The SAVE Grip Fitting Checklist

The SAVE Grip Fitting Checklist: How to Test Golf Grips the Right Way

The SAVE grip fitting checklist! Golfers spend hours testing drivers and putters, but one of the most important upgrades you can make costs far less and impacts every swing: the grip. To make grip testing simple, we’ve built a guide around the SAVE Strokes System—Speed, Alignment, Visualization, and Execution.

Use this checklist when shopping for grips or regripping your clubs. If a grip passes all four SAVE tests, you’ve found your match.

S – Speed: Can You Swing Freely?

Your grip should let you swing without tension or slippage.

• Too slick? You’ll squeeze too hard, slowing your tempo.

• Too rough? You may hold back to avoid discomfort.

• Just right? You feel secure with a relaxed hold, which allows maximum speed.

👉 Tip: Take a few practice swings with different textures. If you feel yourself tightening your hands, move on.

A – Alignment: Does the Grip Support a Square Face?

Grips directly influence how the clubface returns to impact.

• Too small: Hands rotate too much → hooks.

• Too large: Hands don’t release enough → blocks/slices.

• Correct size: Hands naturally return the face square.

👉 Tip: Check your natural setup. Do your hands sit comfortably, or do you fight the grip to square the face?

V – Visualization: Do You Like What You See and Feel?

Confidence starts with comfort in your hands.

• Texture: Smooth vs. tacky vs. corded—choose the one that makes you trust your swing.

• Look: Even color matters. If you don’t like how it looks at address, your brain won’t fully commit.

• Consistency: Can you picture the ball flying the way you want?

👉 Tip: Hold the grip, look down at it, and ask: “Does this picture inspire confidence?” If the answer is no, keep looking.

E – Execution: Can You Trust It Under Pressure?

The real test of a grip is whether it performs consistently.

• Pressure swings: Does it hold up in the rain, heat, or late in the round?

• Touch shots: Does it allow the feel you need on chips and putts?

• Durability: Will it keep its tackiness over time?

👉 Tip: Try hitting both full swings and short shots. The best grip gives you control and touch, not just distance.

The SAVE Standard

If a grip checks all four boxes—Speed, Alignment, Visualization, Execution—it’s the right choice. Anything less, and you’re leaving strokes on the course.

✅ Bottom Line: Don’t just buy what’s popular. Test grips through the SAVE lens and choose the one that frees your swing, squares your clubface, builds confidence, and holds up when it matters most.