Written by Michael VanDerLaan
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Whether you live somewhere hot, or golf is your summer activity, chances are you are playing some of your rounds in hot and humid conditions. I have the same problem, and took a deep dive to find the best golf grips for sweaty hands. Have a look at what I found.
editor's choice
winn dri-tac
Best for humid weather
lamkin utx cord
best Firmer feel
Golf Pride ZGrip
Our Reviews And Recommendations
There are a variety of grips on the market that provide different feels, firmness, tackiness, and texture. These are all important factors to consider when choosing your golf grip. Making sure you have a proper golf grip will also help you maintain your hold. Even for those of us with sweaty palms, or small hands, choosing solely based on how well the grip holds up to sweat is not the way to go. The grips I tested also check off my other needs for an all around better experience.
Editor’s Choice:
Winn Dri-Tac Golf Grips
Winn grips are some of our favorite grips for any golfer, and one of the most widely used in the game. There is something to be said for a grip that gets rave reviews from amateurs and professionals alike.
Golf Gear Advisor founder, John VanDerLaan uses Winn Dri Tacs. He not only has sweaty hands, but he also does not wear a golf glove, so traction and comfort are key features for his golf game.
Winn set out to produce a grip that would be both comfortable and effective, and it seems that they accomplished all their goals with the Dri-Tac. It is both soft and texturized - a great combination for comfort and traction. I know how slick a golf grip can get with wet hands, so when I had absolutely no issues using the Dri-Tac grip, I knew we were on to something.
I even found this grip to be one of the best with shock absorption, making the entire experience more enjoyable.
This is a great grip choice for any golfer. Men, women, young, old, and everyone in between can find a Dri-Tac grip that they love. It comes in a variety of sizes and colors that match the need and styles of everyone on the course. The softness of the Dri-Tac even makes it a perfect choice for those of you who struggle with arthritis!
What We Like
What We Don't Like
The Winn Dri-Tac is a first rate combination of comfort and style. You will love how soft it is, and how well the textures of the grip help you keep your hold on the club. The feel, performance, and value make it all around one of the best grips you can get your hands on, and a clear favorite for us here at Golf Gear Advisor!
Best Firm Feel: Golf Pride Z-Grip Cord
The only issue with our Editor's Choice is that some golfers want a firmer feel in their golf grips. If that is you, then the ZGrip cord from Golf Pride is the best golf grip for you.
The Z-Grip Cord provides great feel on every shot , but it is particularly rough on both your skin and glove.
You will never have a more secure connection with the golf club than with a corded grip, and the Z-Grip Cord is the best one on the market. If you're interested in upgrading your feel with a corded grip, this is the perfect place to start.
What We Like
What We Don't Like
Corded grips aren't for everyone. Players who tend to use them are high level amateurs and professionals, as well as any other golfer who prefers to have less material in between their hands and the club. If you are willing to keep up with your cleaning and don't mind a grip that isn't designed to protect your hands, we highly recommend the Golf Pride ZGrip Cord.
Best Multi Compound: Golf Pride MCC Plus 4
Golf Pride's claim to be the number one grip in golf may sound a little outrageous. I am here to tell you that the feel and performance of the MCC Plus 4 holds up to that claim. Those of us with sweaty hands can rest assured knowing the Golf Pride MCC Plus 4 will keep us well connected to the club regardless of how much our hands sweat.
The Golf Pride MCC Plus 4 offers a refreshing change to the feel of the traditional Golf Pride Grip. The MCC Plus 4 is a multi compound grip that features a slightly larger grip on the lower hand. It is used by tour players to help ensure light grip pressure and I can tell that it works. During testing, I tested this grip alongside the standard multi compound and the difference was very noticeable. The cord grip on the upper hand provides great texture for a secure connection and the larger lower grip encourages very light grip pressure. Between the texture and the tackiness of the rubber, there was never a concern that the club was going to slip in my hands.
