Golf Pride MCC Align Midsize grips combine two materials to give you the best of both worlds. The upper portion uses a soft, tacky rubber compound, while the lower section features Golf Pride's signature cord material. This means you get comfort where your top hand sits and extra grip where your bottom hand needs it most – especially when things get sweaty or rainy.
The "Align" part? That's the raised ridge running down the back of the grip. Think of it like a built-in guide that helps you place your hands the same way every single time. Once you get used to it, you'll wonder how you ever played without it!
Let me commence with what makes these grips genuinely different from the dozens I've tested over the years. That raised ridge running down the back of the grip, Golf Pride calls it ALIGN Technology, is a revolutionary factor for someone like me who's always struggled with consistent hand placement. I used to spend way too much time at the address fidgeting with my grip, trying to get my hands square. Now? My hands naturally fall into the same position every single time.
The ridge isn't overly pronounced (we're not talking about a mountain range here), but it's substantial enough that you can feel it through your glove. During my initial range session, I was skeptical. Would this thing mess with my swing feel? Would it be distracting? Turns out, it's quite the opposite. After about 20 swings, I stopped consciously thinking about it, but my hands kept finding that perfect position automatically.
What really sold me was hitting balls with my eyes closed, something my instructor makes me do to work on feel. Even without looking, I could set up with my hands perfectly aligned every time. That's when I knew this wasn't just marketing fluff. The technology actually works. My miss has always been a push-fade when my grip gets too strong, and since installing these, those misses have decreased by probably 30-40%. That's not scientific, but it's noticeable enough that my regular playing partners have commented on it.
Golf Pride's multi-compound approach isn't new; they've been doing it for years with the standard MCC line. But the execution here is particularly good. The lower hand section uses a tackier rubber compound that genuinely feels sticky, even when your hands are sweating buckets in 90-degree heat. The upper hand shifts to a brushed cotton cord that wicks moisture away like those fancy golf shirts we all overpay for.
I've played through morning dew, afternoon thunderstorms, and everything in between with these grips. The cord section in particular is impressive; it gets grippier when wet, not slipperier. That's counterintuitive if you've never played cord grips before, but the texture actually bites into your glove (or bare hand if you're one of those people) when moisture is present.
The pebbled texture throughout the grip adds another layer of security. Combined with those plus-sign patterns, you get this multi-directional traction that keeps the club from twisting at impact. I noticed this most on those awkward 80-yard wedge shots where you're not quite swinging full out, situations where grip security really matters.
What surprised me most was the comfort level. Traditional cord grips can feel like you're holding sandpaper after 36 holes. These? The softer rubber blend means I can play two rounds in a day without my hands feeling destroyed. The upper section especially has this cushioned feel that absorbs shock better than pure rubber grips I've used.
Here's something most reviews gloss over: the psychological benefit of a larger grip. These MCC Align Midsize grips are about 1/16" larger in diameter than standard, and that extra material in the lower hand simulates having four extra wraps of tape. For someone who's battled grip pressure issues (guilty as charged), this is huge.
The larger diameter naturally encourages a lighter grip pressure. You simply don't need to squeeze as hard to maintain control. I noticed this immediately in the course; my forearms stayed more relaxed through impact, and that terrible habit I have of death-gripping the club on pressure shots? Much less of an issue now. The reduced taper design throughout the grip length also helps promote this lighter pressure from top to bottom, creating more fluidity in my swing motion. The midsize dimension prevents the excessive grip pressure that restricts shoulder rotation and ultimately reduces clubhead speed.
At 62 grams, these grips are heavier than standard options, but not overwhelmingly so. The weight actually helps with tempo for me. I feel the clubhead a bit less, which some players hate, but it smooths out my shift. If you're someone who gets quick at the top, that extra grip weight might actually help you.
The 0.600" core size means these fit on standard shafts without any drama. Installation was straightforward. I did all 13 clubs in my garage in about an hour using basic grip tape and solvent. They aligned perfectly using the markings, and that ALIGN ridge makes it impossible to install them crooked.
Living in the Southeast means dealing with humidity that could make a fish sweat. I've tested these grips in conditions ranging from bone-dry desert air to Florida swamp humidity, and they perform consistently across the board. The moisture-wicking properties of that brushed cotton cord aren't just marketing speak; you can actually feel it working.
