What Are Wraps on Golf Grips?

Ever pull a standard grip off a used club and find layers of tape underneath, or heard a fellow golfer mention they play with four wraps? The term wraps is common clubhouse lingo, but it can be confusing if you're not a seasoned club-fitter. In short, wraps are layers of tape - typically masking tape - applied underneath a golf grip to increase its overall diameter. This article will show you exactly what that means, why it matters so much to your game, and how you can use this simple tweak to gain more comfort and consistency in your swing.

What Exactly 'Wraps' Mean in a Modern Context

Back in the day, grips were made from long strips of leather that were literally wrapped around the shaft. Today, the term has a different meaning. We use one-piece rubber or synthetic grips that slide onto the shaft. The "wraps" now refer to the build-up tape applied to the shaft before the grip is installed.

Think of it as custom tailoring for your golf clubs. Just like you'd get a suit altered to fit your body, adding wraps alters the grip to fit your hands. A standard installation involves one layer of double-sided tape to secure the grip. Each additional layer of tape built up underneath is called a "wrap." These wraps incrementally increase the thickness of the grip, allowing for a precise, customized fit that you can't always get straight off the rack.

Why Your Grip Size Is So Important

Your hands are your only connection to the golf club. How they hold the club has an enormous influence on what the clubface does at impact. Having an improperly sized grip forces you to make subconscious compensations in your swing, leading to inconsistent shots and a lot of frustration.

• A Grip That’s Too Small: If the grip is too thin for your hands, it’s easy for your fingers to dig in and your hands to become overly active during the swing. This encourages a quick, wristy hands action through impact, often causing the clubface to close too fast. The result? A consistent and frustrating hook or pull to the left (for a right-handed golfer).
• A Grip That’s Too Big: On the flip side, a grip that is too thick can feel like you’re holding a baseball bat. It restricts your hands and wrists from releasing naturally through the ball. This often leaves the clubface open at impact, leading to a weak slice, a fade, or a push to the right. You lose feel, and you bleed power.

The right grip size allows your hands to rest comfortably on the club, promoting the perfect amount of hand and wrist action. It lets you swing freely and powerfully without having to fight the equipment. That feeling of control promotes confidence, which is a massive part of playing good golf.

A Practical Guide to Finding Your Ideal Grip Size

So, how do you know if you need to add wraps? While a professional club fitting is the most accurate way, there are a few simple methods you can use to get a great idea on your own.

The Finger Test

This is the classic, old-school method, and it works remarkably well. Here’s what you do:

1. Take your normal top-hand grip on an existing club (left hand for right-handed players).
2. Look at your hand. Do the fingertips of your middle and ring fingers just lightly touch the fleshy part of your palm or thumb pad?
3. If they do, you’re likely in a standard-sized grip and are in a good spot.
4. If your fingertips are digging uncomfortably into your palm, your grip is likely too small. Adding a few wraps could give you the room you need.
5. If there's a significant gap between your fingertips and your palm, your grip is probably too big.

This simple test is an excellent starting point for determining if you need to adjust your grip thickness.

The Shot-Shape Clue

Your ball flight can give you powerful clues. Are you constantly fighting a hook? Assuming your swing mechanics are reasonably sound, a grip that is too small might be contributing to the problem. By building up the grip with a couple of wraps, you can quiet down your hand action and help prevent that clubface from slamming shut.

Conversely, if your default miss is a slice or fade that you can't seem to shake, a grip that’s too large could be the culprit. A move to a standard grip (or even an undersized one) might get you the feel and release you've been missing. Adjusting grip size is one of the simplest and most cost-effective swing fixes you can try.

Understanding the Math: Wraps and Sizing Increments

Club fitters work in tiny increments. One full wrap of standard build-up/masking tape adds approximately +1/64" to the diameter of the grip. It sounds tiny, but you can feel the difference immediately. Here's a quick cheat sheet for a standard men's grip:

• Standard Grip: This is a .900" grip on a .600" shaft (most shafts).
• +2 Wraps: Makes the grip +1/32" oversized (equal to a "Standard Plus" size).
• +4 Wraps: Makes the grip +1/16" oversized - the same size as a store-bought "Midsize" grip.
• +6 Wraps: Makes the grip +3/32" oversized.
• +8 Wraps: Makes the grip +1/8" oversized - the same size as a "Jumbo" or "Oversize" grip.

The beauty of using wraps is the ability to fine-tune. Maybe a standard grip feels too small, but a retail Midsize grip feels too bulky. In that case, two wraps under a standard grip (+1/32") could be your perfect fit. This level of customization lets you dial in the exact feel that gives you the most confidence.

How to Add Wraps: A Quick DIY Guide

Changing your own grips is a rewarding skill, and adding wraps is fairly straightforward once you have the process down. (Note: It's always best to work in a well-ventilated area when using grip solvent.)

What You’ll Need:

• Double-sided grip tape
• Build-up or masking tape (for the wraps themselves)
• Grip solvent or mineral spirits
• A hook blade or utility knife
• A sturdy vice with a rubber shaft clamp

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Secure the Club: Place the club in the vice, using the rubber clamp right below where the grip will end to protect the shaft. Position the club so the face is perfectly square.
2. Remove the Old Grip: Carefully use the hook blade to cut the grip away from you, from bottom to top. Be mindful of graphite shafts, as they can be damaged by a deep cut. Peel the old grip off.
3. Strip the Old Tape: Peel or scrape off all the old tape. A little heat from a heat gun can help loosen stubborn adhesive. Clean the shaft tip with solvent to remove any residue.
4. Apply the Wraps: This is the key step. Take your build-up/masking tape and wrap it around the shaft in a smooth, single, spiral layer for each "wrap" you want to add. Start just below the top edge of the shaft and work your way down. Avoid overlapping the tape, as this can create ridges. Tear off the tape at the bottom, mimicking the length of where the grip will end. Add as many layers as you’ve determined you need.
5. Apply the Final Tape Layer: Your last layer must be the double-sided grip tape. Apply this directly over your build-up wraps. Peel off the waxy backing.
6. Install the New Grip: Cover the small hole in the butt end of the grip with your finger and pour a generous amount of solvent inside. Swirl it around to coat the entire inner surface. Pour the excess solvent out over the length of the double-sided tape on the shaft.
7. Slide on the Grip: Quickly and decisively, push the grip onto the shaft. You can use the alignment marks on the grip to line it up with your square clubface. Make sure to push it all the way down until the butt end meets the end of the shaft.
8. Align and Dry: Make any final alignment adjustments before the tape sets. Let the club sit for at least a few hours (preferably overnight) before swinging it.

Final Thoughts

Simply put, wraps on a golf grip are layers of tape used to build up the grip's diameter for a custom fit. This small adjustment can have a very real effect on your hand action, shot shape, and overall comfort, making it one of the most effective and affordable equipment tweaks a golfer can make.

Figuring out the feel you need is a big step toward playing better golf. But we know club and equipment questions are just one small part of the game. When you’re on the course staring down a shot you’ve never faced, or you're at the range wondering why that same miss-hit pops up, getting immediate, trustworthy guidance is difficult. That’s where our personal AI golf coach can simplify things a lot. With Caddie AI, you can get instant answers for anything from on-course strategy to swing mechanics, a 24/7 Bouncing Soundbord for Your golf Game.