Grip tape, masking tape, no tape

[2009H34]

There is lots of advice about regripping golf clubs. Any expert advice available?

I bought new grips and for giggles tried one on a clean shaft, no tape. Using a air compressor the grip goes on well, and comes off well. When installed it looks and feels secure. The grip does not wiggle. The size measures right.

Is it safe and proper to not use tape and solvent?

[jamo]

With an air compressor, yes you do not need tape or solvent. You can use masking tape (as opposed to double sided tape with out the air compressor) to build up the grip of you want it a bit thicker.

[iacas]

It's the entire premise behind PURE Grips ( http://puregrips.com ). We're writing a Bag Drop of these soon AND I'll be reviewing them shortly.

They also have a one-year guarantee on their grips.

They say their grips are more rubber and thus grip better... I don't know, because I too have heard of others using regular grips and an air gun, but they usually still use tape IIRC.

I take my grips +1 wrap of tape, so I also asked the PURE guy if that would require +2 wraps of tape (since normal grips have one base layer). He's not gotten back to me yet.

[2009H34]

Seems way too easy, though. Why wouldn't everybody be doing it? The Golf Pride Grips I bought went on smoothly and easily on one club. I have been swinging and swinging it to see if it creeps before I do the balance of the set. I wrote Golf Pride to see if they would go on record.

[Shorty]

I regripped a whole set using air and masking tape.
Each grip started twisting at the butt end after a few rounds, so I blew them back off and used solvent and double sided tape.
Some twisted more than others, but I will always use double sided tape and solvent from now on.
I suppose there's a reason why on all those tour van videos they all use tape and solvent.

[2009H34]

Yea! This is the kind of experience I was hoping to hear about.

Being a 34, I'll take the advice of a 4 handicapper any day. Now, about my swing . . . .

[Zeph]

I regripped a whole set using air and masking tape.

You never tried air and double sided tape? I don't see why there should be a difference between air and solvent, as long as you don't explode the grip of course. I've used air on some clubs and never had any trouble with it. I did use good double sided tape for golf clubs.

Unless the manufacturer specifically says that tape is not needed, I would recommend you use tape on your grips, but not masking tape. Buy a roll of double sided grip tape, it's worth it.

[tim31x]

i'm currently in a pgm program, and my club repair instructor does exclusive work for lots of pros, zack johnson to name one. he says the best way to install grips is with masking tape and rubber cement. his reasoning is that the rubber cement dries much quicker and feels a bit firmer, it also is easier to save grips with just simple solvent and a needle. he reccommends the use of solvent and double sided tape because the supplies are a tad cheaper. i asked him about the air gun, he said he would reccomend double sided tape because the tape is what holds the grip onto the club.

-tim

[Zeph]

i asked him about the air gun, he said he would reccomend double sided tape because the tape is what holds the grip onto the club.

What has the air gun got to do with tape?

[iacas]

i'm currently in a pgm program, and my club repair instructor does exclusive work for lots of pros, zack johnson to name one.

He's lying to you. Zach gets a lot of work done in the Titleist Tour van. I've been there and seen it. He doesn't have a guy exclusively.

he says the best way to install grips is with masking tape and rubber cement. his reasoning is that the rubber cement dries much quicker and feels a bit firmer, it also is easier to save grips with just simple solvent and a needle.

I'm sorry, but that makes no sense.

Solvent goes away. Rubber cement doesn't. I've NEVER heard of anyone using rubber cement on grips. Also, why would rubber cement - a spongy thing - be "firmer" than solvent which goes away and just leaves tape and metal/graphite?

i asked him about the air gun, he said he would reccomend double sided tape because the tape is what holds the grip onto the club.

The PURE guy says the inside of his grips are rubbery and sticky enough to hold them onto the club. I'll find out when I test them, I suppose.

[Zeph]

I'm more interested in the quality of the grip than how tacky it is on the inside. Using tape or not using tape is not really an issue. I'd rather put on some tape and use a better grip.
Interesting concept though, if we can get rid of the tape, why not? Wonder how they work in different temperatures, from almost freezing to the hottest summer days.

[Shorty]

Solvent goes away. Rubber cement doesn't. I've NEVER heard of anyone using rubber cement on grips.

I found out to my utter amazement that the way grips are applied here in Australia at the two major golf chains is to use a rubber cement by Bostik.

http://asanzltd.com/directoryproduct...222%20Adhesive . This stuff is extremely expensive - don't ask me why they do it. Must be easier for them, somehow! I think they just put a chopstick in the can and then put it in the grip which lubricates it and then it sets very firm - but I have successfully blown off grips applied this way.

[iacas]

I found out to my utter amazement that the way grips are applied here in Australia at the two major golf chains is to use a rubber cement by Bostik.

Is that rubber cement? This is what I think of when someone says "rubber cement":

[Shorty]

Is that rubber cement? This is what I think of when someone says "rubber cement":

Yeah - sticky, messy stuff. They also call this particular type "carpet glue". It's fun to clean up the mess when you get home. That's why I started doing my own.

[michaeljames92]

My club pro uses double sided grip tape and wait for it.... UNLEADED petrol for the solvent. I thought it wasnt good to use petrol as solvent but he has regripped many of my clubs with 100% success.

[Shorty]

My club pro uses double sided grip tape and wait for it.... UNLEADED petrol for the solvent. I thought it wasnt good to use petrol as solvent but he has regripped many of my clubs with 100% success.

Petrol is fine, and very commonly used as a solvent but it can leave the grip a little smelly, as well as your hands. Not sure why you emphasised the fact that it was unleaded. I notice that a lot of you American golfers seem particularly fond of smoking on the golf course, so that's a good reason not to use petrol.

[michaeljames92]

Petrol is fine, and very commonly used as a solvent but it can leave the grip a little smelly, as well as your hands. Not sure why you emphasised the fact that it was unleaded. I notice that a lot of you American golfers seem particularly fond of smoking on the golf course, so that's a good reason not to use petrol.

Ha, I meant just that he used petrol. He told me it was unleaded so I thought he should be using premium for my grips ;)

[clearwaterms]

Ha, I meant just that he used petrol. He told me it was unleaded so I thought he should be using premium for my grips ;)

I have built several sets of clubs (not a tour person, or anything like that) but I have a club building setup in my garage and do all of my friends and family club repairs and regrips. (I don't do broken graphite shaft extractions as I don't have a proper drill press) I have been using double sided tape and grip solvent along with compressed air. I have NEVER had anybody complain of a slipping grip. Also, it should be noted that I use Karma brand grips exclusively.