This is our review of the best golf grips on the market in 2023.
I’m an avid golfer, an 8ish handicap on my way to a 2 (been a 5.6) and frequent tester & reviewer of golf clubs and equipment since 2015.
I test a LOT of clubs and I own quite a few too. I’ve played and practiced with every grip on this page over the last few years. Plus, I buy grips just for testing.
Below are my opinions and experiences with each grip…
My suggestion to you:
- Pick a grip or two you like from the page and test it/them on a club or two. Regrip your set with the one you like the most.
In this review of the best golf club grips, we discuss the unique features and benefits of each and give our recommendations.
Our #1 Recommendation for 2023: Golf Pride MCC Plus4
- Cord Texture for Superior Traction
- Promotes Tension-free Grip
- Great for sweaty hands & wet humid weather
- Durability
- Texture can be rough on hands
Best Golf Club Grips in 2023
- Golf Pride MCC Plus4 – (Editor’s Pick)
- Golf Pride MCC Plus4 Align – (1st Runner Up)
- Golf Pride Tour Velvet Align – (Best Feel)
- Golf Pride MCC (#1 Hybrid Grip on Tour)
- Golf Pride Tour Wrap 2G (Best Value)
- Golf Pride CP2 Pro & CP2 Wrap (Best for Joint Pain or Arthritis – Most Shock Absorbing)
Best Golf Grips Reviewed
#1 Golf Pride MCC Plus4 (Editor’s Pick – Best Overall)
- Cord Texture for Superior Traction
- Promotes Tension-free Grip
- Great for sweaty hands & wet humid weather
- Durability
- Texture can be rough on hands
Golf Pride MCC Plus4 grips are our #1 recommendation for best golf grips for a couple reasons
- They have great texture and traction and are superior performers in all weather conditions.
- The “Plus4” extra thickness on the lower part of the grip allows you to relax and ease grip tension for less fatigue and a more fluid motion
- The graphics allow for easy alignment and installation
- Durability
Golf Pride MCC grips have been around for over a dozen years and are one of the most popular grip styles in the game of golf – the half cord grip. Grips are getting a touch more expensive these days, so the added durability of the MCC Plus4s is appreciated
Sizes: Standard – Midsize – Undersize – Jumbo
Customer Reviews: Average customer rating is 4.9 and 100% of reviewers would recommend the Golf Pride MCC Plus4 grips to a friend. Don’t know how you beat that.
They Best Serve: Golfers having issues with squeezing too tight on their grips and need help with added texture for better traction and less slipping.
#2 Golf Pride MCC Plus4 Align (Best for Consistent Hand Placement)
- Excellent Traction
- Easy Hand Placement & Face Alignment
- Promotes tension-free grip for power
- Texture can be too rough for some
Golf Pride MCC Plus4 grips are our #1 recommendation for best golf grips for a couple reasons
- They have great texture and traction and are superior performers in all weather conditions.
- The “Plus4” extra thickness on the lower part of the grip allows you to relax and ease grip tension for less fatigue and a more fluid motion
- The graphics allow for easy alignment and installation
- Durability
Golf Pride MCC grips have been around for over a dozen years and are one of the most popular grip styles in the game of golf – the half-cord grip. Grips are getting a touch more expensive these days, so the added durability of the MCC Plus4s is appreciated
Sizes: Standard – Midsize – Undersize – Jumbo
Customer Reviews: Average customer rating is 4.9 and 100% of reviewers would recommend the Golf Pride MCC Plus4 grips to a friend. Don’t know how you beat that.
They Best Serve: Golfers having issues with squeezing too tight on their grips and need help with added texture for better traction and less slipping.
#3 Golf Pride Tour Velvet Align
- Less texture for better playability
- Moisture-wicking technology
- Alignment strip for easy hand placement
- Lack of color options
- Not best for sweaty hands
Golf Pride Tour Velvet Align are classic tour velvet style grips and are our #3 choice for a couple reasons
- Great feel, texture, and traction even for sweaty hands and hot/humid weather
- Alignment strip helps with hand position, clubface awareness and control, and installation
- Good durability
You get the look and feel of a classic tour velvet grip with added tackiness, feel, and durability.
Sizes: Standard – Midsize
Customer Reviews: Average customer rating is 4.9 and 97% of reviewers say they would recommend them to a friend.
They Best Serve: The Tour Velvet Align is for golfers preferring the look and feel of a classic grip with better performance features like durability, moisture wicking, and help with hand placement.
#4 Golf Pride MCC (#1 Hybrid Grip on Tour)
- Half-cord grip for great traction & feel
- Great for sweaty hands & wet humid weather
- Durable
- Texture can be rough for some
Golf Pride Tour Velvet Align are classic tour velvet style grips and are our #3 choice for a couple reasons
- Great feel, texture, and traction even for sweaty hands and hot/humid weather
- Alignment strip helps with hand position, clubface awareness and control, and installation
- Good durability
You get the look and feel of a classic tour velvet grip with added tackiness, feel, and durability.
Sizes: Standard – Midsize
Customer Reviews: Average customer rating is 4.9 and 97% of reviewers say they would recommend them to a friend.
They Best Serve: The Tour Velvet Align is for golfers preferring the look and feel of a classic grip with better performance features like durability, moisture wicking, and help with hand placement.
#5 Golf Pride Tour Wrap 2G (Best Value – Tackiest Grip)
- Superior tackiness & feel
- Great for sweaty hands
- Durable
- Must keep dry to remain playable
Golf Pride Tour Velvet Align are classic tour velvet style grips and are our #3 choice for a couple reasons
- Great feel, texture, and traction even for sweaty hands and hot/humid weather
- Alignment strip helps with hand position, clubface awareness and control, and installation
- Good durability
You get the look and feel of a classic tour velvet grip with added tackiness, feel, and durability.