What We Like
What We Don't Like
The Golf Pride reputation is only further built upon the MCC Plus 4. We cannot stress enough how amazing it was knowing that the club was never going to slip, no matter how wet our hands became. The Golf Pride MCC Plus 4 is a comfortable grip with a great combination of texture and tack that we will come back to time and time again.
Best For Humid Weather: Lamkin UTx Cord Golf Grips
In my opinion, corded grips don't get the credit they deserve. I concede, cord can be harsh on your golf glove. But cord also adds a raised layer of texture to any grip, and the Lamkin UTx is one of the best corded grips out there.
As we're sure you have picked up on by now, texture plays a huge component in the way a grip reacts to humid weather. The UTx cord grip combines a classic cord with a criss-cross inlaid texture pattern to create one of the best golf grips out there. But the texture of this grip isn't the only thing that makes it so great for golfers who don't let a little heat and humidity stop them.
The UTx is made from a material called ACE - a highly tacky, durable, vibration dampening rubber. What does this mean for you? It means an added measure of grip connection to prevent slipping, a grip that won't wear down as quickly as some others, and less negative feedback on your mishits.
The ACE technology is built into 2 of the 3 layers for enhanced feel and softness as well - the outer and inner layers. With 2 layers of well developed rubber technology, and a full cord weave in between, there are not a lot of options better for hot humid weather than the Lamkin UTx cord.
What We Like
What We Don't Like
With 3 layers of grip and feel built into a well textured, firm but comfortable grip, the Lamkin UTx cord is a fast favorite. We loved the feel of the ACE technology and the way it reduced the vibration in our hands without sacrificing feel from shot to shot. If you are looking for a grip that you will love on good days and rainy ones alike, give the UTx a chance!
Best for Wet Weather: Iomic Swinger Grips Square Sticky
You may recognize Iomic from their outgoing and unabashed style. They produce grips in every color of the rainbow, and got their start as the company that let you really customize your set to match your personality.
Over the last few years, Iomic has been creating a line of grips that compete with the best in both feel and performance. The Square Sticky is the best golf grip we tested for wet conditions. Right off the bat, you can't miss the texturing on this grip. it is pronounced, and there is plenty of it. We loved how well the texture of the Square Sticky helped us maintain our hold on the club.
There is a test that most people don't think about when it comes to trying out golf grips. We actually soak every grip we test to determine how well is will perform when it is literally dripping. In a lot of cases, grips completely drop off in performance. A lot of grips on this list held up pretty well - well enough that sweaty hands stand no chance. The Square Sticky was the only grip we tried that stayed solid, even when it was completely soaked.
What We Like
What We Don't Like
If you are an all weather warrior that loves a good challenge, the Iomic Square Sticky may be your new favorite. With every color you could possible want and an amazing texture profile, Iomic makes playing golf in the rain fun, and helps you conquer those rainy Saturday afternoons.
Best Putter Grip: SuperStroke Traxion Tour 2.0 Putter Grip
Putting is the most precise part of the game, and even a little bit of variation in the club face can be catastrophic. If you feel good about how you hold the putter, then look no further than the SuperStroke Traxion Tour for the solution to your problems.
Think back to big putts made by your favorite professional golfers. Jordan Speith has used the Traxion Tour consistently for years. Rory McIlroy put one on his putter not long before his putting turned around. Millions of professional and amateur golfers use the Traxion Tour every day.
One of the big reasons the Traxion Tour is so great for sweaty hands is the reverse taper design. Since the grip is the same size in the right hand as the left, you will have more contact with - and by extension more control - of the putter. Combine the reverse taper with the subtle but effective texture of the grip and the Traxion Tour provides a truly unparalleled experience.
The soft and smooth, but still tacky and grippy feel of the Traxion Tour makes it the best putter grip we have ever tried. We think you will love it regardless of preference. It will give you peace of mind over your putts to match the rest of your game.
What We Like
What We Don't Like
Truthfully, if we could find a grip for our full swings to match the feel of the Traxion Tour, we would switch in a heartbeat. It checks every box from comfort to traction to tack to appearance. When it comes to golf grips, there is none better on the market today.
