If you've ever felt that standard golf grips seem too thin in your lower hand or noticed yourself squeezing the club like you’re trying to get juice out of it, the Golf Pride Plus 4 might just be what your game is missing. This isn't just about making a grip feel bigger, it’s a specific technology designed to fix one of the most common swing flaws that robs golfers of power and consistency. This article will break down exactly what the Golf Pride Plus 4 technology is, explain the coaching philosophy behind its design, and help you understand if it’s the right choice for your game.
What Exactly Is a Golf Pride Plus 4 Grip?
At its core, the Golf Pride Plus 4 is a grip designed with a reduced taper. A traditional golf grip gets progressively thinner from the top (the butt end) to the bottom (where it meets the shaft). Think of it like a very long, skinny cone. Your top hand holds the thickest part, and your bottom hand holds the thinnest part.
The Plus 4 design changes this. Golf Pride’s engineers found that many tour players and discerning amateurs build up their lower hand by adding extra layers of tape under the grip during installation. The most common "build-up" was four full new wraps of tape for the bottom hand. So, Golf Pride decided to build that feature directly into the grip.
The "Plus 4" literally means the lower hand section has the equivalent thickness of four extra layers of grip tape. This creates a much less tapered profile, making the grip feel more uniform and cylindrical from top to bottom. It's a simple change, but the biomechanical effects on the golf swing can be profound.
The Philosophy Behind the Plus 4: A Lighter Grip Pressure
As a coach, one of the first things I check is a student's grip pressure. Excessive tension is a swing killer, and it almost always starts in the hands. When a grip feels too thin in your lower hand (typically your dominant, "feel" hand), your brain subconsciously tells your fingers to squeeze harder to secure it. You might not even realize you're doing it.
This subtle squeeze initiates a destructive chain reaction:
- Tension in the fingers leads to tension in the forearms.
- Tense forearms restrict the natural hinging and unhinging of the wrists.
- That restriction works its way up into the shoulders, preventing a full, free turn.
The result? A clunky, disconnected swing that lacks speed and feel. You lose power, and your ability to control the clubface through impact becomes erratic.
The Plus 4 grip addresses this problem at its source. By filling out the lower-hand section, the grip sits more fully and comfortably in your fingers without needing that extra squeeze. You don't have to "strangle" it to feel in control. This encourages a lighter, more relaxed grip pressure throughout the entire swing, freeing up your arms and wrists to move as they should - acting as fast-moving levers, not stiff boards.
How Does Less Taper Translate to Better Golf? The On-Course Benefits
So, a softer grip pressure is great, but what does that actually do for your scores? When a golfer switches to Plus 4 grips, they often see a few key improvements in their ball striking and consistency.
1. Reduced Grip Tension, Increased Clubhead Speed
This is the most direct benefit. Think about trying to throw a baseball. You wouldn't tense up every muscle in your arm and shoulder before you throw, right? You'd keep it relaxed and "whippy" to generate speed. The golf swing is no different. A relaxed grip allows your wrists and arms to move faster. By eliminating the source of tension, the Plus 4 lets you tap into clubhead speed you already possess but were holding back with a death grip.
2. Better Hand Synchronization and a Quieter Lower Hand
For بسیاری از حقدستگلفبازان (بیشتر گلفبازان راست دست)، دست راست تمایل دارد که خیلی فعال شود، به خصوص در هنگام ضربه زدن. این دست تلاش میکندclubface را کنترل کرده و آن را به دور بچرخاند. این حرکت بیش از حد "فلیپی" باعث میشود که ضربهها با زاویهی شدید به سمت چپ (hook) یا به طور مستقیم به سمت راست دور شوند(push).
با ضخیمتر کردن قسمت پایینتر دست در گریپ، تکنولوژی "پلاس 4" این دست پایینی بیشفعال را "خاموش میکند". باعث میشود حس کنترل شما کمتر متکی به فشار دادن با انگشتانتان باشد و بیشتر متکی به چرخش قسمت بزرگتر یعنی بدن شما باشد. این کمک میکند تا دستها در هماهنگی بهتری با هم کار کنند و دست چپ (برای یک راستدست)، بتواند نقش رهبر این چرخش را کنترلکرده و اجازه دهد تا قدرت از شانهها و قسمت مرکز بدن شما، و نه دستهای پراکنده و هیجانزدهی شما، تولید شود. این امر به الگوی آزادشدن پایدارتر و در نتیجه، به پرواز توپ صریحتر، منجر میشود.
