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The Golf Pride Reverse Taper putter grips promote more stability in your hands with an enlarged lower portion.  Three shapes and two sizes give players a lot of options.  Light weight.

Introduction

Over the last decade or so, the shape of golf grips has undergone a major change.  A sharp tapering from the top of the grip to the bottom had always been the norm.  With grips like the MCC Plus 4 [review HERE] and Plus 4 Align [review HERE], Golf Pride gave players a shape that was more consistent from top to bottom.

With their new Reverse Taper putter grips, Golf Pride is going completely the other way: the grip is now thicker (much thicker) on the bottom than the top.  Is this just a fad or the emergence of a new normal?  I tested them to see for myself.

Look

All of the Golf Pride Reverse Taper putter grips share a black, white, and red color scheme.  There’s extra large Golf Pride branding down the front of the grip and a smaller “Reverse Taper” at the top.  The only other text is wrapped around the back at the top of the grip explaining the size and shape of the grip.  There are five red stripes around the middle of the grip which could be used to guide hand placement, depending on your grip style.  Overall, the sharp contrast between the black and white make the Reverse Taper eye catching despite not having a lot of busy graphics.

Feel

While the three shapes are dramatically different, each Golf Pride Reverse Taper putter grip has the same dimpled pattern across the entire grip.  The combination of this texture and a light tack gives the player a good hold on the putter without needing to squeeze it.

The Golf Pride Reverse Taper is a made from polyurethane to keep the weight low even at the larger sizes.  This gives it a feel similar to Super Stroke and other large, modern grips.  At impact, that similarity continues.  To me, larger polyurethane grips have a more muted feel than traditional rubber grips.  This isn’t inherently good or bad, just a matter of finding what fits your preference.

Performance

Why would you want to use a reverse taper grip?  According to Golf Pride, “Reverse Taper putter grip technology stabilizes both hands for a more square putter face at impact.”  This is “as tested against a parallel style grip,” though they do not disclose how this testing was done.

The Golf Pride Reverse Taper putter grip family has six offerings: Pistol (above, bottom), Round (above, top), and Flat, all in medium and large sizes.  There is surprisingly little weight variance among this family.  The lightest – Medium Flat – weighs 61 grams, and the heaviest – Medium Pistol – weighs 64 grams.  And no, that’s not a typo: Golf Pride lists the Medium Pistol at one gram heavier than the Large Pistol.  This light weight is helpful because it allows you to change your grip without altering the feel of your putter.

I was immediately drawn to the Pistol (above).  This model has a dramatic “pistol kick” to lock in your top hand and the least dramatic reverse taper.  Because of the pistol shape, it feels closer to no taper, but a thorough examination reveals that there is a slight bulge in the lower half.  The Round grip has a flat top with rounded sides and back and a significant reverse taper.  Finally, the Flat grip has a flat top and longer sides for a more oval shape (below).  Like the Round, it has a large reverse taper.  Golf Pride recommends the Flat for a palm-to-palm hand placement.

Because each of the Golf Pride Reverse Taper grips has a large, flat top, I found them to be versatile for different hand placements.  I’ve always used a traditional grip when putting, but I was able to use different styles more effectively with these grips.  I found it easier to putt left hand low because the larger bottom gave the dominant lower hand more to hold on to.  Similarly, the large, flat tops gave my hand more space to rest for claw or saw style hand placements.

In my testing – both on grass and on a launch monitor – I did not find a meaningful difference between the performance of the Reverse Taper Pistol and my current gamer grip.  The Reverse Taper felt like it filled my hand more, but that didn’t translate to dramatically different results.  I actually view this as a good result for the Reverse Taper.  I’ve only gamed traditionally sized grips, and, statistically, I’m a good putter.  For the Reverse Taper to come out of the gates and match my gamer is impressive.  It’s certainly possible that I would see improved results after more time with this grip.

Conclusion

The Golf Pride Reverse Taper putter grips offer a range of unique options for golfers seeking a new feeling in their hands.  I applaud Golf Pride for going big with the namesake feature and for offering three distinct shapes.  If you’re trying to find more stability on the greens, these are worth a look.

