SwitchGrips Review: Counterbalanced Golf Grips With 20 g Weights, What Counterweighting Can Do and the 'Risk-Free' Refund You Cannot Use Once Opened

Our verdict

Worth considering if you already regrip your clubs and want to experiment with counterbalancing, but not as a no-risk trial. SwitchGrips are patented grips with removable 20 g aluminium weights in the butt end, endorsed by Ernie Els and sold in kits from $99.99 for four clubs. Counterweighting is a genuine technique. But the page's lab results are described without data, fitting means cutting off your old grips, and the refund only covers unopened packages. SwitchGrips scores 4.6 out of 10, held back by that refund and unpublished evidence.

The short version

• What it is: golf grips with a removable aluminium counterweight in the butt end.
• Price: $99.99 for 4 grips, $199.99 for 8 and $299.99 for 12 on 4 October 2026, with free shipping.
• Best trait: an easy way to counterbalance clubs, with weights you can remove.
• Biggest drawback: you cannot get a refund once you open the package to try them.
• Our score: 4.6 out of 10.

Pros & cons

The pros come from the counterweighting idea and the brand's track record. The cons are about evidence, cost and the return terms.

How it works

Every golf club has a balance point along its shaft. Adding weight under the hands, called counterweighting or counterbalancing, moves that point towards the grip. The club's total weight goes up, but the head feels lighter during the swing. SwitchGrips do this with a grip that has a threaded socket in the butt end and an aluminium weight that screws in.

The photos show a black corded grip with a diamond texture and a blue anodised weight marked 20 g. The page says the weights are precision-machined from aerospace-grade aluminium and can be removed and reused. The kits come with a fitting tool.

1. 01

   Remove the old grip

   Step 1: Cut off your club's existing grip and remove the old grip tape, as you would for any regrip.

2. 02

   Fit the SwitchGrip

   Step 2: Apply grip tape and solvent, slide the new grip on with the tool in the kit, and screw the aluminium weight into the butt end.

3. 03

   Swing with a new balance point

   Step 3: The added weight under your hands moves the club's balance point towards the grip, which the brand says makes the head feel lighter and steadier through the swing.

Why counterweighting changes feel

Golfers judge clubs partly by swing weight, a measure of how heavy the head feels relative to the grip. Adding weight at the grip lowers the swing weight reading, so the head feels lighter, even though the club is heavier overall. Some golfers find this smooths their tempo and helps them control the clubface. Others find the club loses feel.

Swing weight explained

Swing weight is measured on a special scale and expressed with letters and numbers, such as D2. Each point roughly equals two grams at the head. Adding weight at the grip lowers the reading. A club that drops from D3 to C8, for example, feels noticeably lighter at the head, even though it weighs more overall.

Why some golfers dislike it

Some players rely on feeling the clubhead to time their swing. If the head feels too light, they lose that feedback and may swing out of sequence. That is why counterweighting is usually tried and tested rather than applied to everyone.

Total weight matters too

Adding 20 grams to each club makes the whole set slightly heavier to carry and swing. Most golfers will not notice in a round, but players who walk and carry, or who tire late in rounds, may feel a small difference.

Rate of closure

The page explains its claims through "rate of closure", how fast the clubface rotates as it approaches the ball. A face closing too fast tends to hook the ball; too slowly, it tends to slice. SwitchGrips says the extra weight steadies the club so the face closes more consistently. That is plausible for some swings, but no test data is published.

Grip size and feel

Grip size affects how easily your hands release the club. Grips that are too thin can encourage a hook; too thick, a slice. The page mentions midsize grips in a customer review but does not list sizes on the offer cards. Ask before ordering if you need standard, midsize or jumbo.

A long history

Counterweighting is not new. The page says tour players have done it since the 1930s, and many putters and some drivers use counterbalanced designs. SwitchGrips' contribution is making the weight removable and easy to fit with a grip.

What 20 grams does

A typical driver weighs around 300 grams or more, and the grip end sits far from the head. Twenty grams under the hands is a modest change in total weight but a noticeable change in balance, because it acts at the opposite end from the head. Fitters often use lead tape and grip weights in this range to fine-tune feel.

