The Best Golf Grips of 2026
Our three testers, from a fast-swinging 3-handicap to an 18-handicap senior, installed each grip and played it on the course in dry and humid conditions. These are the 13 best, each matched to the golfer it helps most.
Tested and written by Ryan Heiman, Founder and Head Reviewer
Best Golf Grip Overall: Golf Pride MCC Grip
- Three real golfersA fast-swinging 3-handicap, a 12-handicap who slices and an 18-handicap senior, so we cover a wide range of tempos.
- Installed and playedWe install every grip ourselves, then play it on the course in dry and humid conditions.
- Judged on what mattersWe rate fit, traction, firmness, shock absorption on mishits and how well each grip wears.
- Fully independentNo brand can buy a spot on this list. Every pick is earned in testing.
Independent Golf Reviews is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn a commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more
Our top picks
The Golf Pride MCC is the best grip for most golfers: firm cord under your top hand for control in sweat and rain, and softer rubber under your bottom hand for feel, for $12.99. If you want a classic all-rubber grip, the $6.99 Tour Velvet is the one most golfers know, and the $5.99 Crossline 2.0 is the best value. Golfers with arthritis should start with the Winn Dri-Tac 2.0 in Midsize or Oversize, sweaty hands need the ZGRIP Cord, and small hands the Tour Wrap Undersize. For your putter, get the Zenergy Tour 2.0.
What kind of golfer are you?
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Best Golf Grip Overall
A cord-and-rubber hybrid that holds in sweat and rain and still feels soft, for $12.99
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Most Popular Grip on Tour
The classic all-rubber grip, with a medium feel and a price that makes a full regrip easy
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Best Budget Golf Grips
SuperStroke Crossline 2.0 Grip
The successor to Lamkin’s classic Crossline, with a built-up lower hand, for $5.99
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Best Golf Grips for Arthritis and Seniors
A soft, shock-absorbing polymer grip that stays light even in Oversize
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Best Golf Grips for Sweaty Hands and Wet Weather
Golf Pride’s firmest full-cord grip, for the most hold in sweat, humidity and rain
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Best Soft Golf Grips
Golf Pride’s softest, tackiest grip, so you can hold on lightly and stay comfortable
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Best Tacky Golf Grips
A soft, sticky elastomer grip that lets you hold the club with very little pressure
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Best Alignment Golf Grip
Golf Pride MCC Plus4 Align Max Grip
The all-weather MCC with a built-up lower hand and the tallest alignment ridge allowed
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Best Midsize Golf Grips
SuperStroke’s cord-and-rubber hybrid in a fuller midsize, for $9.99
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Best Oversized and Jumbo Golf Grips
A truly oversized grip that weighs no more than a standard one, in 7 sizes
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Best Golf Grips for Women and Small Hands
Golf Pride Tour Wrap Undersize Grip
A slim, very tacky wrap-style grip that fits smaller hands, for $8.99
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Best Putter Grip
SuperStroke Zenergy Tour 2.0 Putter Grip
A parallel, no-taper putter grip that quiets your hands, and the putter grip we rate best overall
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Most Underrated Golf Grip
A tacky, US-made rubber grip with a 3-year warranty and no logo, at a fair price
Our picks in detail
Each review below explains the problem the grip solves, who it suits and who should skip it.
Our IGR score, out of 5, sums up how each grip did in our testing for the golfers it’s made for.
Best Golf Grip Overall
Golf Pride MCC Grip
Most golfers want one grip that stays secure when their hands get sweaty but doesn’t tear up their skin. The MCC solves that by putting cord where your top hand needs control and soft rubber where your bottom hand needs feel. It works in almost any weather, for almost any golfer, which is why it’s our first choice.
Why we picked it
Two grips in one. MCC stands for multi-compound. Golf Pride fuses brushed cotton cord into the upper half, where your gloved top hand does most of the holding, and uses responsive rubber in the lower half, where your bare bottom hand wants feel. The cord gives you the control of a corded grip, and the rubber stops it feeling harsh.
All-weather hold. The cotton fibers in the cord wick moisture away, and a pebbled texture with Golf Pride’s plus-sign pattern runs the full length of the grip. Golf Pride rates it high for moisture control and fairly firm, so it holds in humid heat and light rain without feeling slick. In our testing, it was the grip we trusted most in both dry and humid conditions.