Buy Golf Pride Reverse Taper Putter Grips HERE

The post Golf Pride Reverse Taper Putter Grip Review appeared first on Plugged In Golf.

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Star Grip makes some of the highest quality golf grips available.  Incredible three year warranty.  Built for tapeless installation, which is faster and less messy than traditional methods.

Introduction

If you ask one hundred golfers what they don’t like about golf grips, the most common responses would be that installing them is a mess and they don’t last long enough.  Not in that order.

Star Grip is a company that claims to have solved both problems.  With their solvent-free installation and an incomparable three year durability guarantee, they clearly separate themself from other grip makers.  We first checked out their grips in 2016 [review HERE], but they’ve changed a lot since then, so it’s time for a fresh look.

Looks

Aesthetically, the thing that separates Star Grip is their near-total lack of branding.  All of their grips allow for 360 degree installation because there is no logo to put up or down.  Each grip is solidly one color with a non-paintfilled Star Grip logo on the butt.

This lack of branding leaves ample room for the colors and textures of the grips to shine through.  With the exception of the Smoothee Wrap, all of the Star Grip grips come in a variety of colors.  Each wrap comes in black, white, blue, and red.  The Sidewinder (above) adds pink, green, grey, and orange to that mix.

Feel

Across the four grips in their current line up, Star Grip offers a variety of feels.  The Sidewinder is the firmest of the Star Grip offerings.  It has a “symmetrical S” texture that’s similar to Tour Velvet.  This was the easy choice as my favorite grip.

The Classic Wrap is softer and tacky.  The texture is minimal outside of the wrap pattern.  Star Grip’s Tour Star is very similar but without the taper.

Finally, the softest grip in this family is the Smoothee Wrap.  In addition to being the softest, it has no “perforations,” so more of your hand is in contact with the grip.

Tape-Free Installation

In addition to selling grips, Star Grip sells a variety of gripping accessories.  Their Air Installation Guns retails for $30 or $50, depending on whether you choose the standard or pro model.  They also sell a high quality build up tape, hook blade, and tape remover.

One of the key selling points of Star Grip golf grips is their tape-free installation.  And before the “Well, actually” crowd gets to the comments section, yes, technically any grip can be installed like this.*  What sets Star Grip apart is the high rubber content of their grips.  This makes the grips more elastic so there’s less risk of stretching or tearing.  The inside of the grip is also very tacky, keeping it in place.  Finally, the manufacturing consistency of these grips is second to none.

*While I love Golf Pride grips, if they wanted their grips installed with air, I don’t think they would have created the Concept Helix [review HERE].

To install a grip with air, you need an air compressor and the grip installation tool.  Set the pressure to at least 60 psi and simply slide the grip into place.  You can do the same to remove the grip.

The benefits of this method are numerous.  First, there’s no mess.  Second, the grip is immediately ready to play – no waiting for the solvent to dry.  Third, you can adjust the grip at any time.  Fourth, this method has no consumables – tape or solvent – so it’s cheaper in the long run.  Finally, air installation allows you to try a variety of different grips without destroying them.  You can start with Grip A, switch to Grip B, then go back to Grip A.

So, yes, you can install Star Grip grips with tape and solvent, but why would you?

Performance

I installed a variety of Star Grip golf grips on my clubs with the air installation tool.  I haven’t “blown on” grips in a long time, so the first thing I wanted to investigate was how securely they held to the club.  I’m pleased to report that they were perfect.  There was no way I could tell the difference between these grips and grips installed with tape and solvent.  I hit numerous shots off the toe and heel to try to make the club and grip twist, but it was rock solid.

The Sidewinder is the grip that could challenge for a spot in my bag.  It has more texture and grip than other similar grips, and I like the firm feel.  If you want something more cushioned, the Classic Wrap or Tour Star are excellent.  Both have a lot of cushioning, but they’re not squishy or lacking durability like other comfort grips.

My only complaint about Star Grip is that they are not ideal for wet conditions.  After sprinkling the grips with water, I had to dry them substantially before I had a firm hold of the club.

