The Golf Pride MCC Plus 4 is consistently one of the best-selling grips in golf. But what does MCC Plus 4 actually mean, and what difference does it make to your shots? This is a grip designed with a specific philosophy in mind: to encourage lighter grip pressure and promote more power. We'll break down the technology behind the MCC Plus 4, explain exactly what the Plus 4 design does for your swing, define the type of player who can benefit most from it, and feel how it performs on the course.
At its heart, the MCC Plus 4 is a hybrid grip. This means it combines two different materials into one design to deliver specific performance benefits for each hand. Think of it as getting the best of both worlds in a single grip.
Here’s the breakdown:
When you put them together, you have a grip that provides firmness and control where you generate leverage (your top hand) and soft feedback where you control touch (your bottom hand). The name itself tells the story: MCC stands for "Multi-Compound Cord," acknowledging these two different zones of material.
"Plus 4" is the real game-changer here, and it’s based on a common practice among tour pros and avid golfers. For decades, players would ask club builders to add extra layers of tape under the lower half of their grips. The standard request? Four extra wraps of tape.
So, Golf Pride decided to build that bigger lower section directly into the grip design. The "Plus 4" signifies that the lower part of the grip is equivalent in size to a standard grip that has four extra wraps of tape buildups. This creates a reduced-taper profile, meaning the grip doesn’t get as thin towards the bottom as a traditional grip does.
But why would a golfer want a thicker lower hand section? It all comes down to grip pressure.
From a coaching perspective, excessive grip pressure is one of the most significant power and consistency killers in golf. When golfers squeeze the club too tight, especially with their lower (trail) hand, they introduce tension that travels up their forearms, into their shoulders, and wrecks the entire sequence of the golf swing.
A thinner grip often encourages the fingers of the lower hand to dig in and squeeze. The larger diameter of the Plus 4 comfortably fills the hand, promoting a more relaxed, "palm-based" hold. This lighter pressure allows for a fluid, tension-free swing, letting you generate speed naturally instead of trying to "muscle" the ball.
This follows directly from lighter grip pressure. An overactive lower hand tries to ‘hit’ at the ball, disrupting the natural rotation of your body and the release of the clubhead. Think of your hands as the connection, but your body torso as the real engine of the swing.
By quieting the lower hand, the MCC Plus 4 encourages you to use your big muscles - your back, shoulders, and hips - to power the swing. It makes it easier to let the hands be passive and just hold on for the ride. This results in a better sequence, a wider swing arc, and ultimately, more clubhead speed without swinging any harder. It smooths out the whole process, letting the power come from the right source.
While this grip can technically work for anyone, it’s particularly well-suited for a few distinct types of players. See if you recognize yourself in any of these descriptions.
If you constantly feel like you're "strangling" the golf club, this grip is designed for you. If your forearms are tight at the address or your knuckles are white, you’re holding on too tight. The Plus 4’s larger lower profile makes it easier to achieve a secure hold without excessive pressure, acting as a built-in reminder to relax your hands and swing freely.
This is a no-brainer. The cord in the upper section is outstanding in wet or humid conditions. If you live somewhere with hot summers, have sweaty hands, or aren’t afraid of a little rain, the MCC Plus 4 provides unmatched grip security when conditions get slick. You can swing with confidence, knowing the club isn’t going to twist or slip in your hands.
For golfers with larger hands, a standard tapered grip can feel tiny, forcing them to apply extra pressure to feel in control. The MCC Plus 4 Midsize or even the Standard version provides a much more comfortable and substantial feel. Similarly, golfers suffering from arthritis often find that the larger, softer lower section reduces the strain on their finger joints, making the game more enjoyable.
Here’s a deeper coaching insight. A heavily tapered grip can sometimes encourage an overactive trail hand action, leading it to 'flip' over too quickly and cause hooks. Conversely, the uniform profile of the Plus 4 can promote what feels like a more "unified" release, where both hands work together instead of fighting each other. For some players who struggle with a hook caused by a grabby lower hand, this grip can help calm that motion down and produce a straighter, more controlled ball flight.
The dual-material design really shows its value across all the clubs in your bag.
The primary difference is the taper. The standard Golf Pride MCC grip has a traditional profile, it’s thick at the top and gets progressively thinner toward the bottom. The MCC Plus 4 has a significantly reduced taper. A player who grips down the club might feel like the lower portion is more like a cylinder. This is the whole point - to build up that lower hand area and mimic those four extra tape wraps.
Choose the Standard MCC if you prefer a traditional feel and more lower-hand feedback.
Choose the MCC Plus 4 if you want to quiet your lower hand and reduce grip pressure.
Both the Standard and Midsize MCC Plus 4 grips feature the same "Plus 4" technology. The main difference is the overall diameter. As a general rule:
When in doubt, it’s always best to get feel in hand at a local golf store a couple of sizes to see what feels most natural in your hands.
The Golf Pride MCC Plus 4 isn't just a gimmick, it's a grip engineered to solve one of golf's most common swing faults - excessive grip tension. By combining a stability-focused cord in the upper hand and a soft, built-up rubber section in the lower hand, it promotes a lighter, more relaxed hold that allows for a smoother, easier, more powerful golf swing.
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