Can I Use Masking Tape for Golf Grips?

Thinking about regripping your golf clubs and wondering if that roll of masking tape in your garage will do the job? It’s a common question, and the very short answer is: yes, you technically can, but you absolutely shouldn't. Using the wrong materials on your only connection to the golf club can cause more problems than it solves. This guide will walk you through why masking tape is a bad idea, what you should use instead, and exactly how to build up your grips the right way for a more comfortable and consistent feel.

Why Did Golfers Start Using Tape Under Grips?

Before we dissect the masking tape issue, it's helpful to understand why tape is used in the first place. You might think grip tape is only there to make the grip stick to the shaft, but its most important secondary job is customizing the grip's size. Almost every touring pro has their grips customized with a specific number of tape wraps to fit their hands and swing perfectly.

Here’s why it matters so much:

• It Influences Grip Pressure: If a grip is too thin for your hands (the most common issue for amateur golfers), you’ll subconsciously squeeze the club too tightly to feel in control. This tension ruins your tempo and feel. A slightly larger, properly fitted grip fills your hands correctly, promoting a lighter, much more relaxed grip pressure.
• It Affects Hand Action: Grip size has a direct impact on your ability to release the club through impact. A grip that's too small can encourage overactive hands, leading to a quick release and potentially a nasty hook. A grip that's too large can restrict your hands' ability to release, often resulting in a block, push, or slice because you can't square the clubface in time.
• It Boosts Comfort and Confidence: A grip that feels "right" in your hands is a game-changer. It eliminates a subconscious distraction and allows you to stand over the ball with confidence, trusting your connection to the club.

The standard way to increase grip size is by adding extra layers of tape under the grip. Each full layer of specialized “build-up tape” typically adds 1/64” to the diameter. Going from a standard size to a midsize grip, for example, often requires about four extra layers of tape.

The Problem with Using Masking Tape

So if it's just about adding layers, why not use cheap and readily available masking tape? It seems logical, but this is a classic case of using the wrong tool for the job. Here are the core reasons why masking tape is a surefire way to ruin your regripping project.

1. Inconsistent Thickness and Texture

Professional golf grip tape is manufactured to a precise and uniform thickness. This ensures that every wrap you apply adds a predictable and smooth layer. Masking tape is not. Its thickness can vary, and its crepe paper texture creates ridges and bumps. When you slide a new, pliable rubber grip over these imperfections, you get a lumpy, inconsistent surface. You'll feel it in your hands, and that unevenness can cause slight inconsistencies in your grip from shot to shot.

2. Poor Durability and Breakdown

A golf club is subjected to incredible forces. During a swing, the shaft is under tremendous torque and stress. Masking tape, designed for temporary use like protecting trim during painting, simply can't handle this environment. The pressure, twisting, and moisture from your hands or the weather will cause the paper tape to break down, tear, or compress over time. You’ll end up with a grip that starts to feel loose, shifts around on the shaft, and loses its consistent size.

3. It Reacts Poorly with Grip Solvent

This is perhaps the biggest and most immediate problem. Grip installation relies on a specialized solvent to lubricate the double-sided tape, allowing the grip to slide on smoothly. The adhesive on masking tape isn’t designed to work with that solvent. When the solvent hits the masking tape's adhesive, it often turns it into a gummy, sticky, and slimy mess. This makes it incredibly difficult to slide the grip down the shaft. Worse, when it's time to regrip again, removing that goopy residue from the shaft is a nightmare.

4. It's Not Double-Sided

Standard practice requires the final layer of tape to be double-sided. One side sticks to the buildup layers and the shaft, while the other, once activated by solvent, forms a secure bond with the inside of the golf grip. Standard masking tape is only single-sided. If you use it as your final layer, the grip is only held on by friction. It will twist and slip over time, which is not only frustrating but also potentially dangerous if it happens mid-swing.

How to Correctly Build Up Your Golf Grips: A Step-by-Step Guide

Doing this job correctly isn’t difficult, and having the right tools makes it easy and even enjoyable. Investing a small amount in the right materials will pay dividends in the performance and feel of your clubs.

