As golfers, we all know the “taper” style of grip, where the top-end of the grip (closer to the body) is wider than the bottom-end of the grip (closer to the club head).

The tapered grip allows for stability in the top hand, and a faster release of the bottom hand.

Is this the best grip style for putting, though? What if it was reversed, where the top-end of the grip is smaller, and the bottom-end of the grip is larger? Would that allow for more stability throughout the stroke, by restricting movement in the bottom hand?

Well, Golf Pride may have that answer. On Monday, Golf Pride officially announced that its new Reverse Taper line of grips will soon be available in three common styles: Round, Pistol and Flat.

“Within the putter grip category, we observed a trend in which manufacturers were actively trying to design products that removed the hands from the putting process, whereas our research indicates that by optimizing the connection between the hands and grip that players can improve their performance,” said James Ledford, President of Golf Pride, in a press release. “Through hundreds of concept iterations, our innovation team created Reverse Taper, which has tested quite positively with players of all skill levels.”

By flipping the script, Golf Pride says that it can help prevent “micro-levers” in the stroke for greater stability:

“Drawing on 75 years of inspiration, coupled with extensive consumer testing, Golf Pride designed Reverse Taper with a slimmer upper half and wider lower section to help anchor the top hand for stability and reduce tension in the lower hand for smooth acceleration through the stroke,” Golf Pride said in a press release. “Additionally, Reverse Taper prevents micro-levers in the stroke, helping golfers to not flip their wrists at impact.”

With three different grip styles, Golf Pride provided a brief breakdown of what style may be right for your game:

• Round – Universally popular for all hand gripping techniques; features a traditionally round upper section that tapers into a wider lower section
• Pistol – Classic pistol shape to help golfers lock in their upper hand; designed for all and often popular with players who use a left-hand-low technique (right-handed golfer)
• Flat – Slightly more oval shaped upper section; designed for all and often preferred by golfers with a palm-to-palm putting stroke style

Each of the Reverse Taper putter grips are constructed using polyurethane to help ensure the desired softness, texture and weight. The black-red-and-white colorway of the grip comes with design features that help golfers place their hands properly and consistently on the grips.

Golf Pride’s new Reverse Taper putter grips will be available at retail starting on April 15, selling for $29.99 apiece.

See more photos and discussion about the new Reverse Taper grips here

At the 2018 Arnold Palmer Invitational, Rory McIlroy snapped a two-year winless drought on the PGA Tour with a stunning final round of 64 at Bay Hill to top Bryson DeChambeau by three strokes.

It was Rory’s first win at the King’s track, and he did so thanks to an incredible display on the greens, with the Irishman gaining a whopping 10 strokes over the field with his flatstick.

Here’s a look at the clubs McIlroy used that week.

Driver: TaylorMade M3 460 (8.5 degrees)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Tensei Orange 70 TX

3-wood: TaylorMade M3 (15 degrees)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Tensei CK Pro White 80 TX

5-wood: TaylorMade M3 (19 degrees)
Shaft: Fujikura Rombax P95 X

Irons: TaylorMade P750 (4), TaylorMade “Rors Proto” P730 (5-9)
Shafts: Project X 7.0

Wedges: TaylorMade Milled Grind (48, 52, 58 degrees), TaylorMade Hi-Toe (60 degrees)
Shafts: Project X 6.5

Putter: TaylorMade TP Collection Black Copper Soto (with slant neck)

Grips: Golf Pride MCC

Ball: TaylorMade TP5x

Bettinardi has long been known for making some of the finest milled putters in golf. And you know they have even made some really nice forged and milled wedges over the years, as well, if you have had the pleasure of hitting them. Now, it seems Bettinardi is intent on expanding even further, as we just spotted two Bettinardi iron models at the Arnold Palmer Invitational. The irons — Bettinardi CB24 and MB 24 irons — also appeared today on the USGA’s conforming club list.

Let’s take a look at the two models from Bettinardi.

Bettinardi CB24 irons

As the name on the USGA conforming list states, this is a cavity back iron with the famous hexagon B logo in the cavity. The CB iron has a heavy matte finish to it that should eliminate glare. The cavity has a little bit of chrome surrounding it with the iconic Bettinardi Honeycomb pattern surrounding the hexagon “B” logo. A lot of trailing edge relief is visible and should create some fast and smooth turf interaction. The hosel says it is forged, but we can’t be sure if it is from carbon or stainless steel.

• See what GolfWRXers are saying in the forums.

Bettinardi MB24 irons

A classic muscleback blade is always welcome on the PGA Tour, and Bettinardi’s new version is a beautiful rendition. Forged like its CB sibling, the MB looks to be a little more compact. The topline is thinner and it has fairly minimal offset. A heavy matte finish is applied to this head, again reducing any glare from the sun. This iron doesn’t have a cavity in the back, but that didn’t stop Bettinardi from milling in the famous Honeycomb pattern to the top of the iron head. It’s interesting to note that the Honeycomb milling looks to be raised to maybe help dial in the CG in addition to looking fantastic.

• See what GolfWRXers are saying in the forums.

• Check out the rest of our photos from the 2024 Arnold Palmer Invitational