Finally, we need to talk about the Star Grip warranty.  The idea of a warranty on a grip sounds laughable.  My personal experience with one major brand tells me that if they offered even a one month warranty, they’d be out of business.  Star Grip offers a warranty for three years!  If the grip becomes “hard, dry, slick, or lose their tackiness” the company will replace them free of charge.  That’s an incredible promise and shows tremendous belief in their product.

Conclusion

With a three year warranty, you might expect that Star Grips carry a price tag well beyond most others.  You’d be wrong.  Each grip costs just $8 – about half the price of the #1 selling grip.  If you’re looking for a high performance grip with unbeatable value, your search ends with Star Grip.

Visit Star Grip HERE

The post Star Grip Golf Grips Review appeared first on Plugged In Golf.

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The JumboMax JMX Pistol and JMX Palmbird Pistol putter grips offer three different takes on the classic pistol shape.  Pleasant, modern feel.  Palmbird is unlike anything else; JMX Pistol models enlarge the traditional design.

Introduction

When I received an email about the new putter grips from JumboMax, it rang a bell somewhere in my memory.  A trip to the Plugged In Golf archives confirmed my suspicion that there was something here I’d seen before.  The new JumboMax JMX Palmbird Pistol grip is the descendent of the original Palmbird, which I reviewed over nine years ago [check it out HERE].

The Palmbird Pistol joins the JumboMax JMX Pistol Mid and Pro to form a trio of new offerings from one of the more innovative grip companies in golf.  I tested them to see if they’re worth installing on your flat stick.

Looks

Both the JumboMax JMX Pistol and the JMX Palmbird Pistol hew to the conventions of other JumboMax grips, from an aesthetic perspective.  The top of each grip has a medium sized JumboMax logo at the bottom and a model designation at the top.  The model name repeats on the side of each grip – at the top for the Palmbird, at the bottom for the Pisol Pro and Pistol Mid.

In terms of color, these grips are primarily black.  Both the Pistol Pro and Pistol Mid come in three colorways: red/blue, green/white, or blackout (not shown) . The Palmbird only adds slashes of white and silver on the sides.

Overall, the look of these grips won’t be the deciding factor on whether they go in someone’s bag, for better or for worse.

Feel

Picking up the JumboMax JMX Pistol and Palmbird Pistol grips, I immediately noticed the similarities to their Tour grips [review HERE].  There’s a little softness in the material and just a bit of tack.  They also strike a balance between the solid feel of a rubber grip and the hollow feel of a large SuperStroke.  I really like this construction as it gives me a more conventional weight without feeling empty in my hand.

These grips also use a variety of textures to improve traction and aid in consistent hand placement.  The JMX Palmbird Pistol has a hexagonal tread covering the back and sides with a cross pattern on the top.  Both Pistol grips are similar, but with the cross section wrapping around the sides on the bottom half of the grip.  They also have two different textures between the Vs on the top of the grip to cue consistent thumb placement.

Performance

Let’s start with the JumboMax JMX Palmbird Pistol.  Like the original, it’s very deep (1.6″ compared to 1.28″ for the JMX Pistol Pro) with a fairly narrow profile.  As the name suggests, it allows you to get more of your hand on the grip and have your palms directly oppose each other.  I found this to be one of the most immediately comfortable, natural-feeling large putter grips I’ve ever used.  While I’m normally skeptical of grip’s claims to “eliminate unnecessary wrist motion,” I did find that to be the case with the Palmbird Pistol.  This made the Palmbird Pistol an immediate winner on short putts.  My distance control suffered at first, but it showed improvement as I spent more time with this grip.

Additionally, the JumboMax JMX Palmbird Pistol works with different hand placements.  With a conventional installation, you can use a traditional grip or left hand low.  If you use a claw-style hand placement, JumboMax suggests turning the top of the to face the target, similar to the GOAT Grip [review HERE].  This method puts the back of your lead hand square to the target while offering more surface area to your claw hand.