A version for every golfer. The standard MCC comes in Standard and Midsize and 14 colorways for $12.99. The MCC Plus4 costs the same, adds Undersize and Jumbo, and builds up the lower hand with the feel of 4 extra wraps of tape for lighter grip pressure. If you want an alignment ridge too, see our MCC Plus4 Align Max pick.
Who it’s for
Most golfers who want one grip for every club, golfers with damp hands or humid summers, and mid and low handicappers who like firm feedback without a harsh, full-cord feel.
Look elsewhere if: you want the softest grip you can get; the Golf Pride CP is much softer. If you’re regripping on a tight budget, the Crossline 2.0 costs $5.99.
Where to buy
Prices update daily.
Most Popular Grip on Tour
Golf Pride Tour Velvet Grip
If you just want a grip that feels right and doesn’t ask you to get used to anything, this is it. The Tour Velvet has long been one of the most-used grips on tour, and Golf Pride calls it the most popular grip in golf today. At $6.99, it’s also one of the cheapest grips here.
Why we picked it
The feel golfers know. Golf Pride’s rubber blend sits right in the middle: not as firm as cord, not as soft as a polymer grip. It gives you a clear sense of the strike without stinging on mishits, and its uniform plus-sign texture gives steady traction in dry conditions. That neutral feel is why so many golfers, from tour players to weekend players, keep going back to it.
Every size, two cores. The Tour Velvet comes in Junior, Undersize, Standard, Midsize and Jumbo, so there’s a size for almost every hand. The Standard is sold with a .580 or .600 core, round or ribbed, so you can fine-tune the size and add a ridge to set your hands on. Golf Pride also makes 360, Cord, ALIGN and Plus4 versions.
Cheap to regrip. At $6.99 a grip, a full set of 13 costs about $91, roughly half the price of MCCs. The trade-off is wet weather: Golf Pride rates its moisture control as moderate, and it doesn’t hold as well as cord when your hands sweat. If that’s you, the Tour Velvet Cord adds cord for $12.99.
Who it’s for
Golfers who like a classic, neutral feel, better players who want a ribbed option and exact sizing, and anyone regripping a full set on a sensible budget.
Look elsewhere if: your hands sweat or you play in humid weather; the ZGRIP Cord or Golf Pride MCC holds better when wet. If you want something softer, try the Golf Pride CP.
Where to buy
Prices update daily.
Best Budget Golf Grips
SuperStroke Crossline 2.0 Grip
Regripping a full set gets expensive fast, so most golfers wait too long. The Crossline 2.0 costs $5.99, so 13 grips come to about $78, and it plays like a grip that costs twice as much. If you need fresh grips on a budget, this is the one to buy.
Why we picked it
A classic, updated. Lamkin’s Crossline was a favorite for more than 30 years. After SuperStroke bought Lamkin, it retired the original, and the Crossline 2.0 is its successor. It keeps the same Crossline pattern, which gives grip in every direction, and SuperStroke makes it from its durable Genesis rubber, built to keep its tack in all weather.
A fuller lower hand. The big change is SuperStroke’s 4X Modern Taper. The lower half is built up to feel like 4 extra wraps of tape, which evens out pressure between your hands and keeps the bottom hand from taking over. If you liked the old Crossline’s slimmer lower hand, the 2.0 will feel a little fuller at first.
Sizes for everyone. It comes in Undersize, Standard, Midsize and Jumbo, in black or gray, all at $5.99. If you want more hold in wet weather, the Crossline 2.0 Full Cord adds cord over the whole grip for $9.99, in Standard and Midsize.
Who it’s for
Golfers regripping a full set on a budget, former Lamkin Crossline players looking for its replacement, and golfers who regrip often because they play or practice a lot.
Look elsewhere if: you want a soft, cushioned feel; the Winn Dri-Tac 2.0 is far softer. If you want a slimmer, traditional taper, the Tour Velvet costs only $1 more.
Where to buy
Prices update daily.
Best Golf Grips for Arthritis and Seniors
Winn Dri-Tac 2.0 Grip
Arthritis turns every mishit into a jolt, and a thin, hard grip makes you squeeze even harder. The Dri-Tac 2.0 fixes both: Winn’s polymer soaks up shock, and its tacky surface lets you hold on lightly. Order it in Midsize or Oversize and it’s the easiest grip on this list on sore hands.
Why we picked it
Shock absorption. Winn makes its grips from polymer rather than rubber, and it rates the Dri-Tac 2.0’s shock absorption as high. Off-center hits sting less, and your hands feel less beaten up after a range session. Winn calls the 2.0 the next generation of its best-known grip, with better feel and durability than the original Dri-Tac.
