Bryson DeChambeau uses the largest, thickest golf grips commercially available, a choice that's central to his unique approach to the game. He plays with JumboMax JMX UltraLite grips, specifically their largest size, which feels more like holding a small bat than a golf club. This article will explain exactly why he chooses these massive grips, how they tie into his single-length iron philosophy, and most importantly, walk you through whether a switch to oversized grips could benefit your own game.
The best AI golf app: Caddie is your personal AI golf coach. Get expert-level golf advice instantly, 24/7 to help you play like a pro. Try it free →
So, What Exactly Are Bryson's Grips?
When you first see Bryson DeChambeau's clubs up close, the grips are startlingly large. He exclusively uses JumboMax grips, a brand that specializes in oversized designs. While they offer multiple sizes, Bryson has been known to use their XL model and sometimes even larger custom versions, which clock in with a diameter of around 1.25 inches. For comparison, a standard golf grip has a diameter of about 0.90 inches. That difference might not sound like much, but in your hands, it's a change of night and day.
The specific model he often favors is the JMX UltraLite. The "UltraLite" part is worth noting. A common concern with jumbo grips is that their sheer size will add a lot of weight to the club, which can throw off the club's swing weight and overall feel. Modern jumbo grips, like the ones used by Bryson, are made from lightweight materials that keep the total weight close to that of a standard grip. This engineering allows him (and you) to get the benefits of a larger diameter without making the club feel head-light or unwieldy.
But his choice isn't just about wanting a comfortable grip. For Bryson, the "Mad Scientist" of golf, everything is a calculated part of a larger system designed for one thing: repeatability.
Get pro-level golf advice instantly, 24/7
Ask Caddie anything. From “what club should I use?” to “how do I play this shot?” and get instant answers.
The Method Behind the Madness: Grips and the Single-Length Swing
To understand why Bryson uses such massive grips, you have to understand his core swing philosophy. He is the most famous proponent of single-length irons, meaning his 4-iron is the same length as his pitching wedge (traditionally the length of a 7-iron). The goal of this system is to eliminate as many variables as possible. He wants to make the exact same setup, posture, and swing for every iron shot, letting the loft of the club do all the work.
So where do the grips fit in? They are a tool to promote a body-driven swing and to shut down the small, twitchy muscles of the hands and wrists.
Think about holding a pencil versus a thick magic marker. You have far more fine motor control with the pencil, you can make intricate movements with your fingers and wrists. With the thick marker, your ability to flick or draw with your wrists is greatly reduced. You're forced to use your arm and shoulder more to move it.
Bryson's jumbo grips work on the same principle. By filling up his hands completely, the grips achieve a few key things that are vital to his single-plane swing:
It "quiets" the hands. Oversized grips make it much more difficult to manipulate the clubface by rolling your wrists or "flipping" the club at impact. For many golfers, this excessive hand action is a major source of inconsistency, leading to hooks and slices.
It promotes a body-powered swing. With the hands playing a more passive role, the power and control must come from the body's rotation. The swing becomes a motion driven by the turning of the shoulders and torso, which are larger, more reliable muscle groups. This is the definition of a repeatable, one-plane swing, which is the engine of his entire system.
It encourages light grip pressure. It's nearly impossible to choke a JumboMax grip. Since the material already fills the palms, there's no subconscious impulse to squeeze down. This prevents the "death grip" that floods a golfer's arms and shoulders with performance-killing tension.
Ultimately, the jumbo grips are not an isolated preference, they are an essential component of the single-length system. They serve as a constant physical reminder to let the body lead the swing, making it easier for him to replicate that same motion from every iron lie.
Should You Try Jumbo Grips? The Potential Benefits for the Average Golfer
You don't need a set of single-length irons to see potential improvements from oversized grips. In fact, many regular golfers find that moving up in grip size can have a profound impact on their game. Here's what it could do for you.
Quieter Hands for a More Stable Clubface
This is arguably the biggest benefit for amateur golfers. So many swing faults come from having overly active hands that try to "help" the ball into the air. This often results in a cupped or bowed wrist at the top of the swing, or an early release (casting) on the downswing. Both of these moves change the clubface angle and lead to inconsistent shots.
An oversized grip physically restricts a lot of that unwanted wrist action. It helps you maintain a more neutral and stable clubface from takeaway all the way through impact. For players who fight a hook (caused by over-active hands closing the clubface) or a slice (caused by an open clubface from a "scooping" motion), a jumbo grip can feel like an automatic fix by simply encouraging a more stable and passive hand role.
Immediate Tension Relief and Increased Club Speed
Ask a coach to point out the most common swing-killer, and they'll often point to grip pressure. Most of us squeeze the club far too tightly. This tension travels up the forearms, into the biceps, and plants itself in the shoulders. A tense swing is a slow and jerky swing.
Because an oversized grip fills the hands so well, it promotes a much lighter, more relaxed grip pressure. You don't have to clench your fingers to feel secure. When that tension melts away, the arms can swing more freely and generate more speed naturally. It sounds contradictory, but holding the club more loosely allows you to swing it faster.
A Lifesaver for Golfers with Arthritis or Hand Pain
For golfers who suffer from arthritis, joint pain, or have smaller, weaker hands, clenching a standard grip for 18 holes can be painful and exhausting. A jumbo grip can be a game-changer. The larger diameter means less force is required from your fingers and thumb to hold onto the club securely. A lot of golfers with hand ailments find that switching to jumbo grips allows them to play and practice pain-free, extending their time on the course.
