A grip costs a few dollars, sometimes less. Yet it can change how a club feels, how it balances and how consistently you strike the ball. In October 2026, JumboMax launched a 15-inch grip that promises more control. A good moment to look at what manufacturers claim, what the research actually shows, and what a golfer can realistically gain by changing grips.
A golfer chasing ten more yards off the tee usually thinks about a new head, a new shaft or a new driver. One looking for more consistency with the irons considers a fitting, a lesson or new equipment. Far more rarely does anyone question the grip in their hands.
Yet it is the only direct contact point between the body and the club. Its size, texture, weight and condition can influence how you hold the handle, how much pressure you apply and what you feel during the swing.
Manufacturers have noticed. Golf Pride builds tactile reminders into its grips to help players place their hands. JumboMax has championed oversized diameters for years, popularized by Bryson DeChambeau. Other brands work on softer compounds, wet-weather traction or weight distribution.
They all share the same commercial goal: convincing players that a relatively simple change can improve performance. But the arguments do not all rest on the same level of evidence. Some studies show measurable differences in speed or strike quality. Others fail to find the muscular effects routinely attributed to oversized grips. And the newest products can change characteristics of the club that the marketing barely mentions.
1. JumboMax UltraLong: 4.5 extra inches, and a balance that can shift
In October 2026, JumboMax introduced the JMX UltraLong, a 15-inch grip. A conventional grip measures around 10.5 inches, so the new model adds roughly 4.5 inches of gripping surface. It is also longer than JumboMax’s regular grips, which already run 11 inches.
The stated goal is to let golfers choke down further without leaving the grip. That matters mostly for wedge play, in-between yardages and lies where the ball sits above the feet. By shortening the club’s effective length, a player can better control swing length and distance. The idea addresses a real need, even if not every golfer chokes down regularly.
Priced at $18.99, the UltraLong comes in three sizes: Standard Jumbo, Medium and Extra Large. Behind this simple lineup lies a significant difference in mass. According to MyGolfSpy, the Standard weighs 46 grams, the Medium 74 grams and the Extra Large 81 grams: a 35-gram spread across grips of identical length.
This is where it gets interesting. JumboMax highlights how light its new grips are and their limited impact on balance. MyGolfSpy compared them with Golf Pride CP2 grips: 51.5 grams for the standard, 64 grams for the midsize and 81 grams for the jumbo. Replacing a CP2 midsize with an UltraLong Standard removes 18 grams from the butt end.
That can noticeably change swingweight, the measure of how a club’s mass is distributed around a reference point. By MyGolfSpy’s calculation, a club measured at D2 could end up around D5.5 or D6. The head has not changed weight. The lighter butt end alone shifts the reading and can make the head feel heavier.
The opposite is also possible. Taking the 64-gram CP2 midsize as the reference, an UltraLong Medium adds 10 grams at the hands and the Extra Large adds 17. Both installations tend to lower measured swingweight. The same grip model, in three sizes, can therefore push a club’s balance in opposite directions.
This calculation is not a systematic measurement across every club. The exact mass distribution, the grip being replaced and the shaft all play a part. But it highlights something rarely explained to consumers: changing a grip can alter its diameter, length, weight and the club’s balance all at once. A player who feels a difference after regripping cannot automatically credit it to a better hold.
The UltraLong is an original answer to choking down. Its value should be judged as a whole, not just through the extra length the manufacturer promotes.
2. Diameter, pressure and speed: what the studies actually show
The case for oversized grips usually rests on a biomechanical explanation. A bigger handle fills the hands, reduces the need to squeeze and limits excessive forearm activity. Less tension could mean a smoother motion, especially for players who manipulate the face during the swing.
The theory sounds reasonable. But a mechanical theory is not proof of performance.
In 2016, Graeme Sorbie and colleagues published a study in Research in Sports Medicine on how grip diameter affects forearm muscle activity and performance. Fifteen right-handed golfers, amateurs and professionals, hit five 7-iron shots with each of three grip sizes. All grips were supplied by Golf Pride. Electromyography sensors measured muscle activity through the phases of the swing.
The researchers found no statistically significant difference in forearm muscle activity across the three diameters. Clubhead speed, however, was significantly higher with the thinnest, undersize grip (p = 0.044).
That result contradicts at least part of the usual marketing pitch: in this experiment, a bigger diameter did not produce the expected measurable drop in muscle activity. It does not mean thinner grips are always better. Fifteen players and five shots per condition are far too few to set a general rule, and the study cannot tell us how players would adapt after several weeks.
It does, however, remind us that feeling less tension is not necessarily the same as measurably lower muscle activity. A player may feel more comfortable with a thick grip without gaining speed or consistency.
A second study, published in 2021 in the Journal of Sports Sciences, adds a complementary angle. Morgan D’Arcy and colleagues at the German Sport University Cologne tested 28 amateur golfers on TrackMan while varying hand position on the club. Five orientations were tested, in 15-degree steps from strong to weak. Neutral and stronger positions generally produced better driving accuracy and distance than weak ones.
