What Is the Extra Wrap on a Golf Grip?

That extra wrap of tape under a golf grip might seem like a tiny detail, but it can have a huge impact on your comfort, your swing, and even your shot patterns. Getting your grip size just right is one of the most fundamental yet overlooked aspects of club fitting. This guide will break down exactly what an extra wrap is, why golfers use them, and how you can figure out the perfect grip setup for your own game.

What Is an Extra Wrap, Exactly?

In the simplest terms, an "extra wrap" refers to an additional layer of tape applied to the club shaft before the grip is installed. When you buy a new grip off the shelf, it’s meant to be installed over a single layer of double-sided grip tape. However, golfers and club builders can add extra layers of standard masking tape under that base layer of grip tape to systematically increase the grip's final thickness.

This is a common practice used to fine-tune the feel of the club in a player’s hands. While you can buy grips in different standard sizes (Undersize, Standard, Midsize, Jumbo), adding wraps of tape allows for much more precise customization. Each full layer of masking tape added typically increases the grip's diameter by about 1/64 of an inch. While that sounds minuscule, you would be surprised how noticeable even one or two wraps can feel.

• Standard Grip: No extra wraps of tape.
• +1 Wrap: One layer of masking tape + one layer of double-sided tape. Increases size by +1/64".
• +2 Wraps: Two layers of masking tape + one layer of double-sided tape. Increases size by +2/64" (or +1/32").

Why Do Golfers Bother with Extra Wraps?

So, why go to all the trouble for a few fractions of an inch? It turns out, that tiny adjustment can solve some significant problems and unlock more confident swings. The reasons typically fall into three main categories: hand size and comfort, swing mechanics, and creating a specific feel.

1. To Fit Your Hand Size and Increase Comfort

This is the number one reason golfers add wraps. If a grip is too small for your hands, your natural tendency is to clench it tightly - the dreaded "death grip." This excessive tension radiates up your forearms and into your shoulders, destroying your ability to make a fluid, athletic swing. Your hold should be light, secure, and primarily in the fingers, allowing the club to move freely.

If you have larger hands or longer fingers, a standard grip will likely force your fingers to dig into your palm. This is not only uncomfortable but also restricts the natural wrist action needed to generate speed and square the clubface. By building up the grip with extra tape, you create a dimension that fits your hand properly. This allows you to hold the club with an appropriately light pressure, which in turn frees up your swing and reduces unnecessary tension.

2. To Influence Swing Mechanics and Hand Action

Grip size has a direct relationship with what your hands do during the swing, particularly through the impact zone. While it's not a cure-all for a major swing flaw, it can absolutely help manage tendencies and promote a more desirable ball flight.

• Thicker Grips (More Wraps) Can Quiet the Hands: A thicker grip makes it harder for you to actively turn your wrists and hands over through impact. The larger diameter slightly reduces the speed at which you can rotate the clubface. For a player who struggles with an aggressive hook (where the ball curves sharply from right to left for a right-handed golfer), a thicker grip can help calm this overactive hand action down, often resulting in a straighter shot or a soft draw.
• Thinner Grips (Fewer/No Wraps) Can Encourage Hand Action: Conversely, a thinner grip is easier to rotate. It allows for a freer, faster release of the hands. For a player who struggles with a slice or a block (where they fail to get the clubface square at impact), a standard or even an undersize grip might encourage the hands to release more naturally and square up the club.

Think of it like trying to turn a doorknob versus trying to turn a thick jar lid. The smaller object is much easier to rotate quickly. The same principle applies to your golf grip.

3. To Reduce the Taper and Equalize Pressure

Most standard golf grips are "tapered," meaning they are thicker at the top (capped end) and gradually get thinner toward the bottom. For some golfers, this promotes an overactive bottom hand (the right hand for a right-handed player), leading them to get "flippy" at impact and causing hooks or inconsistent strikes.

To counteract this, a club builder can add extra wraps of tape only under the lower half of the grip. For example, they might use four full wraps and then add another two or three wraps just under the lower portion where the bottom hand rests. This "builds up" the bottom of the grip, making its diameter more consistent from top to bottom. This reduced-taper feel can help unify the hands, making them feel like they are working together as a single unit rather than fighting each other for control.

How to Know if You Need Extra Wraps

Okay, the theory makes sense, but how do you know what’s right for you? Here are a few practical ways to assess your current grip situation.

The Classic Hand Test

This is a quick and easy starting point used by club fitters for decades. It doesn’t tell the whole story, but it’s a great first check.