The grip itself

The photos show a corded, diamond-textured surface, the kind of grip many players use for traction in wet weather or with sweaty hands. The page says the cord and texture hold when moisture hits, so you can grip lightly. Cord grips feel firmer than soft rubber, which some golfers prefer and others find harsh.

Weights in the putter world

Counterbalanced putters with heavier grips and butt weights became popular because they steady the stroke. SwitchGrips started in that space and expanded to full-swing grips, according to golf media. The same principle, extra mass near the hands, is behind both.

Who invented it

Golf industry coverage credits SwitchGrips' founder, Eddie Rogacki, with launching the grips and winning best new product at the 2015 PGA Show. The brand has since added putter grips with adjustable weights, according to that coverage.

Who it's for

SwitchGrips suit golfers who already regrip their clubs or have a club fitter do it, who feel their clubs are head-heavy or struggle with a rushed tempo, and who enjoy experimenting with equipment. They suit golfers who want to try something with a money-back promise less well, since opened kits are not refundable, and players expecting large distance gains from grips alone.

• Golfers who already regrip their clubs and want to try counterbalancing
• Players who feel their clubs are head-heavy or struggle with tempo
• Golfers who like to tinker with equipment

Why SwitchGrips appeal

Golfers spend a lot chasing distance and accuracy: new drivers, shafts, lessons and balls. A grip change is far cheaper than a new set of clubs, and counterweighting promises benefits without changing your swing. Endorsements from Ernie Els and Louis Oosthuizen add credibility that many golf gadgets lack.

Golfers who like data

If you have access to a launch monitor, SwitchGrips are easy to test: hit a set of shots with the weights in, then a set with them out, and compare dispersion, club speed and smash factor. Data from your own swing beats any marketing chart.

Mid-handicap golfers

Golfers who make reasonable contact but miss fairways left and right are the group most likely to notice tighter dispersion. If your misses are mostly fat and thin strikes rather than direction, grips are less likely to help.

Golfers due for new grips

Grips wear out and should be replaced every year or so for regular players. If you are regripping anyway, choosing counterweighted grips costs only the difference in price, and the work is the same.

Golfers with a fast transition

Players who rush from the top of the backswing often cast the club or swing over the top. A club that feels lighter at the head can encourage a smoother start down for some. A coach can tell you whether tempo is really your issue.

Senior golfers

Older golfers often lose swing speed and find clubs feel heavier. A lighter-feeling head can make swinging easier. One customer quoted on the page, aged 76, says he is hitting his best in ten years. Results vary, and a fitting is the best way to know.

Club golfers on a budget

Club golfers who play weekly often regrip once a year. If you are going to spend $60 to $100 on grips and fitting anyway, the extra for SwitchGrips is smaller than the headline price suggests. If your grips are fresh, the full price is a bigger ask.

Players with tempo problems

Golfers who rush from the top of the backswing sometimes find a counterweighted club smooths the transition. The page describes this as "smoother tempo". A lesson may fix the same problem more reliably.

Golfers who play in wet climates

The corded, textured surface is designed to hold in rain and morning dew. Players in wet climates often prefer cord grips for this reason, with or without the weights.

Golfers buying gifts

A grip kit is a thoughtful gift for a keen golfer, but because the refund applies only to unopened packages, check that the recipient wants counterweighted grips before you buy. Leave it unopened until they decide.

Equipment tinkerers

Because the weights screw out, you can compare with and without on the range. That suits golfers who like to experiment, as long as they accept the grips cannot be returned once opened.

High-handicap and new golfers

New golfers usually gain far more from lessons and practice than from equipment changes. Counterweighting can make a club feel easier to swing, but it will not fix basic grip, stance or swing path problems. Spend first on lessons.

Low-handicap players

Better players are often sensitive to balance changes. Some will like the stability; others will feel they have lost head feel. Experienced players usually test equipment changes on a launch monitor before committing.

Players with hand or wrist pain

Golfers with arthritis or wrist pain sometimes prefer softer, thicker grips. A firm cord grip may feel harsh. The weight itself does not change grip comfort, but the texture does.