In contrast to the Palmbird, the JumboMax JMX Pistol Pro and Pistol Mid grips are fairly conventional.  As you can see, the Pistol Mid is the larger of the two, 0.07″ deeper, per JumboMax.  The difference in width is similar, though I found it to be more noticeable.  Compared to other pistol grips, the taper and shaping of the butt is more subtle.  There are no sharp edges or dramatic curves; these grips want to sit comfortably in your hand without calling attention to themselves.  Overall, players who like a pistol shape but want a little more size will be very happy with these options.

Lastly, one of the hallmarks of JumboMax grips is offering larger grips at conventional weights, like the JMX Zen Lite [review HERE] .  That technologies has been carried through here with the Palmbird weighing 63 grams, the Pistol Pro weighing 49 grams, and the Pistol Mid at 59 grams.  Contrast that with the original Palmbird that weighed a whopping 169 grams!  This is valuable because it allows you to use a larger grip without dramatically changing the feel and swing weight of your putter.

Conclusion

Whether you’re a convert to larger club grips like the or not, the JumboMax JMX Pistol and Palmbird Pistol putter grips are worth a look.  If you want to shake up your putting, the Palmbird can give your flat stick a whole new feel.  The JMX Pistol Pro and JMX Pistol Mid offer a conventional shape and weight with a little more size for added stability.

Visit JumboMax HERE

The post JumboMax JMX Pistol & JMX Palmbird Pistol Putter Grip Review appeared first on Plugged In Golf.

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The Garsen Quad Tour Pistol putter grips offer an angular take on the traditional pistol shape.  Offered in different materials as well as tapered and non-tapered shapes.  Succeeds in putting the grip into the fingers more than the palm.

Introduction

Early last year, Dylan and I took our first look at Garsen Golf’s line of putter grips [find it HERE].  Since then, Garsen has partnered with Tony Finau on a signature grip and built on the popularity of their Quad Tour grip with the new Quad Tour Pistol grips.  In this review, I’ll look at these new offerings – the Quad Tour Pistol NT, TPE Tapered, and TPE Non-Tapered – to see what type of players they can help.

Looks

All the Garsen Quad Tour Pistol grips have very clean appearances with traditional color schemes.  The Quad Tour Pistol TPE has the appearance of a Pingman grip with its black rubber and white paint.  There is bolder branding with a large white “Garsen” on the top and “QUAD Tour” on both sides.

The Garsen Quad Tour Pistol NT (below) has a similar look on the top – black with a white “Garsen” logo.  What sets it apart is the hexagonal texture.  Around the sides and back of the grip, there is a large silver section and a white stripe breaking up the black.

Feel

The Garsen Quad Tour Pistol TPE grip has the “classic smooth rubber feel” that most golfers know from the Pingman grip.  Garsen describes the material as “High-Tech TPE,” and I would note that it feels a little softer than a Pingman.

In contrast, the Garsen Quad Tour Pistol NT feels like most other large, modern grips.  The material is “High-Tech PU” and, as you can see above, it has a textured finish.

My take on the feel of these grips does differ from what Garsen describes.  They state that the TPE is “soft” but the NT is “medium.”  To me, the TPE feels much more solid than the NT with neither being softer than the other.  Additionally, they describe both grips as “semi-tacky,” but I only feel tack in the TPE.  To me, the hexagonal texture is the only thing keeping the NT from being quite smooth.

Performance

Let’s start with the specs on these three grips.  All three are the same length – 10.75″ – but that’s the only shared spec.  The Garsen Quad Tour Pistol NT is the lightest and largest at 55 grams with a 1.4″ diameter.  Both the tapered and non-tapered versions of the Quad Pistol Tour TPE are substantially heavier and a bit smaller.  The tapered version weighs 76 grams with a diameter of 1″; the non-tapered is 88 grams and 1.1″.

As someone who has often used a Pingman grip, the feel of the Quad Pistol Tour TPE was immediately comfortable.  I also preferred the smaller size, and definitely felt that the grip was more in my fingers, as Garsen promotes.  This made my grip feel very secure and actually a bit tight.  I didn’t have the sensation of tension or squeezing the grip too hard, but I felt like my hand was more engaged and locked in.  Also, I found that the large flat “top” of the grip makes it a natural fit for a claw-style hand placement.

