When you think about golf equipment, golf grips probably don’t even register in your mind. Most golfers pay far more attention to things like shafts and club heads, but grips play a vital role in the golf swing. Getting the perfect golf grip on your club – on that fits your hands and keeps them securely in place during the swing – is important for your performance and comfort on the golf. Even something as simple as getting the right golf grip size for your clubs can make a big difference.

If you haven’t paid much attention to your golf grips up to this point, the following process will help you get the right grips on all of your clubs. Use the three steps below and you will come away with grips perfect for your game.

1. Pick out the style you like. There are a number of styles of golf grips on the market today, and it is up to you to pick out the right one to suit your hands, and your swing. Some grips are soft and cushiony, while others are harder and include cords that help you grip onto the club. Try to test out as many different grips as you can until you find the ones that feel just right. There is no correct answer when it comes to grip style, either – any of them can work as long as you are happy with the way they feel.

2. Get fitted. If you have taken the time to get fitted for your clubs, it only make sense that you should get fitted for your grips as well. Most golf shops will be happy to help you pick out a grip size based on the way you hold the club, and the size of your hands. It is extremely important that you get grips which are the right size for you. Grips that are too large will make it difficult to release the club properly through impact, while grips that are too skinny will allow the club to release early. You want the grip to fill up the palm of your hand so that the tip of your middle finger just barely touches the base of your thumb when you grab onto the club.

3. Have them installed. Putting grips onto your clubs is a pretty easy job, and you might be able to do it yourself if you have the right equipment at home. However, if you have never installed grips before, it may be better to have a professional do the job at your local golf shop. In fact, most golf shops will actually do the installation for free if you purchase the grips from them. If you do decide to put the grips on yourself, make sure that they all get aligned properly on the shaft and that the grips are pushed completely onto the club so there is no loose portion at the end.

Once you have your new golf grips installed on your set of clubs, you should be set for quite a while. There is no specific number of rounds or period of time after which you should change your grips – rather, you will have to use your feel and just ‘know’ when the time is right. If your grips start to feel harder or slicker than they did when they were new, that is a good indication that they are wearing out. Of course, if you are having trouble holding onto the club through impact, that is another obvious sign. Replace grips as soon as possible when you notice them wearing out so you can avoid a drop in your performance on the course due to grip problems.