What Is a Wrap on a Golf Club?

A golf club wrap can mean two different things, and this common confusion often leads players down the wrong path when trying to improve their equipment. We’re going to clear that up for you right now. This guide breaks down what a wrap-style grip is, how it differs from other grips, and also explains what it means to add wraps of tape to your clubs to change their size.

What Is a “Wrap” Style Golf Grip?

First, let’s talk about the grip itself. Historically, the earliest golf grips were simply long, thin strips of leather wrapped around the steel shaft, much like how you’d wrap tape around a hockey stick or baseball bat. Players would wind the leather strap from top to bottom, creating a tacky, seamless surface to hold onto. This process literally created a 'wrapped' grip.

Today, when you hear someone refer to a "wrap grip," they are almost always talking about a modern, one-piece grip designed to simulate that traditional look and feel. These aren't hand-wrapped leather strips anymore. Instead, they are made from soft rubber or synthetic polymer materials molded into a single sleeve that just slides onto the shaft.

The key characteristic is its appearance and texture. A popular example is the Golf Pride Tour Wrap 2G. If you look at it, you'll see a simulated spiral pattern that mimics the lines of overlapping leather. More importantly, it features a very tacky, slightly sticky, and smooth surface with minimal texture. This design offers a unique feel that many golfers love for its comfort and direct connection to the club.

The Key Characteristics of a Wrap-Style Grip:

• Appearance: A seamless, one-piece grip with a visual pattern that mimics the appearance of old-school, overlapping wrapped leather.
• Feel: Extremely soft and tacky. Often described as "sticky" to the touch. It’s designed for comfort and vibration-dampening.
• Material: Typically made from soft, proprietary rubber or polymer compounds.
• Design Goal: To provide maximum comfort and a very secure feeling in the hands without aggressive surface patterns.

Wrap vs. Cord vs. Standard Grips: What’s the Difference?

To truly understand where the wrap grip fits in, it helps to compare it to the other main categories of grips you'll find on the shelf. The choice between them comes down to personal preference, climate, and how your hands interact with the club.

1. Wrap Grips

As we've covered, these are all about a soft, tacky feel. They provide a high-friction connection to your hands, which can give you the confidence to hold the club with lighter pressure. The soft material is also excellent at absorbing vibration on off-center hits, making it a comfortable choice for players with arthritis or those who simply prefer a softer feel.

• Best For: Golfers who prioritize comfort and a tacky "sticky" feel. Players who tend to grip the club too tightly can benefit, as the tackiness gives them security without the need for a death grip.
• Potential Downsides: In very wet or humid conditions, some wrap grips can become slick. While modern compounds are much improved, they typically don't offer the same all-weather security as a corded grip.

2. Cord Grips

Cord grips are on the opposite end of the spectrum in terms of feel. These grips have fabric cord, usually cotton, brushed into the rubber during the molding process. This creates a rough, abrasive texture that delivers maximum traction. The visible fibers on the surface work to wick moisture away from your hands and provide an incredibly firm connection, no matter the weather. The popular Golf Pride Tour Velvet Cord is a classic example.

• Best For: Golfers who play in wet or humid conditions, or players who sweat a lot. High swing-speed players often prefer the firm, stable feel, as it reduces any sensation of twisting in the hands.
• Potential Downsides: They are very rough on the hands. Golfers who don't wear a glove or who have sensitive skin often find them too abrasive. They also offer the least amount of vibration dampening.

3. Standard Rubber/All-Around Grips

This is the largest category and represents the middle ground. Grips like the Lamkin Crossline or Golf Pride Tour Velvet are the workhorses of the golf world. They are typically made from a synthetic rubber blend that strikes a balance between softness and firmness. Instead of a simulated wrap or rough cord, they use intricate tread patterns - like diamonds, lines, and dashes - to create surface traction. They are dependable all-rounders that perform well in a variety of conditions.

• Best For: The vast majority of golfers. They provide a predictable, consistent feel that works for a wide range of players and skill levels. They offer a great balance of comfort, feedback, and all-weather performance.
• Potential Downsides: They are the "jack of all trades, master of none." While they are very good, a player looking for the absolute softest feel might prefer a wrap, and a player needing maximum wet-weather grip might opt for a cord.

Now, What About "Wraps of Tape" Under the Grip?

This is the second, completely different meaning of "wrap" in golf, and it’s a source of constant confusion. When a club fitter or experienced golfer talks about adding "wraps" to a club, they are referring to building up the grip's size by adding extra layers of double-sided grip tape underneath the grip itself.

This has nothing to do with the *style* of the grip (wrap, cord, or standard). You can add wraps of tape under any type of grip you want.

The standard installation for any golf grip is one layer of double-sided tape. Adding extra layers ("wraps") systematically increases the overall diameter of the installed grip.

Why Build Up a Grip with Extra Tape?

1. To Fit Larger Hands: This is the most common reason. A grip that is too small for a golfer's hands can encourage excessive wrist action and cause them to re-grip during the swing. Building up the grip allows their hands to fit more comfortably and naturally on the club.
2. To Reduce Grip Pressure: A thicker grip can feel more substantial in the hands, promoting a lighter, more relaxed grip. Players who strangle the club often find that a midsize or jumbo grip helps them ease up on their pressure.
3. To Quiet the Hands: Some players with very active hands and wrists find that a larger grip helps to slightly limit that action, leading to more body-driven, control-oriented swings, especially with wedges and short irons.

An Easy Guide to Grip Sizing with Tape Wraps:

While manufacturers sell pre-molded Undersize, Standard, Midsize, and Jumbo grips, you can use tape to fine-tune the size. This is how it generally works (a "+" indicates an extra layer on top of the initial standard layer):

• Standard Size: 1 layer of tape
• Standard +1/64": +2 layers of tape (total of 3)
• Midsize (+1/16"): +4 layers of tape (total of 5)
• Jumbo (+1/8"): +8 layers of tape (total of 9)

A Quick Tip: The best way to know what grip size is right for you is to hold different ones. When you grip the club, your middle and ring fingers of your top hand (the left hand for a right-handed player) should just barely be touching the palm or thumb pad. If they dig in, the grip is too small. If there’s a gap, the grip may be too large.

Choosing the Right Grip for Your Game

So, should you be playing a wrap-style grip? Or are you a better candidate for extra wraps of tape?

Deciding on a wrap-style grip comes down to personal feel. If you value a soft, cushioned, and sticky feel above all else, the wrap style is an excellent choice. It gives many golfers the confidence to relax their hands and feel more connected to the clubhead.

Deciding to add wraps of tape is a functional choice based on fit. It's about matching the equipment to your body. If you have larger hands or struggle with overactive wrists and a tense grip, experimenting with a built-up grip size could make a significant difference in your comfort and a massive improvement in your consistency.

The perfect setup might be a wrap-style grip with two extra wraps of tape underneath. The key is knowing that these are two separate variables you can adjust to build the perfect-feeling golf club for you.

Final Thoughts

"Wrap" on a golf club can be confusing, but it boils down to two distinct concepts: the soft, tacky style of the grip itself, or the extra layers of tape used underneath to increase its size. Understanding this difference empowers you to make smarter choices about your equipment based on both feel and fit.

Getting your equipment right is a huge step, but the questions don't stop there. One of the ways we designed Caddie AI is to act as your 24/7 equipment and strategy expert. Instead of endless online searching, you can simply ask questions like, "My hands feel sore after every round, would a wrap grip help?" or "How can I tell if my grips are too small?" and get a straightforward, personalized answer in seconds. My goal is to remove the guesswork so you can play with more confidence and enjoy the game more.