In this video I show you the biggest misconception when regripping golf clubs. Everybody gets this wrong! Interested in a fitting, custom build, or repair. Contact me adam@elitefitgolf.com Apparel provided by Puma Golf.
I'm starting to love regripping, changing ferrules, shafts etc and I'm thinking of making my home workshop. It would be awesome if you had a list of the best products to have (tape, solvant, your small compressor etc) in either a video or a list in the description!
Such an interesting video. Every time I've ever held a club with build up layers they never felt larger, they always felt rock hard to me. So this makes a lot of sense with my experience
You will feel a difference under the lower hand though. That part of the grip is already thin so when it stretches and thins out it is not as noticeable. I put 3 extra wraps of tape that were about 3"-4" long down under the thinner part of the grip on one of my wedges just to see if it felt different and it is absolutely thicker. Also, like others have said this changes the swing weight and even though the club is overall getting heavier, the clubhead will start to feel significantly lighter.
AJ, this was eye opening for me. I, too, was told to use 3-4 extra layers of tape to get the grip a size larger. Never thought about the grip rubber expanding and getting thinner. Thanks for the education. Cheers.
I love your channel and content! I do regripping for guys in our team match group at our club. From now on I'm going to show them the rubber band example. I agree that the firmness of the grip increases by all the layering. Also waste of buildup tape when as you said, just move up to midsize. I put a lot of jumbo grips on clubs for the guys since most are older and have the common problem of arthritic hands. So, thanks for reenforcing the theory. Keep up the great work and I never miss one of your videos!
Great video. I wish you would’ve measured the lower part of the grip as well to see if there was any difference. It feels to me there is thicker rubber near the end as the grip gets wider making the influence of tape much less. But near the lower part of the grip the rubber seems to be thinner and the extra tape may have more of an impact in diameter.
Hi AJ, It's been a while! The other aspect with stretching rubber beyond what it is designed to be. It places it under unnecessary stress. I worked with industrial/aerospace rubber compound products. O rings are a prime example. The effects of over stretching, placing strain on the structure of the material and the effects of ozone will lessen the life of any rubber compound product. Inevitable crazing and perishing will occur.
Very interesting. I hadn't thought about the grip stretch aspect of it. I would have liked to see you do a second measurement father down the grip where the bottom hand would be.
Yes. The bottom half may have stretched differently. Maybe less. Maybe more! I always felt grips over that many layers felt kinda funny. Not always consistent in their firmness. As I mention in another post, I had a mentor who told me to be careful sliding grips on over multiple extra layers of tape. Don't pull them down too far, he said, or you'd thin them too much. So that's kind of what we're seeing here.
Ex club tech here. Interesting note. I had a mentor once who said not to try to stretch a grip down full length if you use multiple tape layers. You'd thin the grip, he said. Just let the grip tell you how much it wants to go on. So he kinda told me the same thing you do here, but in a different way. Having said that, I never liked building grips up that much. If I wanted midsize, I'd go midsize. I'd add 1 or 2 layers to suit someone's feel preference. I'd add a couple of layers in the bottom 2-3rds of the grip for those who liked to grip down a bit, and preferred that feel. That all seemed to work, and I'd check it with my grip gauge to make sure it did. Maybe 3 layers, especially down low on the grip, but I'd have a care not to pull the grip down too much. But that's about as far as I'd go. Layers of tape could start to feel a little funny and imprecise once you use too many of them, IMO. Not the same in all spots. Maybe the grips stretched over them unevenly. And grips not pulled down quite as far as usual but built up that much started to look kinda funny. Too short and squat. So if I needed midsize, I used midsize.
Standard to mid doesn’t seem like much when you measure the diameter but the circumference it’s actually a big difference. I just put mid sized grips on my clubs as my Winn’s standard were crumbling. The mid size feel way bigger but I find it easier to hold the club lightly with the mid size.