Tacky, so you can hold on lightly. The surface is tacky without being sticky, with a moderate tread pattern and pressure points that help it stay put. A grip that doesn’t slip lets you relax your hands, and a lighter hold is easier on stiff joints. It handles damp days well, though full cord is better in a downpour.
Bigger without getting heavy. Winn sells it in Ladies, Standard, Midsize (1/16 inch bigger) and Oversize (1/8 inch bigger). The Oversize weighs just 56 g, only 5 g more than the Standard, so sizing up won’t make the clubhead feel noticeably lighter. The Ladies size is softer still and weighs 38 g.
Who it’s for
Golfers with arthritis or sore hands, seniors who want comfort and lighter grip pressure, and golfers who practice a lot and want less hand fatigue.
Look elsewhere if: you want firm feedback; the ZGRIP Cord or Tour Velvet tells you more about each strike. If you need an even bigger grip, the JMX UltraLite goes up to 3/8 inch over standard.
Where to buy
Prices update daily.
Best Golf Grips for Sweaty Hands and Wet Weather
Golf Pride ZGRIP Cord Grip
When your hands sweat or the rain comes in, a slick grip makes you squeeze, and squeezing wrecks your swing. The ZGRIP Cord has cotton cord from top to bottom and a deep Z-shaped texture, so it holds when other grips get slippery. It’s the grip we’d choose for humid summers and wet rounds.
Why we picked it
Full cord. Cotton cord runs through the whole grip, not just the top hand, and the cotton fibers pull moisture away from the surface. Golf Pride gives it its top rating for moisture control. Wet or dry, gloved or bare, your hands stay where you put them.
Deep texture. A Z-shaped pattern is etched deep into the grip and wraps diagonally around it. Combined with the cord, that gives your fingers more edges to hold, so you can keep a light grip pressure even when your hands are damp. It’s the most aggressive surface on this list.
Firm feedback. Golf Pride calls it its firmest grip. You feel exactly where you struck the ball, and the firm build helps keep your hands quiet through the swing. The trade-off is comfort: it’s rough on bare hands and passes more vibration through on mishits. ALIGN and ALIGN MAX versions add a raised ridge.
Who it’s for
Golfers with sweaty hands, anyone who plays in humid or rainy weather, and better players and fast swingers who want firm feedback.
Look elsewhere if: you have arthritis or sensitive hands; the cord is rough and the feel is firm. The Golf Pride MCC gives you cord under your top hand with soft rubber under the bottom.
Where to buy
Prices update daily.
Best Soft Golf Grips
Golf Pride CP Grip
Some golfers want a grip that looks after their hands first, and hard, rough grips only make them squeeze. The CP is the softest and tackiest grip Golf Pride makes, so it feels gentle and stays put with a light hold. If comfort comes first, start here.
Why we picked it
Soft and tacky. Golf Pride puts the CP at the softest end of its firmness scale and near the top for tack. It’s gentle on your hands, so a long range session won’t leave them sore, but it isn’t mushy. In our Golf Pride CP review, it felt like a Golf Pride grip, only stickier.
Two zones. The top half is a high-tack zone that keeps your gloved hand stuck to the grip. The bottom half is a traction zone with extra hold for your bare hand, and Golf Pride’s Plus4 build makes it feel like 4 extra wraps of tape. Less taper encourages lighter grip pressure and a looser swing.
CP or CPX. The CP costs $10.99 and comes in Standard and Midsize, in gray. If you need Undersize or Jumbo, Golf Pride’s older CPX is also soft, costs the same and comes in 4 sizes, with a quilted texture and less tack. Choose the CP for the most stick, and the CPX for more sizes.
Who it’s for
Golfers who want maximum comfort, players with sensitive hands or joints, and golfers who grip too tightly and need help relaxing, especially in hot weather.
Look elsewhere if: you want firm feedback; the Tour Velvet tells you more about each strike. If you play in heavy rain, full cord like the ZGRIP Cord holds better.
Best Tacky Golf Grips
Iomic Sticky 2.3 Grip
Golfers who strangle the club lose feel and speed, and a slick grip makes it worse. The Iomic Sticky 2.3 is made from a tacky elastomer that clings to your hands, so you can hold on lightly and still feel secure. It’s the tacky grip we’d choose, and it comes in 10 colors.
