What Golf Grips Does Bryson DeChambeau Use?

Bryson DeChambeau, golf’s most prominent scientist, uses JumboMax JMX UltraLite XL grips on every single club in his bag. It’s a core component of his unique, power-focused approach to the game. This article will break down the exact grips he uses, the deep reasoning behind his choice, and provide a clear guide to help you decide if a similar, oversized grip could benefit your own game.

The Exact Grips Bryson DeChambeau Swings With

Bryson doesn't just use large grips, he uses the largest, most technologically advanced grips available on the market. His choice isn't random, it's a specific, calculated decision that fuels his entire swing philosophy.

JumboMax JMX UltraLite XL: More Than Just Big

The specific model Bryson DeChambeau has trusted for years is the JumboMax JMX UltraLite XL. Let's unpack what that name means, because every part of it is significant:

• JumboMax: This is the brand famous for its patented super-oversized designs. Their core belief is that most golfers are using grips that are far too small for them.
• JMX: This refers to the specific line, known for having a slightly different texture and taper profile compared to their other models.
• UltraLite: This is a massive feature. One of the historical problems with oversized grips was their weight. A heavy grip adds significant overall weight to the club and, more importantly, impacts the "swing weight" (how heavy the clubhead feels during the swing). A heavier grip makes the clubhead feel lighter, which can throw off a golfer's tempo and rhythm. The UltraLite technology allows JumboMax to create these massive grips at a weight - around 50-52 grams - that is very comparable to a standard-sized grip. This means Bryson can get all the benefits of the size without distorting the feel and balance of his clubs.
• XL: This refers to the size, and it is the largest size they offer, boasting a diameter of a whopping +11/32". It's a grip that genuinely shocks most golfers when they hold it for the first time.

From his driver all the way down to his wedges, Bryson maintains consistency with the JMX UltraLite XL. He even uses a JumboMax grip on his SIK ArmLock putter, creating a unified feel and theory across his entire set of 14 clubs.

Why Go Jumbo? The Method Behind DeChambeau's Madness

So, why would a professional golfer choose a grip that looks more like a small baseball bat than a standard golf grip? The answer lies in Bryson’s systematic approach to the golf swing. He wants to remove as many moving parts and variables as possible, and the JumboMax grips are his primary tool for achieving this.

1. Reducing Hand and Wrist Action for Consistency

The number one reason Bryson uses such large grips is to quiet his hands. Think about holding a thin twig versus a thick tree branch. You can easily bend and 'flick' the twig with your fingers and wrists. The thick branch, however, requires a more stable hold and encourages you to move it with your bigger muscles - your arms, shoulders, and torso.

This is exactly the effect a jumbo grip has on the golf swing. A standard, smaller grip fits neatly into the fingers, encouraging golfers to become "handsy" and manipulate the clubface with small, often inconsistent, wrist movements. This can lead to both hooks (rolling the wrists over too quickly) and slices (leaving the face open).

Bryson wants his hands to be almost completely passive. His one-plane swing is all about rotating his body and letting the arms and club follow. The jumbo grips essentially force his hands to adopt this passive role. By taking the small, twitchy muscles out of the equation, he relies on the large, repeatable muscles of his core and shoulders to control the club, leading to incredible consistency, especially under pressure.

2. Promoting a Light, Consistent Grip Pressure

As a coach, one of the most common faults I see is golfers strangling the club. When you grip the club too tightly, tension radiates up your forearms, into your shoulders, and locks up your entire swing, robbing you of speed and flow.

Here’s where the jumbo grip offers another advantage. Because the grip is so large and fills your hands so completely, you don't feel the need to squeeze it to maintain control. The increased surface area allows you to hold the club securely with surprisingly light pressure. DeChambeau often talks about maintaining a very light grip pressure throughout his swing, and his grips are a major enabler of that feel. For the average golfer, this can be a game-changer, automatically relieving tension and allowing for a much freer, faster, and more natural athletic motion.

