Regripping question re: tape

[SteveH]

This year, I wanted to do this myself. Partly because I just like to be able to do things myself and partly because I moved and the place I get them done is 2hrs away  I have the grips, the tape, solvent, etc. I removed the old grips and tape but was surprised to notice that there was an extra layer (spiral wrapped) of tape on the 3 graphite shafts (Driver, 3W, 3H ) The other 10 shafts all seem to have had just one layer. The last time I had them regripped they were all done at the same time. Im wondering if whoever did them was just too lazy to clean off the extra tape off the graphite shafts as it was actually more difficult to remove than the stuff on the steel shafts, or if there is a reason for more tape on the graphite shafts ?. I measured the diameters and they are very close. The diameters of all shafts is very close approx 15.6mm .615". If anything, a couple of the steel shafts are a tiny bit smaller. 

[David in FL]

I suspect that you’re right.  Whoever did the last regrip was just lazy.

The question to ask yourself is whether you were happy with the feel of those clubs with the extra layer.  An extra wrap will make a small but noticeable difference.  If you don’t replicate that as you regrip, you may find the difference not to your liking... 

[SteveH]

Thanks very much for the quick reply. I suspected it was factory tape left on as the 3 graphite shafts are a different brand of club than my irons and that extra spiral wrap was a pain to get off.  I think under the circumstances I am going to try a single layer as I am trying to improve my shot shape consistency throughout the bag. If it ends up being an issue I can always get the 3 off, or just get 3 more and add a layer later.  It would make sense that the installer was just taking the easy route, I had the same place cut down my putter and regrip and I ended up pulling the grip off to add tape because I didn't like that it was loose at the bottom. 

[cooke119]

Sounds like the place where you had your grips redone and your putter cut down did not do a very good job, I wouldn't go back there. As far as tape is concerned I usually double wrap mine, I can tell the difference. But if your irons were single wrapped and you liked them I would go with that on your hybrid and woods.

[Club Rat]

I often would leave the original tape on and add one new layer.
For years I liked two layers, it only gives the grip size a small addition to the thickness.

Many players use two sometime three layers of tape.
Also, grip thickness are various widths from one brand or type, so some will need an additional wrap.
It's a matter of preference and what a player will become accustom to playing.

[kpaulhus]

I like two layers of tape on mine. It's just the right feel for me. 

[Piz]

In case anyone needs something else to think about...grips come in a variety of core sizes.  The most common are .580 and .600.  A grip with a core size of .580, installed on a shaft with a butt diameter of .600, will expand ever so slightly.  By the whey...it takes 4 to 5 layers of build-up tape to increase the grip size by 1/16th.

[SteveH]

I just did the single layer on them all. I can't say as I had noticed any difference in them with the extra tape. I went with the MCC+4 grips again, I really like the reduced taper. I went with the Align ones this time, had to take a little care lining them up, especially as it's the first time I did my own regrip. The spine doesn't feel very noticeable but I need to get out and try them. Now, if it stops raining long enough, maybe that can happen.  Thanks guys

[SteveH]

Managed to get a round in today with the new grips. I had forgotten  how good new grips feel.  Single layer of tape on the 3 clubs that had 2 was not very noticeable and if anything I hit them better.  I am a little disappointed with the align technology, I can't say that I noticed it. It was a little cold today and my fingers were a little cold on my non glove hand but I still expected the rib to be quite noticeable. Not so. At least they were only a buck a grip more than the regular MCC+4's. I really like the grip still.  Maybe the rib will improve with a few rounds ?

[NM Golf]

We are old school at my course and still use rubber cement to install grips, which means if I remove an old grip and the tape is still good I just leave it and install the new grip. Rubber cement installation just uses normal masking tape anyway. If the tape on there is messed up I will take it off though.

[1badbadger]

If all of your clubs were re-gripped at the same time, I have a feeling it wasn't laziness.  If they were lazy, they wouldn't have removed the old tape from the other 10 clubs either.