1. Take your normal golf grip on one of your clubs, focusing on your top hand (the left hand for a right-handed player).
2. Without squeezing, let the club rest in your fingers and palm.
3. Look to see where the fingertips of your middle and ring fingers are in relation to the heel pad of your palm.

• Proper Fit: Your fingertips should be lightly touching or be very close to touching the edge of your palm.
• Grip Is Too Small: If your fingers are digging deeply into your palm, your grip is likely too small. This is where adding one or more wraps can help.
• Grip Is Too Large: If there is a noticeable gap between your fingertips and your palm, your grip might be too large.

Analyze Your Ball Flight and Misses

Sometimes your shot pattern gives you clues. Are you constantly fighting a quick, snapping hook? If an instructor has confirmed your swing path and alignment are good, it could be that your hands are just a little too active through the ball. In this case, trying a 7-iron with two extra wraps of tape could be a valuable experiment. If the hook straightens out or becomes a gentle draw, you may have found a solution for your whole set.

A strong disclaimer: A grip change is a tweak, not a surgery. It will not fix a severe over-the-top slice. That is a swing path issue that needs to be addressed with instruction. However, if your miss is more subtle and related to the timing of when the clubface squares up, a grip adjustment can absolutely help.

Comfort and Confidence Are King

Ultimately, this might be the most important factor. How does the club feel in your hands? If you pick up a club with a standard grip and it just feels pencil-thin and makes you want to clench it, it’s probably too small for you. Discomfort leads to tension, and tension is the enemy of a good golf swing. You should feel like you can hold the club securely without any unnecessary strain. Don't be afraid to go to a golf shop and feel different grip sizes - trust your instincts about what feels the most natural and comfortable.

Step-by-Step DIY Guide to Adding Wraps

If you're feeling handy, you can adjust your grip wraps yourself. However, if you're uncomfortable with the process, your local golf shop or club fitter can do this for you quickly and professionally.

Tools You'll Need:

• Hook Blade or Utility Knife
• A Vice with a Rubber Shaft Clamp
• Masking Tape (standard 3/4" width is best)
• Double-Sided Grip Tape
• Grip Solvent
• A New Grip
• A Rag or Towel

The Process:

1. Secure the Club: Place the club in the vice using a rubber clamp to protect the shaft. Position the club so the face is perfectly square to the ceiling. This is an important step for alignment.
2. Remove the Old Grip: Carefully use the hook blade to cut the grip from the bottom opening up toward the cap. Peel off the old grip. *Always cut away from you for safety.*
3. Remove the Old Tape: This can be time-consuming, but you want a clean surface. Peel or scrape off all the old tape. A little heat from a hairdryer can sometimes help loosen stubborn adhesive.
4. Apply the Masking Tape Wraps: Now for the "extra wraps." Start at the top, just below where the butt cap of the grip will sit. Wrap the tape spirally down the shaft, slightly overlapping the edges to ensure full coverage. Apply the desired number of layers (e.g., two full layers for +2 wraps).
5. Apply the Double-Sided Tape: Apply one layer of your double-sided grip tape directly over the layers of masking tape. Let about half an inch overhang the end of the shaft, which you will then twist and tuck inside the shaft opening.
6. Install the New Grip: Remove the paper backing from the double-sided tape. Close the small vent hole at the butt of the new grip with your finger and pour a generous amount of solvent inside. Swish it around to coat the inside of the grip and pour the excess out over the tape on the shaft.
7. Slide and Align: Working quickly, slide the grip onto the shaft with a firm, continuous push. Once it's all the way on, align the logo or alignment marks on the grip with your square clubface. You have about a minute or two to make adjustments before the solvent starts to set.
8. Let It Dry: Wipe off any excess solvent and allow the club to air dry for at least a few hours (preferably overnight) before swinging it.

Final Thoughts

In short, adding extra wraps of tape under your grip is a fantastic way to customize your clubs for better comfort, a more secure hold, and even to help manage your shot shape. Finding that "just right" size can remove tension and release you to make your most confident swing.

Figuring out your personal gear specifications is one part of playing better, more consistent golf. For all the other questions that pop up on and off the course - from strategizing on a tricky dogleg to understanding why your ball is still hooking even with thicker grips - the goal is to make expert guidance instantly accessible. With our instant AI golf coach Caddie AI, you can get on-demand swing analysis and course management advice right on your phone. So next time you stand over a shot, you'll have confidence, not confusion, knowing you can ask an expert about what to do.