Midsize Grip
A midsize golf grip is a club grip that is about 1/16 inch (roughly 1.6 mm) larger in diameter than a standard grip. The added thickness fills the hands more fully, so the club can be held with lighter pressure.
What is a midsize grip?
The grip is the only part of a golf club a player actually touches, so its thickness shapes how the whole swing feels. Most grips come in four broad sizes. From thinnest to thickest, they run undersize, standard, midsize, and jumbo (also sold as oversize). Midsize sits one step above standard, the size that comes pre-installed on almost every club bought off the rack.
Grip diameter is measured two inches down from the butt end of the club. A men’s standard grip measures about 0.900 inch at that point, and a typical midsize grip measures around 0.960 inch, according to grip maker Golf Pride and the sizing reference published by Mitchell Golf. A sixteenth of an inch reads like nothing on paper. In the hand, it changes how far the fingers wrap around the shaft and how much the wrists can hinge, which is why fitters treat it as a real adjustment rather than a rounding error.
The size exists for a simple reason. A grip that leaves the fingertips digging into the palm is too small, and midsize gives those hands room to sit in a relaxed, neutral hold.
Standard vs. midsize vs. oversize grips
The three larger size bands each add a predictable amount of diameter over the standard baseline. The table below shows how they compare, and the type of golfer each tends to suit.
| Grip size | Diameter vs. standard | Approx. diameter | Typically suits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard | Baseline | 0.900 in | Small to medium gloves; most golfers |
| Midsize | +1/16 in | ~0.960 in | Large or XL gloves, hook-prone players, sore hands |
| Oversize / jumbo | +1/8 in | ~1.00–1.02 in | Largest hands, arthritis, minimal grip pressure |
Diameter measured 2 inches from the butt end on a men’s grip. Figures follow Golf Pride and Mitchell Golf specifications; actual diameters vary by brand.
One naming quirk trips people up. Oversize and jumbo mean the same thing in the golf world, both describing a grip about 1/8 inch over standard. Undersize grips sit below the standard line and usually run about 1/16 inch thinner.
How grip size affects the swing
Grip thickness works mainly through the hands and wrists. A thin grip lets the small muscles in the hands stay lively, so the wrists release quickly through impact. That can snap the clubface shut and send the ball left for a right-hander, the classic hook or pull. A thicker grip does the opposite. It quiets those muscles and slows the release, which keeps the face from turning over as hard.
Midsize lands in the middle of that range. For a player whose hands fire too early and hook the ball, the extra diameter often calms the release enough to straighten ball flight. Pushed too far, though, a grip that is too big for the hands can leave the face open at impact and feed a fade or slice. Grip size on its own does not fix a swing, but it does change how easily the club releases.
Who uses a midsize grip?
Four groups tend to reach for midsize. Golfers with larger hands are the obvious one: a player who wears a men’s large or extra-large glove usually finds a standard grip too thin to fill the palm. Golfers who battle a persistent hook are the second, since the quieter release can take the edge off an overactive pair of hands.
The third group has nothing to do with ball flight. Players with arthritis, joint pain, or general hand fatigue often hold a thicker grip far more comfortably, because the larger surface lets them stay secure without squeezing. Golf Pride points to a hand length above 7.5 inches or a large-to-XL glove as a rough fitting range for midsize and jumbo. The fourth group simply grips the club too tightly and wants a fuller, softer feel.
Hand size is a starting point rather than a rule. As MyGolfSpy notes, some golfers with average hands prefer midsize purely because it lowers grip pressure, and the surest test is to hit balls with one before regripping a full set.
How midsize grips are sized
Fitters usually begin with one of two quick estimates. The first compares glove size: standard grips suit small and medium gloves, while large and extra-large gloves point toward midsize. The second measures the hand from the wrist crease to the tip of the middle finger, then matches that length to a chart.
Brand labels muddy things, because no enforced industry standard sets what “midsize” means. Golf Pride builds its midsize grips at a full +1/16 inch, while Karma’s midsize runs closer to +1/32 inch, and JumboMax uses its own scale that sits well above traditional sizing. Two grips stamped “midsize” can differ by 0.03 inch or more, so checking the actual diameter matters more than trusting the label.
Golfers who want to test the size without buying new grips can build up their current ones with tape. Adding about four extra wraps of standard grip tape under a standard grip raises the diameter roughly 1/16 inch, which plays close to a true midsize, a method noted by both GolfSpan and Mitchell Golf.
Related Golf Terms
- Posture training — Exercises that improve and maintain address posture.
- Distance wedge — A wedge used for full or near-full shots into greens from longer wedge range.
- Approach wedge — A wedge with loft between a pitching and sand wedge, often about 50 to 52 degrees.
- Loft gapping — Spacing club lofts so each club covers a consistent distance gap.
- Power output — The amount of force a golfer can generate in the swing.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much bigger is a midsize grip than a standard grip?
About 1/16 inch (roughly 1.6 mm) in diameter. A men’s standard grip is around 0.900 inch measured two inches from the butt end, and a midsize is around 0.960 inch, though exact figures vary by brand.
Do midsize grips fix a slice or a hook?
They can help a hook. A thicker grip slows the hands and keeps the clubface from closing too fast. A grip that is too large can do the reverse and leave the face open, which tends to worsen a slice.
Are midsize grips good for arthritis?
Often, yes. The larger diameter lets a golfer hold the club securely with less squeezing, which reduces stress on the finger and wrist joints. Many players with arthritis or hand fatigue use midsize or jumbo grips for that reason.
Can I turn a standard grip into a midsize one?
Yes. Adding roughly four extra wraps of grip tape under a standard grip builds the diameter up about 1/16 inch, close to a factory midsize.
What glove size needs a midsize grip?
A men’s large or extra-large glove is the common signal, but it is only a guide. Some average-handed golfers prefer midsize for comfort, so testing beats relying on glove size alone.
Sources
- Golf Pride. “Benefits of Oversize Grips.”
https://www.golfpride.com/us/en-us/blog/benefits-of-oversize-grips.html and “Grip Specifications.”
https://golfpride.com/us/en-us/customer-service-hub/grip-advice/grip-specifications.html Accessed August 2026. - Mitchell Golf. “Golf Grip Size Guide.”
https://www.mitchellgolf.com/golf-grip-size-guide/ Accessed August 2026. - GolfSpan. “Midsize vs. Standard Golf Grip.”
https://www.golfspan.com/midsize-vs-standard-golf-grip Accessed August 2026. - Value Golf. “Golf Grip Size Chart: Which Is Best For You?”
https://www.valuegolf.com/blog/post/golf-grip-size-chart-which-is-best-for-you Accessed August 2026. - MyGolfSpy. “Golf Grip Size Chart (What Size Do You Need?).”
https://mygolfspy.com/news-opinion/instruction/golf-grip-size-chart-what-size-do-you-need/ Accessed August 2026.