Awesome video sir! You’ve given me something to think about. I’d be interested to know how much weight 10 layers of tape adds versus a how much is added by a midsize or even jumbo grip.
Adding layers of tape, as you said, does get the grip firmer which will usually get your average golfer to sqeeze harder on the grip through the swing : an absolute no-no. Grip are offered in a very wide size/fitness range ... One should get the right one off the shelf and benefit from the manufacturers knowledge and experience. Regards !
Interesting video. I wish that you would have included swing weight differences. I use buildup tape with standard grips thinking the standard grip is normally lighter by about 10 to 12 grams than a midsize grip, about 3 SW's. My thought is that the tape weighs less than the additional weight of a Mid Size grip so I get a slightly small midsize grip without the additional weight that I have to deal with for swing weight. I use Pure grips, but need to switch to Star. Pure don't seem to stretch as much. I measured some I had done and was at 0.930" dia. I will look at the weight difference closer. Midsize grips would obviously be easier.
Id love to see a test of a 14*, 41 inch hybrid vs a 3 wood. I keep coming back to a very low lofted hybrid. My 18* can get out 250 if I step on it. My 3 wood only goes 265 maybe 275 if I get all of it. Seriously debating dropping 3w for a 14* hybrid.
I feel like this is a stupid question but when you build a new set do people expect you to keep the plastic on the iron heads. I have a bit of OCD and I am conflicted about removing it but I need to remove it to put on decals and throw them in the loft lie machine to check actual measurements of the clubs for build sheet ever have a customer upset you removed all the wrappers? Also what is the model of camera stand you have for overhead if you dont mind me askign its really nice. Sorry one more question do you put every build through loft and lie machine for build sheet or do you simply use published measurements. Thanks for all the great videos
It would have also been interesting to see what weight difference there was between a mid sized girp and a standard grip with 10 layers of tape for swing weight purposes. It need to be pointed out that many people fit a midweight/jumbo grip to try but are never told how much that's lowering the swingweight of the club.
I found when I used multi layers of tape it effectively shortened the grip. As you stretched the grip forward to the original length you may have found a different result if you left the grip in its natural position. Otherwise an interesting video.
This is the mistake he made. I use 2 layers of gorila tape the shaft diameter becomes 660. The extera tape shortens the length of the grip .5 inch. The last grip you are installing will finish SHORTER but you are going to STRETCH it to get to your masking tape stop.
I decided to regrip my clubs and I got a deal on standard size grips so I figured I'd build them up with tape. People on reddit were saying 6 strips of tape so I was confused when it ended up taking 20 to match my previous grips.
Your experiment only makes sense u til a certain point. Case in point bubba and Tony finau use something like 13/14 extra wraps and I've held one of. Tony's clubs and there is definitely a big difference. It's not that you're spreading misinformation but, you're spreading misinformation 😂😂😅
They use thirteen fourteenths of an extra wrap? That would make even less difference than two full wraps. I doubt you could feel the difference!!! Or did you mean 13-14 extra wraps???
It did change the taper of the grip moving from extra layers on the butt side vs tip side but the thickness was not as great as the pure rubber equivalent.
Building up with tape is reducing taper therefore changing the overall thickness in your hands. Measure 4-6 inches down and compare and you will get a much different result.
If you allow the extra wraps to affect in essence a shorter grip, in other words dont stretch the grip on to its intended length, then this actually does work.
Correct. Can be a bit tricky to get right, though. I always found grips with that much tape felt a little funny. Bit too firm in some spots, but not in others, even if I was careful not to stretch the grip down too much.
@@EFGMC Experience. Feel. After awhile you learn where you can go with a grip, and you can feel the grip under your hand telling you to stop. The guy I worked for wasn't the one who directly taught me that, but I watched him change and install grips a lot, with varying amount of tape underneath, both with solvent and blowing on, (blowing on grips was just coming in at that point). You could tell from watching that he wasn't stretching them, and they always looked good and lined up well in the set. He never looked like he was pushing it to get on enough. But he also used Midsize or Jumbo if that's what the client wanted/needed. He rarely put on more than a couple of wraps in addition to the grip tape.