What You'll Need:

• A bench vise with a rubber shaft clamp (essential for safety and ease)
• A hooked blade or utility knife
• Professional double-sided grip tape
• Professional build-up tape (optional, but ideal if adding more than one layer)
• Grip solvent
• Your new grips
• A tray or pan to catch excess solvent
• A few clean rags

Step 1: Secure the Club and Remove the Old Grip

Place the club in the vise, using the rubber clamp an inch or two below where the old grip ends. Do not overtighten, just make it snug enough so the club doesn't twist. Take your hooked blade, point it away from your body, and carefully slice through the old grip from its opening to the butt end. Be mindful not to cut into the graphite or steel shaft. Once cut, peel the old grip off. Then, do the same for all the old layers of tape underneath.

Step 2: Clean the Shaft Perfectly

This is a critical step. Put some grip solvent on a rag and scrub away every last bit of old tape residue. The shaft needs to be perfectly clean, smooth, and dry. If the old tape is stubborn, a heat gun (on low) or a hairdryer can help soften the adhesive, making it easier to scrape off with a blunt edge.

Step 3: Apply the Build-Up Layers (If Needed)

If you're building up the grip, now is the time to use your Professional Build-Up Tape. Leave about a a half-inch of space at the very top of the shaft. Start wrapping the tape in a continuous spiral down the shaft, slightly overlapping each turn to ensure there are no gaps. Stop where the old grip used to end. Cut the tape cleanly. Repeat for the number of layers desired. One layer adds about 1/64-inch. Four extra layers will take you from standard to midsize.Coach's Tip: You can also use layers of double-sided grip tape for buildup, but specialized build-up tape is less expensive and easier to apply for multiple layers.

Step 4: Apply the Final Layer of Double-Sided Tape

Whether you've added build-up layers or not, the final layer must always be Professional Double-Sided Grip Tape. Apply it just like the build-up tape, but let an extra inch of tape hang over the butt end of the shaft. After the tape is applied, peel off the wax paper backing. Then, twist the overhanging piece of tape and tuck it snugly into the hole at the end of the shaft. This creates a seal that prevents solvent from seeping inside.

Step 5: Lubricate and Install the New Grip

Place your drip pan under the club in the vise. Cover the small vent hole on the end of the new grip with your finger. Pour a generous stream of grip solvent inside the new grip. Pinch the open end closed and shake vigorously for a few seconds to fully coat the entire interior.

Next, pour the excess solvent out of the grip and directly all over the double-sided tape on the shaft. Make sure the entire length of the tape is wet. This is what 'activates' its slipperiness.

Now, move quickly but smoothly. Align the opening of the grip with the butt end of the shaft and push it on in one fluid motion. You'll need to use a bit of force. Get it all the way down until the end of the grip is flush against the butt end of the shaft. You have a few seconds to make final adjustments, aligning the logo or markings on the grip perfectly before the solvent starts to evaporate and the tape begins to set.

Step 6: Let It Dry

Wipe off any excess solvent with a clean rag. The grip may feel secure almost immediately, but the adhesive is not fully cured. To be safe, let the club dry for at least a few hours - or ideally, overnight - before you use it on the course.

Final Thoughts

Though it's tempting to reach for a roll of masking tape in a pinch, it's the wrong choice for your golf grips. It will create an inconsistent feel, break down over time, and make your next regrip project a mess. For confident and repeatable swings, always use purpose-built, double-sided golf tape for a secure, long-lasting fit that gives you the exact feel you're looking for.

Perfecting your equipment setup, like your grip size, is a foundational element for feeling confident over the ball. When you’re on the course and face difficult choices that aren’t so clear-cut, I use Caddie AI to help navigate the situation. If I'm stuck between two clubs or looking at a precarious lie in the rough, I can get instant, expert advice on strategy and execution, which helps me make smarter decisions and removes the uncertainty from a tough shot.