With the larger, lighter Garsen Quad Tour Pistol NT grip, I did not have the “locked in” sensation to the same extent.  However, I did feel my elbows more tucked into my body, which is another one of Garsen’s claims.  Ultimately, the feel of this grip in my hands and at impact is not what I prefer – the TPE ended up on my gamer – but for players used to larger, modern grips, this will be a natural fit.

Conclusion

The Garsen Quad Tour Pistol putter grips give golfers three more interesting options when deciding how to grip their flat stick.  For players accustomed to larger grips, the Quad Tour Pistol NT delivers that feel with a pistol shape married to Garsen’s popular Quad style.  Players who like a more traditional rubber grip can still benefit from Garsen’s designs with the Quad Tour Pistol TPE.

Visit Garsen Golf HERE

The post Garsen Quad Tour Pistol Putter Grip Review appeared first on Plugged In Golf.

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The GOAT Grips TP Series 2.0 putter grips are a sharp left turn from conventional: they place the flat side of the grip parallel to the putter face.  Bold performance claims matched by the impressive performance.

Introduction

We all know that golfers will try anything to make more putts.  From a new putter to a new putting style to putting from the other side of the ball, nothing is off limits.  So what about twisting the grip?  Does the flat side need to be on top?  Would it be better if the flat surface mirrored the putter face?  That’s the claim of GOAT Grips, and one I was eager to put to the test.

Listen to our interview with GOAT Grips founder Dan Ridgway HERE

Looks

GOAT Grips putter grips currently come in two versions: grey and blackout.  Blackout is, of course, entirely black.  The top of the grip features an embossed “GG” logo, and the bottom has a half goat face, a nod to the company name and their flat-sided design.  In between, there are rows of small dots that add some texture to the grip.

The grey Tour Proto grip has a little more visual pop.  The flat surface is split, half white and half grey, divided by a stripe of black and orange.  On the grey side, there’s a small black “GG” logo, a white “G.O.A.T.”, and an orange “TP 2.0”.  Another small “GG” logo appears at the bottom of the grip.  That sounds like a lot, but it’s all fairly small, leaving most of the grip a solid grey.

Feel

Both of the GOAT Grips putter grips that I tested are in the middle of the spectrum in terms of feel.  They’re not ultra squishy, but they’re not too firm either.

In terms of size, GOAT Grips calls them “Oversize Non-Taper.”  I would describe them as modern average.  The 2.0 aligns with SuperStroke’s sizing, meaning that these grips are bigger than your PING Man grips or traditional pistols, but they’re not truly oversized.

Finally, the grips are average in weight.  The weight of the blackout is listed as 57 grams, and all four of the grips I received were within one gram of that.

Performance Claims

GOAT Grips makes three major performance claims about their grips.  First, by having the flat part of the grip face the target, you get “Face Plane Clarity.”  This is another way of saying that the golfer will have a greater sense of and connection to the putter face.  Second, the “Deep Well Shape” sets the trail hand farther behind the face for “supersized stability.”  

Third, and the part that most resonated with me, is the idea of the shaft being closer to the “top left” corner of the grip (see above).  GOAT Grips calls this TRU Performance, and they state this design helps to maintain the intended relationship between the grip and putter face.  They go on to say that oversized grips that center the shaft “create additional effective offset, disrupt natural flow, & awareness.”  In addition to improving the connection to the club face, GOAT’s shaft placement should “dampen unwanted shaft rotation.”  Finally, because the shaft is always located in the same place relative to the leading edge of the grip, golfers can change grip sizes without needing to alter their timing.

Testing Results

I tested the GOAT Grips by installing them on two wildly different putters – the GEOM Sam [review HERE] and the PXG Battle Ready II Blackjack [review HERE].  In my first session with the Sam, I found the TP 2.0 to feel intuitive.  It also made the putter feel more stable and a bit less “artistic” with less face rotation.  On the Blackjack, I didn’t think the difference was as dramatic.  This putter is already very stable with minimal face rotation, so adding the TP 2.0 felt a bit like bringing coals to Newcastle.  The main benefit here was an increased awareness of where the face was pointing.

