Hand most PGA Tour players Bryson DeChambeau’s 7-iron and the first thing they notice isn’t the shaft, the loft, or the strange single-length build. It’s the handle. It feels like holding a rolled-up beach towel. So if you have ever wondered what grips does Bryson DeChambeau use, the short version is simple: he plays some of the largest legal golf grips available, and he plays them on every single club in his bag. While most tour pros build up a standard grip with an extra wrap or two of tape, Bryson went in a completely different direction.
That choice isn’t a gimmick or a sponsorship stunt. It ties directly into his one-length irons, his single-plane swing theory, and his obsession with removing variables from the golf swing. In this guide, you’ll learn exactly which grip model and size he plays, how much those grips weigh, why oversized handles change the way your hands and wrists work, what he uses on his putter, how jumbo grips compare to midsize and standard options, the mistakes amateurs make when they copy him, and how to test the setup yourself without wrecking your swing weight or your wallet.
The Short Answer: JumboMax UltraLite XL Grips From Driver to Wedge
Bryson DeChambeau plays JumboMax JMX UltraLite grips in the XL size on every club in his bag except the putter, and he uses that same oversized, non-tapered profile all the way from driver through lob wedge. He has used JumboMax grips since his early days as a professional, and he became so committed to the brand that he took on an ambassador and equity role with the company rather than simply signing a paid endorsement.
Two details matter more than the brand name. First, the size: XL sits near the top of JumboMax’s lineup, well beyond what most golfers know as “oversize.” Second, the profile: JumboMax grips are essentially non-tapered, meaning the handle stays close to the same thickness from the butt end down to the bottom of the grip. A standard golf grip is noticeably fatter at the top and thinner near the shaft, which forces your lower hand into a smaller diameter than your upper hand.
Bryson wanted both hands sitting on the same size handle so they would apply the same pressure and work as one unit. Combine that with a diameter far bigger than normal, and you get a handle that dramatically reduces how much the hands and wrists can flip, roll, or manipulate the clubface through impact. That’s the entire point.
He also keeps the setup identical across the bag. Same model, same size, same install method on the driver as on the pitching wedge. When your irons are all the same length and lie, and your swing is built around one repeating motion, a matching handle on every club removes one more thing your brain has to adjust for.
Inside the JumboMax Lineup: Sizes, Weights, and Feel
JumboMax builds several families of grips, and the differences confuse a lot of people who go shopping after watching Bryson play. The original Tour Series grips were relatively heavy. The UltraLite series (often sold as JMX UltraLite) solved that problem by delivering the same oversized dimensions at a much lower weight. Bryson plays the UltraLite version, and that’s a critical detail if you plan to copy him.
The Size Ladder
JumboMax sizes run roughly from Small through XXL, and even their “small” is bigger than a traditional oversize grip from mainstream brands. Here is a general comparison to help you picture the jump. Treat the numbers as close approximations, since manufacturers update specs and installation adds a little diameter.
| Grip Size | Approx. Weight | How It Feels vs. Standard | Best Suited For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard tour grip (rubber) | 50 to 52 grams | Baseline, tapered | Most golfers |
| JumboMax UltraLite Small | Around 45 grams | Similar to a built-up midsize | Smaller hands, first-timers |
| JumboMax UltraLite Medium | Around 50 grams | Clearly oversize, non-tapered | Average hands testing jumbo |
| JumboMax UltraLite Large | Around 58 grams | Noticeably thick | Larger hands, joint pain relief |
| JumboMax UltraLite XL (Bryson’s size) | Around 68 grams | Dramatically thicker, wrists quiet down | Big hands, quiet-hand swings |
| JumboMax UltraLite XXL | Around 78 grams | Maximum size offered | Extra-large hands, arthritis |
The weight column deserves attention. Adding roughly four to five grams of grip weight lowers a club’s swing weight by about one point. If Bryson had stuck with the original heavier jumbo grips across a full set, his clubs would feel dramatically lighter in the head. The UltraLite line keeps the extra weight modest so the club still feels balanced.