Who should skip it

Skip SwitchGrips if you want a no-risk trial, because opened packages cannot be refunded. Skip them if you are happy with your current grips and swing weight. Skip them if you cannot regrip clubs and do not want to pay a fitter. And skip them if you are expecting big distance gains, which usually come from swing changes, fitting and shaft choice.

• Anyone who wants to try before committing, since opened kits cannot be refunded
• Golfers happy with their current grips and swing weight
• Players who cannot regrip clubs themselves and do not want to pay a club fitter
• Anyone expecting big distance gains from grips alone

Do SwitchGrips work? What the evidence says

Counterweighting can change how a club feels and may help some golfers, but SwitchGrips' own lab test is described without published data. The page says one golfer hit 100 shots with standard grips and 100 with SwitchGrips and saw more distance and tighter dispersion, and a chart shows 40% less lateral spread. We found no independent test of the grips. Results will depend on your swing.

What a fair test would look like

A convincing test would use several golfers of different abilities, hit enough shots with and without the grips in random order, measure on a launch monitor, and publish the results. That would show whether benefits hold across swings rather than for one player.

The lab test

The page describes a test with the same golfer and swing, 100 shots per grip, with the only change being the SwitchGrip. A single golfer's results may not apply to others, and the page gives no details such as launch monitor data, conditions or who ran it. The chart is a marketing graphic, not a published study.

What this means for you: treat the distance and accuracy claims as possible, not promised.

Tighter dispersion versus more distance

Dispersion is how spread out your shots land. A tighter cluster means more fairways and greens even without extra distance. The chart focuses on lateral spread, which is where a steadier clubface would help. For many golfers, accuracy gains matter more than a few extra yards.

"Guaranteed To Work"

A section heading says counterweighting is "proven in lab testing and guaranteed to work". With a refund limited to unopened packages, the guarantee does not let you test it on your own swing.

"Moment of inertia" and twisting

One graphic says the counterbalance increases moment of inertia and reduces twisting at impact. Moment of inertia mostly depends on clubhead design, especially for off-centre strikes. A grip weight changes how the whole club moves during the swing more than how the head twists at impact.

"Add distance and accuracy to any club, on demand"

Grips affect feel and control, but distance mainly comes from clubhead speed, strike quality and launch conditions. A small gain is possible if a lighter-feeling head lets you swing faster. Large gains are unlikely from grips alone.

Customer reports

Reviews quoted on the page describe a mix of results: one golfer says distance did not change but dispersion tightened, another describes more control, and an older golfer reports his best ball striking in a decade. That spread fits the idea that counterweighting helps some swings more than others.

Practice still matters

Any equipment change works best with practice. Give new grips several range sessions before deciding, and keep notes on dispersion rather than relying on memory of a few good shots.

Pro endorsements

Golf media report that Ernie Els became a SwitchGrips global brand ambassador, and Golf Channel previewed the grips when prototypes were at the Players Championship. The brand also won best new product at the 2015 PGA Show, according to its history. Paid ambassadors are common in golf and show the brand is established, not that the grips will help every player.

Why pros use counterweighting

Some tour players and fitters use counterweights to match swing weights across a set or to suit a player's tempo. That shows counterweighting has a place, but it is applied to individuals after testing, not as a universal upgrade.

What the endorsers say

The page lists instructors as well as players, including Hall of Fame instructor Bob Toski. Instructors who promote counterweighting usually do so as a tool for some students, not a fix for everyone. That matches what we would expect from a technique that depends on the swing.

Tournament legality

The page says SwitchGrips are USGA and R&A approved. Weighted grips are permitted under the Rules of Golf if they meet equipment standards. We could not find a specific listing to confirm the claim. Do not adjust weights during a round, since changing a club's playing characteristics mid-round is against the rules.

How much do SwitchGrips cost, and can you return them?

On 4 October 2026, the Distance Kit with 4 grips and 4 weights cost $99.99, the Precision Kit with 8 cost $199.99 and the Tour Kit with 12 cost $299.99, all with free shipping. That is about $25 per grip. The return policy says the 30-day money-back guarantee applies only if the package is not opened, and you pay return shipping, which rules out a real trial.