During a particularly sweaty round last month (95 degrees, 80% humidity), my playing partner was constantly toweling off his pure rubber grips between shots. Meanwhile, I barely noticed any slippage with the MCCs. The tackiness in the lower section maintained its grip even when my hands were embarrassingly sweaty, and the cord upper section seemed to get grippier as it absorbed moisture.
Rain performance is likewise impressive. Got caught in a pop-up shower on the back nine recently, and while everyone else was struggling to hold onto their clubs, I was able to maintain normal grip pressure and swing freely. That's not to say these are magic, in a complete downpour, you'll still have issues like any grip – but for typical wet conditions, they're as good as anything I've used.
The durability factor is worth mentioning too. After about 30 rounds, they still look nearly new. No significant wear patterns, no loss of tackiness, and that ALIGN ridge hasn't worn down at all. Compare that to the pure rubber grips I was using before, which would start showing wear after 15-20 rounds.
One thing nobody mentions about the ALIGN grips: you need to be precise during installation. That ridge means you can't just eyeball it and adjust later like with round grips. Take your time, use the alignment markings, and get it right the first time. I learned this the hard way on my first club and had to redo it.
On the course, these grips have genuinely improved my consistency. My iron play in particular has tightened up – I'm hitting more greens and my misses are smaller. Is it all because of the grips? Of course not. But that consistent hand placement eliminates one variable from the equation, and in golf, eliminating variables is half the battle.
The feedback through these grips is excellent, too. You can feel exactly where you made contact on the face, which helps with those subtle adjustments we're always making. Pure shots feel pure, and mishits provide clear feedback without being harsh on the hands. Golf Pride's focus on combining stability and feel really shows through in actual play, especially when you need confidence over critical shots.
Yes, you can install MCC Align midsize grips yourself at home. You'll need basic tools like double-sided tape, grip solvent, and a vise or clamp to secure your club. Remove the old grip, clean the shaft, apply tape, and use solvent to slide the new grip on. The ALIGN ridge makes positioning easier; just align it perpendicular to the clubface. Let it dry for four hours before playing.
You'll typically get 9-12 months from your MCC Align midsize grips with regular play. The cord section in the upper hand area often shows wear initially, sometimes fraying after just a few months if you play frequently or have sweaty hands. While proper maintenance like washing every few rounds can extend their life slightly, you'll likely notice decreased tackiness and performance degradation that'll prompt replacement within a year.
Yes, your MCC Align midsize grips are completely legal for tournament play. They're USGA-conforming and meet all equipment regulations for both professional and amateur competitions. The raised ridge feature falls within the permitted height limitations established in the mid-1970s grip conformance rules. You can confidently use these grips in any sanctioned tournament - pros like Harris English have already won PGA Tour events using Align technology without any compliance issues.
The main difference between MCC Align Standard and Midsize is the grip diameter. You'll find the Midsize noticeably thicker, which reduces wrist action and hand rotation during your swing. While Standard grips allow more hand movement for shot shaping, Midsize helps you maintain a square clubface and promotes straighter shots. Both use identical hybrid materials and ALIGN technology, but Midsize suits larger hands or golfers wanting less hand manipulation.
Yes, MCC Align Midsize grips work perfectly with adjustable clubs. You'll find their standard 0.600-inch core size fits most adjustable club shafts without any issues. The ALIGN ridge won't interfere with your club's adjustment mechanisms or grip sleeve. Just confirm your shaft diameter matches the grip's core size before installation. You can install them using standard grip tape and solvent, and they'll perform excellently on your adjustable drivers and fairway woods.
After two months and probably 40 rounds with the Golf Pride MCC Align Midsize grips, I'm sold. They've become my go-to recommendation for anyone struggling with consistency or grip pressure issues. Are they perfect? No. If you're a feel player who likes lightweight grips or you're on a tight budget, look elsewhere.
But if you're a mid-to-high handicapper who struggles with hand placement, or even a better player looking for that extra bit of consistency, these grips deliver on their promises. They're particularly ideal for players with larger hands, those who play in humid conditions regularly, or anyone dealing with arthritis or grip pressure issues. At around $12-15 per grip, they're an investment, but one that's paid dividends in my game. Sometimes the best upgrades are the ones you hold in your hands.
