Trying new kinds of grips

[Shindig]

When I want to try new clubs, I go to demo days for the companies who make the clubs and I can try hitting various types of clubs.
When I want to try a new golf ball, I can usually get a sleeve for cheap - sometimes free, depending on the company - to try for a round before deciding if I'm going to use that ball.
I doubt I'd notice much of a difference in shaft as long as the material, flex, and kick point were the same.


But I have no idea how to try new grips. I could go to the golf shop and put my hands on various grips, but I have no idea how they would feel with a club of mine. All I can determine is how they feel with my hands on them.

I current have Lamkin on my irons (5-PW in the bag, +4 and SW from the set) and 5-Wood. I have Golf Pride on my Driver, 3-Wood, hybrids, and Titleist wedges. I'm going to be getting a new set of irons soon, and I have a selection of grips I can choose for them. I will likely be using that grip to re-grip my other clubs as the need arises.

I figure I could get a club re-gripped with a new (to me) type of grip I want to try and give it a go at the range. Is there a better way?

[andre112]

i think that's the only way.

[fusioncal]

When I want to try new clubs, I go to demo days for the companies who make the clubs and I can try hitting various types of clubs.

Hey there Shindig, I think first of all is to know what your preferences are in grips. The kind of things you look for, such as tackiness, firm or soft feel, all-weather type, etc. How's the Lamkin doing? Do you like it the way it is? Or is there anything you would like to change? I chose my grips based on the use rather than the feel. I wanted something that would not slip when my hand sweat or during rain (cord) and also looked cool on the club. Guess what? Yes, the Golf Pride New Decade Multi Compound. I picked blue/black to go with Mizuno theme and also because Luke Donald was showing it in Gold Digest previous issues. But that's just me. I guess a way to demo grips at the range is to look for friends or someone you know at the range with clubs gripped with grips you're looking for. Then ask politely if you could try their clubs. Based on that I'm sure you'll be able to make a decision. Hope that helps.

[Shindig]

Hey there Shindig,

Which brings me to problem one: I have only a vague idea what these terms really mean. I have a vague idea that tackiness involves how well it sticks to one's hands.

So, goal one: learn what qualities grips have so I can make an informed decision.

How's the Lamkin doing? Do you like it the way it is? Or is there anything you would like to change?

Well, I like the way all my grips feel - both the Golf Pride and the Lamkin. Sometimes a club slips in my hand. This seems to happen more on the driving range than on the course, and more often than not, I find myself thinking it's the glove's fault.

One feature I really like with the driver, 3W, and 3H is that there are circles on the grip that must mean something. I find myself putting my thumbs over those spots - my grip naturally puts them there, but I take a look at it every time I grip one of those clubs. (I think the marking is there on my Gap Wedge, but that grip is on backwards) The only reason I believe those markings are legal, by the way, is that the grip says F-Speed on it, and I doubt two name-brand manufacturers would collude on something that breaks the rules.

I chose my grips based on the use rather than the feel. I wanted something that would not slip when my hand sweat or during rain (cord) and also looked cool on the club. Guess what? Yes, the Golf Pride New Decade Multi Compound.

Oooh, choosing colors. Now, I could have fun with this. Both of my colleges had blue and gold as their colors, so if those were available, I'd probably go for it, all other things being equal.

As far as usefulness, I'm mostly in Southern California and I don't plan on playing significantly away from there for the foreseeable lifetime of these grips. Rain isn't a significant factor. I guess ease of care would be important to me. I plan to take actively good care of these grips, rather than the "towel 'em off when they get wet" approach I took on my current set.

I guess a way to demo grips at the range is to look for friends or someone you know at the range with clubs gripped with grips you're looking for. Then ask politely if you could try their clubs. Based on that I'm sure you'll be able to make a decision.

It helps immensely. It largely tells me things I need to start finding out about, and that is always important!

[fusioncal]

Well, I like the way all my grips feel - both the Golf Pride and the Lamkin. Sometimes a club slips in my hand. This seems to happen more on the driving range than on the course, and more often than not, I find myself thinking it's the glove's fault.

Definitely don't want the club slip either on the driving range or on the course. I'd assume that your Golf Pride or Lamkin is non-cord (rubber) type of grips? That is what happened to me back then when I was still using non-cord grips. It slipped every other time.

So I think perhaps it's better if you get half-cord (firm & harsh feel) or full-cord (firmer & harsher feel) grips.

One feature I really like with the driver, 3W, and 3H is that there are circles on the grip that must mean something. I find myself putting my thumbs over those spots - my grip naturally puts them there, but I take a look at it every time I grip one of those clubs. (I think the marking is there on my Gap Wedge, but that grip is on backwards). The only reason I believe those markings are legal, by the way, is that the grip says F-Speed on it, and I doubt two name-brand manufacturers would collude on something that breaks the rules.

I checked both Lamkin and Golf Pride website, and only Lamkin has that kind of circle you mentioned about on their grips. I do believe they serve as guide to place the grip on, but on the other end it seems that I would feel something is out of place if I try to close or open my clubface at address (to shape shots). The thing is I'm annoyed and I will lose my confidence like something is bothering me. Therefore I prefer clean look, but that's just me though

Oooh, choosing colors. Now, I could have fun with this. Both of my colleges had blue and gold as their colors, so if those were available, I'd probably go for it, all other things being equal.

I tried to look for your UCLA color, but I couldn't find it. The closest one is blue and yellow by

Iomic . Other than that, sorry no luck.

As far as usefulness, I'm mostly in Southern California and I don't plan on playing significantly away from there for the foreseeable lifetime of these grips. Rain isn't a significant factor. I guess ease of care would be important to me. I plan to take actively good care of these grips, rather than the "towel 'em off when they get wet" approach I took on my current set.

Do you have joints problem? If you do I wouldn't recommend you to use firm type of grips (provide more feedback/vibration). Otherwise you could use half or full cord grips. Choose any brand that you like, although I'm more biased toward Golf Pride. If it's Golf Pride (but no circles) I'm sure you'll find the

Multi Compound (bottom part is cord and upper part is rubber) to your liking. Or try their grip selector .

[Shindig]

Definitely don't want the club slip either on the driving range or on the course. I'd assume that your Golf Pride or Lamkin is non-cord (rubber) type of grips? That is what happened to me back then when I was still using non-cord grips. It slipped every other time.

I think I need to take a picture of my grips and post them.

I tried to look for your UCLA color, but I couldn't find it. The closest one is blue and yellow by

That looks sweet. But the colors on the grips isn't my first priority, no worries.

Do you have joints problem? If you do I wouldn't recommend you to use firm type of grips (provide more feedback/vibration). Otherwise you could use half or full cord grips. Choose any brand that you like, although I'm more biased toward Golf Pride. If it's Golf Pride (but no circles) I'm sure you'll find the

I'm guessing this as a health thing? To the best of my knowledge, my only health problem is kidney stones (and no attacks in four years).

I'll check out the grip selector. Thanks!

[marpr]

When I want to try new clubs, I go to demo days for the companies who make the clubs and I can try hitting various types of clubs.

This is an interesting article that is a general indiction of what to look for in grips:

http://www.thegolfchannel.com/core.a...0&select;=25147

[TKing]

I ordered a bunch of different kinds, blew them on and off with compressed air (high volume,low pressure) and hit golf balls with them. I sent back the ones I didn't want and ordered the kind I liked.

They do torque around not glued on if you are a hard swinger but you can still tell what they are like. I had thought that this would be something that a lot of people would like to do but never heard of it being done. I tried it and it worked fine. I've read of people blowing up grips and other problems installing grips with air but I can tell you for a fact that it can be done easily.