Your one and only connection to the golf club is the grip, and its feel can make a huge difference in your confidence and swing. If you've ever felt that jarring sting on a mishit or finished a round with aching hands, you've probably wondered if there's a more comfortable way to play. The answer often lies in finding a softer set of grips. This guide will walk you through exactly what makes a grip soft, who benefits most from them, and some of the best and softest options available today.
When golfers talk about a "soft" grip, they're referring to two main things: the physical material and the pressure you feel. The softness of a material is scientifically measured by a durometer score - the lower the number, the softer the material. But for a player, "softness" is really about comfort and feedback.
The primary benefit of a soft grip is vibration dampening. When you don't find the sweet spot of the clubface, the impact creates a lot of vibration that travels up the shaft into your hands, wrists, and elbows. A softer, more cushioned grip acts like a shock absorber, soaking up some of that unpleasant jolt. For golfers who deal with arthritis, tendonitis, or joint pain, this feature can completely change their experience and allow them to play and practice without pain. For more options geared towards comfort, explore the best golf grips for arthritic hands.
Beyond dampening, a softer feel also promotes lighter grip pressure. Many amateur golfers have a "death grip" on the club, holding it with tense hands and forearms. This tension is a swing killer, restricting your ability to generate clubhead speed and properly feel the club. A soft, slightly tacky grip provides a sense of security without requiring you to squeeze it hard. This releases your wrists to hinge correctly and lets you deliver a more fluid, powerful swing that feels effortless, not forced. To further enhance your game, consider how to improve your golf grip for straighter shots.
Here is a quick check: after your swing, are your knuckles white? Are your forearms sore and tight at the end of a round? If so, you might be holding the club too tight. This is a sign that a new, softer set of grips can help.
The advanced feel of modern grips comes from sophisticated materials designed specifically for comfort, tackiness, and performance. Gone are the days of simple leather wraps being the only option. Today's softest grips are engineering marvels.
This is the most common category for soft grips. Brands use proprietary rubber compounds that are much softer than the traditional, firm rubber found on standard tour grips. Lamkin, for instance, uses its ACE (Advanced Cohesive Elastomer) material in many of its comfort-oriented grips. This material is engineered to provide a high degree of tackiness and vibration dampening while maintaining reasonable durability. It feels cushioned and secure, encouraging a light, gentle hold without the fear of the club slipping.
When you think of the absolute softest, most cushioned grips on the market, you're likely thinking of grips made from advanced polymers. Winn Grips is the pioneer in this space, with its iconic WinnDry polymer material. These grips are famously soft and exceptionally tacky, especially in the Dri-Tac line. The polymer material creates a fantastically comfortable and secure connection to the club that feels almost like the grip molds to your hands. This is the top choice for players prioritizing comfort above all else. If you're curious about maximizing grip performance, learn how to soften golf grips.
Material isn't the only factor in grip softness, the texture on the surface plays a big role in perceived feel. Modern grip designs incorporate intricate patterns to enhance the feeling of softness and improve traction. These densely packed patterns create more surface area contact points with your hands, which disperses pressure and makes the grip feel gentler to hold on to. A lot of grip models by Puma combine intricate surface patterns with a soft polyurethane outer layer, providing softness and enhanced grip in all weather conditions.
While the idea of a more comfortable grip sounds appealing to everyone, soft grips offer game-changing benefits for certain types of players. See if you fall into any of these categories.
This is the number one reason to switch to soft grips. If playing golf leaves your hands, wrists, or elbows aching, soft grips are a must-try. The shock absorption they provide is undeniable. By filtering out harsh vibrations from off-center hits, soft, cushioned grips allow golfers with joint sensitivity to enjoy the game pain-free. For many senior golfers, a switch to a soft, oversized grip is a total game-changer, helping them play more frequently and swing with more confidence.
The "death grip" is a roadblock to your entire swing. It creates tension into your shoulders, shortening your backswing and preventing a fluid release of the club. When a golfer grips too tightly, they often lack confidence in their hold and are subconsciously afraid the club will slip during the swing. A softer, tackier grip directly addresses that fear. The secure, cushioned feel sends a signal to your brain that the club isn't going anywhere, giving you subconscious permission to relax your hands and forearms.
Some golfers who heavily rely on their short game and touch around the greens prefer softer grips. The exceptional dampening can provide a more muted, pleasing feel on delicate chips and pitches where feel is paramount. While some advanced players find it mutes too much feedback, others find the opposite. A softer, tackier connection can help them feel like the clubface and hands are working as a single unit, which is key for controlling trajectory and spin shots greenside.
Of course, no piece of golf equipment is perfect for every player. Softer grips have a few trade-offs you need to be aware of.
What one player considers the greatest benefit, others consider the greatest liability. Highly skilled players often prefer a firmer grip because it provides more direct, unfiltered feedback about the shot. A firm grip instantly tells them if they hit the ball on the toe, heel, or high on the face. That raw feedback is valuable information. A super soft grip "mutes" that sensory information you get at impact, which could mute necessary signals to help you get more accurate.
One of the trade-offs for that pillowy-soft feel is durability. Ultra-soft materials, particularly polymer-based ones, tend to wear out more quickly than firmer rubber grips. They can lose their tackiness, become shiny in high-wear spots, and may even start to break down or crack after a high number of reps. If you play or practice regularly, you may find that you need to re-grip your clubs once a season, if not more.
