Dustin Johnson, one of golf's most prodigious talents, uses Golf Pride Tour Velvet grips on his full-swing clubs and has most recently favored a Lamkin Deep-Etched pistol-style an's grip on his putter. This article will not only detail the specific models he uses but, more importantly, will explore the *how* and *why* behind his grip style - a crucial component that enables his signature power fade. We'll break down the mechanics of his grip, its relationship to his famous bowed wrist, and what you, the everyday golfer, can learn from his highly personalized setup.
Unlike some pros who use highly specialized or prototype equipment, Dustin Johnson's choice for his irons and woods is one of the most popular and timeless grips ever made. It's a workhorse, not a show horse, which says a lot about his approach to the game: find something that works and stick with it.
For the majority of his career, Dustin Johnson has trusted his full-swing shots to the classic Golf Pride Tour Velvet grip. Here’s why this grip is a staple on professional tours and a favorite among amateurs:
While his full-swing grips are a constant, DJ's putter grip has seen more experimentation over the years - a common trait among tour pros who are always chasing the perfect feel on the greens. He has spent considerable time using SuperStroke models, but he often returns to a more traditional pistol-style grip.
Currently, he has a Lamkin Deep-Etched Pistol grip installed on his flatstick. This grip is known for:
Simply putting the same rubber on your clubs as DJ won't give you his swing. The real lesson comes from understanding *how* he holds the club. This is where his setup becomes a masterclass in matching your grip to your desired ball flight and swing mechanics.
DJ employs what is known as a strong left-hand grip. If you look at his setup from his perspective, he can probably see three, maybe even four, knuckles on his left hand. The "V" formed by his left thumb and index finger points well to the right of his right shoulder. For a right-handed golfer, this is a textbook "strong" position.
A strong grip naturally encourages the clubface to close or rotate through impact. In an isolated sense, a strong grip would typically make a golfer an's hot to hit a draw or a hook. So, why does DJ, famous for his towering fade, use it?
The answer lies in how his grip interacts with the rest of his swing.
"Match-up" is a term golf instructors love, and Dustin Johnson's swing is the perfect example. His strong grip is the ideal partner for his most famous swing characteristic: the severely bowed left wrist at the top of his backswing.
At the apex of his backswing, DJ's left wrist is flexed, or "bowed," towards the target. Think about trying to point the back of your left wrist at the sky. For almost any amateur, this move would feel incredibly unnatural and shut the clubface dramatically. A shut clubface at the top of the swing usually leads to a nasty, low, left shot (a hook) for most golfers.
This is the genius of DJ's move. He has two powerful components that, in theory, should produce a massive hook:
However, instead of fighting these elements, he leans into them. Because the clubface is already so "closed" relative to his swing path, he doesn't need to try and release the club with his hands through a traditional impact. Instead, he can simply hold that angle and rotate his body as hard and as fast as he wants through the ball. The strong grip provides the stability he needs to maintain that bowed wrist position without the club wobbling or shifting.
The result? He starts the ball left of his target and it peels back to the right in a powerful, high, and incredibly predictable fade. The two "wrongs" have made a big right. His grip isn't just holding the club, it's the anchor that allows his unique power move to work.
It's tempting for a golfer struggling with a slice to see DJ's strong grip and think, "That's the answer!" But copying one piece of a tour pro's swing without its complimentary parts can cause more problems than it solves.
A better takeaway from studying DJ is not to copy his grip blindly, but to embrace the philosophy of finding a grip that matches your swing.
Here’s a simple process to figure this out on the range:
The goal isn't necessarily to land on "neutral," "strong," or "weak." The goal is to understand how rotating your hands on the handle influences ball flight. You might find that a "slightly strong" grip is the perfect blend for your downswing, allowing you to hit a straight ball or a gentle draw without extra effort.
Remember, the grip is your only connection to the golf club. Getting it right - for you - lays the foundation for a more consistent swing.
Dustin Johnson relies on the dependable Golf Pride Tour Velvet an's his full swing and a tactile Lamkin Deep-Etched grip for his putting. More significantly, his very strong grip style is not a standalone feature but a vital piece of his biomechanical puzzle, working in harmony with his bowed wrist to produce his signature power fade. The primary lesson for all golfers is the importance of finding a grip that works in concert with your individual swing mechanics.
Figuring out these matchups in your own swing can feel a bit like guesswork. When experimenting with your grip on the range, a shot might go wrong, and it can be tough to know if the cause was your hold, your alignment, or your swing path. This is exactly where we've designed Caddie AI to help. If you change to a stronger grip but still find shots leaking to the right, you can ask for potential reasons. Having an expert guide in your pocket can help clarify the relationship between your grip and your ball flight, guiding you toward the right adjustments and building your confidence on the course.
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