The quickest way to find your golf grip size is to measure your top hand from the crease of your wrist to the tip of your middle finger. Under 7 inches usually points to an undersize grip, 7 to 8.25 inches to standard, 8.25 to 9.25 inches to midsize, and over 9.25 inches to jumbo. Your glove size is a good shortcut, but the hand measurement wins when the two disagree.
Grip size is one of the cheapest fixes in golf and one of the most overlooked. The wrong size quietly works against your hands through every swing, so it is worth getting right.
Golf grip size by hand measurement
Open your top hand flat, fingers together, and measure in a straight line from the wrist crease to the end of your middle finger.
| Hand length (wrist to fingertip) | Grip size |
|---|---|
| Under 7 inches | Undersize |
| 7 to 8.25 inches | Standard |
| 8.25 to 9.25 inches | Midsize |
| Over 9.25 inches | Jumbo (oversize) |
Golf grip size by glove size
If you know your glove size, use this as a starting point and confirm it with the hand measurement or the fingertip test below.
| Glove size | Likely grip size |
|---|---|
| Men's Small | Undersize or standard |
| Men's Medium | Standard |
| Men's Medium / Large | Standard |
| Men's Large, Cadet Large | Standard or midsize |
| Men's Large / XL, Cadet XL | Midsize |
| Men's XXL | Jumbo |
Cadet gloves are cut for shorter fingers and wider palms, which often means a larger grip than the standard glove size alone would suggest.
How much bigger is each grip size?
Grip sizes are defined by how much larger or smaller they are than a standard grip, measured across the diameter.
| Grip size | Difference vs standard |
|---|---|
| Undersize | About 1/64 inch smaller |
| Standard | Baseline, what most clubs ship with |
| Midsize | About 1/16 inch larger |
| Jumbo (oversize) | About 1/8 inch larger |
The fingertip test
The simplest on-course check. Take your normal top-hand grip on a club. The tips of your middle and ring fingers should lightly brush the pad of your thumb.
If your fingertips dig hard into your palm, the grip is too small. If there is a clear gap and they cannot reach the pad, it is too big. This test catches fit problems that a tape measure alone can miss.
What happens if the grip is the wrong size?
Too small encourages too much hand and wrist action through impact. The clubface can close quickly, which tends to produce hooks and a general loss of control for players with faster hands.
Too big restricts the hands and can slow the release, which sometimes shows up as pushes or blocks to the right and a feeling that you cannot square the face. The right size lets your hands work naturally without fighting the grip.
Fine tuning between sizes
If your measurement lands between two sizes, you do not have to jump to the next grip. A fitter can add extra wraps of grip tape under the grip, and each additional wrap adds roughly 1/64 inch to the diameter. Two to four wraps effectively build a standard grip up towards midsize. Arthritis and hand pain are also good reasons to size up, since a larger grip needs less grip pressure to hold securely.
Grip size is one piece of a proper fitting, alongside shaft, lie and loft. For the other numbers that shape your game, see our golf gear guides.
FAQ
How do I measure my hand for golf grip size?
Open your top hand flat with the fingers together and measure in a straight line from the crease of your wrist to the tip of your middle finger. Under 7 inches suggests undersize, 7 to 8.25 inches standard, 8.25 to 9.25 inches midsize, and over 9.25 inches jumbo.
What grip size do most golfers use?
Standard is the most common size and what most clubs ship with, fitting hand lengths of about 7 to 8.25 inches. Many golfers play standard simply because they never checked, so it is worth confirming your size rather than assuming.
Can I use my glove size to pick a grip?
Yes, as a starting point. A men's medium glove usually points to a standard grip, a large or extra large towards midsize, and a small towards undersize or standard. When glove size and hand measurement disagree, trust the hand measurement.
How much bigger is a midsize grip than standard?
A midsize grip is about 1/16 inch larger in diameter than standard. An undersize grip is roughly 1/64 inch smaller, and a jumbo or oversize grip is about 1/8 inch larger.
What is the fingertip test for grip size?
Take your normal top-hand grip and check where your fingertips sit. The tips of your middle and ring fingers should just brush the pad of your thumb. If they dig into your palm the grip is too small, and if they cannot reach the pad it is too big.
Does grip size affect ball flight?
It can. A grip that is too small allows extra hand action and can promote a hook, while a grip that is too big can restrict the release and lead to pushes to the right. The correct size lets the hands work naturally without steering the face.
Should I use a bigger grip if I have arthritis?
Often yes. A larger grip requires less grip pressure to hold the club securely, which can reduce hand and wrist strain. Many golfers with arthritis or hand pain find a midsize or jumbo grip more comfortable over a full round.
What are grip tape wraps and how do they change size?
Grip tape wraps are layers of double-sided tape added under the grip during installation. Each extra wrap adds about 1/64 inch to the diameter, so a fitter can build a standard grip part way towards midsize without changing grips.
Is a bigger grip better for reducing a hook?
It can help. A slightly larger grip quietens overactive hands and can take some of the sharpest closure off the clubface. It is not a cure for a hook on its own, but sizing up is a common, low-cost adjustment a fitter will try.
Do all my clubs need the same grip size?
Usually yes, so the feel is consistent through the bag, though the putter is often an exception and comes in its own much larger sizes. If you build up grip size with tape, keep the number of wraps consistent across your clubs.