Why I’m Obsessed with Grip Length
by Jeff Walk, Garsen Workshop
I spend a lot of time thinking about putters: head shapes, face milling, inserts, and alignment lines. I listen to podcasts, I read the forums, and yeah, I even dream about them. I’m obsessed—and I’m okay with it. But my obsession isn't just about gear; it’s about performance. I’ve realized that if I get on the green in regulation, regardless of where I am on the surface, I should be able to two-putt and get down for at least par. To make that a reality, I realized my putting needs to be as consistent as humanly possible.
About two seasons ago, fueled by a rather sarcastic comment from a playing partner, I decided to commit to switching my grip from a conventional interlocking style to going left-hand low. I noticed I wasn't consistent with my start lines, and a majority of that had to do with my setup. After switching to cross-handed, I was finally able to square my shoulders and keep them level to the plane. The biggest hurdle for me was the pace and speed, and although that has gotten pretty solid, I’ll save that for another article down the road.
The immediate problem I faced when changing my grip style was I felt as if I was literally running out of room on the grip in my left hand. It felt like I was basically gripping down to the shaft. That’s when I decided that an extended grip was the solution. I’ve seen extended grips gain popularity among golfers looking for more flexibility in their setup, especially recently when I am fitting players for new clubs.
In all honesty, I see a lot of putter grip companies often change the cosmetics of a grip by releasing new graphics or movie themes on the same old rubber underneath. At Garsen, we are more innovative and forward-thinking. With additional length comes something we like to call flowbalance. This is the ability to move your hands up or down the grip without dramatically changing how the putter feels or performs. Instead of locking golfers into one fixed hand position, extended grips allow players to experiment with setup, posture, and feel depending on the putter or stroke they prefer. For golfers who enjoy experimenting with their equipment, that freedom can make a noticeable difference.
Our newest addition to the extended grip lineup is the QUAD Tour Pistol PRO 15 NTS. It was designed to provide golfers with a smaller, sleeker, and lighter option in the extended grip category. While the original QUAD Tour 15 features a 1.2-inch diameter, the new NTS model measures 1.0 inches, giving golfers a more refined feel in the hands while maintaining the versatility of a 15-inch grip.
The QUAD Tour Pistol PRO 15 NTS has several key features of note: its weight, its advantages for blade putters, and its comfort. Most grips that are 15 inches weigh over 100 grams. At just 62 grams, it is the lightest 15-inch putter grip on the market. An advantage of being so lightweight is that it doesn’t influence the putter's original composition or swing weight, so the head never feels too light. Since the weight of the grip is so minimal, it enables players to change things up by adding weight at different spots—whether that’s lead tape on the head or a weight in the end of the grip—to truly find their own flow balance.
One of the most interesting aspects comes in its ability to be used on blade-style putters. Since balance is such an important factor on the lighter weighted head of a blade, players don’t want a grip that is excessively heavy and throws off the feel. The NTS design finally gives blade players a legitimate option for an extended style grip.
Every golfer has a unique putting style—left-hand low, claw, saw, or conventional—and each one requires a grip that supports feel, control, and consistency. Instead of focusing on cosmetic updates, we’ve built our reputation around rethinking how a putter grip should function: how it sits in the hands, how it influences face control, and how it helps golfers create a more repeatable stroke. The QUAD Tour Pistol PRO 15 NTS offers that comfort along with a design that allows you to experiment and adjust to fit your specific style. Give it a try—maybe you’ll be obsessed, too.