This study is about hand orientation, not grip thickness, and the two are often confused in advice for amateurs. Hand position can directly change how the face returns to the ball, while diameter mainly affects how you hold the club. A bigger grip is no substitute for fixing hand position when that is what causes a problem ball flight.
Comfort is another valid reason to consider a change. For golfers with sore fingers, stiffness or arthritis, a larger diameter can make holding the club easier by reducing how far the fingers must close. That is worth exploring, but it should not become a therapeutic promise: none of these studies shows that a jumbo grip treats arthritis or prevents injury.
Choosing a diameter should therefore answer an identified problem. If your current grip feels uncomfortable, too thin or forces you to squeeze, trying a midsize makes sense. If you already hold the club comfortably and control your ball flight, nothing guarantees a bigger grip will help.
3. New vs worn grips: the gains are real, but the studies deserve a closer look
A grip that turns slick or hard can force a player to squeeze harder to feel secure. Traction drops, confidence in the hold drops, and strike quality can suffer. Manufacturers no longer settle for that intuitive explanation: they now try to measure what wear costs in performance.
In 2023, Golf Pride published the results of a study run at its fitting studio in Pinehurst. Seventeen right-handed golfers, all with handicaps between 0 and 5, used three 37-inch Titleist MB 7-irons with Project X shafts and standard Tour Velvet grips. Each player hit ten shots with each of the three setups, tracked by a TrackMan 4.
The key detail is how the grips were aged. The researchers did not use grips actually played for a season or more. They compared a new grip with two grips exposed to UV light in an accelerated-weathering chamber for eight and twenty-four hours. That reproduces some material degradation under controlled conditions, but not necessarily the combined effects of sweat, friction, moisture and repeated cleaning.
The results are still interesting. Against the grip aged for twenty-four hours, the new grip produced on average 1.3 mph more ball speed and 2.3 yards more carry. The researchers also recorded differences of 11% on the horizontal axis and 10% on the vertical axis in the spread of impact locations on the face.
That last figure is essential to read correctly. It is not a 10 to 11% reduction in shot dispersion on the course. It describes where the ball met the clubface, not how far shots finished from a target. More consistent contact can help ball flight, but turning this into an on-course accuracy gain would be a stretch.
Players also rated how secure each grip felt. Fourteen of seventeen, or 82%, rated the new grip secure or very secure, against just 24% for the most aged grip. The gap is large and confirms that players clearly felt the loss of traction.
Then there is the question of independence. The study was conducted by a team at Eaton Corporation, Golf Pride’s parent company. The manufacturer is directly tied to research it uses to promote regripping. That does not invalidate the measurements, but it calls for care: seventeen low-handicap players, and simulated wear.
An earlier test, run in 2017 by Golf Laboratories and described as independent, compared new grips with grips given the equivalent of three years of simulated wear. Thirty players hit 6-irons with identical heads and shafts. Australian Golf Digest reported a gain of close to four metres in favor of the new grips.
Both experiments point the same way: a badly degraded grip can cost performance. Neither shows that a golfer will automatically gain several yards by replacing grips still in good condition. The outcome depends on how worn the grips were, the player’s level and how they hold the club.
Before you regrip, clean your grips
This is probably the best-value advice in this article. Sweat, natural skin oils, dust and sunscreen residue build up on a grip’s surface over time. A grip can lose traction long before the material itself is worn out.
For most rubber grips, warm water, a little mild soap and a soft brush will remove the build-up. Rinse thoroughly and dry with a clean towel. Some softer compounds need specific care: follow the manufacturer’s advice and avoid harsh solvents.
Once the grip is clean and dry, it is easier to judge. If traction comes back, replacement is not urgent. If it stays hard, shiny or slick, or shows cracks or polished patches, it is time to change it.
Golf Pride generally recommends replacing grips once a year or after about forty rounds. That is a maintenance guideline, not a universal rule. A golfer who plays fifteen rounds a year and cleans their clubs does not wear grips like someone who plays and practices several times a week. The grip’s actual condition is the best guide.
4. Texture, alignment aids and putters: the other variables
Diameter and weight are not a grip’s only characteristics. Texture and compound directly shape feel. Corded grips generally prioritize traction, especially with damp hands or in the rain, though some players find them abrasive. Softer grips offer a different feel, often valued for comfort, but their traction and durability vary with the material.
Manufacturers are also working on hand placement. In March 2026, Golf Pride expanded its ALIGN MAX family with a ZGrip model and new sizes. ZGrip, MCC and MCC Plus4 come in standard and midsize, with a jumbo option on the MCC Plus4. The concept is a raised rib along the back of the grip that gives players a tactile reference.
The technology enjoys strong visibility on tour: Cameron Young won the 2026 Players Championship with ALIGN MAX MCC Plus4 grips. That is useful for understanding adoption at the top level, but it does not show that an amateur will become more accurate with the same grips. Tour players choose equipment for personal feel and setup preferences, often refined over years.