Sizes: Standard – Midsize
Customer Reviews: Average customer rating is 4.9 and 97% of reviewers say they would recommend them to a friend.
They Best Serve: The Tour Velvet Align is for golfers preferring the look and feel of a classic grip with better performance features like durability, moisture wicking, and help with hand placement.
#6 Golf Pride CP2 Grips (Best Shock Absorption)
- Great for Joint Pain or Arthritis
- Soft & Tacky
- Not the best for sweaty hands
The Golf Pride CP2 grips are our #1 Selection for golfers suffering from joint pain or arthritis. We like them for a couple reasons
- Soft feel with max shock absorption
- Tacky
- Durability
- Reduced taper and thicker lower hand for less grip tension
I played the CP2 Pros for a season or two, and I still have them on a couple of my woods. I love them in the Fall, Winter, and Spring. Problem for me is, I am ye of the sweaty hand. It’s difficult keeping my gloves and my hands dry enough in south Texas Summers. So they are good for me, but not ideal.
I have a couple golf buddies that’ve been playing them for over a decade and wouldn’t switch for the world.
Sizes: Standard – Midsize – Undersize – Jumbo
Customer Reviews: Average customer rating is 4.9 and 97-99% of reviewers say they would recommend them to a friend.
They Best Serve: Golfers with joint pain or arthritis. Or, anyone wanting softer tacky grips that are durable.
How to choose the correct golf grips
What to consider when choosing your best golf club grips:
1) What conditions you normally play in. Hot and Dry – Cold or Cool & Dry – Hot & Humid. I live and play in the southeast United States. So, it’s hot and humid for me.
2)Do your hands sweat? Boy, do my hands sweat. So, this is a major consideration.
3)Do you like a firm, very firm, soft, or very soft feel?
4) Do you like a rough or smooth texture? Some grips can chew your hands up, especially if you don’t play or practice much.
5) How big are your hands? You can generally ballpark it by the size of your glove.
- Grip companies have sizing charts on their websites and they’re the experts on their grips… so use their expertise.
6) Do you have joint pain or arthritis? You’ll need to find grips designed for max shock absorption. (see CP2 Pro & CP2 Wraps above)
What size golf grips do I need?
The right size grips reduce tension, grip pressure, and increase control and comfort. A grip that feels good equals more confidence and one less thing to worry about over your shot.
There are two methods for figuring out your grip size:
Glove size
Glove Size: Men’s Small / Women’s Small or Medium – Recommended Grip Size: Undersize
Glove Size: Men’s Medium or ML / Women’s Large – Recommended Grip Size: Standard
Glove Size: Men’s Large – Recommended Grip Size: Midsize
Glove Size: Men’s XL or 2XL – Recommended Grip Size: Midsize or Jumbo
Hand Size
Crease to Fingertip: < 5″ – Recommended Grip Size: Junior
Crease to Fingertip: 5″ to 6.5″ – Recommended Grip Size: Undersize
Crease to Fingertip: 6.6″ to 7.5″ – Recommended Grip Size: Standard
Crease to Fingertip: 7.6″ to 9″ – Recommended Grip Size: Midsize
Crease to Fingertip: 9.1″ to 10″ – Recommended Grip Size: Jumbo
Benefits of Oversize Grips
The main benefits of oversize grips are decreased grip pressure and tension. They decrease excessive hand or wrist action too.
Oversize grips may be a good choice for you if you have issues hooking the ball or flipping your hands at impact.
On the other hand, you may be fighting a slice and the major drawback of oversize grips is you may have issues closing your clubface in time for impact.
How to care for your golf grips
1) For cord, half-cord, and rubber grips you can use water, mild soap, and a soft brush to gently scrub your grips. Then, rinse off the soap and pat dry.
2) Rub with a damp towel for grips made from other material (like Winn grips)
Grip care during rounds
1) Dry your hands before gripping your club. 2) Switch out your gloves often so sweat and oils don’t build up them, then transfer to your grip.
FAQs
What is the best brand of golf grips?
Golf Pride has the best variety of top-quality grips. Lamkin makes awesome grips, but not quite the range. Winn makes some great grips, but has even less variety. I’m going to make it my business to try Super Stroke in the near future.
What golf grip do most professionals use?
Golf Pride grips are by far the most popular grip among professionals. Tour Velvet is the most popular grip on the PGA Tour. Golf Pride MCC is likely the second most popular grip on tour.
What grips does Tiger Woods use?
Golf Pride Tour Velvet
What is the most popular golf grip on the PGA Tour?
Golf Pride Tour Velvet
What grips does Rory McIlroy use?
Golf Pride MCC
How often should you change your golf grips?
Golf Pride suggests once a year. More if you play more often. Better-maintained grips last longer – of course.
What grips does Collin Morikawa use?
Golf Pride ZGrip Cord
What’s the best Golf Pride grip for the driver?
The driver doesn’t get a special grip. Use whatever grip you really like and already use on your irons.
What’s the best Golf Pride grip?
Tour Velvet if we’re going by volume. It’s the stock grip offered on most clubs. My favorite is the MCC Plus4.
Our Verdict on the Best Golf Grips in 2023
Golf grips are personal. The best grip for you doesn’t make it the best grip for me. I’ve given my reasons for the rankings on this page.
As I stated at the top – it’s not expensive to test out a grip on one or two clubs. Once you find one you love – fit your whole set. Then, take care of them like I showed you.
Thanks for checking out our review of the best golf grips for 2023.
- Cord Texture for Superior Traction
- Promotes Tension-free Grip
- Great for sweaty hands & wet humid weather
- Durability
- Texture can be rough on hands