• 

  Fitting a SwitchGrip with the included tool

• 

  The four-grip Distance Kit

Comparing per club

At about $25 per club, a twelve-club regrip costs $300 before fitting. A standard twelve-club regrip with mid-range grips often costs well under half that, including fitting at many shops. You are paying a premium for the weights and brand.

SwitchGrips kits

The "retail" prices shown are $169.95, $339.90 and $509.85. Every kit costs the same per grip, so buying more does not save money.

Is the full Tour Kit worth it?

At $299.99, the Tour Kit regrips the whole bag. Because the price per grip does not fall with larger kits, there is no saving in going bigger. Starting with four grips lets you judge the effect before spending more.

The return policy

The policy reads, in short: a 30-day money-back guarantee as long as the package is not opened, with return shipping paid by you. The page elsewhere says "try SwitchGrips risk-free" and "if you don't love it, we'll fix it". You cannot install a grip without opening the package, so a refund after trying them is not offered under that policy.

What to do: ask support before ordering whether opened, unused grips or a single fitted grip can be returned. Get the answer in writing.

What you get in each kit

According to the page, each kit includes grips, matching weights and a fitting tool. The Distance Kit covers four long clubs, the Precision Kit adds irons, and the Tour Kit covers twelve clubs, enough for most bags apart from the putter.

No savings for larger kits

Each kit costs about $25 per grip, so the "most popular" and "best deal" labels do not mean a lower unit price. Choose the kit by how many clubs you want to change, not by the labels.

Fitting costs

Fitting new grips needs grip tape, solvent and a blade, plus the included tool. Club fitters and golf shops usually charge a small fee per club. Cutting off old grips cannot be undone, so you are committing to the change.

Regripping costs if you change your mind

If you try SwitchGrips and dislike them, going back means paying for new standard grips and fitting again, on top of the kit price. That makes the non-refundable policy more costly than it first appears.

Compared with standard grips

Standard grips from major brands often cost around $10 to $15 each. Add-on counterweights and counterbalanced grips from other makers also exist. SwitchGrips' price reflects the removable weight system and the brand.

Shipping and timing

All kits ship free, according to the page. If you are buying before a golf trip, allow time for delivery and for fitting and testing the grips before you go.

Who sells it

The terms list a contact address at flightpathgolf.com, linking SwitchGrips to FlightPath Golf, the maker of the FlightPath tee. Our FlightPath review covers that tee and its testing.

Are SwitchGrips better than standard grips or a club fitting?

For golfers who want to counterbalance, SwitchGrips are a convenient option; for most others, a fitting or lesson does more. Standard grips cost far less and are refundable before fitting at most shops. A club fitting checks swing weight, shaft and lie for your swing. SwitchGrips' strength is removable, reusable weights that let you experiment, if you accept the return terms.

SwitchGrips vs standard grips

If you like your clubs' feel, standard grips at a lower price are the sensible choice. SwitchGrips make sense only if you specifically want counterbalancing.

SwitchGrips vs simply swinging lighter clubs

Lighter shafts and heads reduce the actual weight you swing, which can increase speed for slower swingers. Counterweighting makes clubs feel lighter without changing the head. For seniors losing speed, a fitting for lighter shafts may help more.

SwitchGrips vs a club fitting

A fitter measures your swing and can adjust swing weight with lead tape, shafts or grips. That tailors the change to you. It costs more upfront but avoids guesswork.

SwitchGrips vs grip trainers

Training grips with moulded hand positions teach a correct hold. They address a different problem: how you hold the club rather than its balance. Many golfers would benefit more from a correct grip than from a weighted one.

SwitchGrips vs a lesson

Tempo and face control issues are often fixed faster with a lesson than with equipment. A good coach can tell you whether counterweighting suits your swing.

Choosing by goal

If your goal is more distance, a driver fitting and lessons usually give the biggest gains. If it is fewer wild shots, a lesson on face control helps most. If you simply want your clubs to feel more stable and you like experimenting, SwitchGrips are a reasonable thing to try.

