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Your ball finally lands on the green, and slows down to a halt just a hundred yards from the hole. At just two shots below par, you take your chances and pull out that putter hoping to obtain a coveted birdie. But as you take your stance over the golf ball, you feel the jitters take over your system. Palms sweaty and heart racing, you swing that putter back and take the hit. Your club twists ever so slightly upon contact, causing the ball to swerve, missing its target by just a few inches. Drat.
An unsuccessful putt is the bane of short game, but more often than not, it’s not because of a lack of skill. Fat putter grips were designed to give you better control on the green, giving you a better grasp of your club and minimizing the stress on your hands. Letting you relax your hold by just a little, these grips can make it possible for you to release some of the jitters for a more accurate shot.
Designed for control and accuracy, fat putter grips let you relax your hands and minimize the demand on your shoulders and wrists. By providing you something more substantial to hold on to, these grips let you focus more on your shot rather than your body. The result is a steady hand and a smoother stroke for more accurate results.
According to the USGA Equipment guidelines, a putter grip should be no more than 1.75 inches in thickness. This measurement is taken from the distance of the outer wall of the grip to the inner wall. Any grips that are within the vicinity of 1.75 inches in thickness are considered fat, oversized, or jumbo in the golf gear industry.
Keep in mind that fat putter grips aren’t for everyone. When it all comes right down to it, there are specific guidelines that will tell you whether or not you would benefit from the use of an oversized or jumbo golf putter grip. And while there are certain types of golfers who would find a fat putter grip to be particularly helpful, most golfers might be better off by first determining the right grip size for their hands.
To figure out what golf grip size you should use, take a tape measure and lay the zero marker on your wrist. Then extend the tape upwards to the tip of your middle finger. The measurement you get should give you a rough idea on the grip size you need based on these estimates.
GRIP SIZE | MEASUREMENTS |
|---|---|
Undersized or Junior | Below 7 inches |
Standard | Between 7 to 8.75 inches |
Midsize | Between 8.25 to 9.25 inches |
Oversized | More than 9.25 inches |
If you fall between any two of the sizes indicated above, then it becomes a matter of preference and comfort. For instance, a golfer who measures 8.5 inches can make the choice between standard and midsize depending on the grip size that feels more appropriate to them.
Another way you can figure out whether you need a fat putter grip is by taking a look at your gloves. If you wear a men’s extra large glove, then yes, your anatomy might benefit from the use of a larger, thicker grip.
On the other hand, there are certain players who might find putting with an oversized grip to be far easier - even if they don’t meet the criteria stated above. These include:
If you’re only just starting to learn the intricacies of putt science, then a fatter golf grip might help your game. Beginners are most likely to mishit the ball, causing it to move in the wrong direction during short game. But a relaxed grip can help minimize jitters and shaking, which can help a novice hit the ball squarer. On top of that, a fat club grip can also make it possible for a budding golfer to learn how to unclench the wrists and shoulders which can be vital in perfecting the putt process.
With age, it’s only normal for people to lose a bit of grip strength. So there’s really nothing abnormal about a senior golfer having difficulty keeping their grasp on a standard golf club. A fat putter grip makes it easier to maintain a stable hold on the putter without having to exert too much effort in trying to keep it in place. That way, a senior player has a better chance to achieve a straighter, more accurate shot while minimizing club twisting and mishits.
Certain conditions just make it hard to hold on to a slender golf club. People suffering from hand fatigue and arthritis can find it exceedingly difficult and painful to grasp a club, keep it straight, and hold on during the swing. But a larger, thicker putter grip can reduce the demand on the muscles of the hands, allowing a more relaxed grip that doesn’t apply too much stress or pain.
What makes a good oversized putter grip? Everyone has their own preferences, but there are a few golden standards that might support your skills for more satisfying play.
The obvious reason for golf grip textures is to help maintain your grip on the club. There are all sorts of textures out there, but not all will be reliable. For the most part, textures will work in conjunction with the material that a grip is made of. Sometimes, even the most aggressive patterns lose their effect when paired with material that isn’t tacky enough.
Taper is defined as the gradual narrowing of the grip as it approaches the head end of the golf club. These can be particularly beneficial in keeping the support hand less involved in the swing to maintain a squarer strike at address.
Tacky rubber is often the material of choice because they’re soft to touch, sticky, and resilient, but they’re not the only ones available. Corded putter grips can be equally easy to hold on to, and leather grips tout the longest lifespan of any choice you’re going to find. Then there are composite grips that mimic rubber in tackiness but also come at a slightly heavier and denser feel.
Heavier putter grips create a counterbalance that makes the head swing more like a pendulum for a smoother, straighter stroke. People who tend to struggle with achieving that hitch-free glide with just their hands and arms might benefit from a heavier putter grip to produce a polished stroke.
SuperStroke’s Traxion Tour Golf Putter Grip touts the brand’s unique Traxion technology that promises to keep your putter stable in your hand regardless of sweat and moisture. The grip does this by way of intuitive x-shaped patterns that cover various areas of the grip’s surface, working to reduce twisting motions to maintain a steady hold.
When first confronted with this thing, you might find yourself wondering how to hold a Super Stroke putter grip properly considering its size. But as you get accustomed to its larger than life anatomy, you’ll learn to relax your fingers around its girth for a more controlled swing. Super Stroke putter grips are designed for effortless short game, and they combine comfort with control for professional style play even with minimum experience.
The non-tapered WinnPro X Jumbo Putter Grip was designed to minimize the involvement of your support hand during the putt. This allows a more nature, more accurate swing that promotes better control of ball direction with the back of your left hand at the forefront (for right handed players.) The jumbo grip promotes a relaxed grasp that eliminates wrist movement, keeping your hands hanging effortlessly from your shoulders for a smoother swing cycle.
Staggered tread patters all over the grip’s surface give it an exceptionally tacky feel that reduces twisting motion during the swing. This works together with the grip’s excel polymer material to create a satisfyingly soft feel that’s easy on the hands without dampening the quality of the feedback that resonates back up through the club.
Simplified and sleek, you’d think that the Palmbird Oversize Putter Grip doesn’t bring a lot to the table with its unassuming aesthetic. But these heavyduty oversized grips tout a heavier construction that provides counter balance for a smoother pendulum swing. Made from weather resistant thermal plastic rubber, these grips were designed to ride it out through the worst of play conditions without suffering any damage.
However despite their robust construction, the Palmbird Oversize Putter Grips boast a soft, responsive feel that can be particularly satisfying against your hand. And designed with a unique ergonomic shape, the grip aims to help you achieve a comfortable swing that reduces all of the tension on your hands, wrists, elbows, and joints for a truly natural stroke that’s attuned to your anatomy.
Fat putter grips can be beneficial in their own right, catering to a subcategory of golfers that might not fit the standard norm. Designed to provide better control, stability, and to minimize the tension on your muscles and joints. These grips have found a place in the golf gear arsenal of many different golfers with unique circumstances.
True enough, not all fat putter grips perform equally. So if you were hoping to get your hands on a truly satisfying choice, then you might want to consider our vetted options - all of which tout proven track records and formidable features that are worth their weight in gold.
