grips and buildup tape

Lower hand tape build-up: Originally used in wedges so that golfer can choke down for partial shots and keep same thickness of grip. Idea is to help keep hands quiet on partial, choke-down shots.

Some players put extra low-hand tape on other clubs too, especially drivers. Bubba Watson has 10 wraps under the entire grip, plus two extra wraps under the low hand.

On a driver, the low-hand extra tape could improve grip pressure, and possibly help on hand release for people who tend to grip too tightly with the low index finger and thumb.

Larger grips help me to keep a more relaxed grip on the club.  If my grips are too small, I tend to grip the club too tight, thus the club head coming through the ball open and causing a push or slice.  When I have a more relaxed grip, the club head is able to come through the ball square.

1. Remove the old grip, and clean the old tape residue off the shaft.

2. Take the new grip, put it beside the shaft, and mark where the end of the grip reaches.

3. If you want two underwraps, take a piece of tape, cut off two 4" lengths.

4. Stabilize the grip in a vice cushion, and put on the first piece of tape, wrapping it longways starting at the shaft mark.

5. Do the same thing with the second piece.

_____________

-----------------------|--------------------| Shaft

--------------------------------------------|

___Tape______|

6. Put the main tape on top of the underwraps, extending it up and overlapping in the butt of the shaft. (Main tape on top prevents lower underwrap from coming loose when you slip the grip onto the shaft.)

Quote:

Originally Posted by power aid 

how do you apply the xtra wrap(s) for under the right hand ? where/how do u start/finish ?

I got mine done at the local golf shop (my wraps are along the entire grip). It is only a $1.50 per grip and they know what they are doing, I can't justify the time and effort for such a minimal cost. 

Quote:

Originally Posted by power aid 

how do you apply the xtra wrap(s) for under the right hand ? where/how do u start/finish ?

I build up my wedges under the low hand.  I figure out where my low hand sits on the grip, and start the extra wraps there, which is about 4.5" down and go to the end of the grip.  If you use air to install/uninstall the grips, it makes it really easy to do a wrap or two, install the grip and see how it feels, then blow the grip off to try something different.  

Quote:

Originally Posted by power aid 

.. didn't know if I needed to stagger the tape start/end or what ? is 2 extra wraps gonna feel a bump/ ridge ?

I would rotate the second under-wrap about 90* from the first, so that you don't have overlapping creases. This assumes applying it as a tall, narrow single patch, not a diagonal spiral wrap. (See diagram on post #5 this thread)

Being that the grip material is about 1/8" thick under the low hand, the grip will smooth over any slight bulge. (You can see a slight bulge with the eye after taping, but you won't notice it once the grip is on).

I just checked a couple of my wedges that I had regrapped with low-hand underwrap, and they are both quite smooth to feel.