“Let’s just save some time and put new tape on top of the old stuff”. I know this thought has crossed my mind about every time I’ve regripped a club. Do I really want to mess with the hassle of removing the old grip tape or can I just put new tape over it?
I wanted a definitive answer so I asked a clubmaker about it once and he said it depends on what you want. He said you won’t have issues with grips twisting and moving. The grip will be slightly thicker and will be firmer with less shock absorption.
Our list of top golf grips list several grips that have no issues with extra tape and golfers will not notice. Other grips have difficulty sliding on the shaft with that extra thickness of tape. 2 layers of grip tape could be off-putting for those who like to feel the grip in their hands at impact and/or have active hands in their swing. You could just reuse the grip tape, but is a bad idea because the new grip may not adhere correctly to the old tape and the grip will move during your swing.
PUTTING NEW GOLF GRIP TAPE OVER OLD TAPE
The main reason why someone would put new golf grip tape over old tape is to get a slightly thicker grip. This will help quiet the hands during the swing. However, it makes the grip feel firmer and less shock absorbing by stretching the rubber out.
If you are experimenting and want to try a different grip size, I would advise just changing one of your grips and adding a second layer of grip tape. Bring it out to the range and see how it feels. Some golfers swear by an “in between” thickness and regularly play with 2-3 layers of golf grip tape.
If you suffer from the occasional hook, your hands may be overactive through impact. Many golfers prefer to build up the lower part of the grip to get rid of the natural taper most golf grips have. This helps prevent early release of the bottom hand leading to more accurate shots.
If you are not picky about your grip thickness, it is real nice to not have to spend 15-30 minutes peeling off old grip tape. You also don’t have to worry about the nasty chemicals in glue removers or golf grip solvent. Luckily, there are a few non-toxic grip solvent alternatives and ways to remove chemical stains if you happen to spill on your clothes. It’s less of an issue with steel shafts, but you also don’t have to worry about damaging the shaft with a blade when removing the tape.
If damaging the shaft with a blade is a big concern, use a heat gun or propane torch to quickly remove golf grip tape. You will want to heat the tape up until it is warm to the touch, at which point it should peel off pretty easily. Also remember to heat graphite shafts up at a lower temperature than steel.
final thoughts:
I’ve personally never done it, but many experienced amateur golfers with years of golf club repair swear there is nothing wrong with new grip tape over the old tape. If you are looking at adding some thickness to your grips or bought a set of clubs and want slightly thicker grips, add a layer or 2 of grip tape and let me know what you think!
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