The firmness of your grip determines two primary factors: level of comfort and swing feedback. These two factors work against each other, so the more comfortable your grip is, the less you will be able to feel your shot when you strike it. Obviously, if your grip is more firm, it is less comfortable, but you will have maximum control over your swing and will receive maximum feedback.
You will always want a grip that feels comfortable in your hands when you swing it. Grips that aren't comfortable can cause calluses, blisters or torn skin on your hands, and might cause you to change your swing mechanics as you progress through a round of golf. However, you don't want a grip that is too comfortable. If your grip is too soft, you will not be getting feedback and maintaining control of the club face.
Unfortunately, one of the only ways to test if a grip is too soft or not is to try it out in a shop, on a range or on the course. If you feel like you don't feel the ball enough when you strike it, you might want to consider trying the next-firmer grip available. If that grip feels comfortable, go with it! It is important to have comfort, yes, but almost any golf professional will tell you that it is more important to be able to feel how you are striking the ball and to maintain maximum control throughout the swing. Try a wide variety of grips to find out what levels of firmness you like best. You might be surprised with what you discover!
Moving up a level of firmness might make you a better golfer. The right grip, including its firmness, its composition and its size, allows you to swing the club consistently and hit better shots. Golfers who play without proper grips often hit worse shots. If you are hitting a bunch of slices or hooks without much explanation as to what is going wrong, consider the possibility that your club grips just might not be right for you. The wrong size grip can contribute to improper release of your hands when striking the ball, causing errant shots. Wrongly sized grips can also cause a loss of velocity in your swing, which results in loss of power and shorter shots. Always make sure your grips are not only the right size for you and your style of play, but that they are also the proper firmness as well.
You will always want a grip that feels comfortable in your hands when you swing it. Grips that aren't comfortable can cause calluses, blisters or torn skin on your hands, and might cause you to change your swing mechanics as you progress through a round of golf. However, you don't want a grip that is too comfortable. If your grip is too soft, you will not be getting feedback and maintaining control of the club face.
Unfortunately, one of the only ways to test if a grip is too soft or not is to try it out in a shop, on a range or on the course. If you feel like you don't feel the ball enough when you strike it, you might want to consider trying the next-firmer grip available. If that grip feels comfortable, go with it! It is important to have comfort, yes, but almost any golf professional will tell you that it is more important to be able to feel how you are striking the ball and to maintain maximum control throughout the swing. Try a wide variety of grips to find out what levels of firmness you like best. You might be surprised with what you discover!
Moving up a level of firmness might make you a better golfer. The right grip, including its firmness, its composition and its size, allows you to swing the club consistently and hit better shots. Golfers who play without proper grips often hit worse shots. If you are hitting a bunch of slices or hooks without much explanation as to what is going wrong, consider the possibility that your club grips just might not be right for you. The wrong size grip can contribute to improper release of your hands when striking the ball, causing errant shots. Wrongly sized grips can also cause a loss of velocity in your swing, which results in loss of power and shorter shots. Always make sure your grips are not only the right size for you and your style of play, but that they are also the proper firmness as well.