Subsequent testing sessions deepened my appreciation of the design of these grips.  With the Sam putter, that additional stability and consistency shined.  GOAT Grips states that their grips “accept most any modern gripping style,” so I experimented with different hand placements.  For me, the Sam worked best with a conventional grip: I had all the control I wanted but with a more stable putter face.

The pairing of the GOAT Grip and the PXG Blackjack ended up as the real standout.  On longer putts – the area where I struggle with modern mallets – the GOAT Grip gave me the face awareness that I was missing.  When I switched to a left hand low grip, putting felt automatic.  This hand placement made the Blackjack feel less bulky, and it took my right hand almost completely out of the picture.

Going back to evaluate the performance claims, GOAT Grips scores a 3 out of 3 in my book.  I gained a greater awareness of the face, especially with the Blackjack, and had significantly more stability with the Sam.  With both putters, I appreciated having my lead hand “closer” to the putter face, and I can certainly see how this consistent shaft placement will make it easier to try different grip shapes and sizes.

Conclusion

I took on the review of the GOAT Grips putter grips expecting a novelty, perhaps even a gimmick, but I came away with something that could easily be in my bag.  In my experience, these grips can give a putter something it lacks and enhance its strengths.  There may be some need for experimentation with hand placement, but when you find the right combination, the results can be extraordinary.

Visit GOAT Grips HERE

The post GOAT Grips Putter Grip Review appeared first on Plugged In Golf.

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The JumboMax MX Zen Lite grips marry a traditional look and feel with their quintessential “jumbo” grips.  The potential for extra speed and comfort is a bonus that makes it a worthwhile experiment for those who haven’t tried it yet. 

Introduction

I have seen the benefits of golfers switching to JumboMax grips, but I have never tried them myself.  I certainly was excited as I’ve seen some friends and associates gain noticeably more club speed.  I’ve also seen JumboMax grips cause players to be more comfortable.  Now with JumboMax releasing their new MX Zen Lite grips I wanted to test them for myself.  

Looks 

The JumboMax MX Zen Lite Grips are about as plain as they come when it comes to grips.  They are black with minimal white detailing at the butt of the grip that denotes the model and size.  A small white dash mark can be utilized as an alignment when installing the grips. The only color present is a neon green at the tip of the grip that reads “JMX Zen Lite.” 

The people that would like the visuals of this grip aren’t looking for frills, so the simple color scheme is not a bad thing.  In fact, when installed logo-side down, they become even simpler, with no branding visible at all.  The Zen Lite’s primary texture is repeating crosses going up and down the length of the grip. 

Feel 

If you’re familiar with the “industry standard” type of grips like the Golf Pride Tour Velvet (review HERE) or the Lamkin Crossline, you’ll know what these grips feel like.  The repeating crosses are the most textured surface of any JumboMax grip and feel remarkably similar to those two classic grip models. They are made of what they call their “Pro-preferred rubber surface.”  

While JumboMax’s website lists the Zen Lite as their “firmest feel” they are not uncomfortably firm.  At the same time though, they’re not going to be mistaken for soft grips either.  They can be described as middling in feel and not particularly tacky.  One strange observation I had was that use this grip made the club feel shorter, despite not cutting down the club. 

With that being said, feel will be affected depending on the size of the grips.  While JumboMax grips are noticeably larger than standard grips, just how much larger can vary.  The JumboMax MX Zen Lite Grips comes in seven sizes: standard oversize, standard jumbo, x-small, small, medium, large, and x-large.  

Want a bigger, lighter putter grip? Check out the JumboMax pistol grips HERE

Performance

The Zen Lite model is an extremely balanced grip that held up equally well in sweat, rain, and dry conditions.  As someone who has the tendency to over-draw the golf ball with standard-sized grips, I found these to steer my shots straighter.  The extra mass in the grips was able to keep my hands from getting too active, which I loved.  

While ultimately your own feel and preference play a role in what grips feel and perform best for you, I will remind people of the importance of a good fitting.  While I’ll always recommend going to Club Champion, there is a short quiz on the JumboMax website to help suggest the appropriate size when looking to transition into JumboMax grips.  After answering those few questions I was recommended to go with their size small.

