Golf Pride MCC ALIGN MAX Grip Review
50 Words or Less
The Golf Pride MCC ALIGN MAX grips offer the largest-allowable rib to help players achieve a more consistent grip. Classic MCC feel and performance.
Introduction
While ribbed grips have been around for a long time, Golf Pride brought the rib to the fore with their Tour Velvet ALIGN grips . Golfers around the world responded with an enthusiastic, “More, please!” and Golf Pride has answered the call. The new Golf Pride MCC ALIGN MAX takes the rib to the USGA limit to help golfers keep a more consistent grip on the club.
Looks
From the front, the Golf Pride MCC ALIGN MAX looks like a typical multi-compound grip. The one color option – grey over black – gives it an all-business look. The red “MCC” at the top hints at the fact that there’s something more to see.
The back is where this grip shows its personality. The red ALIGN stripe down the back is unmistakeable. It’s hard to say whether this feature feels as bold as it looks or vice versa. Either way, everyone who sees your club twirl will know that you have something unusual in your hands.
Feel
The raised ridge on the Golf Pride MCC ALIGN MAX is the element on this grip that stands out the most, pun intended. Even before it’s installed, you can feel the bump. Once the grip is installed, it’s more than noticeable. Unlike the MCC Plus4 ALIGN , the rib is not textured. On the MCC grip, the smooth surface actually makes it stand out more, particularly for the top hand.
Moving away from the ridge, this is an MCC, one of golf’s most popular grips. Under the top hand, you get the traction and texture of a corded grip. The lower hand gets a standard rubber grip with noticeable texture etched into it.
Performance
If you’ve used ALIGN grips in the past or if you understand the concept behind ribbed grips, nothing here is different, it’s just taken to the MAX. The Golf Pride MCC ALIGN MAX grips have a rib that’s 25% taller than the original ALIGN, and it’s at the maximum-allowed height according to the rules of golf.
For me, the added height of the ALIGN ridge makes it even more effective. It locks in consistent hand position and club face alignment without having to think about it. I can be a little fidgety with my grip, and the ALIGN nixes that. Once my fingers find the right spot on the ALIGN ridge, they’re locked in.
The Golf Pride MCC ALIGN MAX grips come in four varieties. There’s the MCC ALIGN MAX in standard and midsize which weigh 49.5 and 62 grams, respectively. Golf Pride also offers the MCC ALIGN MAX Plus4 in standard and midsize. The Plus4 has less taper (said another way, the lower section is larger) which is why these grips are heavier: 53 and 67 grams, respectively.
Finally, as I noted in my previous ALIGN review, there are two things you should keep in mind before choosing a ribbed grip. First, you need to install these grips very carefully. If your grips are installed off-center, the rib is going to hurt you rather than helping. Second, the Golf Pride MCC ALIGN MAX grips may feel uncomfortable if you want to hit a shot with an open or closed face. If you play a lot of artsy wedge shots, you might limit your ALIGN grips to your full swing clubs.
Conclusion
If you’re trying to get a more consistent grip or take some of the thinking out of your pre-shot routine, the Golf Pride MCC ALIGN MAX grips are worth serious consideration. When properly installed, these grips make perfect club face alignment automatic, allowing you to focus on your swing.
Visit Golf Pride HERE
Editor In Chief at Plugged In Golf
He founded Plugged In Golf in 2013 with the goal of helping all golfers play better and enjoy the game more.
Matt lives in the northwest suburbs of Chicago with his wife and two daughters.