Feel-wise, JumboMax uses a soft rubber compound with a tacky surface. Players who switch usually report two things immediately: their hands relax, and their forearms stop burning after a long range session. Golfers with arthritis, trigger finger, or grip strength issues often describe the change as the single biggest comfort upgrade they’ve made to their clubs.
Why Oversized Grips Fit Bryson’s Swing Theory
Bryson built his entire game around a book called The Golfing Machine and the idea that a golf swing should behave like a repeatable machine. Machines don’t rely on timing. Human hands do. Every time your wrists hinge, roll, and release, you add a variable that has to be timed perfectly. A fatter handle reduces how much your fingers can wrap around the grip, which limits how aggressively your hands can rotate the club.
Think of it this way. Hold a pencil and you can spin it in a dozen directions with your fingers alone. Hold a soda can and your whole forearm has to move to turn it. That’s the difference between a standard grip and a jumbo grip. Bryson wanted his hands to act more like a clamp and less like a hinge, letting his body rotation control the clubface.
There is also a pressure benefit. When a handle is too thin, most golfers squeeze harder to feel in control. That tension travels up the arms and into the shoulders, which slows down the swing and kills sequencing. A larger handle fills the palm and reduces the urge to strangle the club. Softer hands usually mean smoother tempo and better clubhead speed, which sounds backwards until you try it.
Where the Speed Comes In
Bryson’s numbers make the case worth studying. He has averaged driver clubhead speeds in the 130 mph range on tour, pushed past 190 mph ball speed in long drive competition, and won two U.S. Open titles on courses that punish sloppy ball striking. Producing that kind of force while keeping a clubface square requires a stable connection between the hands and the club. His grips are a huge part of that stability equation.
Here’s a practical example. Imagine a mid-handicapper who fights a hook. Their trail hand overpowers the lead hand and flips the face closed through impact. Switching to a thicker, non-tapered handle takes away some of that flipping motion, and many players see their misses tighten within a few range sessions. That’s the same principle Bryson applies, just at a much more extreme level.
How His Grips Connect to One-Length Irons
You can’t fully understand Bryson’s grips without understanding his irons. He plays single-length irons, meaning his 4-iron and his pitching wedge are built to the same length, roughly the length of a standard 7-iron, with matched lie angles and matched swing weights. The whole idea is that one setup and one swing should work for every club.
Matching grips complete that puzzle. If his handles changed size or taper from club to club, his hands would sit slightly differently on each one, and that defeats the entire concept. So the grip becomes part of the system rather than an accessory.
- Same length: every iron built near 37.5 inches, so posture never changes
- Same lie angle: the sole sits identically at address across the set
- Same grip model and size: hand position and pressure stay constant
- Same swing weight target: each club feels the same in motion
- Same shaft profile: loading and unloading feel consistent
He carries this consistency into the driver and fairway woods too. Even though those clubs are longer, the handle feels identical in his hands. A lot of golfers underestimate how much the brain relies on hand feedback. When the handle is familiar, your body stops making small unconscious corrections between clubs.
This is also why simply slapping jumbo grips on your existing set can feel strange at first. Your clubs weren’t designed around them. Bryson’s were.
Bryson’s Putter Grip and Armlock Setup
The putter is the one exception in his bag, and it has changed more than any other club over the years. Bryson has spent his career experimenting with putting methods, and the grip choice followed each experiment.
He famously tested a side-saddle putting style, using an extra-long putter and facing the hole with a straight-line stroke. That setup required a long, specialized handle that let him place his hands high on the shaft. He eventually moved on from side saddle but kept chasing the same goal: eliminating wrist action from the stroke.
More recently, he has leaned on armlock putting, which uses a putter with an extended, straight-profile grip that presses against the lead forearm. The forearm and shaft lock together, so the wrists can’t break down through impact. It’s the same philosophy as his full-swing grips, just applied to a two-foot stroke.
- Longer grip: armlock grips run much longer than standard so they can rest along the forearm.
- Straight, non-tapered profile: keeps consistent contact with the arm.
- Firmer feel: less cushion means better feedback on strike quality.
- Forward shaft lean built in: armlock putters use stronger loft to match the leaning shaft.