Torque is the twisting of the club in your grip during aggressive swings. Golfers with fast swing speeds may find that overly soft grips can sometimes feel like they are twisting or torquing just before impact. While a minimal problem for the average golfer, skilled players might feel that lack of torsional stability leading to a loss of control. For these players, grips that are firmer or have built-in torque-reducing rubber often provide a more stable feel at impact.
If you've decided the pros outweigh the cons for your game, here are some of the most popular and celebrated soft grips you can find.
The Winn Dri-Tac is often held up as the gold standard for pure softness and comfort. Made from Winn's patented polymer material, it offers an incredibly cushioned and tacky feel that is unmistakable. The material is fantastic in various weather conditions, providing a non-slip grip even in humidity or light rain. It's the ultimate comfort grip, perfect for seniors and players with arthritis. It's available in standard, midsize, and oversized options, allowing every golfer to find a perfect fit. When considering the best fit for your hands, learn more about how to choose golf grip size. Be mindful of the durability, but if you re-grip yearly and prioritize comfort, there is no better choice.
The Sonar+ is Lamkin’s answer to the high-performance comfort grip, and it’s a brilliant one. It's made from the brand's proprietary ACE and "Genesis" material, giving it a very soft and sticky feel that is slightly firmer - and often more durable - than the softest polymer grips like the Dri-Tac. The grip is covered with what SONAR calls 'micro-texture technology'. The unique surface pattern wicks away moisture for improved traction. It’s a wonderful balance of plush cushioning, great feedback, and all-weather performance, making it a favorite for golfers who desire comfort but are not willing to sacrifice feedback or durability.
For decades, the wrap-style grip has been a go-to for players seeking a soft feel, and the Golf Pride Tour Wrap 2G continues that legacy. Its one-piece, simulated wrap construction combined with a very soft rubber compound delivers a tacky feel and exceptional comfort. This grip offers a more traditional feel and tackiness many golfers seek. For the golfer that may want a midpoint between the ultra-cushioned feel of a polymer grip and a traditional tour velvet grip, this strikes the perfect balance for any player looking for more stability and comfort.
These new soft grips from Puma provide a soft, comfortable polyurethane grip offering feel in addition to the tacky grip you're looking for in extreme weather like humidity or cold. These grips also feature built-in Arccos technology, allowing them to sync to your phone and the CaddieAI app. It's not often you get high performance, softness, tech, and durability all in one package.
Choosing the best soft golf grips is ultimately a personal decision, balancing comfort and vibration control with feedback and durability. For most players, the perfect choice is a softer grip as it relieves any annoying pain from playing so they can have more fun on the course. A new softer grip also promotes a lighter, tension-free swing, unlocking your most confident and enjoyable golf swing.
Finding the right equipment like soft grips is a great step, but real confidence also comes from the knowledge of what kind of shots to hit. When you find your ball in a difficult area or have trouble deciding what to do, I recommend using Caddie AI for immediate, expert advice. By taking a quick photo of your lie and asking a question, the app offers guidance on any situation out on the course. AI gives a golfer an on-demand golf coach in their pocket, boosting confidence on the field.
Thinking about hosting a golf tournament fundraiser is the first swing, executing it successfully is what gets the ball in the hole. This guide will walk you through the entire process, step-by-step, from laying the initial groundwork months in advance to watching your happy golfers tee off. We’ll cover everything from securing sponsors and setting your budget to planning the on-course fun that makes an event unforgettable.
A golf handicap does more than just give you bragging rights (or a reason to demand strokes from your friends) - it’s the game’s great equalizer and the single best way to track your improvement. This guide breaks down what a handicap is, how the supportive math behind a handicap index a is, and exactly how you can get one for yourself. We’ll look at everything from Course Rating to Adjusted Gross Score, helping you feel confident both on the course and in the clubhouse.
The compression of a Pinnacle Rush golf ball is one of its most defining features, engineered specifically to help a huge swath of golfers get more distance and enjoyment from their game. We'll break down exactly what its low compression means, who it's for, and how you can use that knowledge to shoot lower scores.
Figuring out which spikes go into your new (or old) pair of Puma golf shoes can feel like a puzzle, but it’s much simpler than you think. The key isn't the brand of the shoe, but the type of receptacle system they use. This guide will walk you through exactly how to identify your Puma's spike system, choose the perfect replacements for your game, and change them out like a pro.
The Golf Genius app is one of the best tools for managing and participating in competitive golf events, but figuring it out for the first time can feel like reading a new set of greens. This guide cuts through the confusion and shows you exactly how to use the app as a player. We’ll cover everything from logging into your tournament and entering scores to checking the live leaderboard so you can enjoy the competition without any tech headaches.
Walking onto the first tee with sweaty palms, worried you’ll be a good partner to paly wtih...or even asked back again ...We’ve all been there - trust me! The real trick of feeling confortable... is about how you handle you’re ready to plsy. THIS guide explains the simple rules of the rode to show you hnow t play golf while staying calm relaxed and focused... an having much morse fun while you,',re aat it? You'll also play with confidence a dn make fiendsa while you're at i
Just ask a question or share a photo and Caddie gives personalized guidance for every shot - anytime, anywhere.