What To Look For When Choosing Grips For Sweaty Hands
Material
When considering your material, think about how your hands respond to texture and firmness. Most golf grips are made out of rubber that provides a high level of tack, and helps your sweaty hands hold on to the club. Cord grips will be a firmer rubber that is rougher on your hands, while all rubber grips will be a bit softer.
The exception is the Roo, made out of Kangaroo leather that is both more durable and even tackier. Kangaroo leather is also softer than most rubbers, and will provide a better experience if your hands tend to hurt by the end of your round.
Texture
We have stressed the importance of texture when it comes to be able to play golf with sweaty hands. Texture is a major component to holding on to anything when your hands are wet. Fun fact - that is actually why your hands get all wrinkled when they are under water for a long period of time! Choose a grip with enough texture to help you hold on to the club, but not so much that it is uncomfortable on your hands.
Tackiness
No one likes a slippery grip. Choosing a tacky golf grip provides an added measure of confidence that the club will not go flying out of your hands in your follow through. All of the grips on this list are tacky and easy to hold on to. The key is to find the one that you most prefer!
Size
We mentioned that size can make a difference in how well a grip holds up to sweaty hands. If a grip is the wrong size for you and affects your grip pressure in a negative way, it's going to feel almost impossible to hold on to. We recommend finding out what the suggested grip size is for your hands, and starting there. It isn't a good idea to go any smaller than that, but don't be afraid to experiment with bigger grips.
Firm or Soft?
Choosing between firm grips and soft grips is more of a comfort and preference decision. That said, comfort will play a role in your grip pressure, and ultimately have an effect on how well you are able to control the club. If your hands are sensitive or you have any form of arthritis, we suggest a softer grip.
Budget
We understand that your golf equipment might not be your number 1 priority from a financial standpoint. If you are on a tight budget, there are more affordable options that will keep your cost down and give you great performance.
Our disclaimer - while less expensive grips will still give you great performance, you do get what you pay for. The best golf grips will maintain their performance in the long run, and you will get the tried and trusted quality of well known and established brands.
Tips For Playing Golf With Sweaty Hands
Carry A Towel Just For Your Hands
We definitely recommend having a hand towel that you can use to dry your hands. You won't want to use the same one that you use for your clubs unless you want get dirt and sand all over your hands. Hint - you don't want that. Having a towel just for your hands will help you keep them as dry as possible before every shot.
Bring A Cooler With Ice
If sweat is your body's way of trying to cool you down, then why not give it a little help? Dunking your hands into a cooler with ice will temporarily stop them from sweating, and has the added bonus of helping bring your core body temperature down. Just don't forget to dry your hands after they come out of the ice!
Keep Your Golf Grips Clean
If your golf grips are dirty, grimy or oily, it will be much more difficult to use proper grip pressure, whether you have sweaty hands or not.
Click here for a complete guide on How to Clean Golf Grips and Make Them Look and Feel New.
Wear Rain Gloves
Rain gloves are specifically designed to absorb moisture, and become more grippy when they are a little damp. How convenient! For those of you with particularly sweaty hands, rain gloves may turn a serious problem into a competitive advantage!
Use A Grip Enhancer
Grip enhancer is an easy spray or wipe on solution to the club slipping out of your hands. It is designed to wick moisture and keep the grip dry and tacky, even in the worst conditions. In just a few minutes, your grips can go from useless and impossible to hold on, to a solid connection between your hands and the club.
Conclusion
Here's the truth - everybody sweats. It's one of the ways our body protects us and keeps us alive. Whether you interlock or overlap, sweaty hands have likely become a problem that you sometimes struggle to overcome.
From multi layer and corded grips to high traction texturing to grip enhancing spray, there are plenty of options for golfers of every skill level to keep a solid hold on the club, and hit more solid shots. Whatever you think is the best option for you, take the first step and give it a try. We think you will be glad you did.
