Grip Sizing by Core Zone
Copyright, Wright Balance® 2024
A Brief History of Wright Balance® Grip Sizing
Wright Balance® grip sizing is based on an observation of changes in heel to toe balance with different grip sizes. I first made the observation in of changes in posture, heel to toe balance and pelvic rotation in 1992. I was trying out "arthritic" grips compared to standard grips on myself and several of my colleagues. I observed pelvic rotation in some and a defined change in posture in others. The posture changes I was observing were changes in heel to toe balance.
I had read that Harvey Penick suggested using a yardstick to learn how to properly grip the club. I had 20 strips of plexiglas made with different widths shaped like a yardstick to observe changes in heel to toe balance and hip rotation with different sizes. That was the beginning of grip sizing in the early 90s. In the following illustration, I am set up on one of the Wright Balance® set up mats with one of the plexiglas strips.
This model was not adequate to fit handle size. However, I continued to use the Plexiglas strips to teach players proper placement of their hands on the club. The "yardstick" design was very effective in teaching players to get the heel pad of their lead hand on top of the grip.
In 1999 through late 2006 I tested grip size in Dr. Frank Jobe's biomechanics lab at Centinela Hospital with Dr. Jobe, Internist, Dr. Michael Mellman, Biophysicist, Dr. James M Smith, Orthopedic Surgeon Dr Robert Watkins and 3 biomedical technicians. I used a measurement tool designed by Wright Balance® Professional, Dave Morton to measure middle finger length.
We looked at 4 different grip sizes based upon each subjects measured middle finger size putter through driver. Each subject hit balls and putts with 4 different grip sizes on putters and 6 irons.
Each Subject had 40 light sensors placed on precise anatomical landmarks and 1000 force sensors in each shoe. You can see the bands on each subjects ankles and a cord where they were tethered to a computer. Wireless technology was not far enough along to be used during our study
For those of you who are new to Wright Balance®, this brief video taken during the Wright Balance® research is an overview of the procedures and research setting.
In 2010 the Wright Balance® Engineer, Alvin Veroy, designed and built a hand scanner that measured hand size in 5 seconds per hand. The following image shows the hand scanner in use.
The player placed their hand on the top of a Plexiglas box that had a high resolution camera at the base. A picture was taken and there was a printout that provided that person's grip size for irons and woods and putter as shown here.
The costs for the high resolution camera was prohibitively expensive. At one time we had 4 or 5 of these systems in various locations around the world. The costs resulted in discontinuing the distribution of the hand measurement system. I continued to use the hand measurement system in the lab for several years.
In 2008, following the end of the research in Dr Frank Jobes lab, I made the following video.
We used the length of the middle finger for grip sizing during the research in the Frank Jobe Centinela study. That was the only measurement as all of the research in the 5 years prior confirmed the use of the middle finger to determine grip size. In this video I am describing how to determine grip size by measuring 2 inches from the base of the bottom hand. DO NOT use that as a measurement. I presented that in an effort to protect the proprietary technology. Use the simple model of the bat and Dominant Subregion stance width and measure the middle finger when the hips square.
In 2010 I wrote a chapter in Golf Magazine's ***"Best Putting Instruction Book Ever"***. I presented the hand measurement for putter grip sizing in that chapter, also using the middle finger as the measurement.
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Grip Sizing in 2025
I now use the current system of the tapered bat and stance widths of the Dominant Core Zone to determine grip size. It is fast and just as accurate. The current system also involves the active participation of the player which, I believe, is important as part of the total testing. When the player sees their hips square; feel their heel to toe balance change; and experience their ability to retain or lose balance with and without the proper grip size, they develop an understanding of the importance of their grip size.
Testing Grip Size
The following video demonstrates how to test a players grip size. LPGA and Legends Tour player, Laurie Rinker helped me demonstrate the process of testing too small, too large and a grip size that fit Laurie.
The Following is a video I made for this Chapter on grip sizing. During the video, I referred to different colors and numbers on a Wright Balance® vinyl strip. Here is an image of that strip.
Once the player's Dominant Core Zone is determined, use the five (5) Stance Widths of their Dominant Core Zone to determine grip size.
The purpose of the above video is to demonstrate how to do grip sizing with a student. As you can see from the first illustration in this chapter, grip sizing has come a long way. Grip sizing has continued to evolve, even since the above video. Please note the subtle refinement of grip sizing as you proceed through this chapter. For example, at the end of the above video I noted that Colby could play with whatever grip size he chose. I had moved away from precise grip sizing at the time of that video. I have returned to the importance of precise grip sizing today as you will read in this chapter.
