Choosing the right grip for your putter is a little bit different than choosing grips for the rest of your clubs. Since you aren’t going to be making a full swing with your putter, you don’t need to worry as much about the connection between your hands and the club. Rather than friction and tack, you should simply be looking for a putter grip that feels good in your hands and will allow you to make a repeatable stroke.

The good news with putter grips is that, since they aren’t swung very hard, the grips will last a long time once installed. If you find a putter grip that you like, there is no reason you shouldn’t be able to use it for multiple seasons without any loss of performance. You may choose to replace your grip just for a new feel on the club, but a quality putter grip shouldn’t wear out anytime in the near future.

When shopping for a putter grip, take the following three elements into consideration –

• Firmness. This was mentioned earlier when discussing the grips that are produced by Winn. Some golfers will prefer a grip that is harder, while others like the feel of a soft, cushioned grip. This is completely a matter of personal preference, as it is certainly possible to hit great shots with either option. When it comes to putter grips, the same holds true. There are putter grips that fall into the firm category, while others are rather soft and almost ‘squishy’. Try a few different putter grips at your local shop and see which one feels right to you. Again, there is no right answer – trust your gut feeling on this decision.
• Size. In recent years, more and more players are moving to an oversized putting grip. The idea behind the larger grip is simple – when your hands are filled with a larger grip, they will have less control over the putter head. An oversized grip will put more of the control over the stroke into your arms and shoulders, which can help you roll the ball more consistently. On the downside, you may have a harder time feeling the speed of your putts when you put such a large grip in your hands. Just as with the previous point, the only way to know for sure is to try out an oversized putting grip for yourself and see if it impacts your stroke in a positive manner.
• Taper. Some putter grips are tapered, meaning the grip gets thinner as it moves down toward the putter head, and some are not. For instance, many of the oversized putter grips on the market are non-tapered. This is yet another point that is all about the feel of the individual golfer. You can most certainly putt well with either option, so you will want to go with the one that feels natural in your hands. A non-tapered grip can help to take the bottom hand out of the putting stroke, so if you have had issues with the yips in the past, a non-tapered grip might be something to consider.

Grips are an important factor in the overall golf equipment equation. There are countless quality options on the market to choose from, including the models from great brands like Golf Pride, Winn, and Lamkin. While grips will likely will never get as much attention as components like club heads and shafts, a serious golfer will take the time necessary to track down the perfect grips for his or her swing.