Making Golf Less Painful: How Thicker Golf Grips Can Help Golfers with Arthritis

If you're dealing with arthritis, you know that gripping a standard golf club can feel like torture. The stiffness, swelling, and joint pain make every swing a challenge. But here's something that might help: thicker golf grips could completely change your game.

Why Thicker Grips Make Such a Difference

Think about it—when you're holding something larger, you don't have to squeeze as hard to keep control of it. That's the basic principle behind jumbo or oversized grips, and it makes a huge difference for arthritic hands.

With a thicker grip like the Winn Dri-Tac or Jumbo Max, you'll notice you're not white-knuckling the club anymore. That reduced grip pressure alone can take so much strain off your joints. Plus, many of these grips are made from softer, tackier materials that absorb the shock when you strike the ball. That jarring vibration that shoots through your hands? These grips dampen it significantly.

The extra surface area also gives you better stability and control—something that's especially helpful when arthritis has weakened your grip strength. And here's an added bonus: thicker grips naturally limit how much your wrists can hinge during the swing, which can actually reduce pain while promoting a smoother, more controlled motion.

Finding Your Perfect Grip

Not all thicker grips are created equal, so it's worth taking some time to find what works for you. Material matters a lot—softer options like the SuperStroke S-Tech or Golf Pride CP2 Pro provide extra cushioning that sensitive hands will appreciate. The Winn Dri-Tac line is particularly popular because it's incredibly soft and tacky without being sticky.

Size-wise, you've got options ranging from midsize all the way up to true jumbo grips like the Jumbo Max JMX UltraLite. Some people even go with custom-built grips to get exactly what they need. The only way to know what feels right is to try a few different sizes in your hands.

One thing to keep in mind: heavier grips can change how your club feels and swings, so it's worth chatting with someone who knows clubs to make sure everything stays balanced.

Try Before You Buy—Or Build Your Own

Stop by any of our locations and our club repair experts can walk you through different sizes, textures, and styles. They'll let you feel the difference between a standard grip and something like a Jumbo Max or Winn Dri-Tac so you can make an informed decision.

If you're the hands-on type, we also offer DIY grip kits that make it easy to regrip your clubs at home. Everything you need comes in the kit, and it's surprisingly simple once you get the hang of it. Plus, you'll save some money in the process.

Getting Back to the Game You Love

Look, arthritis doesn't have to end your golf career. With the right grips, you can play longer rounds with less pain, maintain better control over your shots, and rediscover why you fell in love with this game in the first place. For many golfers dealing with joint pain, switching to thicker grips has been genuinely life-changing.

If arthritis has been keeping you off the course, it's worth giving oversized grips a shot. Come test them out at one of our shops, talk to a club-fitter, or grab one of our DIY grip kits and give it a try yourself.

Golf should be enjoyable, not painful. With the right equipment in your hands, you can keep doing what you love—arthritis and all.