The following video is of the Zoom segment where I demonstrated how to do the Grip Sizing with a student. Once again, toward the end of this video I say that after the Wright Balance® Express, a player can play whatever handle size they wish. As you progress through this chapter you will note that Wright Balance® has returned to precise handle size. I will describe why later in this chapter.
Here is an image of the Wright Balance® vinyl strip and numbers I refer to in this video.
Measuring Grip Size
In the second video I demonstrated how to measure the grip size your student is using. The following are illustrations of Anthony Kim at address. Notice how far down he gripped the club. He found the grip size that fit his hands.
LPGA player Brooke Henderson also grips down as shown in this image where she is hitting driver.
As does PGA and European Tour player Tommy Fleetwood...
Notice these players are all different in how far they grip down. Are they finding their grip size? That is my belief.
What Does Grip Size Do?
If an Anterior Zone / Upper Core Player has a grip size that is too large for their hands, it moves them out of balance and their weight toward their heels as shown here.
Similarly, if a Posterior Zone / Lower Core Player is using a grip size that is too small, That grip size will move them toward their toes ...
...and, when tested, they are easy to move off balance.
Or, if a Interior Zone Middle Core Player is using a grip that is too big, that size will move them out of balance toward their heels as shown in this illustration.
When a grip is too big, a player can use the taper of the handle, grip down on the club and find their size. That is what I believe Anthony Kim and Brooke Henderson, Interior Zone / Middle Core Players, are doing. Tommy Fleetwood is a Posterior Zone / Lower Core Player who needs a grip that is larger than the Anterior or Interior Zone player's grip sizes. He definitely grips down.
Kevin Stadler was one of my students for 15 years. His grip never changed. My belief was that his clubs weren't long enough based upon his tall posture. Was he finding his grip size? If I had discovered the grip sizing test during the years I was working with Kevin, that question could have been easily answered as shown here with LPGA Tour Player Laurie Rinker. If the grip fits and force is applied to the downswing plane, you won't be able to move the player off balance as shown here.
Give them a grip size that doesn't fit their lead hand size and you will easily move them off balance as shown here.
NOTE: It is important to understand that the Power Spots tests and the grip size tests are 2 different tests measuring 2 different things. When the Spots are set, you are measuring the power of the downswing path from the underside (butt) of the club by applying resistance with the middle of your palm as shown here.
When you test for grip size you are testing heel to toe balance that is created by the size of the grip. When the player is in balance in their ideal heel to toe weight distribution for their Dominant Core Zone, you won't be able to move them off balance when applying force in their downswing path.
I will go into much greater detail on testing grip size at the end of this EBook. An important distinction is the difference between testing grip size and Power Spots as described and shown in the illustrations above. They are easy to confuse.
Grip Size by the Numbers
Below is a detailed chart of grip sizing from 2006 I made for Wright Balance® Professionals. In the left column down is a list of industry standards for the "standard" grip size, the "midsize" grip and the "oversize" or "jumbo" grip. This chart was provided to club repair professionals and students. The other columns in the chart detail how many wraps of tape are required under the grip to "build" to the measured size.
This was a state of the art process from early 2006 through 2020. Note that at the top of the chart it states that these sizes are based on an R-58 size. As noted in the video, grips are measured in inches, specifically a mil. A mil is 1/1000 of an inch.
Again, to determine what size grip your student is playing, measure to the middle finger of the top hand on the club (left hand for right-handed player). This image shows a grip size of 875 mils on a standard grip.
Note: If you look at the butt of the club you will see either no markings of size, "Midsize" "Oversized" or "Jumbo". When you see no markings, that is a standard grip. Only the Midsize and Oversized or Jumbo will be marked on the butt. The Midsize is the next size larger than standard and Oversized or Jumbo is the largest. Since the chart was developed, Jumbo Max is a size developed in the mid 2000 teens. It is a grip size, for example Moe Norman and Bryson DeChambeau used. Both of these players grip the club in the palm. This is an image of Bryson Dechambeau with the club in his palm of the lead hand.
According to Jumbo Max literature, Bryson Dechambeau plays a Jumbo Max XL grip size.