If the three graphite shafted clubs had the factory grips when they were re-gripped last time, it could be due to the tape that manufacturer uses.  For example, the grip tape Titleist uses is virtually impossible to remove, especially from graphite shafts.  It cannot be peeled off...it has to be scrapped off.  This can be done on steel shafts, although it's very time consuming and messy.  Tape can't be scrapped off of graphite shafts without damaging it.  But, because the tape is so tight and smooth, the best option is to leave it and put the new tape over it.  The size difference is usually so slight that it's not noticeable, but if it is, .58 core grips can be used on the irons and .60 core grips on the woods to keep the feel the same.

From a re-gripping stand point, Mizuno tape is the easiest to deal with.  It tends to stick to the inside of the grip, so when the grip is ripped and removed, most of the time the old tape peels off at the same time.  If not, it can be removed very easily without heat or solvent and leaves no residue.  

On 1/26/2018 at 12:24 AM, SteveH said:

Managed to get a round in today with the new grips. I had forgotten  how good new grips feel.  Single layer of tape on the 3 clubs that had 2 was not very noticeable and if anything I hit them better.  I am a little disappointed with the align technology, I can't say that I noticed it. It was a little cold today and my fingers were a little cold on my non glove hand but I still expected the rib to be quite noticeable. Not so. At least they were only a buck a grip more than the regular MCC+4's. I really like the grip still.  Maybe the rib will improve with a few rounds ?

The ribs are not as pronounced as they used to be...they are more subtle.  The rib on your new grips won't become more noticeable after playing with them a few rounds.  They will feel the same as they do now. 

[Groucho Valentine]

3 hours ago, 1badbadger said:

If all of your clubs were re-gripped at the same time, I have a feeling it wasn't laziness.  If they were lazy, they wouldn't have removed the old tape from the other 10 clubs either.

If the three graphite shafted clubs had the factory grips when they were re-gripped last time, it could be due to the tape that manufacturer uses.  For example, the grip tape Titleist uses is virtually impossible to remove, especially from graphite shafts.  It cannot be peeled off...it has to be scrapped off.  This can be done on steel shafts, although it's very time consuming and messy.  Tape can't be scrapped off of graphite shafts without damaging it.  But, because the tape is so tight and smooth, the best option is to leave it and put the new tape over it.  The size difference is usually so slight that it's not noticeable, but if it is, .58 core grips can be used on the irons and .60 core grips on the woods to keep the feel the same.

From a re-gripping stand point, Mizuno tape is the easiest to deal with.  It tends to stick to the inside of the grip, so when the grip is ripped and removed, most of the time the old tape peels off at the same time.  If not, it can be removed very easily without heat or solvent and leaves no residue.  

The ribs are not as pronounced as they used to be...they are more subtle.  The rib on your new grips won't become more noticeable after playing with them a few rounds.  They will feel the same as they do now. 

It damn sure is. I have some success with warming the tape (with the grip still on) with a  hair dryer then using spirits to wipe the tape and residue off.  

[Typhoon92]

My grip fiasco..

Picked up a set of 2014 TM MC irons with PXI 6.0 shafts and new Golf Pride cp2 midsize grips at PIAS.  Plan was to clean them up and resell.

I've been hitting them indoors and  the grips seemed big.  Now I just was measured for +3 wraps which I will so on my Pings since they so feel skinny.

I peeled back one of the cp2 grips and saw 3 wraps of tape.  I used our coat hanger grip removal tool to reuse the grips.  I wanted to come in just under midsize so I did one spiral wrap, put on the grip and stretched it 3/4".  Felt PERFECT...

That was Tuesday nite.  Thursday nite I start hitting them and the " control core" part...the 3" section from the butt down is twisting in my hands.  All the clubs... Rest of the grip is fine.

So...I can only think the butt was stretched from all the build-up tape?  But why not the rest of the grip?  Sort of thinking out my next step here.

[Piz]

Did you clean the bores before re-installing the grips?  It is possible that tape, or tape residue, in the butt end, is responsible for the failure of the butt section to bond properly.  A bore bristle, and a bit of solvent, will do the trick.  