One rules note that surprises people: putter grips are allowed to have a non-circular cross-section, which is why flat-front and armlock designs are legal. Every other club in the bag must have a grip that’s circular in cross-section, which is exactly why Bryson’s full-swing grips are round even though they’re huge.
Jumbo, Oversize, Midsize, and Standard: How They Stack Up
Most golfers never think past “standard” or “midsize,” but grip sizing is a full spectrum. Understanding where JumboMax XL sits helps you decide how far you actually want to go.
| Category | Typical Diameter Change | Hand Action | Common Users |
|---|---|---|---|
| Undersize | About 1/64 inch smaller | Most wrist release | Small hands, juniors |
| Standard | Baseline | Normal release | Majority of golfers |
| Midsize | About 1/16 inch larger | Slightly quieter hands | Golfers fighting hooks |
| Oversize / Jumbo (mainstream brands) | About 1/8 inch larger | Noticeably reduced flip | Larger hands, joint pain |
| JumboMax XL | Far beyond typical oversize | Minimal wrist manipulation | Bryson, quiet-hand players |
If you want to test the concept without going straight to XL, several mainstream alternatives get you partway there:
- Golf Pride Tour Wrap Jumbo for a classic wrap feel in a larger diameter
- SuperStroke S-Tech or Traxion oversize for a tacky, low-taper option
- Winn Dri-Tac Oversize or Jumbo for maximum cushioning and arthritis relief
- Lamkin Sonar Plus Jumbo for a firmer, more responsive oversize handle
- Karma or Avon jumbo grips for budget testing before committing
You can also build up a standard grip with extra tape wraps, though that method only adds size at the butt and makes the taper worse, not better. If your goal is to mimic Bryson’s non-tapered feel, buying a purpose-built grip beats stacking tape every time.
Common Mistakes and Misconceptions About Copying Bryson
Plenty of amateurs order a full set of jumbo grips after watching a highlight reel, then hate the result within two rounds. Almost always, the problem isn’t the grip itself. It’s the way they made the switch.
- Jumping straight to XL: Bryson has large hands and a swing built around this size. Most golfers do better starting at Medium or Large and moving up if they like the feel.
- Ignoring swing weight: heavier grips make heads feel light. If your clubs suddenly feel dead, add lead tape to the head or check the weight spec of the grip you bought.
- Buying the wrong series: the heavier Tour Series feels very different from the UltraLite line Bryson plays.
- Expecting instant distance: grips don’t add speed by themselves. They improve control and comfort, which can lead to speed over time.
- Installing them like a normal grip: oversized grips often need more tape and more solvent, and they resist sliding on. Sloppy installs leave twisted or short-seated grips.
- Assuming they cure a slice: bigger grips generally reduce face rotation, which can make a slice worse, not better, for a player who already fails to release the club.
That last point deserves extra attention. A thicker handle tends to quiet hand action. If you hook the ball because your hands are too active, jumbo grips can help a lot. If you slice because your face stays open and your hands never release, going too big might lock you into the same miss. Match the tool to the problem.
Another myth worth killing: oversized grips are not illegal, and they don’t require any special waiver. The rules limit grip diameter to 1.75 inches, and every jumbo grip on the retail market sits comfortably under that ceiling. Bryson plays them in majors for a reason.
How to Test Oversized Grips Yourself
You don’t need to re-grip 14 clubs to find out whether this approach fits you. A smart, low-cost test takes about an hour and one club.
- Start with a 7-iron or 8-iron. These are the easiest clubs to judge because you hit them often and know your normal ball flight.
- Pick one size up from what you feel is right. Most golfers who already play midsize should test Large. Golfers with big hands can jump to XL.
- Choose the lightweight version. An UltraLite-style grip keeps swing weight closer to normal and makes the test more honest.
- Install it properly. Use the tape amount the manufacturer recommends, soak the tape well with grip solvent, and push the grip on in one confident motion.
- Hit 40 to 50 balls, then wait a day. First impressions with grips are misleading. The second session tells the truth.
- Watch your dispersion, not your distance. Look for tighter left-to-right spread and fewer big misses.
- Check swing weight before doing the whole bag. A club builder can measure it in seconds and add head weight if needed.
