Updated on December 8th, 2022 at 11:32 am
If you ask the best golfers in the game how much their grip changes from one club to another, they will likely tell you that it hardly changes. Is this because golfers are just accustomed to doing this, and they don’t even think? Or is it because the grip should stay the same throughout?
If you are looking for the proper golf grip for the driver and the iron, we have you covered. Let’s take a look at the driver grip vs. iron grip and everything you should know.
What Is The Difference Driver Grip vs. Iron Grip?
The driver grip and the iron grip are essentially the same; however, the majority of amateur golfers will use a stronger grip when hitting a driver. The neutral grip gives players their best chance of success; the problem is that errors in the golf swing can make it so that golfers need to adjust the grip and make slight changes.
A common miss with an amateur player is the golf ball heading out straight and then making a right-hand turn. The golfer that hits the slice like this will find that the strong grip is a more comfortable grip.
The strong grip allows the left hand to turn a bit more to the left and the right hand to turn a bit to the right. The result is that the player has an easier time squaring up the clubhead.
If you want to hit consistent golf shots, here are some of the things you should know about the proper grip position, grip type, and grip sizes.
Iron Grips vs. Driver Grips: Things To Consider
When you grip the golf club, there are some important things to consider. Putter grips are kind of their own category, but when looking at the driver grip vs. iron grip, you will see some similarities. This has a lot to do with the fact that iron swings and driver swings will have very similar elements.
Proper Size Grip
One of the most important factors in getting a consistent grip on a club is choosing the proper grip size. The standard size grip works for those that have standard size hands. If you happen to have larger hands, then jumbo grips or larger golf grips are a better fit for you.
Many golfers use these thicker grip sizes on their iron shots, but when it comes to the golf driver, the grip size may go back to standard. This again has to do with the player’s ability to turn the club over and hit a straight shot.
Instead of going with a larger grip size, players can also add a few layers of tape or wraps of tape under the grip to increase the grip size slightly.
Hand Position 
The position of the hands for both the driver swing and the iron swing should be about the same. Golfers are looking for a position where the grip is mostly in the fingers of the club.
Many players have a slightly more firm grip on the driver as they are looking for maximum distance control and longer ball flight. If this is something that helps your golf game, that is completely acceptable.
The key is to get your hands into a position where you can still get the proper swing arc and wrist action. Believe it or not, if your hands are in the wrong place from the start of your swing, your entire golf swing will be impacted.
Try to have your hands in the same position for the driver grip and the iron grip; it will help you be more consistent. When you look at professional golfers, you can see that the difference between amateurs’ games and theirs is the consistency.
Firmer/Softer Grips
Golf manufacturers like Golf Pride and Winn will make all different types of golf grips. Some of these are wrap grips or cord grips, and others have a very soft, almost cushion like feel to them. Some golfers like firmer grips in the longer clubs and the softer types of grips in the short irons.
This is going to be more of a preference than anything else. Many players would rather have consistency throughout the entire bag. However, it has been determined from many players that the softer grip in the shorter irons can lead to some better feel.
Weak Grip/Strong Grip
The weak grip vs. strong grip question comes up a lot when comparing the driver grip vs. iron grip. Neutral grips are the way to go when possible; however, if you need a slightly stronger grip on your driver, that is understandable.
Many players struggle to get the proper wrist movement in their driver swing, and the stronger grip can improve the angle of attack and the impact position.
The strong grip essential makes it easier to get the club to turn over and eliminates some of those bad habits that we see players have with their driver in their hands.
Take a look at the driver grip size, in addition, and make sure that this is not part of your issue. Sometimes a thinner grip can get the hands into a more neutral position that will allow for straighter and more consistent golf shots.
See all of the other Golf Club Grip reviews that we have recently completed on AEC Info:
Should You Use The Same Grip On All Golf Clubs?
It is best to use the same golf grip on all of your clubs if you can help it. The hands being in the same position throughout the entire game can allow players to then repeat the same swing.
When you start to notice that the swing is repeated, it becomes much easier to make contact with the center of the clubface.
Conclusion
Hopefully, you now have a better understanding of the driver grip vs. iron grip. Finding the proper golf grip for your game can take quite a bit of trial and error. It is unfortunate when players think they need a different grip for every club; this will bring more problems to the game than it is worth.
Instead, put the proper grip on your clubs and then get as close to the neutral grip as you can while still hitting straight golf shots. Golf club grips come in all styles and sizes, and it makes sense to use something that is a specific fit for your game.
