grips. and how tacki mac it2's helped my game. ("review")

[handlez42]

when I read an article on the trap about "pure grips"  and how grips can be the most under appreciated equipment in your bag. I noticed this when everything I did was inconsistent. Grip comfort, misshits, and feel.

The only thing that was consistent were pure struck shots going straight left about 15 yards of my target line. I realized my crosslines were too small for my hands (std) and needed to finally get new ones. They tore my hands apart as well mostly because they slid around inside my grip throughout my swing

I researched the tacki mac itomics and realized they were a solid grip comparing somewhat to iomics which are rediculously overpriced. I decided on the newer GEN it2 in midsize with 3 wraps of tape. White grip with grey cap and here are some notes.

The grip is increbly tacky and has a certain beautiful balance between soft feel while having firm feedback.

although the white grip isn't ideal for people whole like looks. Looks aren't yard to replenish with some soapy water and a light spray of Windex (recommended by tacki mac to renew grips tack) although the white grip does help me when knowing the proper time to clean my grips.

The common feel of the it2 grip when used is "sandy". Tack still there but if you have grip sliding issues (which if you buy these im sure you won't) the sandy feel isn't ideal but even when on the course a bit of water and a towel can clean off the dirt and tack resurfaces. Which leads to me next note.

These grips in humid weather get even more tacky and for me uncomfortable but allows the player to grip light. In more temperate areas and slightly cooler maybe windy or something of that nature, the grip feels absolutely perfect. This grip all around is a great grip for somebody not needing the use of a glove although it might help with wear and won't affect the grips feedback.

Tacki mac introduces "minus ions" in this grip which during the injected molding process which eliminates a seam that a rubber grip would have, the use of negative ions are included in the high end "iomic"-like material. Negative ions much like the brass bracelets you see on wrists help reduce stress+tension which leads to a relaxed grip. And in most cases when we notice a calm grip on nice shots, we also notice a much smoother controlled swing.

the first time I hit my wedge with the IT2 installed I was amazed at noticing the minus ions actually working. I felt calm. My swings were smooth and I even got to a point of hitting draws and cuts and knockdowns naturally which is something I was never quite confident in trying.

I usually shoot mid 80s and bad days low 90s. Good 9 holes for me is about a 41 (course) depending. This past Sunday I got out for 18 while the weather was nice (north western Pennsylvania is a pain this time of year in terms of golf.) I had not played in maybe 2 weeks but amazingly shot a 77 and I truly feel its due these grips.

Overall these grips are great and feel and look good too not including compared to other top notch grips they are loads cheaper without sacrificing really anything. Even cheaper than rubber golf pride tour velvets. If anybody is looking for grips in the off season I suggest the tacki mac IT2. you won't regret it

[mvmac]

Great feedback, thanks for sharing

[handlez42]

Originally Posted by mvmac

Great feedback, thanks for sharing

thanks! i knew i wouldn't really be able to say my piece without actually playing a few rounds with them. getting used to them was difficult because now that the grip was comfortable (size-wise) in my hand i was setting up my club against the ground flatter and my posture improved along with it. Which had been a huge issue on my new irons i had this whole season. (fg tours' with +1" 2*up opposed to my std length/lie clubs i bought a year before)

[mvmac]

Yeah, amazing what 1 or 2* can do.  How do you like the FG irons?

[handlez42]

Originally Posted by mvmac

Yeah, amazing what 1 or 2* can do.  How do you like the FG irons?

i haven't tried too many iron sets but when i was in the market for some new ones i put these up against bridgestone j38 dual pocket cavity, some tiny titleist mb's (dont remember the name) as well as the ap2, adams idea black cb1 AND cb2's, and the mizuno jpx 800 pro. Overall these clubs in terms of feel were truly the best. very buttery yet solid at the same time. which is a very strange sensation. at address they looked 10x better than the cb2's, ap2's, j38 dpc's, because of a number of things. a little too thick of a topline for a players club for the cb2's and ap2's and the j38's were a little too long from heel-to-toe. which i guess is a sign of more forgiveness but they seemed too big for someone trying to be precise. the offset of these clubs makes them look much better at address when it starts at no offset with the wedge and works up very little to the long irons making them easier to hit. unfortunately ive replaced the 3 iron but sometimes wish i had it still for the feel and control it is capable of. everytime i address the ball with any of my FG's i get a very warm feeling of confidence and just makes me worry less about being aimed in the right direction. and in most every case im hitting right where i want to.

the stock OEM's are Dynamic Golds by true temper but i was fitted for Nippon 950gh shaft which make these clubs feel even more like butter and very substantial through the entirety of my swing. Swing weight is fantastic. like i said i started hitting soft draws, fades, and knockdowns when i got my new grips which i wont lie was all in part to the grips being proper and comfortable but in how these clubs feel during the whole swing almost helps you know what your doing in order to work the ball. im able to correct certain little details in the swing just by the weight of the club at the other end.

Like i said though, i haven't hit TOO many forged irons and have heard raving fans of mizuno say that the MP-58's are possibly the best iron around. I recently was looking up reviews for the FG tour Wedge to keep my bag consistent and saw a review on "epinions" with the FG tour irons vs. MP-58s and he felt that if there were any differences at all, they were microscopic in size. in the Feel category he had to take his glove off to notice a slightly more buttery feel of the MP's vs the more solid substantial feedback of the FG tours. (he mentions "slightly more firm, not more HARSH") in which i can only assume these clubs could be up in the top 5 sets in terms of feel and by my little trials of each club i mentioned, i wouldnt be surprised.

