Worn grips lose tack, twist under pressure, and cost you strokes. Re-gripping is one of the simplest jobs in the shop — here's how we've done it for 20+ years.
What You'll Need
- Hook blade
- Utility knife or grip tape remover tool (steel-safe for steel, graphite-safe for graphite)
- Rubber shaft clamp and a bench vise — or a vise-mounted gripping station for volume
- Double-sided grip tape — pre-cut 2" strips or a 2" x 50yd roll
- Brampton HF-100 grip solvent (non-toxic, non-flammable, odorless)
- New golf grips
- Shop towel and drip tray
A complete Golf Grip Kit bundles the tape, solvent, hook blade, and clamp in one box.
Step 1 — Secure the Club
Clamp the shaft in the vise about 6" from the butt, clubface square. Snug, not crushing — graphite cracks under too much pressure.
Step 2 — Cut Off the Old Grip
Hook the blade under the butt end and pull toward the hosel — always cut away from yourself. Peel the grip off.
Step 3 — Remove the Old Tape
Steel shafts: scrape with a utility knife or steel-safe remover. Graphite shafts: never use a blade — use a graphite-safe remover or warm the tape with a heat gun and peel by hand.
Step 4 — Apply New Tape
Lay a 2" tape strip along the shaft with about 1/2” overhang past the butt. Press down, peel the backing, and twist the overhang into the open shaft end.
Step 5 — Soak It
Cap the vent hole at the butt of the new grip with your finger, pour solvent inside, cover both ends, and shake. Pour the excess down the tape. Be generous.
Step 6 — Slide It On
You've got 20–30 seconds before the tape grabs. Square the logo to the clubface and push the grip on hard and fast in one motion, until the butt seats flush against the shaft. Don't stop halfway, hesitation locks the grip mid-shaft and you'll be cutting it off. Nudge the logo into final alignment.
Step 7 — Let It Cure
Wipe the shaft and let it cure 2+ hours before play. Overnight is better.
Building Up Grip Size — the "+4" Method
To thicken a grip without changing models, build the shaft up with extra layers of tape underneath.
One extra wrap of standard double-sided tape adds ~1/64" to the diameter.
|
Build-up |
Extra Wraps |
Diameter Added |
|
+1 |
1 |
1/64" |
|
+2 |
2 |
2/64" |
|
+4 |
4 |
~1/16" |
A +4 build roughly equals the jump from standard to midsize feel.
How to Do It
- Apply the first layer of double-sided grip tape per Step 4.
- Add layers on top, staggering each seam to avoid a ridge.
- Choose full-length or bottom-half-only — bottom-half reduces taper for a more uniform handle.
- Apply solvent to the final layer only, then install per Step 6.
Beyond 4–5 wraps, the rubber stretches thin and torque feel changes. If you need bigger than +4, jump to a midsize grip and build from there.