Retief Goosen won the US Open in 2001 and again in 2004. He played a jumbo size grip with 9 extra wraps during those tournaments. He now plays a Jumbo Max extra small grip (XS) according to Jumbo Max ads. Bubba Watson plays with an oversized grip on his irons and 10 extra wraps on his top hand and 12 on his bottom hand. On his driver he has 13 wraps on the bottom hand and 11 under the top hand. On his lob wedge, Bubba puts 16 wraps on his bottom hand and 14 on his top hand. Why more wraps on the bottom hand on the club? Those extra wraps on the bottom hand reduce the taper on the grip. These great players have found the size that fits them, as do most great players. Players with small hands find their grip size by gripping down on the handle as you saw with Anthony Kim.
NBA players or any player with very large hands are great candidates for the Jumbo Max or comparable grip size.
NOTE: Please know that Jumbo Max makes grip sizes from extra small (XS) (approximately 1100 mils depending on the position of the middle finger on the grip) . That grip size is ideal for students in the 1100 range as Jumbo Max has used lighter grip material so that very large grips aren't also heavier.
I have not tested the Jumbo Max grip so I don't have a chart for Jumbo Max.
An Observation on Grip Size Fitting
As of this writing, Golf Pride now has a no taper grip (CP2)in standard, medium and oversized (jumbo) sizes. As a general rule, I would encourage you to consider a grip with no taper for your students. I have measured hand sizes for 30 years, particularly the middle finger for grip sizing. I have never seen the middle fingers of the left and right hands the same size. If the top hand is larger than the bottom hand, some taper may be indicated. However, if the bottom hand is larger, no taper and perhaps a bit of reverse taper is indicated.
The summary under the chart describes the following: The R-58 is a measure of the inside diameter of the grip before installation. The R-60 is another grip size. Upon reading R-60, you would think that it would meassure larger than R-58 when installed on the club. However, it is not. It is actually smaller than the R-58 when the inside diameter of the grip is measured. The rubber thickness of the R-60 is less. Thus R-60 grip sizes measure smaller on the club than the R-58.
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Note: When "extra wraps" are referred to here, it means extra double sided tape before the installation of the grip. One piece of double sided tape is used for the installation of a grip. That initial wrap is not counted as an "extra wrap". The first 2 or 3 extra wraps of tape on the shaft during installation of the grip increases grip size by 8 mils. Three (3) extra wraps will increase the measured grip size by 24 mils. That doesn't sound like much but it is the difference between a grip that fits vs one that is too small. After 4 or 5 extra wraps on a R58 grip, the grip rubber does not stretch as much and you will get less than 8 mils of increased size.
When you look at the chart you will notice that a standard grip size measured to the middle finger of the top hand is 885 mils. The standard Jumbo / oversized grip measures 985 mils to the middle finger of the top hand. That is only 100 mils difference or 10 percent of 1 inch. When you pick up an installed standard grip and compare it to an installed Jumbo / oversized grip there is a major difference in feel and comfort, depending on your hand size.
Is your student playing an R-58 or R-60? Your better players get a sense of how a club feels in their hands and they will tell you a grip feels different depending on size, the number of extra tape wraps, etc. How do you know the size they are playing and why is it important? Simply roll the rubber of the grip down and you will find the grip size they are using. The interior wall size will impact how many tape wraps you recommend when precise grip sizing is important. Once you know the grip interior wall size, use the chart to determine how many extra wraps are needed on their grip.
This grip is an R-60:
If you install an R60 grip size on your student's clubs, you will note that due to the wall thickness, they don't stretch as much when adding extra wraps. I would only use the R60 size when you are fine tuning a players grip to be smaller. You will run about 10 to 15 mils smaller than an R58 when you install an R60 size. So, a standard R60, when measured to the middle finger of the top hand, measures to about 870 to 875. That is good to know if you have a player who needs that size grip.
In years past, some players requested that a grip be "stretched" 1/2 to 1 inch. This, too reduces the size of the grip. However, I wouldn't rely on a stretched grip to reduce the size as I have seen a stretched grip return to close to its normal length as it dries on the shaft.
Tour Players and Grip Position in Their Hands
Grip measurements are impacted by how far down the player grips the club and where the butt of the club rest in their hands relative to the heel pad. You saw how far down Anthony Kim, Brooke Hendersen and Tommy Fleetwood place the club in their hands. Their grip size should be measured to the middle finger of their top hand.
The following is an image of Tom Watson demonstrating how to place your hands on the club. Note how far down on the grip Watson placed his hands. You will find that grip position for most Tour Players.
PGA Tour Veteran Kevin Stadler gripped the club so the butt of the club was in his palm as shown here,...
