Grip thickness affecting distance?

Can the thickness of the grip affect distance of the club? Recently had an extra two layers of tape and regripped all clubs, on the course today it on a solid strike ball seemed to be travelling a good 1 1/2 clubs longer?!? could this be an affect of the grip thickness?

2 things that could be a case for this. Your gripping the club lighter with the new grips allowing you to swing with less tension, creating more club head speed.

I've also heard that the grip thickness can effect when you release the club and you might be more in-time with the new grips.

It could possibly be a combination of both things, i always felt i was gripping the clubs too tightly. Also i feel I can release the hands and clubhead alot more without the risk of a big hook.

I'll second Danny here - new grips certainly reduce the need for grip pressure (as does a new glove) - which in turn creates more clubhead speed. The other thing is that the new grips might actually be fitting your hands better, which you may be subconciously picking up. If you're sure of your grip, you swing with much less tension - which creates much more distance.

If you were scared before to turn over then it is teh bigger grip that allows you to turn over on time and gives you more confidence to swing better.