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With a raised channel along the bottom of a tour-proven grip, the Golf Pride MCC Plus4 ALIGN gives players a reference ridge to aid repeatable, consistent hand position.
Introduction
Surely this isn’t the first time you’ve heard of the new MCC Plus4 ALIGN grip – Golf Pride has been inundating us with advertisements promoting their new product. You can probably quote their tag line in your sleep: “Consistent Hand Placement. Consistent Results.” A ribbed or reference grip isn’t a new concept, but building it into a hybrid grip is. With about a third of all PGA Tour players using reference grips, it’s no wonder Golf Pride was up to the challenge of producing a multi-compound version (if you’re unfamiliar with the base MCC Plus4 grip check out our review here). So is ALIGN worthy of all the hype? Read on.
Looks
From the top side, the Golf Pride MCC Plus4 ALIGN looks identical to the MCC Plus4 except for red fill, red end cap, and of course the addition of the ‘ALIGN’ logo. Flip the grip over and the red, raised guide is prominent and distinctive. The Golf Pride MCC Plus4 Align is only available in grey, which really looks sharp in combination with the red. If you are one of those golfers who prefers the ‘GOLF PRIDE’ logo installed facing down, that won’t be an option with the ALIGN.
Feel
There’s no missing the raised ridge on the Golf Pride MCC Plus4 ALIGN. Before it’s installed, however, the grip feels round and the channel texture inconsequential. This is important to recognize if you’re choosing grips laid out on a table at your fitter or loose in bins at a store. Raised by installation on the shaft, the ridge is best described as a channel with edges, not a rounded hump. The micro diamond pattern of the red strip has an aggressive texture, and the material is noticeably firmer than the rest of the grip.
Performance
It’s worth stating again – there’s no missing the raised ridge on the Golf Pride MCC Plus4 ALIGN. The ridge felt a little strange at first, like most new things, but quickly became a reference point. The key is having the ridge in the same place in your grip every time. For me, the ridge is in the first knuckle on my index fingers and the second knuckle on the other fingers. Once I established that position after a few swings, I didn’t have to look at my club head to know the face was square for my setup. This really helped with my 4 hybrid, which I tend to setup closed. Similarly, in a fairway bunker the other day I was focused on my line to the green and established my grip without ever looking at the clubface.
How the ridge will align in your fingers will depend on your grip size (Golf Pride MCC Plus4 ALIGN comes in standard and midsize), hand size, and grip setup. Golfers will find their own reference points to lock in consistency. For an instructor, the ridge can be a wonderful tool for allowing the student to feel the desired hand position without getting bogged down in other setup mechanics.
One issue I encountered was with needing to open the clubface to hit a hard cut around a tree. The ridge fell in an awkward spot on my fingers which compelled me to tweak the grip rotation ever so slightly. Although that occurrence was a negative for me, I could foresee using the ridge to establish alternate hand positions or grip rotations for routine shot shaping.
As far as actual swing performance, I didn’t notice any appreciable difference between the Golf Pride MCC Plus4 ALIGN and the non-Align version. If you are someone who feels like the grip wants to twist at impact, the ridge may be of benefit. For better players who understand face position, the ridge provides feel, or feedback, at all times during the swing.
Check out the Golf Pride Reverse Taper Putter Grips HERE
Conclusion
I asked All-American Alabama quarterback Steve Sloan if he always gripped the football the same and he replied with his country boy charm – “I tried”. Then I handed him my 7 iron with the Golf Pride MCC Plus4 ALIGN grip and watched his eyebrows perk up. Similar to the laces of a football, he had a tactile way to establish his grip – “I can see where this could be of benefit. Great tool,” he said.
Whether the raised channel gives you a reference point for your proper hand position, or is just a positive reminder that keeps you from having to think about a square club face, the Golf Pride MCC Plus4 ALIGN is a grip suitable for players of all levels. In a game such as golf that can consume your mind, taking even one variable – the grip – out of the equation is a plus.
Buy the Golf Pride MCC Plus4 ALIGN Grips HERE
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11 Comments
As someone who struggles with consistent grip alignment these seem like they might be a nice way to get it dialed in a little more consistently/easier. Thanks for the review.
are the grips just being installed by eyeballing the alignment of the clubface and the grip or is there some more precise way of doing this? If consistency is the key, and all your clubs face angles vs location of the ridge vary by a few degrees;doesn’t that take away the advantage of having it there in the first place? I always wondered how installers obtained the precision to make this kind of thing advantageous to a player that plays clubs in which a variation like that can affect the ball flight of the shot.
Raj,
Most grips are installed by eyeball. There are some tools available for more precise grip alignment, but they’re not commonly seen. It’s a great question to ask your builder if you’re going to use a ribbed grip.
Best,
Matt
I have used the Golf Pride Tour Velvet ribbed grips for a number of years. If you are familiar with these,
how would you compare them with the Align grips?
Thanks!
Thanks for the question Carl. I’m not familiar with the Tour Velvet ribbed, so I can’t offer any personal comparisons. However, I was with my head pro today for a lesson and he commented on my MCC Plus4 ALIGN grips. Turns out he’s been using the Tour Velvet ribbed for years and can’t wait for the ALIGN to come out in standard size (which should be any time now). Not sure that helps, but the timing is freaky.
Matt M
Can the Align grip be installed with the raised ridge facing up (player) and logo facing down and still be effective?
Interesting question Erin. Yes, the grip can be installed upside down – or in any position. By design, the intent is to lock the fingers into position on the club. For my grip, having the ridge on top might provide positional reference to my thumbs, but no ‘locking’ sensation. Go for it and let us know how it worked for you.
Matt M
I have Reumatoid Arthritis and my hands hurt most of the time when I play golf. Will the new Align grips increase that pain or would a Bionic Glove help alleviate that pain and continue to use MCC Align grips. Thanks
That is clearly a tough ailment to have as a golfer Bill. The only way to know for sure is to grip an Align display sample or club with it installed and see for yourself. A loose grip in a bin won’t be a good indicator since the ridge raises when the grip is placed on the shaft or display sleeve.
Matt M
I’ve been using these grips since they came out and I loved them. Then I bought a new set of clubs and gave the old ones to my grandson who is just learning. I’ll tell you they really helped him. I don’t have to worry if his hands being in the right position, I know they are. Only bad part is, now I have to buy all new grips again. Oh well it’s worth it, these grips are great!
I’m using Golf Pride Tourwrap-oversozed grips now. I’m getting close to re-grippig and wonder if these come in an oversize or jumbo format. Tom