Why we picked it
Real tack. Iomic makes its grips from its own IOMAX elastomer instead of rubber. It’s soft and tacky, so the club sits in your fingers without you squeezing, and that lighter hold helps you swing more freely and feel the clubhead. Iomic also builds it for low torque, so it resists twisting in your hands.
Sizes by number. The 2.3 is Iomic’s standard size and weighs about 50 g. If you need bigger, Iomic sells the same Sticky feel as the 3.5, which sits between standard and midsize, the Mid 4.4 and the Jumbo 5.5, and the Sticky 1.8 is slimmer. A ribbed 2.3 with Iomic’s TrueLine ridge comes in black.
The cost of tack. At $14.50, it’s one of the pricier grips here, and a soft, tacky surface needs regular cleaning to stay sticky. Iomic sells its own grip cleaner for that. If you want a tacky grip for less, the Tour Wrap costs $8.99.
Who it’s for
Golfers who grip too tightly, players who want a soft, sticky feel, and golfers who like some color in their bag.
Look elsewhere if: you want firm feedback or a textured, corded feel; the ZGRIP Cord is the opposite of the Sticky 2.3. If price matters, the Tour Wrap is tacky for $8.99.
Where to buy
Prices update daily.
Best Alignment Golf Grip
Golf Pride MCC Plus4 Align Max Grip
If your hands sit a little differently on the club every time, your clubface will too. The MCC Plus4 Align Max puts a tall, firm ridge under your fingers so you can feel when your hands are in the right place, and builds up the lower hand for lighter pressure. For golfers chasing a consistent setup, nothing here does more.
Why we picked it
A ridge you can feel. Golf Pride’s ALIGN MAX ridge runs down the underside of the grip at the maximum height the rules allow, and it’s longer and firmer than a standard ALIGN ridge. Your fingers find it without thinking, which helps you set a square clubface at address. You can still choke up or down and feel it.
Plus4 lower hand. Like the MCC Plus4, the lower half feels like it has 4 extra wraps of tape. Less taper encourages lighter pressure and stops your bottom hand from taking over. In our MCC Plus4 Align Max review, it was one of the most consistent, connected grips we’ve played.
The same all-weather MCC. Underneath, it’s still an MCC: brushed cotton cord in the upper hand and rubber in the lower hand, with the same high moisture control. It costs $15.99, $3 more than a standard MCC, and comes in Standard, Midsize and Jumbo, in one black, gray and white colorway.
Who it’s for
Golfers whose hand position drifts from swing to swing, players fighting a grip that’s too strong or too weak, and mid handicappers who want MCC traction with built-in help.
Look elsewhere if: you change your driver’s hosel setting often; the ridge turns with the shaft. The ridge also takes a few rounds to get used to, so if you want a plain grip, choose the Golf Pride MCC.
Best Midsize Golf Grips
SuperStroke REVL Element Grip
Many golfers with bigger hands play a standard grip because that’s what came on their clubs, then squeeze to stay in control. The REVL Element in Midsize gives them more grip to hold, with corded traction on top and soft rubber below. It’s the best midsize grip for the money, at $9.99 in either size.
Why we picked it
A better fit for bigger hands. In Midsize, the REVL Element measures 1.15 inches across the butt end, against 1.07 inches for the Standard, and weighs 59 g. That extra thickness fills larger hands so your fingers don’t dig into your palm, which makes it easier to hold on lightly. Both sizes cost $9.99, so you don’t pay extra to size up.
Hybrid traction. The top half uses SuperStroke’s tacky ACE material with cord fused in, for a firm hold in rain, sweat and humidity. The bottom half is softer Genesis rubber for feel. In our SuperStroke REVL review, the Element had the most traction of the 3 REVL grips and was the one we’d choose for sweaty hands.
An MCC alternative for less. The REVL Element works like the Golf Pride MCC, with cord on top and rubber below, for $3 less per grip. SuperStroke also makes a newer REVL Element 4X with a fuller, reduced-taper lower hand and a Jumbo size, also for $9.99.
Who it’s for
Golfers with large hands or a men’s large or extra-large glove, players who squeeze the club, and MCC fans who want a similar hybrid for less.
Look elsewhere if: you need an Undersize or Jumbo; the standard REVL Element only comes in Standard and Midsize. If your hands are very large or sore, the JMX UltraLite goes much bigger.
Best Oversized and Jumbo Golf Grips
JumboMax JMX UltraLite Grip
Big grips help sore hands and tight grip pressure, but many are heavy, which makes the clubhead feel light. The JMX UltraLite is oversized yet weighs about the same as, or less than, a standard grip, so your clubs keep their feel. If you want a jumbo grip, this is the one.
