Putting a new grip on a golf club is a skill every serious golfer should learn, and mastering the Golf Pride Align grip is a major confidence booster. That slightly raised red ridge provides a consistent hand placement that can transform your feel and your game. This guide will walk you through the entire process, step-by-step, ensuring you get that Align ridge perfectly positioned for repeatable, confident swings. We'll cover everything from removing the old grip to making those final, delicate adjustments.
Your hands are your only connection to the golf club. If that connection isn't consistent, how can you expect your swing to be? A worn, slick grip forces you to tense up and squeeze the club, which kills your feel and tempo. A new, tacky grip allows you to hold the club with lighter pressure, promoting a more fluid and powerful motion.
The Golf Pride Align series takes this concept a step further. It features a dedicated raised ridge on the underside of the grip. This technology, called "Align," provides a distinct tactile feel that helps you place your hands in the exact same position for every single shot. It guides your fingers into place, removing any guesswork about whether you're holding the club squarely. For many golfers, this consistent hand placement is a game-changer, breeding a level of confidence that starts before the club even moves.
Knowing your hands are "locked in" correctly allows you to focus on the other parts of your swing, like rotating your body and delivering the clubhead to a square impact position. It simplifies one of the most variable parts of the setup, making it feel automatic.
Having the right tools makes any job easier, and regripping is no exception. Before you start, make sure you have everything laid out and ready to go. You don't want to be scrambling for a tool with a solvent-soaked grip in your hand. Most of these items can be found in a basic grip replacement kit, or purchased individually online or at a golf retail store.
With your tools gathered, it's time to get to work. Take your time, focus on each step, and pay special attention to the alignment phase. This is a process of feel as much as it is a mechanical task.
First, place the rubber shaft clamp around the shaft, about six inches below where the old grip ends. Position the club in the vise with the clamp securely held between the jaws, orienting the club so the clubface is pointing up towards the ceiling. Tighten the vise just enough so the club won't move, over-tightening can damage even a protected shaft.
Next, take your hook blade. Place the hook at the butt end of the old grip and carefully pull the blade down the length of the grip, always cutting away from your body. The rubber will separate easily. Be gentle and let the blade do the work to avoid gouging the shaft underneath. Once you've made a full-length cut, you can peel the old grip off.
This is a foundational step that many people rush. The old grip tape must be completely removed for the new grip to adhere properly. Start by peeling off as much of the old tape as you can by hand. Often, it will leave behind a sticky, frustrating residue.
To remove this residue, apply a small amount of grip solvent or mineral spirits to a rag and rub the shaft vigorously. A little bit of heat from a heat gun or hairdryer (on a low setting) can also help loosen stubborn tape adhesive. Continue until the shaft is perfectly clean, smooth, and dry to the touch. A clean surface is your guarantee of a secure grip that won't twist.
Take a strip of your double-sided grip tape that is slightly longer than the grip itself. Peel the backing off one side and apply it to the shaft, running it lengthwise from the butt end down. Leave about half an inch of tape overhanging the butt end of the shaft.
Smooth the tape down carefully, avoiding any wrinkles or air bubbles. Peel off the waxy top layer of the tape to expose the final adhesive surface. Now, take the half-inch of tape that hangs over the end and simply twist it and tuck it into the butt end of the shaft. This creates a seal that prevents solvent from seeping down into the shaft itself.
Now things get moving. Dribble a generous amount of grip solvent all over the double-sided tape, making sure to coat the entire surface. Use your finger to spread the solvent around evenly.
Next, take your new Golf Pride Align grip. Place your finger over the small vent hole in the end cap, and pour a good amount of solvent into the grip. Now, cover the large opening with your other thumb and shake the grip aggressively for about 5-10 seconds. This ensures the entire inside wall of the grip is coated with a liquid lubricant. Don't be shy with the solvent here, using too little is a common mistake that causes the grip to get stuck halfway on.
Pour the excess solvent from inside the grip out over the taped shaft area, catching the runoff in your tray. You're now ready to install.
You need to act with purpose here, but don’t panic. The solvent gives you a short window where things are slick.
Hold the grip with the large opening over the butt end of the club. As a starting guide, visually line up the main "Golf Pride" logo on the top of the grip with the center of the clubface (which should be facing you). Quickly and smoothly, push the grip onto the shaft with one continuous motion. It might require a bit of force, especially in the last few inches. Push until the end cap of the grip is snug against the butt end of the shaft. You should see it seat fully with no gap.
Once the grip is fully on, you have a brief period - maybe a minute - to make final adjustments before the solvent starts to set. This is where you dial in the Align ridge.
Carefully remove the club from the vise. Set the clubhead on the ground in a square address position, just as if you were about to hit a shot. Now, take your normal grip. Can you feel the red ridge? This is a personal adjustment. You want that ridge to sit perfectly in the creases of your top-hand fingers. For most golfers, this means the ridge will be positioned directly at the back of the shaft (a 6 o'clock position if the face is at 12 o'clock).
Close your eyes and feel it. Does it feel consistent? Does it promote a square clubface? Look at the alignment markings on the end cap and on the grip itself to visually confirm your setup. Make tiny rotational adjustments until it feels just right. This is about your personal feel, so don't be afraid to trust your hands.
Once you are completely satisfied with the alignment, use a clean rag to wipe down the grip and shaft, removing any excess solvent. Set the club aside and let it dry. While it may feel secure after an hour or two, it's best to let it cure for at least 8 hours - or ideally, overnight - before you take it to the range. This ensures the tape's adhesive has formed a complete and permanent bond.
Installing your own Golf Pride Align grips is a rewarding DIY project that gives you a deeper connection to your equipment. By following these steps carefully, especially the alignment process, you can achieve a professional-level result that installs renewed a sense of consistency in your setup and confidence in your game.
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