[Typhoon92]

12 hours ago, Piz said:

Did you clean the bores before re-installing the grips?  It is possible that tape, or tape residue, in the butt end, is responsible for the failure of the butt section to bond properly.  A bore bristle, and a bit of solvent, will do the trick.  

They came off clean, no tape residue at all.  I didn't brush the inside of the grip because there was no tape stuck.  Maybe I'll try brushing one and see if that works. Thanks!

Also, I noticed the Bramptons solvent at our place is oily...very unlike the Golfworks stuff I have At home.  So oily that I even asked our pro one day if it was solvent or vegetable oil.

I'll use my own solvent this time too

[1badbadger]

13 hours ago, Typhoon92 said:

My grip fiasco..

Picked up a set of 2014 TM MC irons with PXI 6.0 shafts and new Golf Pride cp2 midsize grips at PIAS.  Plan was to clean them up and resell.

I've been hitting them indoors and  the grips seemed big.  Now I just was measured for +3 wraps which I will so on my Pings since they so feel skinny.

I peeled back one of the cp2 grips and saw 3 wraps of tape.  I used our coat hanger grip removal tool to reuse the grips.  I wanted to come in just under midsize so I did one spiral wrap, put on the grip and stretched it 3/4".  Felt PERFECT...

That was Tuesday nite.  Thursday nite I start hitting them and the " control core" part...the 3" section from the butt down is twisting in my hands.  All the clubs... Rest of the grip is fine.

So...I can only think the butt was stretched from all the build-up tape?  But why not the rest of the grip?  Sort of thinking out my next step here.

If the butt of the grips are twisting, there are a couple of possible reasons:

• The clubs were previously extended, and the shaft extensions are loose.  If I understand correctly, this is a set you picked up used at PIAS.  You removed the grips, left the build-up tape on the shafts, added one new layer of grip tape, and re-installed the grips, correct?  It's possible someone had the set extended and either didn't epoxy the extensions in the shafts (I've seen this more than once) or the extensions were not tight and came loose when the grips were removed.  If you didn't remove all the old tape, they were covered up and not noticeable.
• When "saving" grips, or "shooting them off" with the intention of re-installing them, certain methods can stretch the grip out enough that it won't return to it's original shape/size.  There are a number of ways to remove grips in one piece, but they all pretty much start at the butt of the grip.  Whether you're using solvent or compressed air, enough of it needs to be used to break the adhesive between the core of the grip and the tape.  Air or solvent is forced in at the grip cap, which can stretch this area of the grip and it won't return to the diameter needed for a snug fit.

I've experienced both scenarios, and checking for either one is pretty straightforward.  Just remove one grip from one of the clubs and check for an extension first.  If the clubs have not been extended, regrip the club using the same amount of build-up tape and a brand new grip.  After allowing it to dry, check the tightness.  If it's tight, then you'll know the grips were stretched too much when removed.  If the new grip still twists, then it's something else and we'll need to move to "Plan B".  I'm not quite sure what that plan is yet, but we can worry about that when the time comes!!!

[Typhoon92]

Thx 1badbadger!  The clubs are actually -1/2" but I don't think that'd cause a problem either.  I'll try one of them again next week with my solvent not his.  Maybe I'll put an extra wrap where it was twisting and go from there.  

Plan B is to use the Tour Velvet .580 we have lying around plus an extra wrap.

[1badbadger]

On 2/3/2018 at 10:44 AM, Typhoon92 said:

Thx 1badbadger!  The clubs are actually -1/2" but I don't think that'd cause a problem either.  I'll try one of them again next week with my solvent not his.  Maybe I'll put an extra wrap where it was twisting and go from there.  

Plan B is to use the Tour Velvet .580 we have lying around plus an extra wrap.

Out of curiosity, I did some research on this grip.  I have installed countless grips as a club builder and repair specialist, but I have been on the sidelines the last 18 months and don't have personal experience with this model.  I found several others who have had the same issue as you described.  It sounds like due to the materials used for this grip, the grip solvent might not evaporate completely which prevents the grip tape from sticking.  When you work on them again, check to see if the tape is still slimy underneath.