Why we picked it
Big but light. Even the X-Large weighs about 50 g, close to a standard rubber grip, and the Standard Jumbo weighs 35 g. JumboMax says that keeps your swing weight where it was, so the clubhead doesn’t feel light the way it can with a heavy oversize grip. Its twist-resistant StabilityCore keeps the grip steady in your hands, even out of the rough.
Sizes that fit. JumboMax makes 7 sizes, from Standard Oversize (1/16 inch over standard) to X-Large (3/8 inch over). Its own guide puts men who wear a medium glove in Small or X-Small, men in a medium-large or large glove in Medium, and golfers with arthritis in Large or X-Large. JumboMax says most women play best in Standard Jumbo.
Tour-proven. Bryson DeChambeau used the UltraLite to win the 2020 U.S. Open, and JumboMax says the USGA has ruled its grips legal for all play. A Tri-Texture surface puts different patterns where your hands need traction, and JumboMax rates the feel as mid-firm. A non-tapered STR8 Tech version is also available.
Who it’s for
Golfers with arthritis or hand pain, players with very large hands, and golfers who hook it because their hands get too active.
Look elsewhere if: you slice it; a very big grip can make it harder to release the club and square the face. Try the REVL Element in Midsize or the Winn Dri-Tac 2.0 first.
Where to buy
Prices update daily.
Best Golf Grips for Women and Small Hands
Golf Pride Tour Wrap Undersize Grip
Most clubs come with standard grips, which are too thick for many women and golfers with small hands. That makes it hard to hold the club in your fingers and easy to squeeze. The Tour Wrap in Undersize is slimmer, light and very tacky, so smaller hands can hold on securely without tension.
Why we picked it
Sized for smaller hands. Golf Pride’s sizing puts women who wear a small or medium glove, and men who wear a small, in Undersize. This one has a .580 core and weighs just 43 g, so it’s slim and light, which suits lighter, smoother swings. Your fingers can wrap the grip properly instead of reaching around a thick handle.
High tack. Golf Pride uses its highest-tack rubber here, so the grip sticks to your hands even when you hold it lightly. The wrap-style texture copies the look of an old leather grip, and Golf Pride rates it on the soft side of its firmness scale. Many stores still sell it under its old name, Tour Wrap 2G.
Easy on the budget. At $8.99, a full set costs about $117, and it’s also made in Standard, Midsize and Jumbo if you need a bigger size later. The trade-off is wet weather: Golf Pride rates its moisture control as low, so keep your hands and the grip dry in humid conditions.
Who it’s for
Women who wear a small or medium glove, men with small hands, and juniors moving up to adult clubs who need a slimmer, tacky grip.
Look elsewhere if: your hands sweat or you play in the rain; the Crossline 2.0 also comes in Undersize and holds better in all weather. If you want a cushioned feel, Winn’s Dri-Tac 2.0 comes in a Ladies size; see our Winn Dri-Tac 2.0 pick.
Where to buy
Prices update daily.
Best Putter Grip
SuperStroke Zenergy Tour 2.0 Putter Grip
Short putts go wrong when your hands get busy and one hand squeezes harder than the other. The Zenergy Tour 2.0 is the same width from top to bottom, so both hands hold with even pressure, and a ridge underneath sets them in the same place every time. It’s also the top pick in our best putter grips guide.
Why we picked it
No taper. SuperStroke’s parallel shape keeps the lower hand the same size as the upper hand. That keeps grip pressure low and helps stop the bottom hand from taking over, so the putter head stays on its path. At 1.17 inches wide, the 2.0 is big enough to quiet your wrists without feeling huge.
Feel and alignment. A soft polyurethane outer layer sits over an EVA foam core, so the grip feels comfortable but still lets you feel the strike. The Enhanced Spyne ridge on the underside guides your hands into a square position, and textured zones add traction where your hands touch most.
Light, with room to add weight. At 55 g, the 2.0 is lighter than the Tour 1.0 thanks to its foam core. A Tech-Port in the end lets you add SuperStroke’s CounterCore weights if you want a counterbalanced feel. If you want a slimmer or bigger grip, the same design comes as the Tour 1.0, 3.0 and 5.0.
Who it’s for
Golfers who get handsy on short putts, players who want even pressure in both hands, and anyone who wants a larger grip without moving to a pistol or flat shape.
