Don’t have thousands of dollars to drop on a new set of golf clubs?
Every serious golfer has been in that position at least once. You stand over a golf ball, ready to execute the perfect shot, and you’re then met with the unexpected. The club twists in your hands and throws off your entire shot.
Why does this happen?
Well, the sad truth of the matter is that most golfers focus on the obvious things like equipment upgrades and technology while completely neglecting one of the most important contact points in their game–the grip. In fact, with the golf grip market growing at a steady 8.52% compound annual growth rate as players finally start to realize that proper golf grip tape techniques will change their game.
But here’s the kicker…
The secret is not so much in the grip itself but rather in how players use various golf grip tape products to customize that grip to their exact specifications.
In this guide, you will find:
- Why Golf Grip Tape Makes Such a Huge Difference
- The Build-Up Method That Tour Pros Use
- How to Choose the Right Tape Thickness
- Professional Installation Techniques That Actually Work
Why Golf Grip Tape Makes Such a Huge Difference
Golf grip tape isn’t some afterthought that you just slap under your grips.
No, it is the foundation of everything. If you think about it, your grip is the only connection between you and the club. Therefore, if that connection isn’t strong and smooth, the rest of your game is a disaster.
What most golfers don’t realize is that proper grip tape application can completely change the way that your club feels in your hands. Do you want some proof of that?
Arccos members average an improvement of 5 strokes in their first year of using the app, and part of that increase is attributed to proper equipment setup that includes customizing your grips.
Tour professionals have known this for years. They don’t just pick a grip size and call it good. No, they use premium golf grip tape to build up specific areas of their grips to match their exact hand size and swing characteristics.
Now why does this work so well?
Simple. When your grip feels just right, you automatically apply less pressure with your hands. Less pressure equals more clubhead speed, more feel, and better ball striking consistency.
The Build-Up Method That Tour Pros Use
Want to know the secret that separates weekend golfers from competitive players?
It is called the “build-up method” and, well, it is exactly what it sounds like. Instead of settling for stock grip sizes, you use additional layers of golf grip tape in order to create the perfect diameter for your hands.
How does it work?
Tour pros discovered long ago that adding extra wraps of tape under the grip helps them with several swing issues:
- Custom sizing – You will find the perfect in-between size that your standard grips don’t provide
- Firmer feel – When you stretch that rubber, it is going to provide you with a more responsive feel
- Shot shape control – When you build up in certain areas, you can take out unwanted hand action
Bubba Watson, for instance, takes this build-up tape thing to an extreme with 15 wraps of tape underneath the bottom half of his driver grip and 13 wraps underneath the top half.
The average golfer won’t need that many, but the principle is the same.
How many layers of grip tape are optimal for most golfers?
Two to four. It is as simple as that. Each layer of quality grip tape is going to add about 0.0075″ to your grip diameter, which doesn’t sound like a lot, but your hands are going to notice the difference.
How to Choose the Right Tape Thickness
Not all grip tapes are created equally.
Thickness is more important than most players realize. When you look at the grip tape market dominating the sports and recreation application with over 45% market share, it becomes clear that manufacturers have been improving these products with time.
The breakdown is as follows:
- Standard tape (0.005″ – 0.0075″) : This is good for most golfers that want slight customization
- Thick build-up tape (0.01″ – 0.015″) : Perfect for big size increases
- Ultra-thin tape (0.003″ – 0.005″) : Ideal for players that only want to make a minor adjustment
Most golfers find the sweet spot between 0.5mm and 1.0mm. Tapes above the 1.0mm threshold start to feel stiff to the hands, and the thinner tapes below 0.5mm often do not provide much enhancement.
The pro tip is this. Always start with standard thickness and work your way up. It is a lot easier to add more tape rather than peel back the layers already in place.
Professional Installation Techniques That Actually Work
So, you are ready to install your grip tape like a pro?
Then you need to be aware of the fact that the installation process makes or breaks the entire project. You could have the best tape in the world, but if you don’t know how to apply it, you will end up with lumpy and uncomfortable grips that ruin your game.
The step-by-step process.
Remove the Old Grip Properly
- Use a proper hook blade
- Always cut away from your body
- Strip off all the old tape. Yes, that means the thin factory tape that is already on the shaft. If it is not smooth, it needs to go.
Apply the Base Layer
- One full wrap of double-sided grip tape is all you need for the foundation.
- Make sure to cover the entire grip area without overlapping. If you do not have enough tape to go all the way around, you do not have enough tape.
Add Your Build-Up Layers
- Apply your additional wraps starting from the bottom and working upwards.
- Rotate each layer slightly so the seams do not line up. Multiple seams on top of each other create small raised areas that you will feel through the grip.
Activate with Solvent
- Use solvent on the final layer of tape.
- Mineral spirits work better than most of the commercial solvents available.
Install the Grip Quickly
- You have about 30 seconds once that solvent hits the tape before it becomes tacky.
- Slide the grip on in one smooth motion. Do not stop to check your work. You will have plenty of time to adjust it once it is on.
Common Installation Mistakes to Avoid
Do not make these rookie mistakes that will just waste your time and money.
- Using too much solvent. This excess solvent will only make your tape less sticky and will cause the grip to shift.
- Rushing the process. This is something that most golfers should be careful about. If you rush applying the layers, it is going to take you much longer to correct your errors. Spend some extra minutes aligning the tape layers instead and save yourself hours of frustration.
- Ignoring compatibility. The sad truth is that not all grips will work well with significant build-up. Check the manufacturer’s specifications and stick to that.
- Forgetting about swing weight. Yes, you read that right. When you add more tape, you are also changing the swing weight. Be sure to factor it into your calculations.
Putting It All Together
Proper golf grip tape techniques will change your golf game without breaking the bank. With more than 75% of golfers fitting in the standard sizing categories, most golfers can benefit from some level of customization.
Start by adding two to three extra wraps of quality tape to your current grips and feel the difference. You will be surprised by the kind of improvement in control and confidence that such a small modification can make.
The best part is that once you master all these techniques, you will never have to settle for “close enough” grips ever again.
These golf grip tape techniques are not exactly rocket science, but they do require attention to detail. Be patient, use only quality materials, and, above all, do not be afraid to experiment.
Time to get to work now and start building those perfect grips for your game.