@@EFGMC When blowing on grips you can just push the butt end until it bottoms out and let the open end reach its "natural" length under the cushion of air.
i just need something to absorb the shock. my hand hurts so bad when i get a solid crush, should i add more tape, or just go with a thicker grip? i typicaly go for a midsize
Great video AJ! One thing I’ve also noticed is that the tapering from the butt end of shafts to the tip vary quite a bit as well. The same standard tv cord grip I play feels different on the L series LAGP shafts I play (that you actually helped me swingweight 😅), compared to the way it felt on my previous KBS C Taper and project x rifle shafts.
It's because masking tape (.008) is not the same thickness as double-sided tape (.015). You need to use paper backed buildup tape, not traditional masking tape. 2 layers of masking tape equals 1 layer of buildup tape.
@@EFGMC but you were using lower thickness masking tape. Your tape was .008" thick, 10 layers would build you up .08". If you used the correct buildup tape (as sold on golf works), you would only need 5 layers of .015 to get the same thickness.
Do you like the Skight inflator in particular or will most inflators with similar power with just fine? Been curious about using an inflator for grip changes!
As a PGA Pro, and someone who has done my own for over 30 years, I do see some issues. First, two-sided tape is MUCH thicker than masking tape. Second, once you put 10 wraps of masking tape (100% correct on application) and you put the grip on, you could see the stretch on the butt-end of the grip. Using the traditional method of mineral spirits prevents the stretch from happening. Should you ever need some pointers, give me a shout.
I've got a new G430 ping 5 wood head! I want to put it on my old but great condition Callaway 5 wood Steelhead shaft! I went to local golf shop and he told me I might lose some length in taking shaft from steelhead club?? Is it me, or it seems like that shaft goes close to all the way through that steelhead clubhead? If he has a shaft puller and with the right handed adjustable shaft adapter I bought on Amazon! Shouldn't there be plenty of length on that Callaway shaft from 5wood steelhead? Is it me or is there something fishy here? Also I bought the rubber Ferrell package, not sure if they are needed with ping shaft adapter! Would appreciate your input! Thanks Rick, retired carpenter+craftsman. Port Charlotte, Fl..
That shaft should have plenty of length assuming it's long enough in the current 5 wood. Sounds like they have never worked on a bore thru wood and did not know what to do. The Ping ferrules are completely unnecessary. I only use them if I have a brand new Ping adapter that included one.
What about doing a wrap that might influence a stronger or weaker grip. Say someone needs help in the trail hand not be so stronger and to the side. I know they make grip training aids but could it be done with build tape?
The 'myth' probably began back when the new, fancy rubber one-piece grips were introduced and there was only the one size available - standard. Prior to the one-piece grip, wrapped grips allowed you to have whatever size you wanted.
Scotty Scheffler uses .58 with +6 wraps. Says he doesn't like the feel of a midsize. In a perfect world my grips need to be 923.5 at 2 inch and 803.5 at the 6 inch mark. Typical .58 with one extra wrap of masking tape. Love your channel.
I have been regripping for 30+ years and never told anyone that extra tape would make the grip larger If they want a midsize grip they buy a midsize grip. I don't fool around with several layers of tape
Great video. I switched to midsized grips about 5yrs ago, grip them myself and I like 2 strips of DST under them. Works for me. Have a great rest of your day.
Your explanation of the wall of grip being stretched thinner with tape build up is correct but only if you pull the grip down to its un-stretched length on the shaft however being aware of this it makes sense when layering up tape to allow the grip to be a little shorter on the shaft this way the grip isn’t stretched in its length resulting in the grip being thicker , why do this ? well if I want the grip thicker in the right hand position where my fingers are longest this technique allows me to do so, it works as all my clubs are gripped in this way . Your comments welcomed.
