Chances are, you’ve watched Rory McIlroy unleash that beautifully powerful swing and wondered what equipment helps him do it. You’re not alone. While we can’t all swing like Rory, we can learn from the choices he makes, especially when it comes to the only connection he has to the club: his grips. This article provides a detailed breakdown of the specific grips Rory McIlroy uses for his swing and his putting. More importantly, it explains the why behind his choices and gives you a coach's perspective on how you can apply these same principles to find the perfect grip for your own game.
Let's get straight to it. For his full swing clubs - from driver down to his wedges - Rory McIlroy uses the Golf Pride Tour Velvet Cord grip. This isn't some rare, custom-made grip. In fact, it's one of the most popular and enduring models in golf, favored by tour pros and amateurs alike for decades. But the "why" is in the details.
The "cord" in the name refers to the cotton cord material that is woven into the rubber. This provides a few key benefits that a player of Rory's caliber relies on:
As for his specific setup, Rory uses standard-size grips. While many golfers customize thickness with extra wraps of tape underneath, Rory typically sticks to a single layer, preferring a more standard feel that lets his hands and feel do the work. This choice reinforces his preference for pure feedback over cushioned comfort.
Putting is a game of fine motor skills, not raw power, so Rory's choice of putter grip reflects a different philosophy. He has experimented with various putters and grips over the years, but he frequently returns to a grip style designed to quiet the hands and promote a more stable, shoulder-driven stroke.
Most recently, he has been seen using a SuperStroke Zenergy Pistol Tour putter grip. Unlike his swing grips, this one has distinct characteristics tailored for the putting green:
Rory's willingness to switch putter grips shows how he - and many other pros - view scoring differently. The full swing is a repeatable, athletic motion, while putting is about feel and confidence, which can be fickle. He finds a grip that helps him achieve stability and confidence that day.
Choosing a grip model is only half the battle. How you place your hands on that grip is arguably even more important. It’s what I call "the steering wheel of your golf shots." Rory employs classic, technically sound fundamentals that every golfer can learn from.
Rory uses an interlocking grip, a method popularized by players from Jack Nicklaus to Tiger Woods. In this style, the pinky finger of the trailing hand (the right hand, for a righty) intertwines with the index finger of the lead hand (the left hand). This physically locks your hands together to promote a singular unified action.
Combined with this interlocking method, Rory employs a classic neutral grip position. Here’s a simple coaching checkpoint for this, which I share with my students:
This style involves resting your trailing hand's fingertips over your index and forefinger so that it ends up on top of the trailing hand's fingers. This style of grip effectively engages the bigger upper body and shoulder muscles, allowing for an almost automated pendulum-like stroke without being tempted to get wristy, especially during high-pressure putts. By combining it with the larger diameter grip like McIlroy’s, the wrists' role is minimized, yet the athlete can still use bigger muscles, making the stroke more automated. This reinforces a stable pendulum stroke.
This is the central question - is using a particular grip beneficial just because Tiger Woods or Rory McIlroy uses it? The answer is usually no. Every player is an individual and must find their personal style that best fits their game. However, there is a lot that an amateur can learn from how pros think about grips and apply some of that to their own game.
The Tour Velvet Cord grip, for example, offers excellent all-weather performance and responsive feedback, which is beneficial if you sweat easily or play in varied climates. As a beginner, choosing quality products like these not only feels comfortable but also provides a solid foundation to build upon.
Ultimately, choosing the right grip comes down to personal preference and playing style. Watching the choices of pros like Rory McIlroy can offer valuable insights, but the key is to find what suits you best.
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