...not something I would recommend. After years of this grip position against the heel pad of his lead hand, Kevin broke the Hamate bone in his top hand. That injury set his playing career on hold for 8 years between 2015 to 2023. The Hamate bone break is a more common baseball injury where the knob of the bat rest in the hitter's bottom hand where you see the butt of the club in Kevin's top hand.
If you have a student who grips the club so the butt is in the palm, ask yourself the following. Are they an Anterior Zone player? Is their Carrying Angle shallow? Do they need to consider a club fitting? And, before asking that question I would do a simple test of their grip size by taking the shaft just under the hozel and next to grip and applying force on the downswing path as shown here. If the grip fits, you won't be able to move them off balance.
If you saw Kevin play, he had very little knee flex at address as shown in the image below. His carrying angle is 167 plus degrees.
He is an Anterior Zone / Upper Core player. He is 5' 11" and played standard length clubs. In retrospect, were Kevin's clubs were too short and / or his grip size too small any further down on the grip? I hadn't discovered the grip size testing strategy between 2000 and 2015 when I worked with Kevin.
I began working with Kevin when I was coaching at the University of Southern California. He was already an accomplished player. I didn't understand how his grip would impact the Hamate bone at that time. Fifteen years later he was no longer playing regularly on the PGA Tour and subsequently had surgery.
After Kevin had surgery I suggested to him that he would have to move his grip out of his palm to avoid further injury. He said he wasn't sure he could do that.
Another of my students, Pat Burke played the PGA Tour. He, too, broke his Hamate Bone. That injury ended his career. Patrick suggested that injury was due to practicing too many short bunker shots where he gripped the club more in his palm. His stepfather was a golf course superintendent. He said he spent time in the maintenance yard of a golf course where they stored sand. He would practice for hours in the sand hitting different shots with the grip more in his palm.
When you check your students grip, note where the butt of the club rest in their hands. The consequences can be serious.
The heel pad of the lead hand should rest on the top of grip The grip is ALWAYS angled from the Power Spot of the middle finger of the lead hand...
Note: The above illustration shows a Middle Core Power Spot angled across the fingers so that the crease in the palm of the lead hand is seated on the side of the grip. This grip position will place the heel pad on top.
The crease of the lead hand, shown in these illustrations, is set on the SIDE of the grip.
ANTERIOR ZONE / UPPER CORE POWER SPOT & HAND CREASE WHERE GRIP IS ANGLED
INTERIOR ZONE / MIDDLE CORE POWER SPOT & HAND CREASE WHERE GRIP IS ANGLED
POSTERIOR ZONE / LOWER CORE POWER SPOT & HAND CREASE WHERE GRIP IS ANGLED
You will find a grip that is too small either across the fingers or in the palm and the Power Spots not in the proper position. You will find a grip that is too large across the heel pad of the hand.
The placement of the proper grip size on the player's Dominant Zone Power Spot with the crease shown in these illustrations on the SIDE of the grip will ultimately result in a flat left wrist at address. Read on and see why.
Need for "Precise" Grip Sizing ?
If your student does the Wright Balance® Express exercise in 1 (one) subregion of their Dominate Zone, their heel to toe movement is "reduced," but not eliminated unless their grip size precisely fits. Additionally their hips remain square in all stance widths. That observation we have tested repeatedly over the past few years.
NOTE: With precise grip sizing, you will naturally eliminate "cupping" of the lead wrist when shaft lean is set properly. Why is "cupping" of the lead wrist a problem at address or at the top of the swing? That question is easily answered when you test cupping vs not cupping using the Wright Balance® Downswing Club Path Test. Place a bar on your hips. Set up without a "cupped" lead wrist, stand tall and add knee flex. If your hips are square, you can test the impact of a cupped lead wrist. If your hips are open or closed, you have another issue in your setup from posture to Power Spots. Once your hips square with the Wright Balance® Downswing Club Path Test shows a square hip line, you are ready to test a cupped lead wrist.
Set up and remove shaft lean from your address position. Note that your wrist became cupped without shaft lean. Stand tall and check your hip line. You will notice that your hip line opened or closed with the Wright Balance® Downswing Club Path Test. By the way, if you start with a flat lead wrist and move to a cupped position at the top, the Wright Balance® Downswing Club Path Test will also result in an open or closed hip line.
During a recent Zoom call with Gary Cooke, a Wright Balance® Professional in the UK, I was showing Gary how to determine grip size. Gary, an Interior Zone / Middle Core Player, had a bar on his hips . He had not done the Wright Balance® Express and he had the grip sizing bat in his lead hand. He was standing on Black 3, on the Wright Balance vinyl strip.
