Personally I’m a full cork grip traditional kinda guy…..just feels good in the hand, I’ve never once even thought about the heaviness, because I never noticed it. This is in cheaper rods too. Their all graphite as well, not graphite composite. Crappie rods typically are light in general because they aren’t thick blanks. I read ketchn likes long handle grips, I’m the complete opposite of that. I like shorter grips, I find longer grips hit my forearm and affect casting. I cast one handed by the way…..no right or wrong….fishing gear is very much preference.