Plan every shot like a pro
Describe your situation and Caddie AI helps you pick your target, shot shape, and club with confidence.
Feeling curious? Before you run out and regrip your entire set, it's best to take a measured approach. Here's a simple process to figure out if bigger grips might be your ticket to better golf.
How to Do a Basic Grip-Size Check
There is a classic method for a rough estimate of grip size. Take your normal grip with your top hand (the left hand for a right-handed golfer). When your hand is closed, the tips of your middle and ring fingers should be just barely touching the base of your palm.
If your fingertips dig hard into your palm, your grip might be too small.
If there's a gap between your fingertips and your palm, your grip might be too big.
This is a helpful starting point, but personal comfort and performance are what matter most. Don't let this simple test be the final word.
The Low-Risk "One Club Test"
This is the smartest way to experiment without a major commitment. Go to your local golf shop and ask them to install one oversized or jumbo grip on a single club. Choose a club you hit often on the range, like your 7-iron or 8-iron. A single grip is inexpensive, and it will give you all the feedback you need.
Take that one club to the driving range and hit a couple dozen balls. Pay close attention to a few things:
Ball Flight: What's happening to the ball? Many golfers find their shots start flying straighter. For some, a hook might turn into a slight draw.
Feel &, Comfort: Does it simply feel good in your hands? Do you feel less tension in your arms and shoulders after hitting a handful of shots?
The Downside Check: Be honest with yourself. Some players feel a larger grip diminishes their "feel," especially on delicate shots. Hit some half swings and three-quarter shots. Do you feel like you've lost the connection with the clubhead? A grip that is too big can hinder your ability to release the club, potentially causing blocked shots to the right. See if this happens to you.
By isolating the change to one club, you can get a clear feel for the cause and effect without second-guessing your entire bag.
Play Golf like a Pro with Caddie
Learn and improve your golf game as you play. Get pro-level tips, strategy and guidance anytime.
Bryson DeChambeau's jumbo grips are not a gimmick, they are an integral part of a well-designed system built for maximum consistency by promoting a body-led swing. While his approach is extreme, the principles behind it can offer real solutions for everyday golfers who struggle with overactive hands, excess tension, or shot dispersion.
Ultimately, experimenting on your own is the only way to know if oversized grips will work for you. Questions about equipment, course strategy, and swing mechanics can feel complex, but getting clear answers is what moves your game forward. Having personalized expert advice is what makes all the difference as you dial in your game, from the gear in your hands to the decisions you make over the ball. With our app, Caddie AI, you get instant, 24/7 access to your own personal golf expert. You can ask anything from "what are the pros and cons of face-balanced vs. toe-hang putters?" to analyzing a tough lie by taking a photo on the course, helping you cut through the noise and play with more confidence and clarity.
Spencer has been playing golf since he was a kid and has spent a lifetime chasing improvement. With over a decade of experience building successful tech products, he combined his love for golf and startups to create Caddie AI - the world's best AI golf app. Giving everyone an expert level coach in your pocket, available 24/7. Caddie's mission is simple: make world-class golf advice accessible to everyone, anytime.
Other posts you might like
What Percentage of Golfers Shoot Their Age?
Shooting your age in golf stands as one of the sport's most revered and personal milestones, a true badge of honor that signifies both immense skill and remarkable longevity. This article will break down just how rare this achievement is, explore the anatomy of the golfer who pulls it off, and give you a practical, no-nonsense roadmap you can follow to give yourself the best possible chance of one day writing a number on the scorecard that matches the one on your driver's license.
Dirty grooves can cost you real shots on the golf course, and the secret to a professional-grade clean is probably already waiting for you under your kitchen sink. Forget all the specialized, overpriced club cleaners you see online. This guide will walk you through exactly what kind of soap to use, what to avoid at all costs, and the step-by-step process to get your irons, woods, and grips looking and performing like they're brand new.
A great golf hat is more than a logo-adorned accessory, it’s a critical piece of performance gear that protects you from the elements and helps you play better. Choosing the right one can make a huge difference in your comfort, focus, and even your long-term health. This guide will walk you through the various styles, materials, and essential features to help you find the absolute best golf hat for your game.
If you're just starting golf, you’ve probably looked at a full bag of 14 clubs and felt a bit overwhelmed. You don't need all of them to get started. In fact, learning the game with just three essential clubs is one of the best ways to build a solid foundation without the confusion. This guide will walk you through exactly which three clubs to choose, why they are so powerful as a trio, and how you can use them together to play a respectable round of golf right away.
Lexi Thompson plays the Maxfli Tour golf ball, a choice that turned heads because it wasn't from one of the major brands dominating the professional circuits. This article dives into the specifics of her golf ball, the compelling reasons behind her switch, and what lessons amateur golfers can take from a top pro's meticulous equipment selection process. We’ll show you how to apply her data-driven approach to find the perfect golf ball for your own game.
Playing with golf clubs that fight your natural swing is like trying to run a marathon in shoes that are two sizes too big. You can do it, but it’s going to be frustrating, and you definitely won’t perform your best. Custom fitting is the process of tailoring every aspect of a golf club to your unique body and swing, making the game easier and far more consistent. This guide will walk you through exactly what a custom fitting entails, why it’s one of the best investments you can make in your game, and what variables a professional fitter adjusts to help you find more fairways and greens.