As Gary slid his hand from the bottom (thin handle) of the bat toward the larger end, he noted his hips squared, he made the observation that his lead wrist began to flatten as he set the correct grip size.
When Gary made this observation, he held the grip sizing bat across the front of his chest in his lead hand. In the past, the instructions were for players to hold the bat in front perpendicular to the ground. That position creates a cupped wrist as the bat is held as shown here.
The following is an illustration of Gary testing his grip size in his UK teaching studio during our Zoom call. He is standing on Smart 2 Move Balance Plates comparing the use of the bat to square his hip line with his balance at ground level. When he found his grip size, his hips were square and the Smart 2 Move Balance plates showed a straight line of balance for a Interior Zone / Middle Core Player, just behind the balls of his feet and forward to the center of his arches.
The following image shows Gary testing all of the Interior Zone / Middle Core stance widths (marked with black numbers).
When the grip size is correct, your student will be square only on the 5 stance widths of their Dominant Core Zone.
Gary marked the bat for his Interior Zone / Middle Core Grip size and placed the middle finger of his lead hand.
When Gary set up facing the camera, he made an interesting observation. His lead wrist was flat when his grip size was accurate...
This image shows Gary's lead wrist when he grips the smaller end of the bat, not his grip size. Note that his lead wrist is cupped.
Note Gary's flat lead wrist as he sets up with the bat using his measured grip size.
This observation is significant for grip sizing to create a flat lead wrist, one I suggest you observe when measuring grip size.
As already noted, too small or too large a grip will create issues getting the Power Spot on the under side of the grip and the crease of the palm on the side. If the putter grip is too large or too small, setting the Power Spots correctly also becomes an issue.
Trail Hand Grip Size
I measured PGA Tour Veteran, Dennis Paulson's hand size 15 years ago. Dennis has small hands. Interestingly a standard grip size fit his lead hand perfectly. He said he didn't add any extra wraps to his lead hand. However he added six extra wraps to his trail hand (This was prior to Golf Prides "no taper" grips). I asked why and he said it just felt better, especially when hitting chip shots.
Gary asked about his trail hand grip size. He measured it and noted his trail hand was a bit larger than his lead hand.
We concluded that he needed to use non tapered grips. I have never measured a person whose hand sizes were the same. My right hand middle finger measurement is about 15 / 1000 (15 mils) smaller than my left. As a right-handed player, a tapered grip will not be large enough for my trail hand. I would suggest that the majority of players should be using non-tapered grips.
Summary
No matter which of the Core Zones (Anterior, Interior or Posterior) your student will use to play, I would encourage you to do the following.
When you complete the grip sizing, measure the handle size using digital calipers at the point of the middle finger on your measurement tool. I would check both the left and right hand sizes.
This measurement will give you an exact grip size your student should be playing to set a flat lead wrist; their Dominant Core Zone Power Spot will set on the middle finger of each hand comfortably when placed on the bottom of the grip; and their lead wrist is flat at address and more likely flat at the top of the swing, depending on their motion. If the grip size is too small, there will be too much "play" at the top of the swing; their lead wrist will likely be cupped at address and likely at the top of the swing. Again, a cupped lead wrist will create a open or closed hip line when tested with the Wright Balance® Downswing Club Path Test at address.
If the grip size is too big, the Power Spots on the middle fingers can't be placed on the underside of the grip causing an opening or closing of the hip line in the Wright Balance® Downswing Path Test. You will read about the Power Spots and how important it is to be able to place those spots on the underside of the grip, putter through driver, for maximum power and a downswing path that is square in another Chapter.
Measuring Grip Size by Zone
Should you measure all three Zones when doing the grip sizing? That depends. If your student has back pain; if they are going to do exercise in each of the Core Zones; or if you determine it is necessary for them to change Core Zones for play, then you can measure the grip size for all 3 Core Zones. The following summarizes how you should do the grip sizing.
ANTERIOR ZONE / UPPER CORE GRIP SIZING To do the Upper Core grip sizing, test the grip on one of your student's clubs first in one of the 5 stance widths of the Dominant Core Zone.
If that size doesn't work, use the small bat you were provided, a billiards cue stick or similar tapered object. Place the bar and bungee on your student's hips. Again, be certain the bar is below your student's hip bones (anterior iliac crest) 2 to 3 inches and flat on their hips. The bar is always below the belt buckle.
