Golf Pride Reverse Taper Putter Grip
Putter grips have seen a lot of interesting shapes and textures in recent years. However, I have to say, the new Golf Pride Reverse Taper putter grips are one of the more interesting ones I’ve seen and stopped me in my tracks a little bit. Golf Pride introduced three different shapes with the intention of better anchoring the top hand for more stability while also reducing tension in the lower hand. This is done by making the top of the grip thinner with a larger bottom half for your lower hand. The three Reverse Taper shapes offered are Round, Pistol, and Flat. All three shapes are available in medium and large sizes.
The Looks
Though bold and vibrant, the Golf Pride Reverse Taper putter grips have a tasteful aesthetic. There’s a white base with a black “shroud” and red accents around the tapered section. The idea is that the markings provide guidance for “finger placement” regardless of your chosen grip style (eg. regular, reverse, claw, etc). On the back side near the cap, there’s an indicator of what shape and size the grip is. Of course, you can’t help but notice the narrower top half of the grip. Trust me, it’s much more noticeable in person than in the pictures. I’ll be interested to see if I spend more time with this grip on the course, if anyone will notice my putter grip looks kind of weird and asks about it. I know not everyone is as much of a gear nerd as me, but I feel like I’d certainly notice!
How Does it Feel?
Golf Pride used a polyurethane that creates a soft textured feel that’s quite pleasant in the hands. I would go so far as to say that the grip is as plush as it can get before it starts to feel too soft, or even squishy. The dimple pattern provides some additional traction without adding harshness that a more aggressive etching might create. A fresh Reverse Taper grip has a bit of tack to it that may require some wiping with a wet towel on occasion to maintain.
Obviously the big star of the show when it comes to feel is the “Reverse Taper” design. I felt “how noticeable” it is really depends on the shape. For instance, I found the thinner upper half to be much more apparent in the round and flat shapes. Most of my takeaways on this feel will come in the performance section, but it was definitely different than anything I’ve personally felt in a putter grip before. I use a traditional “right hand low” grip so I felt like the narrower top half made me feel more stable in my left hand while the wider lower section helped me feel relaxed and “quiet” in my hands throughout the putting stroke.
On-Course Performance
As mentioned just above, the Golf Pride Reverse Taper grip definitely has an interesting combination of stability and control. I think you’d have to feel it for yourself in order for what I’m about to say to make sense, but “how” those two characteristics mixed together was really different. At least, that’s how I felt. The top hand has tight control of the putter from the thinner profile. There’s much more of a “direct connection” in the top hand. The wider bottom half balances things out and keeps your hands still for a quiet and controlled swing. Golf Pride explains this as preventing “micro-levers in the stroke, helping golfers to not flip their wrists at impact.” While I’m certainly no scientist, I certainly noticed this effect. This really allowed for excellent control and a tight roll on all my putts.
Final Thoughts – Golf Pride Reverse Taper Putter Grip
The Golf Pride Reverse Taper putter grip is a unique and innovative design that offers a combination of stability and control. The thinner top profile provides a secure feel for the upper hand, while the wider lower section promotes a relaxed and steady lower hand throughout the putting stroke. This combination may help golfers to prevent flipping their hands during the stroke for a more consistent putting motion. Or as Golf Pride says, “prevent micro-levers”. With its comfortable feel and potential performance benefits, the Golf Pride Reverse Taper putter grip is worth considering for golfers looking to improve their putting accuracy and consistency.
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