JumboMax often says in their marketing that their grips allow you to swing faster.  With this grip being slightly lighter than my preferred midsize grips, it stands to reason that if something is lighter, you’d be able to move it faster.  However, when Matt, Plugged In Golf’s editor, tried JumboMax Ultralite (review HERE) he didn’t see speed increases.  

Like Matt, unfortunately, I didn’t see any speed increases either.  However, when trying the same grips, some of my friends did. I had a handful of friends try the grips on the same driver and found a few of them did gain 2-4 mph of clubhead speed in back-to-back tests.  I found it to worked best for those who struggled with fades or even worse, slices.  One said the grip gave him the confidence to “throw his hands” at the swing and not be afraid of a low left miss.  Any time you can increase your swing speed, especially without straining, it gives you the potential for more distance.

Conclusion

JumboMax MX Zen Lite Grips are the latest iteration in a series of grips trying to offer something different.  While changing the formula on size, these grips have kept a classic feel and performance that a majority of golfers enjoy.  While they don’t produce speed more for all, the prospect of a potential gain in speed makes these a worthwhile experiment.  

Visit JumboMax HERE 

The post JumboMax MX Zen Lite Grips Review appeared first on Plugged In Golf.

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Rip It Grips are a fun, unique, and colorful alternative to mainstream golf grips.  Pricy but pretty.  They perform and hold up well to use.  More personalization than many other grip brands.  

Introduction

Despite grips being your only connection to your golf club, they can often be overlooked.  Rip It Grips, however, makes it practically impossible for you to forget them.  They are loud, like a golfing grip lovechild between John Daly, Ian Poulter, and Payne Stewart.  To some, these are sure to be garish. But to me, these are among the coolest looking grips I’ve seen.  

Along with being visually stunning, their price tags are stunning too.  For one single grip, the cost is $18.50.  While you can save money by buying in bulk three for $51.95 or eight for $133.95, that’s still a lot to ask for colorful rubber.  It will be up to each player to determine how much style is worth to their golf game.  

Looks 

These grips feel like they exist solely for the visuals, and that is where they shine.  The sheer variety of grip colors and subject matter is astounding.  Currently, there are 21 different club grips available.  They feature everything from eagles and koalas to beer, burgers, naked women, and even marijuana. 

No matter what the design is, the colors pop off of the grips.  Every color of the rainbow seems to be used in some way, giving great opportunities to pair with color-coordinated ferrules, stamping, head covers, golf bags, outfits, and more. 

If you don’t want the more “out there” designs, they do offer a number of grips that are a solid color.  Those colors include red, lilac, navy, teal, nude, and peach.  There are even black grips that look almost normal until closer inspection reveals skulls and barbed wire.  

It looks like Rip It Grips will continue to make new designs often.  The description of the original two putter grips calls them “the first of many.”  The putter grips are just as loud but showcase a shiny finish over the designs. 

Unlike the club grips, there is just one single design featured on the putter grips that is called the “Stay Weird.”  That design is audacious and features loud colors like pink, purple, yellow, and blue and a number of doodles that include a planet, rainbow, burger, beer, and an eye just to name a few.  Now you understand where the name of the grip comes from.  

Even the boxes that these grips come in are beautiful.  Each grip is presented in a colorful box that matches the color of the grip inside, with a cutout to see and feel that grip.  Unboxing these grips felt like I was a student at Hogwarts unpackaging a magic wand from Olivander’s Shop.  It was a wonderful touch, considering most grips come in crinkly plastic.  With that said, I wonder how much of the cost of these grips is in the boxes that you’ll inevitably throw out.

Feel 

Ultimately, these grips feel familiar, reminiscent of the “industry standard” grips like the Golf Pride Tour Velvet (review HERE) and the Lamkin Crossline (review HERE).  They are smooth but feature a number of grooves and cutouts that add texture.  While the general feel is the same no matter what grip design you pick, the specific feel can vary from grip to grip. 

