Ever wondered about the super-thick golf grips Bryson DeChambeau uses? They are one of the most distinctive pieces of equipment on tour, and for good reason. He uses them to support his incredibly powerful and unique golf swing. This article will break down exactly what grips Bryson uses, the reasons behind his unconventional choice, and honest advice on whether a similar style of grip could benefit your own game.
There's no big secret here. Bryson DeChambeau uses JumboMax JMX UltraLite grips. He's been using them since he was a teenager and credits them as a fundamental part of his success.
However, it's not just that they're from JumboMax, it's the size that's so shocking to most golfers. While grip sizes are typically labeled as standard, midsize, or jumbo, Bryson’s grips are on another level. He has used a variety of JumboMax's largest sizes, often custom-built to be even bigger than their standard XL or XXL options available to the public. To put it in perspective, his grips are so large that many people would struggle to even get their hands around them properly.
He puts these gigantic grips on every single one of his clubs, from the driver down to his wedges and putter. The concept is consistent throughout his bag to support a single, repeatable feel and swing method.
This is where things get interesting. Bryson's choice isn't a gimmick, it's a calculated decision based on swing physics and his personal "golfing machine" approach. From a coaching perspective, the fundamentals behind his choice are sound, even if the application is extreme. Here are the core reasons he uses such large grips.
This is the number one reason. A thicker grip makes it physically more difficult for a golfer to flex and extend their wrists excessively during the swing. Think about trying to quickly flick a broom handle versus a thin pencil - the pencil is much easier to manipulate. By using such a large grip, Bryson effectively "takes his hands out of the shot." It forces him to power the swing with the rotation of his big muscles - the torso, shoulders, and hips. For a player seeking maximum consistency and repeatability, removing the twitchy, small muscles of the hands is a huge advantage. It dramatically reduces the chances of a last-second flip or roll of the clubface, which is a leading cause of hooks and slices for amateur golfers.
One of the first things a golf coach will tell a tense player is to lighten their grip pressure. When you "strangle" the club, tension creeps up your forearms, into your elbows, and locks up your shoulders. A tight grip prevents a fluid, powerful swing. With a JumboMax grip, the massive surface area allows you to hold the club securely with a much lighter touch. You don't have to clench your fingers to control the club. This relaxed state allows Bryson to unleash his full rotational speed without fighting against his own muscle tension.
Bryson is famous for his single-plane swing, where his arms and club shaft move back and through on the same plane angle. A critical part of this swing is maintaining a constant and stable clubface relative to his swing path. The ultra-large grips help him achieve this. Because it’s so hard to rotate the grip within his hands, the clubface is less likely to open or close during the backswing or downswing. This stability means he can swing with full force, confident that the clubface is pointing where he started it, leading to the kind of straight, piercing ball flight he is known for.
It's important to understand a key detail about Bryson's specific grip model: the "UltraLite" part. Traditionally, making a grip larger meant adding more rubber, which in turn added a significant amount of weight. This added weight would dramatically alter the club's "swing weight" - the balance point and overall feel of the clubhead.
JumboMax's UltraLite technology was a game-changer. They developed a lightweight compound that allowed them to create these huge grips without making them excessively heavy. They are still heavier than a standard grip, but not nearly enough to make the clubhead feel lost or sluggish.
Here’s a breakdown of the benefits that specific model offers:
Watching Bryson's success naturally leads to the question: "Could this work for me?" The answer isn't a simple yes or no. A jumbo grip isn't a universal solution, but it can be an amazing fix for golfers with specific tendencies.
You might be a good candidate to experiment with a jumbo or oversized grip if:
If you're thinking of trying one, don't re-grip your entire set. That's an expensive experiment that might not work out. Here’s a smarter way to test it:
As a coach, I have to provide a balanced view. While jumbo grips can be fantastic for the right player, they can be detrimental for others.
The main drawback is that they can severely limit your ability to shape shots. For a feel player who likes to hit delicate draws and fades, the grip can feel numb and clunky. It makes it harder to subtly work the clubface through impact. If your bad shot is a slice, a jumbo grip could make it even worse by preventing you from releasing the club properly.
Bryson DeChambeau uses extra-large JumboMax JMX UltraLite grips as an integral part of his system to promote a powerful, body-driven swing while minimizing hand and wrist manipulation. His choice, while extreme, is rooted in the sound principle of creating maximum consistency by removing variables from the golf swing.
Understanding the "why" behind your equipment and your swing is a huge step toward playing better golf. Bryson's hyper-personalized gear is a perfect match for his game, but you need advice tailored to yours. We designed our Caddie AI to give you that same level of instant, personalized analysis right on the course. Whether you're stuck on club selection or facing a tough recovery shot, it can analyze the situation - and your own game - to give you clear, actionable advice when you need it most.
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