for grips. Whether it is soft or synthetic, leather, especially as it ages, tends to lose its tackiness much faster than other types of grips. Leather grips can become very slick and slippery in your hands as you continue to use your clubs. Slick and slippery grips can cause improper hand motion, which can cause you to hit erratic and shorter shots. Your club face can unexpectedly open and close, which will cause more unwanted hooks and slices.

Some grips are made of velvet and chamois. These are terrible materials to use for grips. While they might provide the golfer with an exquisite level of comfort, they are unreliable and have poor functionality. Golfers might be persuaded into buying velvet and chamois grips because of their spongy softness. However, these grips are generally made with cheap rubber blends instead of real rubber and wear out much faster. Also, velvet and chamois grips are known for not being the best at resisting moisture.

Always be careful about the composition of your golf grips. Skimping on quality materials can equal bad results on the course.

This post was created by the makers of PURE Grips, the most durable all natural rubber golf grips now available in full color. Find out more about our tapeless installation, advantages and color options.