Perfectly installed Align golf grips give you a direct, tangible cue for consistent hand placement, shot after shot. This guide provides a clear, step-by-step process to re-grip your clubs with Golf Pride's Align technology at home, making sure that raised ridge is set up perfectly for a squarer clubface and more committed swings. You will learn the entire process, from removing the old grip to setting the new one with confidence.
Before we get our hands dirty, let's touch on what Align grips are all about. Unlike a standard round grip, an Align grip features a distinct raised ridge that runs down the underside. This isn't just a design choice, it's a piece of performance technology. The purpose of this ridge is to provide a consistent, repeatable hand placement every time you pick up the club. When held correctly, the ridge locks into your fingertips, actively guiding your hands into a neutral position and helping you present a square clubface to the ball at impact. For many golfers, this subtle reminder removes the guesswork and builds a solid foundation for every swing. It's a way to feel your setup is correct without having to second-guess it.
Having everything ready before you start makes the process smooth and stress-free. There's nothing worse than having a grip halfway on and realizing you can't find the solvent. Here’s a checklist of what you'll need to do the job right:
With your gear laid out, it's time to get started. We'll go through this one club at a time. The first one might feel a bit slow, but you'll develop a rhythm and find the rest go much faster. Focus on getting each step right, especially the final alignment.
This is arguably the most foundational part of the entire process, especially for Align grips. If the clubface isn't square at the start, the ridge will be misaligned at the end.
Place the rubber shaft clamp around the shaft, about 6-8 inches below where the old grip ends. Now, position the club in the vise, tightening it just enough so the club won't move. Before you crank it down, square the clubface. This means the bottom groove of your iron or the face markings on your wood should be perfectly perpendicular to the floor, just as you'd want it at address. Once you're certain it's square, tighten the vise so the club is held firm. Double-check that the face hasn't rotated.
Take your hook blade or utility knife. The safest method is to cut away from your body. Start the cut at the base of the old grip and pull the blade upwards towards the butt end. The old grip and tape should peel off cleanly. If you're using a standard utility knife, make a shallow, controlled score first and then deepen it, this prevents you from accidentally scoring a graphite shaft.
Your goal here is a perfectly clean, smooth surface free of any old adhesive. Most old grip tape will peel off. If you encounter stubborn patches, apply a bit of your grip solvent to a rag and rub the residue off. A plastic paint scraper can also help lift away any difficult bits without scratching the shaft. A clean surface prevents lumps from forming under your new grip and promotes a stronger bond.
Take your double-sided grip tape and measure it against the shaft. You want it to be about a half-inch shorter than the length of the new grip. When you apply it, leave about a half-inch of tape-covered backing overhanging the butt end of the shaft. Stick the tape lengthways along the top of the shaft.
Now, peel off the backing. Take that half-inch of overhanging tape and twist it, tucking it inside the shaft opening. This creates a smooth cap that prevents solvent from pouring down into the shaft itself. Smooth down the rest of the tape, making sure there are no air bubbles or creases.
This step makes the magic happen. Grab your grip solvent. Liberally apply it all over the double-sided tape, making sure every inch is coated and dripping.
Next, take your new Align grip. Place your finger over the small hole at the end cap and pour a good amount of solvent into the main opening - about a tablespoon or two. Now, use your thumb a few inches down to cover the larger opening and shake the grip vigorously for a few seconds. This coats the entire inside surface. Position the grip over your collection tray and pour the excess solvent from the grip directly onto the taped shaft, giving it a final wet coat.
You need to move with purpose here. Don't hesitate. Align the opening of the grip with the butt end of the shaft and push it on in one smooth, continuous motion. You may need to apply firm pressure. Push until the end cap of the grip is seated firmly against the end of the shaft. You shouldn’t see any of the shaft peeking out at the top.
Now, with the grip fully on but the solvent still wet, you have a small window to make a perfect alignment. This sets the Align grip apart. First, look at the visual cues. The logos on the end cap and near the top of the grip should be pointing straight up, in line with your squared clubface.
But the real test is feel. Stand as if you’re addressing a ball and take your normal golf grip on the club while it's still in the vise. With your hands in position, can you feel the Align ridge sitting perfectly in your fingertips? You're looking for that "locked-in" sensation. For a neutral grip, the ridge should run straight down the center of the underside of the shaft. If you have a slightly stronger or weaker grip, you might prefer it rotated a few degrees to fit naturally. Close your eyes and adjust it left or right using small, subtle twists until it feels absolutely right. This is the an advantage of doing it yourself - you can customize the feel for your specific hands.
Once you are happy with the alignment, wipe away any excess solvent with your rag. Give the club a final visual check. Now, it's time to wait. The solvent needs to evaporate completely for the tape to create a strong bond. It’s best to let the clubs sit for at least a few hours, but leaving them overnight is ideal. Don't be tempted to take a waggle or a practice swing too early, as this can break the bond and cause the grip to twist later on.
Installing your own Align grips is a rewarding DIY project that gives you an immediate connection to your equipment and your game. By following these steps and paying close attention to squaring the face and finalizing the ridge position, you’ve set yourself up for a more consistent feel and, with any luck, far more consistent shots.
Improving your equipment with technology like Align grips is a smart way to build better habits, and confirming those changes on the course is the next step. This is where we designed Caddie AI to come in. Our application can function as your personal shot tracker, helping you see the actual impact of your new grips on your accuracy and scoring. By analyzing your performance data with Caddie AI, you can move from simplemente *hoping* a change works to *knowing* its effect, helping you build more confidence in your game plan for every single round.
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