It’s a well-known fact that golfers need soft hands to be able to improve their swing and feel around the course. If your hands are too firm then you’re not going to have as much control over the swing as you want.
And with your hands as the only connection to your club, it’s important you have a grip that’s not only functional but comfortable. Perhaps you’re considering getting a softer grip for your clubs.
If you want quality without needing to break the bank, then you need to look at the Golf Pride CP2 Wrap – the softest grips that the company has ever made.
How Do You Measure Softness?
While your hands will certainly tell you that the CP2s are soft and comfortable, how can the company claim that they are the softest? What is the actual measurement of that? Well, it turns out that Golf Pride has a quantifiable way.
Called the durometer, Golf Pride uses this industry-standard tool for measuring the softness of rubber. All manufacturers will use something like a durometer to test their products so that they can market them accurately.
When put to the test, the CP2s proved to be 31% softer than any other grips that Golf Pride has ever made. That’s a pretty significant number, and the difference between these grips and their previous products is very noticeable.
The Secret Is On The Inside
The main reason that these grips are so superior is because Golf Pride have added a 2.5-inch, firmer rubber compound within the grip itself which they have dubbed the “control core stabilizer”.
Due to its position on the top of the grip, which is where the largest amount of swing pressure is received, the grip is still able to perform on par with other, firmer grips whilst also reducing torque.
Thanks to this control core stabilizer, they are able to keep the exterior of the grip super soft and comfortable in your hands, whilst keeping the stability and control of a firmer club.
The Shape Matters Too
Not only is it the internal structure that makes these grips so superior, but also the general shape of the grips. Golf Pride reduced the amount of taper included at the bottom of the grip – they kept it almost as wide as the rest of the grip, instead of having it get thinner.
The benefit of this is small, but it is a key alteration that encourages a lighter grip pressure around the lower part of the club and in the bottom hand.
Not only does it encourage a lighter grip, but it can also be said to have made holding the club more comfortable for players suffering from arthritis. Said another way, the Golf Pride CP2 is an excellent club for golfers with arthritis due to its reduced-taper construction.
Appearances
These grips are not just functional, but they’re stylish as well. They even come in 2 distinct models. First, there’s the CP2 Pro, which is red, and the CP2 Wrap, which is blue.
Both varieties include the same internal technology and reduced taper, but this way Golf Pride can accommodate players with two distinct preferences when it comes to texture.
The CP2 Pro offers a straight, textured grip pattern, whilst the CP2 Wrap is more designed for golfers who want the softness of a comfort-model grip delivered with the classic wrap design. Both models are available in three sizes: standard, midsize, and jumbo, depending on the size of the player’s hands as well as the size of the club.
What’s The Cost Of The Grips?
You might expect, considering the stylish nature of the grips and the very high-quality standard of the build that these grips are going to set you back a decent amount.
But despite the premium build, you’ll find that even the jumbo versions of the CP2 are affordable. Sure, you could try to save money and buy sub-$10 bargain grips, but there’s a reason Golf Pride is used by over 75% of PGA Tour professionals: not only are they superior performance, they are also longer-lasting and more comfortable.
At prices like this, it’s worth picking up one or two just to see how they feel on a wedge or driver. If you’re looking to buy these grips then you can use these links to order them (and also support Better Golf Online).
Golf Pride CP2 Pro
Golf Pride CP2 Wrap
Buyers Guide
While we highly recommend these grips, what if they just don’t suit you? What other options are our there?
Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered with the buyer’s guide below. With both different manufacturers and styles, you’ll have what you need to take into consideration before buying new grips.
Surface Texture
When selecting a grip, you need to consider what texture is going to feel right while also remaining comfortable. There is a wide range of different textures available. If you choose not to wear gloves while golfing, then you probably want a texture that’s going to have less of a pattern and be smoother.
However, some players prefer something which a rougher texture as it gives them more stability, giving them more confidence.
Grip Size
Size is possibly the most important factor that you need to consider when choosing the right grip, and it’s not uncommon to for amateurs to have the wrong size on their clubs out of pure ignorance. There are 4 basic sizes, usually falling into the following categories: undersize, standard, midsize, and oversized (sometimes dubbed jumbo, like with Golf Pride).
If you need to customize this size further you can add more tape when installing the grip. An improperly fitted grip can actually end up costing you several strokes every round, which no one wants. For example, if your grip is too small, you’ll probably have extra hand action which can typically result in pulling the ball. Handsy ballstrikers may increase the grip size simply to quiet the hands through impact.
On the other hand, a grip that is too big limits your wrist movement which can stifle shot distances and cause you to push the shot. If you’re unsure of what you need, here is a handy chart that should clear it up for you.
Grip Size | Hand Measurement | Typical Glove Size |
Junior/Undersize | < 7 inches | Small |
Standard | 7 to 8 ¾ inches | Medium / Large |
Midsize | 8 ¼ to 9 ¼ inches | Large |
Oversize/Jumbo | > 9 ¼ inches | Extra Large |
Grip Material
Most grips are made out of rubber, which gives you great traction and durability while still being quite soft.
Sometimes the material will be a synthetic rubber, which is also fine and can come with added benefits such as superior vibration reduction or long-lasting tackiness. Whatever grip material sounds and feels right for you is probably going to be the best fit, but it usually doesn’t hurt to ask your local pro shop for their opinion (though their prices may be higher for the grips, the question is usually free).
Grip Firmness
As mentioned above, the firmness of your club is going to have a pretty major effect on how you swing. A firm grip is helpful for players that have particularly high swing speeds as it gives them the best amount of stability to focus the power they generate.
Alternatively, comfort grips like the Golf Pride CP2 series are a lot softer and therefore ideal for players with lower swing speeds or lower hand strength, for whatever reason.
Sometimes, with a softer grip, there is a tendency to use excess hand pressure to feel like you have a secure hold on the grip, but it is certainly something that you can get used to.
Weather Conditions
If you find yourself often playing in wet or humid weather, then you need to take special care to ensure that you get the right grip, and care for them so that they don’t lose tackiness too quickly.
For example, a grip that includes some kind of cord fabric is going to be particularly helpful in maintaining a good grip and extra traction, even in wet conditions. However, it’s not as soft and tougher to hit for players who don’t wear a glove, for example.
Conclusion
At the end of the day, there are plenty of golf grips out there, but Golf Pride is a brand that is recognized globally as the number one in grips among recreational and professional golfers, club repairmen, and manufacturers alike.
Because of the combined performance and affordability, the Golf Pride CP2 Pro and Wrap style golf club grips are certainly recommended for anyone wanting to maximize the softness of their grip.
This is why we decided to set up our site, Better Golf, to provide high-quality information that’s accessible to everyone. From newbies, to seasoned golfers, this site covers everything you need to know. Through this site, we will be discussing all the important details.
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