Set your student's feet, using the 15 Wright Balance® Stance Widths measurement strip, on one of the 5 Upper Core Stance Widths (marked in Red) and the other on zero. You are going to test the grip size for your student's Anterior Zone / Upper Core first.
Your student will use only their non-dominant hand or the top hand on the golf club (left for right-handed players) and hold the grip, bat or billiards cue stick diagonally across their chest, not vertical as instructed in prior grip sizing content.
Notice your student's hip rotation as you look at the bar and bungee. Unless their hands are extremely small, their hips are rotated at the smallest diameter. Move the bat from the small tapered end slowly upward toward the larger end. When you see your student's hips square (using the bar and bungee to determine square), note whether their lead wrist is flat. If the lead wrist has a slight cup, have them move up the grip sizing tool another 1/4 inch. You will have about 25 to 50 / 1000 of an inch until the hips begin to rotate again. Note when the lead wrist is flat and the hips square. When you find that combination, that is their precise grip size.
Test the next Red Number until you have tested all 5 making certain the hips are square on each of the 5 Red Numbers. Then step to a black or blue number. You should see an immediate rotation of the hips when your student steps to any blue or black number. Have them return to any red number.
Next, ask your student to continue to hold their grip on the bat or grip sizing tool. Have them rotate the hand with the bat so their palm is toward the sky. Then assist them raising only the middle finger. Mark the bat the point of their MIDDLE FINGER as shown below.
If their hips have remained square in all 5 Anterior Zone / Upper Core Stance Widths, mark the location of their MIDDLE FINGER on the bat with red tape. Once the tape is set on the bat check again on each of the 5 Anterior Zone stance widths. If the grip size is not correct, redo the measurement.
INTERIOR ZONE / MIDDLE CORE GRIP SIZE Have your student move their Stance Width to a Middle Core position (Any of the 5 BLACK Numbers).
Next have them let their lead hand slide up the bat again observing their hips until the hip bar squares. Repeat the same strategy you used to find their Upper Core grip size making certain that the lead wrist is flat and the hips are square. Mark their Interior Zone / Middle Core Grip Size at the precise spot on the bat where the Middle Finger crosses the handle the same way you marked your Upper Core.
POSTERIOR ZONE / LOWER CORE GRIP SIZE Have your student move their Stance Width to a Lower Core position (Any of the 5 BLUE Numbers).
Next have them slide their lead hand up the bat again observing their hips until the hip bar squares and their lead wrist is flat. Repeat the same strategy you used to find their Upper and Middle Core grip size. Mark their Posterior Zone / Lower Core Grip Size at the precise spot on the bat where the Middle Finger crosses the handle the same way you marked their Upper and Middle Core.
When you have finished marking the bat, notice that the Lower Core Grip Size is the largest size and their Upper Core Grip size is the smallest and the Middle Core Grip Size falls between the Upper and Lower Core Sizes. If this sizing difference is not what you observe, your measurements are incorrect and should be repeated.
Visually, when you look at the tape on the bat, the distance between the Upper and Middle Core Grip size tape and the Middle Core Tape and the Lower Core may not appear equal due to the tapering of the bat size.
You will be using the measured grip sizes you determined by Core Zone on the tapered grip sizing tool when doing the Wright Balance® Express Exercise.
Time to Test Grip Size on the Club
Have your student have 2 irons regripped by a club repair person with precise instructions on the proper grip size and number of wraps they should use. Be certain to tell your student you want to test the new grip size before they regrip their entire set. Regripping 2 irons is all that would be needed to test.
NOTE: Before doing the test below, be certain to ask your student about neck, shoulder, wrist, hand or back issues. Do not do this test if your student had a recent injury or other physical issues where you may exacerbate an injury or reinjure them.
Testing grip size is quite simple. Stand behind your student and tell them to swing to the top of their backswing and stop. Stand far enough back so you aren't hit with their backswing. Show them what you are going to do by placing one hand on the shaft just under the hosel and the other just above the grip as shown in this illustration. Tell them you are going to apply pressure on their downswing path and they should resist as much as possible.
Have them swing to the top of their backswing again and stop. This time, apply a great deal of force as you push the club down on their downswing path. If the grip size is accurate, you WILL NOT be able to push them off balance as shown in this illustration.
If their grip size does not fit, you will be able to push them off balance as shown in this illustration.
Take one of their clubs that has not been regripped and you will be able to push them off balance.
This short video shows the testing of grip size as shown in the above illustrations. If you observe carefully, when Albert sets up with the first club with a midsize grip, you will note that his weight moves toward his heels. Watch his back side move subtlely toward his heels as he sets up. I am able to push Albert off balance when applying force on the downswing path.