Look elsewhere if: you like plenty of hand action and feel in your stroke; a slimmer pistol grip suits you better. If you want a flat, wide front, look at SuperStroke’s Flatso, which our best putter grips guide also covers.
Where to buy
Prices update daily.
Most Underrated Golf Grip
Star Grip Sidewinder 360 Grip
Most golfers only look at the big grip brands and never try anything else. Star’s Sidewinder 360 is made in the USA, feels stickier than a classic velvet-style grip and carries a 3-year warranty against going hard or slick. It deserves far more attention than it gets.
Why we picked it
Sticky, not slick. It looks like a classic velvet-style grip, but the rubber is softer and stickier, so it holds with less grip pressure. Star’s symmetrical S-shaped texture is designed to give a directional hold, like a corded grip. In our Star Sidewinder 360 review, we liked its feel and tack enough to put it on our own clubs.
Built to last. Star makes every grip in the USA from its own rubber compound and backs it with a 3-year warranty against hardening, cracking, splitting or going slick. Star says most grips come with no warranty at all. The 360 design has no logo or alignment marks, so it looks the same however you set an adjustable driver.
Quick to install. You can fit it the usual way with tape and solvent, or use Star’s air tool and a compressor to slide it on with no mess and play right away. It comes in Undersize, Standard and Midsize and 8 colors. Star sells it for $15, and it’s $9.99 at some retailers.
Who it’s for
Golfers who regrip their own clubs, players who want a tacky, classic-looking grip, and anyone with adjustable woods who wants a grip with no logo.
Look elsewhere if: you need a jumbo grip; the largest Sidewinder is Midsize. If your hands sweat heavily, the ZGRIP Cord has real cord for wet days.
Compare our picks
All 13 picks side by side on material, sizes, feel, weight and price. Weights are for the Standard size unless noted.
Specs come from each manufacturer. Prices are Amazon’s and update hourly.
How we test golf grips
Every grip on this page went through the same process. We install each one ourselves, then play it on the course, in dry and humid conditions. I’m a 3 handicap with a fast swing. Our other two testers are a 12-handicap who slices and an 18-handicap senior, so between us we cover a wide range of tempos and release patterns.
The full method is on our how we test page.
- 01Install and check the fit
We install each grip and start with how it settles into the fingers. A good grip shouldn’t force you to change your hold, so we watch for tension, slipping or the need to reset your hands during the swing.
- 02Test traction and firmness
We play each grip in dry and humid conditions to see how well it holds, and judge how firm it feels and how much feedback it gives at different swing speeds and strike points.
- 03Judge comfort on mishits
We note how well each grip absorbs shock on off-center hits and whether it stays comfortable over a full session, which matters most for golfers with sore joints.
- 04Play it and watch it wear
Every grip is tested on the course across a range of tempos and release patterns, and we check how quickly it starts to wear and whether it keeps its feel and traction.
How to choose the right golf grips
Three things decide the right grip for you: size, material and feel. Size matters most, because a grip that’s too small or too big changes how your hands work in the swing. Material decides how well it holds in sweat and rain, and feel is mostly personal.
Start with your glove size in the table below, then use the sections under it to choose a material and feel. Your putter is a different job, so we cover putter grips in our best putter grips guide.
Start with your glove size
Check the size printed inside your glove, or measure your top hand from the crease of your wrist to the tip of your middle finger. Each row gives you a starting grip size and material, plus the picks that suit those hands best.
Women’s S–M, men’s S
- Grip size
- Undersize
- Material
- Soft or tacky rubber
- Look for
- A .580 core and a light, soft feel
Picks from this list that suit you
Men’s M–M/L, women’s L
- Grip size
- Standard
- Material
- Rubber, cord or hybrid
- Look for
- The feel and wet-weather hold you like
Picks from this list that suit you
Men’s L–XL
- Grip size
- Midsize
- Material
- Hybrid or cushioned polymer
- Look for
- A fuller lower hand if you squeeze
Picks from this list that suit you
Men’s XXL, or sore hands
- Grip size
- Jumbo or oversize
- Material
- Soft polymer or a light oversize build
- Look for
- Big but light, so the head still feels heavy
Picks from this list that suit you
These are starting points, not rules. With your top hand on the grip, your fingers should just touch the heel pad of your palm. If they dig in, go up a size, and if they don’t reach, go down. Try one grip on a 7-iron before you regrip the whole set.