Other golf products we have reviewed

Our FlightPath review covers a tee designed to reduce friction, from the same company. For golfers who track their rounds or fitness, our T-Watch review and ActiV8 review look at two budget smartwatches.

SwitchGrips vs lead tape

Lead tape applied under the grip or on the shaft near the hands is the traditional, very cheap way to counterweight. It needs a regrip to add weight under the grip, and it is permanent until removed. SwitchGrips' screw-in weights are tidier and removable.

SwitchGrips vs counterbalanced putters

Many golfers first meet counterbalancing in putters, where heavier grips and weights in the butt help stabilise the stroke. If you like that feel on the green, you may be more likely to like it in full-swing clubs.

SwitchGrips vs adjustable driver weights

Many modern drivers have adjustable head weights that change spin, launch and shot shape. Those adjust the head, while SwitchGrips adjust the grip end. If your driver already has adjustable weights, try fitting those first.

When something else wins

Choose standard grips for value, a fitting for a tailored setup and lessons for swing faults. Choose SwitchGrips if you want to try counterbalancing and are willing to commit without a refund.

Are SwitchGrips legit, and what should you check before buying?

Yes. SwitchGrips is an established golf grip brand with a US patent, a PGA Show award and tour-pro ambassadors. The checks are about commitment: opened kits are not refundable under the written policy, fitting means cutting off your old grips, and the lab claims are not published. If those are acceptable, the grips are a reasonable way to try counterweighting.

Check the refund wording carefully

The page says "try SwitchGrips risk-free" and "if you don't love it, we'll fix it", while the written policy limits refunds to unopened packages. If in doubt, rely on the written policy, and ask support to confirm any exceptions by email.

Ask about returns before buying

What to do: email support to ask whether opened but unfitted grips can be returned, and whether a single grip can be tried. The terms list contact@flightpathgolf.com.

Ask whether tape and solvent are included

What to do: check whether the kit includes grip tape and solvent, or only the tool. You will need both to fit the grips.

Ask about the weights

What to do: ask whether lighter or heavier weights are available than the 20 g shown. Being able to try a range of weights makes experimenting more useful.

Check your grip size

The page mentions midsize grips in a customer review. Grip size affects feel and control. Ask which sizes are available, and whether the weight changes the grip's effective size.

Check the patent claim

The page cites US utility patent 9174104 and warns against imitators. A patent protects the specific design. Other brands sell counterweight systems with their own designs, so "the only" claims should be read as "the only one with this patent".

Start with the long clubs

The Distance Kit covers driver, woods and hybrid, where counterweighting is said to matter most for speed. Try those before committing the whole bag.

Measure before and after

What to do: if a shop can measure your clubs' swing weight before and after, ask for it. Knowing the change helps you understand how the clubs will feel.

Fitting

If you have never regripped a club, consider a golf shop fitting the first set. Poorly fitted grips can twist or sit crooked.

Check your club shafts

What to do: graphite shafts need extra care when old grips are removed. If your clubs have graphite shafts, consider a golf shop fitting the first set.

Think about the whole bag

Changing grips on some clubs and not others makes the bag feel inconsistent. If you like the effect on your long clubs, plan to match the irons too, which adds cost.

How to buy SwitchGrips the smart way

1. Ask support about returns for opened packages before ordering.
2. Open the SwitchGrips order page (opens SwitchGrips (FlightPath Golf) in a new tab) and start with the Distance Kit.
3. Confirm grip size and whether fitting supplies are included.
4. Fit them yourself or at a golf shop, and test on the range with and without weights.
5. Add the iron kit only if the long clubs improve.

How did we score SwitchGrips?

SwitchGrips scores 4.6 out of 10: claim accuracy 0.8, build durability 1.3, price competitiveness 0.9, usability 1.0 and owner satisfaction 0.6, each out of 2. The grips are well made, patented and backed by a real brand and a real technique. Points come off for unpublished lab claims, "guaranteed to work" alongside an unopened-only refund, the cost per grip, the regripping work, and no independent ratings we could check.