Then, when Albert takes a standard size grip (his grip size), he stays in balance. That is where I am unable to move him off balance when applying force on his downswing path.
IF, when you test the clubs that have been regripped, you can push them off balance, one of three things has happened:
- Your original measurements with the bat or tapered grip sizing tool is off.
- Your measurement "prescription" for grip size and the number of wraps was off
- The club maker failed to follow your instructions
I learned that Club makers don't always follow instructions as they don't believe a wrap of tape will make a difference in size. It does. I found a club maker in Southern California who worked in a strip mall for a small golf shop. I invited him to my lab and took him through the fitting you are reading about here. Once he understood what to do and that he could charge a premium for doing grips for my students, I never had another problem with sizing. He knew how I would test his work when my student returned. I have found that errors in grip sizing were generally on the end of the club maker. It is an easy and important test for your student.
I have done several hundred grip sizes since the early 2000. When I used the process of testing as you see here, I never had a student return and say they didn't want the grip sizing change we made. Be sure to tell your student to Re-grip only 2 clubs after your initial measurement. It is important for your student to experience the balance changes with the grip size change and to compare the new grip size with their old.
Summary of Grip Sizing
Grip size is observed in hip rotation as a secondary observation. That is how we fit grip size. We provide one of 5 stance widths of the player's measured Dominant Core Zone. Then we place a bar and bungee their hips, hand them a tapered circular object to hold in their non-dominant or lead hand. They grip the tapered object on the smallest end. We then observe the hips slowly move from rotated to square as the player slides their hand up the tapered object. When the hips square, we measure in inches, with digital calipers, the middle finger of the player's hand on the tapered object.
The primary observation and impact of grip size is changes in heel to toe balance as shown in this video.
Putter Grip Sizing
Add the following to the measured grip size on the "bat" or tapered object used for the sizing.
Anterior Zone / Upper Core PUTTER Grip Size
Add 100 Mils to the measured Grip Size
Interior Zone / Middle Core PUTTER Grip Size
Add 200 Mils to the measured Grip Size
Posterior Zone / Lower Core PUTTER Grip Size
Add 300 Mils to measured Grip Size
Other Grip Size Applications
Baseball / Softball
Grip sizing for golf began in the 90s and continues to today. In 2008 I began to look at handle size for baseball bats and tennis rackets. Seven time Major League baseball (MLB) All Star, Reggie Smith took the baseball grip sizing to MLB 2009 and 2010 spring training. I fit 15 plus MLB players in our Southern California biomechanics lab in 2011 and 2012. Below is a video of grip sizing with a San Diego Padre, Drew Macias and New York Yankee, Mike Lamb. Note the vision test during this fitting.
The following video show the same testing with a baseball bat that we did with a golf club. Note how easy it was to push Jai off balance with a difference of 100 mils (100/1000) in bat handle size.
The following video, also with Jai shows the heel to toe balance with a golf grip that is too small and too big at the end of the bat test. You can see the difference in Jai's posture and heel to toe balance as he takes a grip size that is too small and then one that is too big.
Canes, Walkers, Crutches, Hammers, Brooms, etc.
The following video was made prior to the discovery of the Wright Balance® Express exercises. Following the Wright Balance® Express, precise handle size produces balance. Any item from a cane to a walker should be wrapped to the precise handle size. Wright Balance® has the various measurements necessary for each item handle as they all differ.
Conversion of Grip Size for Other Activities
Long Putter= add 345 mils to golf irons and woods.
Bike: Handle bar add 345 mils to golf irons and woods
Tennis: Add 545 mils to golf irons and woods
Hockey Stick: Add 140 mils to Golf Irons and Woods
Weight Lifting: Bench, Lat Bar, dumbbells, pull up bar= Add 345 mils to golf irons and woods sizes
Curl Bar: Add 445 mils to golf irons and woods sizes
Walking Stick / Trek Stick: Add 320 mils to irons and woods grip size
Crutches: Add 320 Mils to irons and woods grip size
Hockey Stick: Add 140 mils to Golf Irons and
Cane: Add 320 Mils to irons and woods grip sizes
Did you retain the information presented in this EBook? Take the following quiz to see.
Quiz
Question
True or False
To find the proper grip size for a student, use the industry standard of measuring 2 inches down from the butt of the club
Answer
FALSE
Always measure to the middle finger of the lead hand. In these photos of Anthony Kim and Kevin Stadler, the grip size measurement would be to the middle finger of the top hand on the club.
