Grip tape, masking tape, no tape

[Titleist_ProV1x]

What is a cynic? A man who knows the price of everything and the value of nothing.

Great quote by Oscar Wilde the broke Irish writer and poet that died in 1900 before value had a price, LOL

I use what works, regardless of cost

[iacas]

You should try a NDMC with the air compressor and no double sided tape or solvent, if you haven't already. I've heard that it works just the same as PURE grips.

They're not as sticky. And they don't have a one-year guarantee. It's too early to say for sure but I think I'm going to be playing the PURE Pro now and in the conceivable future.

[SandSave]

I decided to test this out for myself and I used a Winn midsized putter grip for testing the air tools out. it installed in seconds which was cool. The stock grip on the club was about 4 years old it was th factory odysey grip and it took a few minutes of working it to get it off.

Putters i think i will do the air method from now on until proven wrong on the install. but with all other clubs i feel it is important to have the solvent and tape on.

P.S. i am new in the golf store industry and servicing so my 2 cents may not be worth the others.

[BCPOLNO23]

I have also discovered that I can remove grips without damaging them using a wire coat hangar & mineral spirits and a little patience. There is a video on YouTube. I don't use solvent on my putter grips but do use grip tape & solvent on regular clubs. It has worked out ok for me.

[rehmwa]

So the other question (since I just redid my grips) is the instruction vids have you remove all the old tape and re-tape.

Seems to be unnecessary and the tackiness of the tape really doesn't stick around for long after the first installation.

I did 3 grips and left the old tape in place.  The rest I did the 'recommended' replacement of the tape.  (Golf Pride Multi-compounds)

Comes off really easy on the graphite shafts it rolls off just with finger pressure, but the metal shafts you have to work quite a bit to remove the residue sometimes scrape.

(I use solvent and double sided tape - I build up quite a bit too - mid-size +2, and two of my wedges I have to do standard +5 since those colors don't come in mid-size).  ((colors - purely a placebo thing with me))

I doubt I'll notice any difference between the clubs with new tape vs the ones with the old tape.  If I do, hopefully I remember this thread and post about it.

anyone else enlighten me if just reusing the old tape matters?

[1badbadger]

I was a full time professional club builder for 8 years, so I've seen just about everything.  There are many ways to install a grip successfully...and a number of ways to do it unsuccessfully.  I think some ways are better than others and I have obviously developed certain preferences.  Many people have used gasoline or lighter fluid over the years, If you regrip your set once a year you can get away with it, but if you're re-gripping 8-10 sets per day, your hands are soaked with fluid plus the fumes would make it deadly.  Odorless mineral spirits works great and at less than $3/gal. was the most cost effective.

One of the tour pros who I did work for liked his grips installed without any tape for feel reasons, and another liked the grip tape to be spiraled rather than along the top and bottom of the shaft (I used 3/4" wide grip tape vs the 2").  Two short pieces of grip tape about 1.5" long placed over the end of the shaft like a + helped get the mouth of the grip over the shaft and kept the butt of the grip from twisting..

If you've seen the C-Thru grips which are clear with an underlay for colleges or flags etc, those were installed using hairspray.  Grip tape couldn't be used because it would cover up the underlay (sticker) so their recommended method was hairspray.  It worked, but I would hate to have to install all grips like that!

[Luckbox72]

I have tried a few grips.  I was playing Golf Pride G2 which I used masking tape to build up the lower section and a few full length.  I then use hairspray and an air compressor to blow them on.  They were on for about a year ans seemed to work fine.  This weekend I switched to the new CP2 grips I blew off the old grips.  With each removal there was a small audible pop when they released from the shaft.  As I was removing the grips I noticed the butt end on a number of the clubs was rotated, the worst about 30 deg or rotation.  I first thought that the grips had slipped since I did not use grip tape, but then under closer look I noticed the masking tape under the grip was also rotated and wrinkled up.  So I am not sure if the grip stayed adhered to the masking tape but the tape slipped or the it grips slips that also forced the masking tape to slip.

Has anyone had this issue.

Also with he rubber cement is is difficult to blow of the grips at a later time? The biggest issue I had with the double sided tape is you are unable to blow off the grips with the double sided tape, and it take much longer and messier when using the grip tape.

I have in the past only used double sided tape on the top 4 inches, the lower section of the grip never seems to slip.

Currently I installed the new grips the same way as my old G2 and will hopefully test this weekend.  When I grab the grip and attempt to twist the grip it does not move, but it was the same when I put the G2 but over time they did seem to slip but I was very surprised to see the masking had twisted. Is there better tape to use.

