Building a grip that fits your hands perfectly can do wonders for your feel and confidence over the ball. Adding a second layer of tape - commonly known as double wrapping - is a simple, professional-level adjustment any golfer can do at home to achieve that custom fit. This guide will walk you through exactly why you should consider it and provide clear, step-by-step instructions on how to double wrap your golf grips like a pro.
Why Double Wrap Your Golf Grips? The Benefits of a Thicker Feel
Before we get our hands dirty, let's talk about why this is such a popular modification on tour and in clubhouses everywhere. It’s not just for players with large hands. Adjusting your grip size is one of the easiest ways to influence how you release the club through impact.
1. Promote Softer Grip Pressure and Reduce Tension
This is the big one. Standard grips can feel thin, causing many golfers to unconsciously clench their hands tighter to maintain control. This tension is a swing-killer - it creeps up your arms, into your shoulders, and restricts your ability to make a fluid, powerful turn. A slightly thicker grip fills your hands more completely, allowing you to hold the club securely with significantly less pressure. Think of holding a baseball bat versus holding a pencil, the bat requires a much more relaxed grip. The same principle applies here. When your hands are relaxed, your arms and shoulders can follow, promoting a smoother, faster swing.
2. "Quiet Down" Overactive Hands
Do you fight a nasty hook? Overactive hands, particularly the bottom hand (right hand for a right-handed golfer), can cause the clubface to shut too quickly through impact, sending the ball left. By building up the grip, you reduce your fingers' ability to "grab" and manipulate the club. It forces your hands to play a more passive role, encouraging you to power the swing with the rotation of your larger muscles - your torso, shoulders, and hips. This body-driven swing is the foundation of consistency and power, and thicker grips are a great way to help you feel it.
3. A More Comfortable Fit for Larger Hands
This is the most obvious reason. If you wear a Large or X-Large glove, a standard-size grip likely feels too small. Forcing your hands to conform to an undersized grip leads to discomfort and the tension we just discussed. Double wrapping, or even triple wrapping, creates a diameter that fits your natural hand size, giving you a sense of comfort and control that can make a huge difference over 18 holes.
Gather Your Tools and Materials
Doing a professional-grade grip job at home requires just a few essential tools. Having everything laid out and ready will make the process smooth and stress-free.
- A Bench Vice with a Rubber Shaft Clamp: This is highly recommended. While you can do it without a vice, it makes the job infinitely easier and safer for the club shaft. The rubber clamp protects your graphite or steel shaft from being damaged.
- New Grips: One for each club you intend to re-grip.
- Double-Sided Grip Tape: You'll need at least two strips for each club. Standard 2-inch tape works perfectly.
- Grip Solvent or Mineral Spirits: This activates the tape's adhesive. A bottle with a squirt top is ideal for clean application.
- A Hook Blade or Stanley Knife: A hook blade is the safest tool for cutting off old grips without scratching the shaft. If using a standard utility knife, be extremely careful.
- A Rag or Paper Towels: For cleanup. A little solvent can go a long way.
- (Optional) A Heat Gun or Hair Dryer: This can be a lifesaver for removing stubborn old tape.
How to Double Wrap Golf Grips: A Step-by-Step Guide
Alright, you've got your "why" and you've got your tools. Let's get to the "how." Follow these steps carefully, and start with just one club - maybe a wedge or a short iron - to get the hang of it.
Step 1: Secure the Club and Remove the Old Grip
First, place the club in the rubber shaft clamp and secure it in your vice. Position the club so the face is perfectly square to the floor - this makes alignment much easier later on. Take your hook blade, insert the tip under the bottom edge of the old grip, and push it up and away from your body. The grip should split open easily. Peel it off and discard it. Remember to always cut away from yourself for safety.
Step 2: Clean the Shaft Thoroughly
This might be the most tedious, but it's an important part of the process. You need to remove every last scrap of the old grip tape. Leaving bits behind will create lumps under your new grip. You can usually peel it off by hand, but if it’s stubborn, gently warm it with a heat gun or hair dryer to soften the adhesive. A little grip solvent on a rag can also help dissolve any remaining residue. Your goal is a perfectly smooth, clean shaft.
Step 3: Apply the First Layer of Tape
Take your first piece of double-sided tape. Measure it against the shaft, ensuring it’s slightly shorter than the grip itself. Peel the backing off and carefully apply it lengthwise down the shaft, starting from the top. Smooth it out with your fingers to a-void air bubbles. For the small bit of tape extending past the butt end of the club, simply twist it and tuck it inside the shaft opening. This prevents solvent from getting inside the shaft.
Step 4: Apply the Second Layer of Tape
Now for the main event. Take your second piece of tape. You are going to apply this directly on top of the first layer. The key here is alignment. You want to lay it down right on top of the first piece without creating any overlapping ridges or gaps. Another technique some prefer is to put the second layer of tape on the opposite side, 180 degrees from the first piece. Either way works, but applying it on top is a simpler method for a completely round feel. Again, smooth it down carefully to remove any air pockets.
Coach's Tip: Some players, especially those who fight a hook, prefer to add extra wraps only under their bottom hand to build up that section even more. You can experiment by adding a third or fourth layer of tape that only covers the bottom half of the grip area. This is a great way to customize the grip feel even further.
Step 5: Apply the Solvent
This step makes the magic happen. Peel the waxy backing off your top layerr of tape to expose the adhesive. Place your finger over the small hole at the bottom of your new grip and pour a generous amount of grip solvent inside. Cover the big opening with your other thumb and shake the grip vigorously for a few seconds to coat the entire inner surface. Now, pour that excess solvent from inside the grip directly over the entire length of the double-sided tape you just applied. Don't be shy here, more solvent is better than not enough. It's the lubricant that allows the grip to slide on.
Step 6: Slide On the New Grip
Working quickly before the solvent evaporates, align the opening of the grip with the butt end of the shaft. With a firm, decisive motion, push the grip all the way on until the butt end is snug against the end of the club shaft. You might need to give it a strong, continuous push. The more solvent you used, the easier this will be.
Be careful not to pull or stretch the grip as you slide it on, as this can make the grip thinner. Instead, try to "push" it on from closer to the grip opening.
Step 7: Align and Let It Dry
Before the adhesive sets, you have a brief window to make final adjustments. Look down at the club in the playing position and rotate the grip until the logo or alignment markings are positioned exactly where you want them (most golfers prefer the logo centered on top). Once you're happy with the alignment, wipe off any excess solvent with your rag.
All you need to do now is wait. It's best to let the clubs sit for at least a few hours, or preferably overnight, to allow the solvent to fully evaporate and the tape to set. Trying to swing them too soon could cause the grip to twist.
Final Thoughts
Double wrapping your golf grips is a simple and effective personalization that can improve your comfort, reduce tension, and promote a better swing powered by your body. By following these steps, you can give your clubs a custom fit that used to be reserved for tour professionals, gaining more confidence every time you pull a club from your bag.
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