3. More Comfort, Especially for Certain Hand Sizes or Conditions
Comfort should not be overlooked. An uncomfortable grip makes you not *want* to practice or play. Golfers with larger hand sizes often find standard grips feel like they're holding a toothpick. The Plus 4 provides a much more substantial and comfortable connection to the club. Additionally, golfers suffering from arthritis or joint pain in their hands often find that a larger, softer grip substantially reduces the strain and vibration felt at impact. Requiring less force to hold the club makes a huge difference over the course of 18 holes.
Who Should Consider Using Golf Pride Plus 4 Grips?
While any golfer can try them, the Plus 4 design tends to be a game-changer for a few specific types of players:
- The Golfer Who Fights a Hook: If your "miss" is consistently a sharp curve to the left (for a righty), you are likely getting too active with your bottom hand at impact. Quieting that hand with a Plus 4 grip can neutralize that ball flight almost immediately.
- The "Tension" Player: If you know you have a death grip, can see white knuckles at address, and feel tightness in your forearms, the Plus 4 is designed precisely for you. It promotes the relaxation you're struggling to find.
- Golfers with Larger Hands: If standard or midsize grips still feel thin, give the Plus 4 a shot. It provides that extra volume right where you need it.
- The DIY Grip Builder: Are you the player who askṣǝs the aəəə-šššš-būldərələ əkstrā rāpā də təəpə oundərīəz ār grīpəš? Þə Plūs Fōr ės džəstə prēmād, mōr kənsistent və́ržən əv ðæt. It eliminates inconsistencies you get from wrapping tape by hand and ensures every club feels identical.
- Players with Arthritis or Hand Pain: The larger diameter and reduced pressure requirement make it one of the most comfortable options on the market, decreasing the force needed to hold the club securely.
Popular Models in the Golf Pride Plus 4 Family
Golf Pride has integrated this popular design into several of their flagship models, so you can likely find it in a feel and texture you already love.
- Tour Velvet Plus4: This model combines the iconic state-of-the-art velvet surface pattern that has been a tour standard for decades with the Plus 4’s progressive taper. A perfect choice for the traditionalist seeking a modern performance twist.
- MCC Plus4: Perhaps the most popular version, the MultiCompound (MCC) features a hybrid design. The top hand enjoys a brushed-cord texture for superior all-weather traction, while the lower hand gets a softer, more responsive rubber. It truly offers the best of both worlds.
- MCC Plus4 Align: This takes the MCC Plus4 and adds "Align Technology" - a raised ridge on the back of the grip. This tactile reminder helps you place your hands in the exact same spot on the club for every single shot, boosting consistency even further.
- CP2 Pro &, CP2 Wrap Plus4: The CP2 (Control Performance) line is known for being Golf Pride's softest performance grip. If maximum comfort and vibration dampening are your priorities, a CP2 model with the Plus4 build is an excellent option.
Is There a Downside or an Adjustment Period?
Like any equipment change, there can be an adjustment. Initially, the Plus 4 can feel quite "fat" or "baseball bat-like" if you're coming from a very thin, tapered grip. It usually takes a bucket of balls or a round to get fully accustomed to the new feel.
More importantly, golfers who fight a slice should proceed with a bit of caution. A slice is often caused by an underactive release of the club - an inability to get the clubface squared at impact. Because a thicker lower-hand grip is designed to quiet hand action, it could potentially make it even harder for a slicer to release the club, possibly making the slice worse. It's not a guarantee, but it’s something to be aware of. For slicers, a standard-taper grip might still be a better choice to encourage that necessary hand and forearm rotation.
Final Thoughts
The Golf Pride Plus 4 isn't just about a different size, it’s a design rooted in a powerful coaching concept. By reducing taper, it encourages lighter grip pressure, quiets the overactive hands, and promotes a more unified, body-driven golf swing that produces greater speed and far more consistency.
Discovering the right grip is a huge piece of the performance jigsaw, and when you finally a find the correct one it lets you focus on the bigger picture of playing golf. Confidently picking a target and a club can be just as beneficial as a free swing on your game. That’s why having an on demand golf expert right when you need can bring you so much confident on the course. On those tough approach shots or tee boxes where you aren’t sure what do to or which club to pick, our Caddie AI acts as your 24/7 on call expert. You are just a question away to taking the guesswork out, which allows you to clear you mind and just focus on hitting your best shop.