Cost-wise, this is one of the cheapest experiments in golf. Oversized grips typically run somewhere between fourteen and twenty dollars each, and installation usually adds a few dollars per club. Testing one iron costs less than a sleeve of premium golf balls. Re-gripping a full set of thirteen clubs generally lands somewhere in the two hundred to three hundred dollar range with labor included.
Here’s a realistic scenario. A 12-handicapper with thick hands squeezes the club so hard his forearms ache after nine holes. He tests a Large jumbo grip on his 8-iron, notices his grip pressure drops on its own, and his pull-hooks disappear. He then converts his irons and wedges, keeps a slightly smaller size on the driver where he wants more release, and adds a few grams of lead tape to restore feel. That kind of blended setup is often smarter than copying a tour player exactly.
Questions Golfers Ask Most About Bryson’s Grips
Does he use the same grip on his driver as his irons?
Yes. Consistency is the whole point of his setup, so the same JumboMax UltraLite XL profile shows up on his driver, fairway woods, utility clubs, irons, and wedges. Only the putter breaks the pattern.
Do jumbo grips actually reduce hooks?
For many players, yes. Larger diameters limit how much the fingers can roll the club, which reduces face closure through impact. Golfers who already leave the face open should test carefully, because the same effect can exaggerate a slice.
How often should you replace them?
The general rule applies: re-grip about once a year or every 40 rounds, sooner if you practice heavily or play in hot, humid conditions. Tour players change grips far more often, sometimes several times per season, because tackiness fades long before the rubber wears out visibly.
Are they good for arthritis or hand pain?
This is one of the biggest reasons non-tour golfers buy them. A larger, softer handle spreads pressure across more of the palm and reduces how tightly you need to squeeze. Many golfers with joint pain report they can play more holes comfortably after switching.
Will they change how my clubs feel?
Almost certainly. Expect a lighter-feeling head and a very different sense of where the clubface is. Give yourself two or three sessions before judging, and adjust head weight if the club feels lifeless.
Can shorter or smaller-handed players use them?
Yes, though usually in the smaller sizes. Grip fitting depends on hand length and finger length, not height. A fitter can measure your hand from the wrist crease to the tip of the middle finger and recommend a starting size.
Where Grip Technology Is Heading Next
Bryson’s success pushed oversized grips from a niche comfort product into a legitimate performance category. Ten years ago, a jumbo grip mostly meant a cushioned handle marketed to senior golfers. Today, club fitters treat grip size as a real variable that influences face control, grip pressure, and even clubhead speed.
Expect a few trends to keep growing. Manufacturers continue chasing lighter materials so players can go bigger without wrecking swing weight. Fitters increasingly use pressure-mapping sensors and slow-motion video to measure grip pressure instead of guessing. And more brands now offer non-tapered or reduced-taper profiles across their whole lineup, which was rare before players started asking for them by name.
Custom manufacturing may be the next big step. Advances in 3D printing make it realistic to produce grips matched to an individual’s hand scan, with different diameters for the lead and trail hand. That idea sounds extreme now, which is exactly what people said about single-length irons and jumbo grips before Bryson won majors with them.
The broader lesson matters more than any single product. Bryson treated the grip as an engineering decision instead of an afterthought, and that mindset is spreading. Golfers are finally asking whether their handle actually fits their hands and their swing, rather than accepting whatever came on the club from the factory.
So, to bring it all together: Bryson DeChambeau plays JumboMax JMX UltraLite grips in XL size on every full-swing club, paired with a specialized armlock-style putter grip that removes wrist action from his stroke. Those grips are non-tapered, dramatically oversized, and lightweight enough to keep his swing weights in range. They exist to do one job, which is to quiet his hands so his body can control the clubface, and that job connects directly to his one-length irons and single-plane swing philosophy.
Whether or not you ever go as far as XL, the thinking behind his choice is worth borrowing. Grip size affects your pressure, your release, your comfort, and your consistency, and it’s the cheapest equipment change you can make. Test one club, pay attention to your dispersion, and let the results decide. You might discover that the smallest part of your golf club has been quietly holding your swing back the whole time.