[1badbadger]

I have tried a few grips.  I was playing Golf Pride G2 which I used masking tape to build up the lower section and a few full length.  I then use hairspray and an air compressor to blow them on.  They were on for about a year ans seemed to work fine.  This weekend I switched to the new CP2 grips I blew off the old grips.  With each removal there was a small audible pop when they released from the shaft.  As I was removing the grips I noticed the butt end on a number of the clubs was rotated, the worst about 30 deg or rotation.  I first thought that the grips had slipped since I did not use grip tape, but then under closer look I noticed the masking tape under the grip was also rotated and wrinkled up.  So I am not sure if the grip stayed adhered to the masking tape but the tape slipped or the it grips slips that also forced the masking tape to slip.

Has anyone had this issue.

Also with he rubber cement is is difficult to blow of the grips at a later time? The biggest issue I had with the double sided tape is you are unable to blow off the grips with the double sided tape, and it take much longer and messier when using the grip tape.

I have in the past only used double sided tape on the top 4 inches, the lower section of the grip never seems to slip.

Currently I installed the new grips the same way as my old G2 and will hopefully test this weekend.  When I grab the grip and attempt to twist the grip it does not move, but it was the same when I put the G2 but over time they did seem to slip but I was very surprised to see the masking had twisted. Is there better tape to use.

Typically if a club (or clubs) were being regripped with new grips I wouldn't "blow" the old grip off or "shoot" it off with a needle and solvent, I would cut it off with a hook bladed utility knife, which was most of the time.  Trying to "save" a grip or remove it intact doesn't always go smoothly depending on the grip, how long it's been on the club and how it was installed, so if you are replacing your grips I found it faster to cut them off.  Some grips were so old and dried out they would actually have cracks in them and would have to be scrapped off (wear your goggles if you are removing a grip in this condition...trust me!)

Regarding the tape twisting, I have seen what you described, but it's always been when many layers of masking tape was used to build up the grip, like 5 or more layers.  The cause of this could be the butt ends of your clubs might be getting tangled up in your golf bag, especially if you have a smaller lightweight bag.  The smaller diameter of the bag and built-up grips can jam them up, and if that happens it's natural to grab the head and "twist" it loose when pulling a club.

[SavvySwede]

Anybody know what kind of tape Titleist uses? I just took the original grip off a Titleist 975J VS and though the rubber was completely dry, brittle, and old; the tape peeled off smoothly in one piece.

[CanadianHack]

I have been using Pure grips - this will be my 3rd season.  Never had any issue with twisting or slippage.  I don't like them if wet at all - seem more slippery than my previous grips.  Humidity doesn't have an effect, so I was surprised at that.   I use blue masking tape to build them up - I use 3 layers.  I bought a sec0nd set at the start of last season, but after checking my original Pure's closely, they did not need to be replaced.  Still tacky with a nice feel to them.  Just to be safe, I used the compressor to rotate them about 90 degrees.  I played a full second season with them and just changed them out for this season.  I play about 35 to 40 rounds per year.  I even kept the old Pure's in case I want to try a different club in the rotation.... very impressed with these grips other than on rain days.

Easy to put on, easy to take off.

Canadian Hack

[colin007]

PURE grips are the absolute ISH!

[Maddmaxx63]

Just got some golf pride grips in a kit and it came with 1/2 inch tapes not 2 inch any tips on using the smaller width tape? 

[iacas]

8 hours ago, Maddmaxx63 said:

Just got some golf pride grips in a kit and it came with 1/2 inch tapes not 2 inch any tips on using the smaller width tape? 

Guess you'll have to spiral wrap it, rather than doing the diagonal thing.

[Club Rat]

10 hours ago, iacas said:

spiral wrap it

This made me remember our trip at the Ping Campus while observing club assembly by employees.

While watching one employee assemble clubs, that man had a system down pat. He would spin the club head with one hand and apply the tape in a perfect spiral with the other.
 

[Maddmaxx63]

Got the grips on yesterday thanks for the spiral wrap tips. I put a screwdriver in my vise and a large washer on it and spun the club. Unfortunately I used to much tape in the beginning and only got 10 clubs wrapped before I ran out of tape( ran inside and ordered more) so when new arrives I got it down. In the future I will pay attention to the pictures of the kit and order the 2 in tape. Thanks for the help was easy regrip except the old shaft clean up that was a pain but in the end well worth it. 

[Apoc81]

4 hours ago, Club Rat said:

This made me remember our trip at the Ping Campus while observing club assembly by employees.

While watching one employee assemble clubs, that man had a system down pat. He would spin the club head with one hand and apply the tape in a perfect spiral with the other.
 

Man, my favorite thing about the pings I've owned in the past is their grips (which I don't think they make anymore).

[Joeyvee]

I've played with grips like that for 6 or 8 years on 3 or 4 sets of clubs.  I installed them with air and single sided masking tape and have never had one shift unintentionally. It's very very easy to do and can even save you a little bit of money. 

I think if someone had their grips twist then maybe some strange conditions exist (thin shaft, extra wide i.d. on the grip) or maybe it was operator error.

[NHpro]

I just put a new set of grips on my clubs using an air compressor.

I suggest using blue painters tape, and no solvent is necessary.