3. Creating a Palm-Centric Hold

Standard grips are designed to be held predominantly in the fingers. Jumbo grips, due to their sheer size, necessitate a different a hold that is more centered in the palms of the hands.

This "palmar" grip creates a more stable connection between the hands and the club, almost making them feel like a single unit. It effectively locks the club into alignment with the forearms. For Bryson, this is vital. He sees the club and his arms as one straight line or 'radius' that rotates around his spine. The grip is the interface that makes this connection as stable and rigid as possible, eliminating any sloppiness at the point of action. This stable, palm-centric hold is another key piece in his puzzle for biomechanical efficiency and repeatability.

Are Jumbo Grips the Right Choice for Your Game?

Watching Bryson dismantle a golf course, it’s only natural to wonder, "Should I try that?" While switching to grips as large as his is a major change, there are many golfers who could benefit from moving to a larger grip, even if it's just a midsize.

Who Might Benefit from Bigger Grips?

Based on my coaching experience, you might be a great candidate for oversized or midsize grips if you fit one of these profiles:

• Golfers with Large Hands: This is the most straightforward case. If you have large hands (e.g., you wear a large or extra-large glove), a standard grip is too small. It forces a finger-heavy hold and can lead to over-gripping and excessive hand action, just to feel in control.
• Players Who Slice or Hook: If your bad shot comes from overactive hands closing the face too quickly (hook) or holding it open (slice), a larger grip can act as a natural governor. It slows down the rate of closure of the clubface, often helping to straighten out ball flight without a single swing thought.
• Golfers with Arthritis or Hand Pain: This is a massive, often overlooked benefit. A larger grip requires significantly less gripping force to hold onto the club. The wider diameter disperses pressure across the hand, greatly reducing strain on finger and hand joints. This can make the game much more comfortable and sustainable for players with arthritis.

How to Test Jumbo Grips Without A Full Commitment

You don't need to regrip your whole bag to find out if bigger is better. Here’s a simple, low-cost way to experiment:

1. Start with One Club: Go to your local pro shop and ask them to install one oversized or midsize grip on a single iron, perhaps your 7-iron since it’s a club you use often. For less than $20, you have a perfect test subject.
2. Head to the Range: Go through a full bucket of balls. Hit ten shots with your standard-gripped 8-iron, then ten shots with your new oversized/midsize 7-iron. Don't judge the first few hits, give your hands time to adjust to the new feel.
3. Pay Attention to Outcomes: Notice the differences. Does the new grip feel more stable at impact? Does your ball flight seem straighter? Are your mis-hits less punishing? Conversely, does a midsize feel great but a a jumbo feel too much like a log? This feedback is priceless.
4. Consider Midsize First: Jumping straight from standard to a Bryson-sized XL grip can be jarring. For many golfers, a midsize grip is the perfect sweet spot. It provides many of the stability and tension-relief benefits without feeling overly cumbersome. It’s the most common "next step up" for a reason.

Potential Downsides to Consider

While beneficial for many, oversized grips aren’t for everyone. Some players, particularly those with smaller hands or who rely heavily on "feel" for delicate shots, might find them lacking. A larger grip can sometimes dampen the sensation of the clubhead, making it harder to feel the subtle feedback needed for precise chips and pitches. This is a personal preference, but it's something to be aware of during your testing.

Final Thoughts

Bryson DeChambeau's use of JumboMax JMX UltraLite XL grips is a calculated part of his whole system, aimed at reducing hand action and boosting consistency. While jumping straight to the largest grips isn't a miraculous fix for every golfer, understanding the 'why' behind his choice gives you a fantastic framework for looking at your own game and seeing if larger grips - even just midsize - could help you play more stable, repeatable golf.

Sorting through all the gear advice and swing theories can be overwhelming. We developed Caddie AI to cut through that noise. If you're wondering if your slice is caused by rusty mechanics or perhaps ill-fitting grips, you can ask questions and get instant, tailored feedback. My role as your personal AI coach is to help you understand the cause and effect in your own swing, so you can pinpoint the changes that will actually lower your scores and lead to more confident and enjoyable rounds.