I personally don't try to use tape in order to increase grip size, however what I will do with tape is use extra layers on a semi-squishy grip, like the lambkin sonar, to get the grip to stretch out just a little bit and be tighter feeling
How bout either bending a club 3* upright or flat ( or more? or less?) thinking like a 7 or 8 iron to use as a training club for the purpose of training a more in to out club path?
I use the jumbo square putter grip on all my clubs and it made the biggest improvement ever. No more hand or wrist pain and hit the ball straight every time.
Some are using layers because of grip preferences and do not want to change swing weight. Most of the midsize grips have 10 to 14g more weight. How do you handle this?
The tape required to reach an equivalent size will end up adding a similar amount of weight. If weight is the major concern the player will need to focus on grips that are lighter across the lineup.
@@EFGMC Sorry but 4 extra tapes with build up tape was not more than 5 to 6 gram and this is much less. A lighter grip is sometimes no option because if a player counts on a special grip.
I really enjoy your channel. So I have a request for a topic. I am a 77 year old male golfer with a swing speed under 70 mph, sometimes under 65 mph mostly due to a mild stroke that affected my left side. ( I play right handed). None of the videos I have seen discuss swing speeds that low, so my question is what flex shaft and what driver lofts etc might help. My iron shafts (7, 8, 9, PW) are recoil ESX 460 F2 flex on Mizuno JPX 923 hot metal HL heads. My grips are Lamkin Crossline standard. I suspect there are still a lot of us seniors out there that can no longer relate to the 100 mph swing speeds.
@@ericpietrondi9186 Great advice. But I have been fitted which is why I have the irons and wedges I have. I just believe that there are a lot of us seniors and I mean seniors older than 70 who still play and enjoy watching these videos who can no longer relate to younger bodies and higher swing speeds. For example, how do drivers and shafts react to much slower swing speeds and would increasing head weight make a difference. I think it would make an interesting video.
@@ericpietrondi9186 I agree one should get fitted but you seem to miss the point of an interesting video. What kind of impacts will a very low swing speed 55 to 70 mph have on “average” equipment and a chosen ball. For example will a softer grip on a F2 or A flex shaft affect ball speed? I’m sure AJ would be able to come up with informative and entertaining videos.
I’ve done my own grips for years using solvent and grip tape. It seems compressed air is the new way to do it but I would think the lack of glue might allow the grip to twist. Have you found this to be a concern?
2 tricks. Either use some hairspray on the shaft before installing the grip or just use a 1 inch piece of double sided tape at the very butt end of the shaft to stop twisting.
I need your help it's about loft adjustability. Question. If lowering the loft on an adjustable wood changes how open or closed it is, would the opposite be true? Take a non adjustable club, and open or close the face the same degree, say 1.5 or 3, make small lines at the top of the grip to standardize the adjustment, making each club more versatile. Can you please tell me why it won't work, or do a video on why it does or does not.thank you. I'm only approaching you. I think you're the one who will follow up.
Understood but if you're putting extra tape on each time, you shouldn't stretch the grip over and down to the mark. Extra tape equals grip not going down the shaft as much.
Because when your wife falls in love with the look of a particular grip only available in standard size...but she needs larger grips due to nerve issues in her hands...and there's no way to talk her into something different...that's why not!!! 😁
Why do professional golfers insist on using blade irons when their short game GIR could use some help aka G.I. irons. Is it pride? Club sponsors? Thanks
Many of the hollow/cavity/ game improvement irons when hit at certain points on the face can be very hot. Pro don't want that unexpected 5/10 yards flyer extra on a shot. They are so consistent in strike with a blade that their distance are also consistent. Many club brands are now managing to make non blade clubs without hot spots and some pros are moving to them.
Having grown up with both, with such small differences, metric would have been easier to visualise, so it would have been nice if I didn't have to go to a conversion site.