Grip size: start with your glove, then check the fit
Glove size is the best place to start. Most men who wear a medium glove fit a Standard grip, men who wear a large or extra-large fit a Midsize, and women and men who wear a small fit an Undersize. Then hold the club: your top-hand fingers should just touch the heel pad of your palm.
Size changes how your hands work. A grip that’s too small lets your hands get busy, which often shows up as a hook. A bigger grip quiets your hands and lets you hold on with less pressure, which is why midsize and oversize grips help many golfers with arthritis or a tight grip. But go too big and it gets harder to release the club and square the face, so slicers should size up with care. Brands size differently, too: Winn’s Midsize is 1/16 inch over standard, while the biggest JMX UltraLite is 3/8 inch over.
Build-up tape and core sizes
You don’t have to jump a whole size. Every grip slides over a layer of double-sided tape, and each extra wrap makes it a little thicker. Golf Pride suggests 2 to 4 extra wraps if you’re stuck between sizes. Building up only the lower half reduces the taper, which keeps your bottom hand quieter. The CP, Crossline 2.0 and MCC Plus4 Align Max build in the feel of 4 extra wraps under the bottom hand.
Core size is the inside diameter of the grip, and it matters as much as the size on the label. Most grips here have a .600 core. Undersize and some ladies’ grips use a .580 core, and the Tour Velvet Standard comes in both. A .580 grip on a .600 shaft stretches as it goes on, so it feels thicker and firmer than its size says. Ask your grip shop which core suits your shafts, or use the difference on purpose to fine-tune the size.
Rubber, cord, hybrid or polymer
Rubber grips like the Tour Velvet and Crossline 2.0 give a medium feel, last well and cost the least. Full-cord grips like the ZGRIP Cord build cotton cord into firm rubber, so they hold best in sweat and rain, but they’re the roughest on bare hands.
Hybrids, like the MCC and REVL Element, put cord under the top hand and softer rubber under the bottom hand, which suits most golfers. Polymer and elastomer grips, like the Winn Dri-Tac 2.0 and Iomic Sticky 2.3, feel soft and tacky and absorb more shock. They’re easiest on sore hands, but soft grips usually lose their tack sooner than firm rubber or cord.
Firm or soft, tacky or textured
Firmer grips keep your hands quieter and tell you more about where you struck the ball, which better players and fast swingers often like. Softer grips soak up more vibration, so mishits sting less, which helps golfers with sensitive joints. The trade-off is that a very soft grip can lead some golfers to squeeze harder to feel secure.
Tack is different from softness. A tacky grip like the Tour Wrap or Iomic Sticky 2.3 sticks to your hands so you can hold on lightly. A textured grip like the ZGRIP Cord gets its hold from its surface pattern, which keeps working once your hands or the grip get wet.
Sweaty hands, rain and heat
If your hands sweat or you play in humid weather, cord is the most reliable choice. Cotton fibers wick moisture away from the surface, so the grip still holds when it’s damp. The ZGRIP Cord gives you the most hold here, and the MCC and REVL Element give you cord under the top hand without the full roughness.
Very tacky grips are best in dry weather and can turn slippery when they’re soaked. Golf Pride rates the Tour Wrap low for moisture control, for example. If you wear a glove, your bare bottom hand is the one most likely to slip, which is why hybrids put softer, grippy rubber there. Keep a towel handy and dry your grips between shots on wet days.
Alignment ridges, ribbed grips and adjustable clubs
A ribbed grip has a ridge down the underside that your fingers can feel, which helps you set your hands the same way every time. Golf Pride’s ALIGN grips make that ridge easier to feel, and the MCC Plus4 Align Max raises it to the maximum height the rules allow.
The catch is adjustable drivers and woods. Turning the hosel turns the shaft, and the ridge or logo on the grip turns with it. If you change settings often, a round grip with no logo, like the Sidewinder 360, looks and feels the same at any setting.
When to regrip, and what it costs
Golf Pride recommends new grips at least once a year, and sooner if you play a lot. Look for a slick, shiny surface, a grip that feels harder than it did, worn paint fill or cord that’s starting to crumble, often under your thumbs. Cleaning your grips with mild soap and water helps them last longer.
A full set of 13 costs about $78 in Crossline 2.0, about $91 in Tour Velvet and about $169 in MCC, plus tape and solvent if you do it yourself. Most golf shops will install them for you, and Star’s air tool lets you play a Sidewinder 360 as soon as it’s on.
Golf Grip FAQs
What is the best golf grip of 2026?
