How to Choose the Right Golf Grip: The Complete Australian Golfer's Guide

By Bunker Ball Golf | Melbourne, Australia | Golf Equipment Guide

Golf grips are the only point of contact between you and the club. Every bit of feel, feedback, and control you experience during a round flows through them. And yet grips are probably the most overlooked piece of equipment in the average Australian golfer's bag.

Most golfers replace their grips once every few years or never. The industry standard recommendation is once per season, or every 40 rounds, whichever comes first. If your grips are slick, shiny, or you find yourself gripping tighter to stay in control, it is long overdue.

This guide covers everything: grip size, material, taper, and which brands are worth your money. We stock Golf Pride, Lamkin, Ping, Super Stroke, and Flat Cat which are all available for purchase and installation through Bunker Ball Golf.

Why Grip Condition Matters More Than You Think

A worn grip forces you to squeeze the club harder to maintain control. That tension works its way up the forearms, through the shoulders, and kills the natural release of the club through impact. The result is shots that are blocked right, topped, or lacking any real pop.

A fresh grip lets you hold the club with light pressure. Light grip pressure is one of the most commonly taught fundamentals in golf but it is impossible to achieve when you are white-knuckling a slick rubber tube.

The good news: grips are cheap relative to almost anything else in golf. Replacing a full set costs between $140 and $400 depending on the brand. That is a small investment compared to a lesson, a new club, or a round at a premium course.

Understanding Golf Grip Size

Grip size is the most critical specification to get right. An incorrectly sized grip directly affects your ability to square the clubface at impact.

The Four Standard Sizes

•       Undersize - for smaller hands, glove sizes XS to S

•       Standard - fits most golfers, glove sizes S to M

•       Midsize - adds roughly 1/16 of an inch in diameter, glove sizes M to L

•       Oversize/Jumbo - for larger hands, glove sizes L to XL

How Grip Size Affects Ball Flight

Here is the key rule: if your grip is too thin, your hands are too active through impact and the face tends to close, producing pulls and hooks. If your grip is too thick, your hands cannot rotate properly and the face stays open, causing pushes and fades.

The correct size is one where the tips of your fingers just barely touch the pad of your palm when you grip the club. If your fingers dig into your palm, go up a size. If there is a gap between fingertips and palm, go down a size.

Extra Wraps as a Sizing Solution

Another way to adjust grip size is to add extra layers of tape beneath the grip during installation. A standard build-up tape adds approximately 1/64 of an inch per layer, which means three extra layers gets you most of the way to a midsize feel on a standard grip. This is a common tour practice and a great option if you are between sizes.

Grip Materials: Rubber, Cord, and Everything In Between

Rubber Grips

Rubber is the most common grip material. It offers a soft, comfortable feel and performs reasonably well in dry conditions. The Golf Pride Tour Velvet series is the benchmark rubber grip as it has been the most played grip on tour for decades for a reason. Excellent feel, reliable performance, affordable price.

The Golf Pride Tour Velvet 360 is a good example with the 360-degree texture pattern means you always have consistent feel regardless of hand position.

Cord Grips

Cord grips have a woven fabric material embedded in the rubber. This creates a rougher surface texture that performs dramatically better in wet and humid conditions. Think rainy Melbourne winter rounds or sweaty summer rounds at a Queensland coastal course.

The Golf Pride Align Max Z-Grip Cord is one of the best cord options available. It also includes an alignment ridge on the back of the grip, which helps players consistently position their hands the same way every time.

Cord grips feel firmer and some golfers find them less comfortable in very cold conditions. But for performance and durability, they are hard to beat.

Multi-Compound Grips

Multi-compound grips. the Golf Pride MCC range being the most famous example, They use different materials in the upper and lower hand sections. Typically the upper hand gets a cord surface for control, and the lower hand gets a softer rubber for comfort. It is a clever compromise that suits a wide variety of conditions.

