This is a slight change of pace from the recaps of the tour events that I have been writing about. While each week provides something fun and unexpected, even if it is not at the top of the leaderboard, there is an aspect of golf that affects us all: the gear and equipment that we use. It’s something that I love to follow, whether it is the new stuff out on tour or what the average Joe plays. It is something I enjoy a lot and am much more knowledgeable about.

There are so many layers to the clubs and equipment that we play, and each is like a personality trait that we each have. No two golfers are the same, as much as we might think we are. That is why getting fit for golf clubs is so important. I have seen a lot of people play irons straight off the shelf or bought used, which I am all for since the used club market is flooded with good stuff. Still, knowing what you need and the specifications that fit you will make the world of difference.

I’ve seen plenty of players make great swings with solid contact, but the ball ends up doing something unexpected. A lot of times, they’re relying on mishits that happen to go straight instead of trusting a good swing that doesn’t deliver the result they want. It can be tough to say “good shot” when it’s a complete mishit that ends up in a good spot, or on the flip side when a great swing sends the ball thirty yards offline.

What many golfers don’t realize is that there are roughly fourteen different variables in a golf club. Not all of them have a huge impact, but when they’re all properly fit to your swing, the difference is night and day. A well-fit club gives you the chance to make a good swing and see the ball do what you intended.

I do believe that a lot of people can be shy about getting fit for golf clubs because of how expensive it can be. Golf in general has a very expensive stigma around it, but there are ways and people to help any golfer of any skill level learn the proper setup. Trust me, it will make the world of difference and make golf so much more enjoyable.

Knowing some of the basics when it comes to club fitting can help just about every golfer. As technology improves, some old-school methods have been debunked, and we’re now seeing more advanced and personalized fittings than ever.

One part of the club that’s simple but often misunderstood is the grip. A lot of people are told grip size should be based only on hand size. While that’s part of it, it’s not the full picture. A larger grip can indeed make it harder to turn your hands over, but for some players, that’s a good thing. A bigger grip can help you use your hands better and even create more power by quieting down extra movement.

Another thing that gets talked about is grip pressure. You’ve probably heard you should hold the club as lightly as possible without losing control. That’s not wrong, but it also doesn’t tell the whole story. Most pros do grip the club lighter than they could, but their grip strength is far above average—what feels light to them would be a firm grip for most amateurs. Plus, your grip pressure changes during the swing, especially during the transition at the top when your hands naturally tighten.

So how do you know what grip is right for you?

It comes down to comfort and fit. You want a grip that fills out your hands without making you squeeze too hard. Some players like the feel of a thicker grip because it creates more contact and stability. Others prefer something smaller so they can stay more relaxed and feel the club more. The only thing I try to avoid in fittings is when someone’s fingers wrap too far around and touch or overlap the palm. That’s a sign the grip is too small.

Something a lot of people don’t think about is how grip size and style affect the overall weight and feel of the club. For example, if you switch from a standard Golf Pride Tour Velvet to a midsize MultiCompound, you’re adding about 10 grams to the top end of the club. That can lower the swing weight by about two points, which makes the club head feel lighter, even if nothing else changes.

Swing weight is a whole topic on its own, but we can start with the grip. It’s the most changed component in golf, but also one of the most overlooked. Finding the right grip doesn’t just help with feel and comfort, it can actually improve how your entire club performs.