Anthony Kim
Kevin Stadler
Was it club length or finding balance or both? I would suggest it was club length for Kevin Stadler based upon his posture and finding a handle size that fits for Anthony Kim.
Question
True or False
Grips are measured in Mils. A mil is a metric measurement used for all grip sizing
Answer
FALSE
A mil is not a metric measurement. A mil is 1/1000 of an inch. If you are using digital calipers as shown here, be certain the caliper is set on inches, not millimeters.
Question
What does R 58 or R 60 stand for on the inside of the grip as shown here?
Answer
The R 58 and R 60 are markings on the grip denoting the inside diameter of a grip. You would think of R 60 as the larger of the 2 grips but it is not. Why? The R 60 or R 58 is the inside diameter of the grip measured in inches or 600 mils or 580 mils. The larger the inside diameter, the smaller the wall thickness of the grip. The R 60 (600 mils) has a smaller inside diameter than the R 58 (580 mils). Experienced players can feel the difference immediately when they place their hands on the club of a "Standard" grip size.
Question
>How does the Wright Balance® Express impact grip sizing?
Answer
Following the Wright Balance Express, grip size reduces the player's movement heel to toe. However, the grip size must allow the player to place their Power Spots on the middle finger of both hands on the under side of the grip, putter through driver. Many putter grips are too big to allow correct placement of the Power Spots, especially with the Anterior and Interior Zone players. This illustrations shows the Power Spots for each Core Zone.
Question
>The following image shows me holding the grip sizing tool in my lead hand with my palm facing upward. Which finger do I raise to mark the grip size?
Answer
Move only your student's middle finger and mark the grip sizing tool where the middle finger crosses the tool.
Question
TRUE or FALSE
When testing the grip size, prior to the Wright Balance® Express, your student's hips will be square in all of the 15 subregions when you find the correct grip size.
Answer
FALSE
Your student's hips will be square only on the 5 Subregions of the Core Zone you are testing. Their hips will rotate when they move their stance to any of the other 2 Core Regions. For example, if your player has a Interior Zone / Middle Core Dominance. When the proper grip size is set on the grip sizing tool, they will be square on the 5 Black Stance Widths (Interior Zone / Middle Core). However if they step to a Red (Anterior Zone / Upper Core) or Blue (Posterior Zone / Lower Core) Stance Width, their hips will rotate open or closed.
Question
TRUE or FALSE
Leave tape on both hands when determining the grip size
Answer
FALSE
Tape and rings should be removed to determine grip size
Question
Why should you use digital calipers to measure the grip size that fits your student?
Answer
It is imperative that your student be able to seat their dominant Zone Power Spots on the left and right hands on the under side of the grip. A grip size that fits allows placement of the Power Spots on the underside of the grip.
When we cover grip in our Zoom session, you will be testing multiple variables that impact the downswing path. You will find that "misplaced" Power Spots on the underside of the grip will create an open or closed downswing club path.
Additionally, grip pressure that is too tight will also open or close the hip line in the Wright Balance® Downswing Club Path test. A grip that is too small will result in a tighter grip pressure in-swing.
Using the player's measured grip size is the most ideal. They will find it easier to set a flat left wrist at address, set their proper shaft lean and keep their lead wrist flat at the top of their swing, all imperative for a square hip line in the Wright Balance® Downswing Path Test.
Addtionally, recent observations suggest that the precise grip size facilitates extension of the lead arm in the backswing.
Question
When measuring a student's hand size, which Core Zone will result in the smallest grip size?
Answer
The Anterior / Upper Core Zone always measures the smallest grip size for each player. The Posterior / Lower Core Zone is always the largest of the 3 grip sizes. The Interior / Middle Core Zone Player's grip size is always between their Anterior and Posterior Zone grip size.
Question
**The Correct Grip Size will provide your student with:
A. Ideal Heel to Toe balance
B. A flat lead wrist when set up with shaft lean
C. The proper shaft lean with a flat lead wrist
D. None of the Above
E. All of the Above**
Answer
E. All of the Above. The proper grip size sets heel to toe balance, a flat lead wrist at address and ideal shaft lean when the lead wrist is flat.
Question
What would you conclude when you able to move your student off balance as shown here.
Once the hand positions are set on the shaft, apply force on the downswing plane.
Note the ease with which this player was moved off balance.
Answer
You have tested a grip size that does not fit this person.
If the grip size fits, you should not be able to move your student off balance as shown here.