Ask the expert: Jerry Garrison

Jerry Garrison

Independent contractor who represents Adams Golf on the

PGA, Champions and Nationwide tours.

How often do touring pros change their grips?

Tom Watson, maybe twice a year. Bernhard Langer, three or four times a year. Some guys will change every few weeks.

What harms grips the most?

Storing your clubs in the trunk of a car deteriorates them more than anything. Every golfer on earth should change grips at least once a year.

How many touring pros use round grips, as opposed to grips with a rib or reminder down the back?

I would say at least 90 percent use round grips.

Do a lot of tour guys use build-up tape underneath their grips?

You bet. Gil Morgan builds them up under his left hand. Brad Bryant builds them up under his right hand. It’s all to control or promote a certain pattern with their ball flight.

Can touring pros pick out a grip that isn’t right?

In general, they are incredibly sensitive. Ben Crenshaw, in particular – he has the most fantastic feel I’ve ever seen.

Do some players use undersized grips?

Sure. D.A. Weibring, Andy Bean, Bernhard Langer all use smaller grips.

Do some players mix grips?

A player like Tom Jenkins will use one type of grip on his woods, another type on his irons and sometimes an elongated, stretch-down grip on his wedges. It’s all a matter of feel for these guys.

How many touring pros use grips with some kind of cord in them?

I would say about 20 percent.

Are there psychological factors at work here?

Sometimes. Allen Doyle wants the logos on his grips placed in a strong position – rotated slightly to the left – because it makes him feel like the clubs are hooked (actually they are square).