The Golf Pride MCC Plus 4 Teams is available at Bunker Ball Golf in a wide range of colour options, a popular choice for golfers who want to match their grip to their club or bag aesthetic.

Putter Grips

Putter grips are a completely separate category. Larger diameter putter grips have become increasingly popular because they reduce wrist action through the stroke, promoting a more shoulder-driven putting motion that is easier to repeat under pressure.

Super Stroke makes the most popular oversized putter grips on the market. Both the Super Stroke Zenergy Tour and the Super Stroke Deep Etched Cord are available at Bunker Ball Golf. Lamkin's Sinkfit and Flat Cat Golf round out a strong putter grip range that suits players from beginners to serious low handicappers.

Best Golf Grips Available in Australia: Brand Breakdown

Golf Pride - The Industry Standard

Golf Pride is the number one grip brand on tour and for good reason. Their manufacturing consistency is second to none with every grip comes off the line at the same weight and diameter. If you want a reliable, proven grip that performs in all conditions, you cannot go wrong here.

Our top picks from the Golf Pride range:

•       Tour Velvet 360 - classic soft rubber, great all-weather choice at $28.99

•       MCC Plus 4 Teams - multi-compound with vibrant colour options at $32.99

•       Align Max Z-Grip Cord - alignment aid plus superior wet weather grip at $34.99

Lamkin - Comfort and Performance

Lamkin grips have a loyal following among golfers who prioritise feel and comfort without sacrificing control. The UTx series uses a unique texture pattern that provides excellent tackiness in both wet and dry conditions. The Sinkfit range for putters is excellent for golfers who want a more traditional pistol-style putter grip.

Available at Bunker Ball Golf:

•       Lamkin UTx Golf Grips - $27.99

•       Lamkin SINKFIT Skinny Pistol Putter Grip - $29.99

•       Lamkin Deep Etched Sinkfit Pistol Putter Grip - $27.99

Ping - Built for Performance

Ping grips are engineered to complement Ping equipment but they work on any club. The Ping PP58 Midsize Cord Putter Grip is a popular choice for golfers who want the control of a cord surface on their putter, uncommon and genuinely effective.

Super Stroke - Putter Grip Game Changers

If you have not tried an oversized putter grip, Super Stroke is where to start. The larger diameter literally eliminates the ability to flick your wrists through impact. Golfers who switch often cannot believe how much more consistent their putting stroke becomes within a few rounds.

Both the Zenergy Tour ($64.99) and the Deep Etched Cord ($35.99) are available in multiple colours.

Flat Cat Golf - The Modern Putter Grip

Flat Cat putter grips have a unique flattened top surface that encourages the thumbs to sit in the same position every time. If you are a golfer who struggles with grip consistency on the putter, the Flat Cat Golf Slim ($49.99) is worth trying.

Frequently Asked Questions

How often should I replace my golf grips in Australia?

In Australia's climate, particularly in Queensland and Western Australia where heat and humidity are factors. Grips can degrade faster than in cooler climates. A good rule of thumb is once per season, or after 40 to 50 rounds. If you play year-round in warm conditions, consider replacing more frequently.

Can I install grips myself?

Yes, with grip tape and mineral spirits or air compressor installation you can do it at home. It takes about 30 minutes for a full set once you have the hang of it. That said, professional installation ensures the grip is perfectly aligned and built up to the correct size. We can install your grips as part of any order.

Does grip colour affect performance?

No. Grip colour is purely cosmetic. That said, the right colour combination can make your clubs look sharp and give you confidence at address, which is not nothing.

What grip do most tour pros use?

The majority of tour professionals play Golf Pride grips, predominantly the MCC or MCC Plus 4. However, personal preference varies widely and many tour players have custom grip specifications with extra layers of tape, modified textures, or putter grips with unique profiles.

Browse Our Golf Grip Range

We stock a comprehensive range of golf grips at Bunker Ball Golf, available for online purchase across Australia and New Zealand. Browse the full golf grips collection here — and if you need advice on what to choose, contact us and we will help you find the right grip for your game.