What owners say

Reviews on the page describe more control and tighter dispersion, one owner says distance did not change but dispersion improved, and a 76-year-old golfer reports his best ball striking in years. We found no independent rating source. Reviews collected by the seller are not counted in our score.

How the score breaks down

We use the five criteria on our how we test page, each out of 2.

What we did, and did not, do

Nobody on our team has used SwitchGrips. We read the offer page and return policy on 4 October 2026 and golf media coverage of the brand. Our sports and fitness hub lists the other sports products we have reviewed.

How to use SwitchGrips for the best results

Fit SwitchGrips to your driver, woods and hybrid first, hit balls on the range with the weights in and out, and keep the setup that gives you better contact and dispersion. Use fresh grip tape and solvent, let the grips set before playing, and never change weights during a competitive round. Clean the grips regularly so the texture keeps its traction.

1. Start with long clubs. Driver, woods and hybrid.
2. Remove old grips carefully. Cut away from the shaft, especially on graphite.
3. Use fresh tape and solvent. Follow the leaflet.
4. Align the grip. Check the logo or reminder is straight.
5. Let it set. Usually several hours before hitting.
6. Test with and without weights. On the range or a launch monitor.
7. Keep what works. Fit the irons only if you see a benefit.

Working with a golf shop

Many golf shops will fit grips you bring in for a small fee per club. Ask in advance, since some prefer to fit grips they sell. A shop can also check that the weight sits flush and that alignment is consistent across the set.

What you need for fitting

Fitting any grip needs double-sided grip tape, grip solvent, a hook blade or utility knife, and somewhere to hold the club, such as a vice with a rubber shaft clamp. The kit includes a fitting tool; check whether tape and solvent are included.

How long fitting takes

The page says two minutes. For experienced fitters, a single grip can be fast. For a first-timer removing old grips and tape, allow 15 to 20 minutes per club at first, plus drying time.

Protecting graphite shafts

When cutting off old grips, cut away from the shaft with a hook blade. Scoring a graphite shaft can weaken it.

Testing fairly

Hit the same number of balls with and without weights, ideally on a launch monitor. Look at dispersion and strike, not just your best shot.

Keeping records

Write down which clubs have weights and how each felt on the range. After a few weeks, those notes make it easier to decide whether to keep the setup or take the weights out.

Alignment

Most grips have a logo or seam you can line up with the clubface. Decide whether you want the logo up or down, and fit all clubs the same way so your hands find the same position every time.

Bedding in

New grips can feel slick or tacky for the first few rounds. Give them time before judging feel, and keep the weights in for at least a few range sessions so you adjust to the new balance.

Cleaning the grips

Wipe grips with warm soapy water and a soft brush, rinse and towel dry. Clean grips hold better, especially in rain.

Storing clubs

Keep clubs out of hot cars for long periods, since heat can soften grip rubber and solvent bonds. Store them upright in a bag in a cool, dry place.

Re-gripping in future

When the grips wear out, you can fit new SwitchGrips and reuse the weights, or fit standard grips. Keep the weights and tool in a safe place for next time.

Checking the weights

Make sure weights are screwed in firmly before each round. A loose weight could rattle or fall out.

Changing weights between rounds

Weights can be removed or swapped between rounds to compare feel. During a stipulated round in a competition, keep the configuration unchanged. Note which clubs have weights so your bag stays consistent.

Other questions about counterweighted grips

Do weighted grips change swing weight? Yes; they make the head feel lighter.

Can I use them on putters? SwitchGrips also makes putter grips; this offer covers full-swing grips.

Will they help a slice? Possibly, if face rotation is the cause, but a lesson is more reliable.

How long do grips last? Regular golfers often replace grips about once a year.

More questions about SwitchGrips

Can I buy weights separately? The offer page sells grips and weights together in kits. Ask support about spare or different weights.

Do they suit left-handed golfers? Grips are generally round and suit either hand, though some have alignment ribs. Ask support if you need a specific profile.

Will they fit junior clubs? Junior shafts are often thinner. Check grip core sizes with support before fitting.

Can I move the grips between clubs? No. Once fitted with tape and solvent, a grip stays on that club. The weights can be moved.

Frequently asked questions