[handlez42]

im a little upset though because i got these end of spring just before this season truly kicked off and a week ago the golf club tech at the local sports store said a wilson rep came in and brought an individual FG tour V2 (version 2) and he said they look beautiful and that he would probly end up getting them (for free of course) and here i am just got my FG's and theres a new set out haha.

not too unhappy when i looked them up online. they look wayyy too much like how the entire market of companies are going. they look just like taylormade mb's and almost identical to the J40's by bridgestone on the front page of thesandtrap website. they remind me of a more 'edgy" macgregor v-foil as well. just not a fan. i like my classic looking cavity back fg's but id like to take a hit at the V2's.

[mvmac]

Yeah, I don't think there is a huge difference with the V2's, just different graphics.  I prefer the ones you have as well

[handlez42]

well i had my first issue with my grips...i was gripping the club in a weird way almost too far right, like i was fixing a fade issue which i never really had. as soon as i made contact at the range with wedge in hand i could feel my grip tense up and at the tip of my index finger i felt an indent. slightly smaller than a dime. almost like a sidewall gave out. I still feel these grips are fantastic but may have found myself a defected one. who knows but if it happens again here soon on my florida trip i'll be sure to let you guys know.

[handlez42]

just thought id update my review because grips are something that should be reviewed as they are used for a long periods of time.

i still have these grips on my clubs and haven't had any "caving"  like i mentioned before where the sidewall caved. so i still love these grips and think they are a huge way to save money and get a quality grip thats soft, with good feel, and lasts for a long period of time. No more need to drop hundreds for you Iomic lovers out there. if you have the courage to drop them. not only are these made of an injected molded material much like an Iomics but they last long and clean very easy. biggest thing is how they perform in slightly damp conditions. they dont feel slick and even when you want to dry them off they dry off very easily. to clean them i use what Tacki Mac prefers you use, Windex. cleans the dirt and removes the grey sandy look that worn down grips get. they also play like brand new after they get sprayed and wiped down.

the biggest thing i wanted to compare was to the beloved Golf Pride Tour Velvet. I got a few new clubs after i had already used my set of IT2's which was my mistake. so before my trip to florida i regripped 3 clubs with Tour Velvet midsize grips. these are rubber grips unlike the Tacki Macs. first i think early on the GPTV is a very good grip. among the best. firm like a corded grip but a bit softer on the hands. ive had these clubs with these grips for about a month and i will say they are my least favorite clubs to swing of my entire bag. all because of THE GRIPS! haha they are sandy and not nearly as soft as they could be. they don't last too long much like the original golf pride classic wrap. the Tacki Macs are great grips and im sure they will have some inconsistencies due to the design of the mold but thats a risk worth taking considering how the grips without issues perform not including the cost thats a 1/4 the price of multicompounds or even Iomics.

If you worry about looks with these grips, they arent for you. white grips to me look sharp and get compliments out on the course all the time. but they also help you notice when its time to clean them up. i'll be getting the wedges and hybrid with the  Golf Prides regripped with Tacki Macs sometime soon. but for now i'll manage.

If your a fan of the Golf Pride but might be looking for something a bit easier on the hands and softer but doesn't lose feel, i think the IT2's are the way to go. And if for some reason your playing the Golf Pride Classic wraps or perma wraps and prefer a wrap with those same characteristics. Tacki Mac makes a wrap grip thats also is the softer, longer lasting injected mold type grip like iomics or the tacki macs. Tacki Mac Itomic Wrap. i considered these grips as well but i prefer the more velvet grip design vs. the wrap.

either way this long into using these im sure they will last probably another year and a half. Love the feel. and im almost positive that the "minus ion" technology used in the grip material works. I feel relaxed when i hit these! haha i think everybody might need to at least give them a try.

[Mr. Desmond]

Never have enjoyed Tour Velvets because they only last a couple of months before they get slick.

[handlez42]

Originally Posted by Mr. Desmond

Never have enjoyed Tour Velvets because they only last a couple of months before they get slick.

i noticed this same issue i got these prior to a florida trip and in pennsylvania it isnt playing weather so i havent been playing. mostly range work in the dome but ive only been able to make it out more than 3-4 times. i wont lie i tend to play with my clubs quite a bit and with my two new wedges with GPTV grips i'll do quite a few chipping motions. just before the weather got bad i went out to a course that was closed and just shot multiple distances on the 9th hole along the road to get an idea of the feel and control of my new wedges so i hit them quite a bit that particular day but not enough to make these grips sandy and harsh like they are. im really disappointed with the durability of the Golf Prides. I'm starting to think that rubber compound-like grips are becoming a bit more outdated.

[handlez42]

Originally Posted by mvmac

Yeah, I don't think there is a huge difference with the V2's, just different graphics.  I prefer the ones you have as well

i just realized this post was here and i think the V2s are meant to be a little more balanced with the majority of the weight right behind the sweet spot. the FG's im playing now from what i can see have a little more toe heavy characteristics. Now i think this might just leave more shots open and to the right. But thats probably a bit more preferred in a forged cavity back considering tour players have clubs like woods and hybrids shafted with an open clubface. With irons most of the open characteristics are from where the weight is placed so toe weight might help avoid The Hook and give the club better workablility.

either way i like the FG's "of old" mostly because of how soft they feel but also very firm which is a lot like the wilson staff people remember with their blades. which is why i want to buy a set of the FG 62s...they are the most beautiful blade on the market today. wilson still got it!

i do know that in terms of distance, thin faces in cavity irons is preferred so putting more weight behind the sweet spot in my mind would decrease the distance in comparison to the old FGs, wouldnt it? dk just a guess but i could easily be wrong.