The Golf Pride MCC. Its cord upper holds in sweat and rain, its rubber lower keeps it comfortable, and it suits almost every golfer for $12.99.
If you prefer a classic all-rubber feel, the Tour Velvet, which Golf Pride calls the most popular grip in golf, costs $6.99. If you’re regripping on a budget, the Crossline 2.0 costs $5.99.
What size golf grip do I need?
Start with your glove size. On Golf Pride’s chart, men who wear a medium or medium-large glove fit Standard, men who wear a large or extra-large fit Midsize, and bigger hands than that fit Jumbo. Women who wear a small or medium glove, and men who wear a small, fit Undersize.
Then check the feel. With your top hand on the grip, your fingers should just touch the heel pad of your palm. If they dig in, the grip is too small. If they don’t reach, it’s too big. Try one grip on a single club before you regrip the whole set.
Are bigger grips better for arthritis?
Often, yes. A bigger grip lets you hold the club without clenching your fingers, and a soft material absorbs shock on mishits. That’s why we recommend the Winn Dri-Tac 2.0 in Midsize or Oversize and, for bigger hands, the JMX UltraLite.
Don’t overdo it, though. A grip that’s much too big can make it hard to release the club and square the face, which leads to slices. Size up one step, make sure you can still hold the club confidently, and try it on one club first.
What are the best grips for sweaty hands?
Full cord. The ZGRIP Cord has cotton cord from top to bottom, which pulls moisture away from the surface so the grip still holds when your hands are wet.
If full cord feels too rough, a hybrid like the Golf Pride MCC or REVL Element puts cord under your top hand and softer rubber under your bottom hand. Very tacky grips, like the Tour Wrap, are best saved for dry days.
How often should I regrip my clubs?
Golf Pride recommends new grips at least once a year, and more often if you play or practice a lot. Heat, sweat, sunscreen and dirt all break grips down, even when you don’t notice it happening.
Look for a slick, shiny surface, a grip that feels harder than it used to, worn paint fill or crumbling cord, often where your thumbs sit. If you have to squeeze harder to hold on, it’s time.
Cord or rubber: which golf grip is better?
Neither is better for everyone. Cord grips hold better in sweat and rain and feel firmer, with more feedback. Rubber grips feel softer, are easier on bare hands and usually cost less.
Hybrid grips give you both: cord under your gloved top hand and rubber under your bare bottom hand. That’s why our top pick, the Golf Pride MCC, is a hybrid.
What do .580 and .600 core sizes mean?
Core size is the inside diameter of the grip, in inches. Most grips use a .600 core, while undersize and some ladies’ grips use .580. Golf Pride’s Tour Velvet Standard comes in both.
A .580 core grip on a .600 shaft stretches as it goes on, so it feels thicker and firmer than its label says. A grip shop can tell you your shaft’s butt size, and you can use the difference on purpose, along with build-up tape, to fine-tune the fit.
How does build-up tape change grip size?
Each extra wrap of tape under the grip makes it a little thicker. If one size feels too small and the next too big, Golf Pride suggests adding 2 to 4 wraps to land in between.
You can also build up only the lower half. That reduces the taper, which can calm an overactive bottom hand and help golfers who hook it. The CP and Crossline 2.0 build that in, with the feel of 4 extra wraps under the bottom hand.
What happened to the Lamkin Crossline?
SuperStroke bought Lamkin and retired the original Crossline, so it’s now hard to find new. Its successor is the SuperStroke Crossline 2.0, which keeps the classic Crossline pattern and costs $5.99.
The main difference is the shape. The Crossline 2.0 has SuperStroke’s 4X Modern Taper, so it feels a little fuller under your bottom hand than the old one. If you played the original’s full-cord version, there’s a Crossline 2.0 Full Cord for $9.99.
Should my putter grip match my other grips?
No. Putting is a different motion, so putter grips come in different shapes and sizes. A bigger, non-tapered putter grip keeps your hands quiet, which helps golfers whose stroke gets handsy, while a slimmer pistol grip gives more feel.
Our pick is the SuperStroke Zenergy Tour 2.0, the same putter grip we rate best in our best putter grips guide, which covers pistol, flat and oversized shapes in more detail.
Ryan Heiman
Ryan Heiman founded Independent Golf Reviews in 2011 and still tests the clubs himself. He plays to a 3 handicap out of Tucson, Arizona. He writes for everyday golfers, with clear verdicts, honest downsides and a straight answer on which clubs are worth the money.
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