How to Build Up Golf Grip Size

Your hands are your only connection to the golf club, so having the right grip size is far more important than most players think. If your grips are too small, they can cause a cascade of swing problems that are tough to fix with swing thoughts alone. This guide will walk you through how to tell if your grips are wrong for you, why it matters, and provide a complete step-by-step tutorial on how to build up your own golf grip size.

Why Golf Grip Size Matters So Much

Think of your grip as the steering wheel for your golf swing. If it isn’t the right size, you’ll constantly be fighting to control the club, leading to inconsistent shots and a lot of frustration. It all comes down to hand pressure and how your hands can work during the swing.

• If a grip is too small: The most common issue is that it promotes overactive hands. Your fingers can wrap too far around the grip, allowing your wrists to become excessively "flippy" at impact. This often leads to a sharp hook or a pull to the left (for a right-handed golfer). To compensate, you might subconsciously tighten your grip pressure, leading to tension that snakes up your forearms and into your shoulders, robbing you of a fluid swing.
• If a grip is too large: On the other end, a grip that's too big restricts your hands from releasing properly through impact. This can prevent you from squaring the clubface in time, often resulting in a block, a push, or a slice to the right. It feels a bit like swinging a baseball bat - you lose that finer sense of control.

Finding the “just right” size allows you to hold the club with light, consistent pressure. It frees your hands to do their job correctly without being overly dominant or overly passive, which is the foundation for a more natural and repeatable swing.

How to Tell If Your Grips Are Too Small

You don't need any fancy equipment to get a good idea of whether your grips fit properly. There are two simple methods you can use right now: the finger test and paying attention to your shot patterns.

The Classic Finger Test

This is the oldest trick in the book, and it's a great starting point. Here’s how you do it:

1. Take your normal grip with your top hand (the left hand for a right-handed golfer).
2. Look at your hand. The tips of your middle and ring fingers should be lightly touching the fatty part of your palm (the "heel pad").
3. The verdict: If your fingertips are digging deep into your palm, your grips are almost certainly too small. If there is a noticeable gap between your fingertips and your palm, your grips might be too large.

This simple test gives you an excellent baseline and can quickly confirm your suspicions.

On-Course Evidence

Your golf ball doesn’t lie. Look for these common clues in your game:

• You constantly fight a hook: If you feel like you aren't an "over-the-top" swinger but your ball consistently dives left, overactive hands due to small grips could very well be the culprit.
• You have a "death grip": Do you find yourself squeezing the life out of the club? Small grips often make players feel they need to clamp down for control, creating excessive tension.
• Quick wear on your grips: If you're wearing out a spot on your grip under the heel pad of your top hand, it could be a sign your fingers are digging in too much.
• Your hands or forearms ache: Aches after a round or a practice session can be a physical sign that you’re holding on too tight, trying to control an ill-fitting grip.

The DIYer's Toolkit: What You'll Need

Building up your own grips is a very satisfying and cost-effective project. It gives you total control over the exact size. Here’s a list of supplies you'll want to have ready:

• A Utility Knife: A simple box cutter works, but a knife with a hooked blade, specifically designed for grip removal, makes the job safer and easier.
• Grip Solvent or Mineral Spirits: This is a non-flammable liquid used to activate the tape’s adhesive. A bottle will last you a long time.
• Build-Up Tape: This is the secret ingredient. You can use standard 2-inch wide masking tape for your build-up layers.
• Double-Sided Grip Tape: This special tape will be your final layer that the grip itself sticks to. It usually comes in strips or on a roll.
• A Rubber Vise Clamp (Recommended): You can do this job without a vise, but a cheap rubber clamp that holds the shaft securely in a standard bench vise makes the process infinitely easier.
• A Rag: You'll need it for cleanup.

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Add Layers to Your Grip

Ready to get started? We’ll take this one club at a time. I recommend starting with your 7-iron or a practice club to get the hang of it.

Step 1: Remove the Old Grip

First, secure the club shaft in your vise using the rubber clamp (don't overtighten!). If you don't have a vise, you can brace the club against the corner of a sturdy workbench. Take your utility knife and - very importantly - always cut away from your body. Hook the blade under the bottom edge of the grip and pull upwards. The old grip will peel off easily once it's cut. After it's off, peel or scrape away all the old tape underneath until the graphite or steel shaft is completely clean.

Step 2: Add Your Build-Up Layers

Here’s where you customize the size. For each full layer of masking tape you add, you are increasing the grip's diameter by approximately 1/64 of an inch. Most golfers who are building up start by adding two to four layers of masking tape.

Take your masking tape and start wrapping it in a spiral motion from the top of the shaft down to where the grip will end. Overlap the edges slightly to make a smooth, single layer. Don't leave any gaps. Once you have your desired number of layers, cut the tape cleanly at the bottom.

Step 3: Apply the Double-Sided Tape

Once your build-up layers are on, it’s time for the final, sticky layer. Apply a single strip of the double-sided grip tape over your masking tape layers, leaving about a half-inch of extra tape overhanging the butt end of the shaft. Peel the waxy backing off the tape. Then, twist and tuck the overhanging portion of tape into the butt end of the shaft. This creates a smooth surface to help you slide the new grip on.

Step 4: Use Solvent and Slide the Grip On

Now things move quickly. Hold the club at a slight angle. Generously apply grip solvent all over the double-sided tape until it's saturated.

Next, take your new grip, cover the small vent hole at the end with your finger, and pour a decent amount of solvent *inside* the grip. Cover the open end with your other hand and shake it vigorously for a few seconds to coat the entire interior. Pour the excess solvent from inside the grip out over the taped shaft.

Working quickly, push the new grip over the butt end of the shaft. Use a firm, continuous motion. Don't be timid! The solvent creates an incredibly slippery surface that lets the grip slide right on. If you hesitate, the solvent can begin to evaporate and the grip can get stuck half-way.

Step 5: Align and Dry

Before the solvent dries completely, you have about a minute or two to make final adjustments. Eyeball the grip's logos or alignment markings to make sure they are perfectly straight. Once you’re happy with the alignment, you're done! Let the club sit for at least a few hours, but it’s best to leave it overnight to allow the adhesive to fully cure before you swing it.

The Simpler Alternative: Midsize or Jumbo Grips

If you perform the finger test and find your fingertips are digging significantly into your palm, simply adding tape might not be enough. In this case, buying pre-made Midsize (+1/16") or Jumbo (+1/8") grips is the way to go. The installation process is exactly the same as above, but you skip the step of adding build-up tape. You simply apply the double-sided tape to the clean shaft and slide on the larger grip. This provides a clean, professional finish for those who need a substantial size increase.

Final Thoughts

Dialing in your grip size is one of the most effective equipment adjustments you can make to improve your consistency and feel. By following this DIY process, you can experiment with adding layers of tape to find the perfect "just right" thickness that gives you more control and confidence over every shot.

Once your equipment is fine-tuned, the next step to better golf is making smarter decisions on the course. Feeling stuck between clubs or facing a tricky lie in the rough can undermine a great swing. That's a perfect time to get a second opinion, which is why we developed Caddie AI. Our app acts as your personal caddie and coach, available 24/7 in your pocket to provide instant course strategy, club recommendations, or even analyze a photo of your lie to tell you the best way to play the shot. It removes the guesswork so you can commit to every swing.