There are lots of things to consider when you’re looking for the best grips for your golf clubs. And one option that you have is whether to go for tapered or non-tapered grips.
But what exactly is a non-tapered golf grip, and who is it best suited to?
Here, we take a deep dive into the world of non-tapered golf grips and help you to decide if they’re a suitable addition to your golf clubs this season.
1. What are Non-Tapered Golf Grips?
A non-tapered golf grip is one that retains the same size from the cap of the grip to the tip. The reason that this is advantageous for some players is that non-taper groups decrease pressure and enable a much smoother stroke.*
What’s more, manufacturers don’t add any weight to non-tapered grips (as they do to tapered alternatives), and the resultant impact on the shaft and club head is reduced.
After all, adding a grip with too much weight can affect the mechanics of your swing.
For some golfers, non-tapered grips are more comfortable, as they remove most of the wrist action from the grip.
As a result, a non-tapered grip can offer a smoother and more comfortable swing for certain golfers.
As is the case with all grip types, there are pros and cons to using non-tapered grips, and we will run through everything you need to know in the following sections.
2. What is the Advantage of Non-Tapered Golf Grips?
The main advantage of a non-tapered grip is that it decreases wrist activity in the swing. This is significant, as it can help people execute smoother swings akin to a pendulum, which can make a big impact on the consistency of a player’s ball striking.
What’s more, by opting for a non-tapered grip, you’re essentially utilizing the shaft and club head in the way that the manufacturer intended it to be played.
This is because tapering can add weight and friction to the swing, affecting the way that you strike the ball.
Some players also believe that non-tapered grips offer a better feel, particularly for longer shots.
This is subjective, but it’s something worth considering if you’re planning to switch from a tapered to a non-tapered grip this season.
Let’s take a closer look at the cons of non-tapered grips, so you can decide for yourself which is the best option for your golf game.
3. What are the Cons of Non-Tapered Golf Grips?
The major drawback to non-tapered grips is that they aren’t typically as weather resistant as tapered grips, meaning that they’re more likely to slip out of your hands when playing in humid or wet conditions.
One of the most significant drawbacks of non-tapered grips is that they’re not as widely available as other grip types.
In fact, most manufacturers apply tapered grips as standard to clubs, meaning you will need to specifically look for non-tapered options if you want to equip your clubs in this way.
The fact that non-tapered grips are thinner than their tapered counterparts, means that you feel the vibrations of the shot more.
This can be problematic for players who are injury prone, or those with joint issues, as the vibrations can be a source of discomfort.
Ultimately, there are pros and cons to every grip type, and non-tapered grips are no exception.
It’s a good idea to review the pros and cons of non-tapered grips before making a decision about whether or not they’re suitable for you.
4. What Major Brands Make These Types of Golf Grips?
There are lots of brands to choose from as far as non-tapered grips are concerned, with the likes of Golf Pride, Tacki-Mac, Lamkin, and Super Stroke all offering non-tapered options to players.**
Golf Pride is widely regarded as the best grip in the business, as more than 75% of Tour players play the brand, with most opting for the Velvet Tour grips on their clubs.
This makes them a good option if you’re looking for a non-tapered grip this season.
When you’re looking for a non-tapered grip, it makes sense to buy from a trusted brand and retailer, as you need to make sure that you’re buying legitimate grips.
There are lots of fakes circulating online, so be careful when ordering from a seller that you have reservations about.
You can go to a retailer like Grips 4 Less to order non-tapered grips from various brands, which is a good way of ensuring that you end up with an authentic grip from a leading retailer.
5. Are Non-Tapered Golf Grips Good for Beginners?
No, non-tapered grips aren’t ideal for beginners. Primarily, this is because they’re not widely available, and you would need to customize your beginner clubs to have them specifically installed, ramping up the cost of your clubs.
Also, non-tapered grips don’t offer as much protection as tapered grips, and there’s less margin for error.
Inexperienced players who use non-tapered grips will hit more ‘thin’ shots than they would if they used tapered grips.
There’s also the comfort factor to consider.
When you’re just starting out in golf, you need to get a good feel for your clubs and the way that you strike the ball. Tapered grips are typically more comfortable than non-tapered, which means they’re better for beginners.
So, if you’re just getting into golf, we wouldn’t recommend opting for non-tapered golf grips, and you should stick with the tapered grip that is on your clubs as standard.
6. Do Any Pros Use Non-Tapered Golf Grips?
The vast majority of professional golfers use tapered grips.*** As mentioned previously, the leading grip among professional golfers is the Golf Pride Velvet grip, which also happens to be one of the cheapest and most readily available grips in the game.
The Tour Velvet grip comes with a non-slip surface pattern that ensures playability and comfort, and it is actually the grip on which many other manufacturers base their designs.
From time to time, you will see some golfers mixing things up and trying new grips – for instance, Lee Westwood famously played Lamkin grips for a time, while some Asian players opt for Iomic grips, which are popular in Japan.
But due to the feel and consistency of tapered grips, most professionals prefer them, and Golf Pride leads the way as far as brands are concerned.
7. Are Non-Tapered Golf Grips Easy to Replace?
It’s fair to say that non-tapered grips are relatively easy to replace. Although they’re not as widely available as tapered grips, you can still order them online from various retailers.
The reason why non-tapered grips aren’t regarded as accessible as tapered grips is that they’re not added to golf clubs as default, meaning that you need to seek them out if you want to attach them to your clubs.
The best way to replace your non-tapered grips is to take your clubs to a custom fitter, who can measure you up and get them installed for you.
Alternatively, you can order them online. But as mentioned, make sure you order your grips from a trusted seller to avoid being stuck with some of the fakes that are circulating online.
8. Less Tapered vs. Non-Tapered Golf Grips?
If you want a golf grip that is somewhere between tapered and non-tapered, you can opt for less-tapered grips. Less tapered – or reduced tapered – grips are slightly thicker than non-tapered grips and are seen as the best of both worlds.
One of the main features of less tapered grips is that they come with a larger diameter for the lower hand and a smaller diameter for the higher hand.
This enables players to guide the club more easily and achieve reduced grip pressure for better control.
Less tapered grips are becoming more and more popular, and Lamkin is one of the leading manufacturers involved in their production.
So, if you’re not ready to switch to non-tapered golf grips, playing less tapered grips could be a good option for you.
Conclusion
The challenge with selecting the most appropriate grip for your golf game is that every player is different, and what works for one golfer might not work for another.
And while some players like the feel of non-tapered grips, they’re not as popular or prevalent as their tapered counterparts.
Whichever you opt for, we hope this guide has helped you decide on the most suitable grip type for your game.
Sources:
- https://southamptongolfclub.com/tapered-vs-non-tapered-golf-grips/ *
- https://www.grips4less.com/collections/non-tapered-and-less-tapered-swing-grips **
- https://golf.com/gear/best-golf-club-grips-golfers-all-levels/ ***