Needs also vary through the bag. With a driver, players generally want a stable hold at high speed. With a wedge, they may want to choke down to take distance off or control trajectory. The JumboMax UltraLong is aimed squarely at that second situation. For a golfer who regularly varies hand position in the short game, the extra length opens a new option; for one who almost always holds the club the same way, it may be marginal.
Putters follow a different logic again. Wide, flat or counterbalanced grips change how the hands sit on the club and sometimes how mass is distributed. They usually aim for a feeling of stability in a short, slow stroke. But a much heavier putter grip can also change how the putter feels. As with irons and wedges, personal preference should not be confused with a universal performance gain.
5. When to regrip, what to choose, and what it costs
The first criterion is the grips’ condition. A grip that stays slick after cleaning should be replaced. A grip in good shape that feels uncomfortable or doesn’t suit your hand size may justify trying something different. But regripping the whole bag in the hope of curing a slice or gaining ten yards, without identifying the cause, is more of a gamble than a plan.
The main size families (undersize, standard, midsize and jumbo) already offer plenty of options. There is also a middle route: adding extra layers of tape under a grip to build it up slightly. It lets you fine-tune the feel without changing models, but it should be done carefully, accounting for shaft diameter, grip core size and any added weight.
Budget for a full set
Prices vary widely by model and shop, and some shops include installation while others charge it separately. As an illustration, thirteen clubs (excluding the putter) at $15 per grip installed come to $195; at $25, the bill reaches $325. Specialty putter grips can add considerably more. To compare quotes fairly, ask for the all-in price for the whole set, naming the models you want.
How to test a new grip without fooling yourself
Before replacing thirteen grips, the sensible move is to try one model on a club you use often, such as a 7-iron. If the issue is partial shots, a wedge is a better test bed. The first goal is to check comfort, security and how easily you find a repeatable hand position.
To compare diameters, ideally use clubs with identical heads, shafts and lengths, and alternate shots between setups. A launch monitor lets you record clubhead speed, ball speed, carry and launch data. Without one, strike quality, feel and shot consistency can still reveal a preference.
Stay clear-eyed about what a personal test proves. Fifteen or twenty balls per setup may reveal a difference in comfort or a clear preference. They do not prove that a grip improves performance over time. Warm-up, fatigue, shot order and natural swing variation all affect results, so repeating the test over several sessions tells you far more than one quick range comparison.
Finally, avoid changing too many variables at once. Comparing a 50-gram standard grip with an 80-gram jumbo changes diameter, mass and potentially balance all together. If the results move, you cannot tell what caused it. That is why individual impressions, however sincere, are not always proof of performance.
Conclusion: the best grip isn’t necessarily the most high-tech
The available research shows that grip condition can affect strike quality, and that how the hands sit on the club has a measurable effect on performance. It does not support every promise attached to oversized diameters, reduced muscle activity or automatic distance gains.
The JumboMax UltraLong illustrates both the potential and the limits of this trend. Its extra length can help some players, particularly around the greens. But the weight differences between its versions show that a simple grip change can also shift a club’s balance. The choice should account for the whole installation, not just the size on the package.
For most amateurs, the most effective approach is simple: keep your grips clean, replace the ones that have truly lost their traction, and try different sizes when discomfort or a gripping problem justifies it. Before spending a few hundred dollars on a full set, a few well-run tests will tell you more than any marketing claim.
The grip deserves more attention than it usually gets. Not because it is a miracle fix, but because it is part of everything a club is. Understanding those interactions is the best way to change your equipment without wasting money.
Sources
Products
- MyGolfSpy, October 2026 — Do You Need Longer Grips? The New JumboMax JMX UltraLong Gives You That Option — dimensions, weights, price and swingweight analysis.
- GolfWRX — Golf Pride adds ZGrip, more sizes to Align Max family
- Northern Golfer — Golf Pride builds on ALIGN technology success
Studies and tests
- Sorbie et al., 2016, Research in Sports Medicine — An electromyographic study of the effect of hand grip sizes on forearm muscle activity and golf performance. DOI: 10.1080/15438627.2016.1191492.
- D’Arcy, Heisler, Quilling, Strüder and Chevalier, 2021, Journal of Sports Sciences, vol. 39, no. 11 — The effect of grip position on golf driving accuracy and distance. DOI: 10.1080/02640414.2020.1865612.
- Golf Digest, April 26, 2023 — Can fresh grips produce extra yards? New research says yes
- Golfmagic — Golf Pride research confirms increased ball speed and carry with fresh grips
- Australian Golf Digest — new vs worn grips
Laurent Agostini is a golf journalist, founder of MyGolfMedia and author of the French-language book series Penser avant de swinguer (“Think Before You Swing“), whose second volume examines golf equipment, fitting and manufacturers’ claims.