Those little differences are actually down to the visual designs because they aren’t exclusively visual.  Each one will have different cutouts, like the “Take A Trip” which features cutouts of mushrooms, staircases, doorways, eyeballs, and more. 

As someone who prefers midsize grips, I wish Rip It Grips made different sizes.  With that being said, it isn’t the end of the world to throw on a few extra wraps of tape to mimic a midsize feel.  

The putter grips feel completely different than the club grips.  The words that come to mind are glossy and slick, especially on the Orbit grip which features a large circular design.  The Sq. Face, on the other hand, is a bit different and features a raised seam on the back of the grip, reminiscent of the Golf Pride MCC Align grips (review HERE), to allow for easily-repeatable hand position.  

Performance

The performance of these grips isn’t really the main story, and there isn’t anything out of the ordinary to report.  While not special, it is worth noting that they did hold up well to both wet and dry conditions. 

The putter grips’ performance was more interesting.  The putter grips varied depending on the model.  At the time of writing, there are two kinds: Orbit and Sq. Face.  The Orbit, as the name implies, is a circular grip that minimizes face rotation but works best with a bit of an arcing path.  When I put this on my Bettinardi Inovai 6.0 (review HERE), it complemented the putter nicely. 

The Sq. Face is a lighter, streamlined grip that features a flat top aimed at eliminating rotation.  It also has a seam on the back of the grip to guide hand placement for a repeatable stroke.  In practice, this works extremely well with putters that are designed to stay square through the stroke, like the L.A.B. LINK.1 putter I recently reviewed (review HERE).  This one, I loved.  I found the combo of putter and grip to be an excellent pairing that kept the ball rolling on my target line more often. 

Conclusion

With club customization on the rise, expect Rip It Grips to be on the rise too.  They are an exciting way to breathe fresh life into older clubs or simply show off some style and personalize your set.  While expensive, they are eye-catching and add another layer of enjoyment to the game.  Golfers that love custom ferrules and headcovers may now have a new kind of golf accessory to collect. 

Visit Rip It Grips HERE

The post Rip It Grips Review appeared first on Plugged In Golf.

50 Words or Less

The SuperStroke Zenergy putter grips refresh the entire line up.  Huge array of colors, shapes, and sizes.  More pronounced spine – “Spyne+”.

Can SuperStroke make a great golf bag?  Check out their Pantheon stand bag HERE

Introduction

In a little over a decade, SuperStroke has gone from an oddity to a staple.  Golfers ranging from Tour players to 30 handicaps use them.  Over that time, SuperStroke has continued to innovate, offering a broader range of shapes, sizes, and performance features.  For 2023, SuperStroke is refreshing their entire putter grip line under the name Zenergy.  I slid a Zenergy Pistol 2.0 onto one of my favorite putters to find out what’s new.

Looks

The SuperStroke Zenergy putter grips are bold.  That starts with the branding on the front that takes up over half the length of the grip. It continues with the swirling graphics that wrap from one side of the spine to the other.  Even in the more traditional colorways, these grips announce their presence with authority.

As you can see above, the Zenergy grips come in a wide array of colors.  The full gamut includes white/black, black/white, grey/white, white/grey, white/red, blue/white, purple/white, and aqua/orange.  That full slate is available in the Pistol GT, Pistol 1.0, and Pistol 2.0 as well as the Tour 2.0, Tour 3.0, and Flatso 1.0.  The Tour 1.0, Tour 5.0, Flatso 2.0, and Flatso 3.0 have about half as many options.  If you go with the Wristlock, 1.0PT, or any of the Claw or XL Plus models, you’ll have between one and three choices.

Feel

When I first put my hands on the SuperStroke Zenergy putter grip, I noticed the softer, smoother feel of the top layer.  As I spent more time with it, I came to appreciate what SuperStroke calls “Multi-Zone Texturing.”  This is their way of saying that the grip has multiple textures.  The most notable piece of this is the solid white section near the top of the grip.  This area has more tack, and it feels like it locks my upper hand in place.  It’s also a signal that my hand placement is correct.

At impact, the Zenergy Pistol 2.0 feels more connected and solid than other SuperStroke grips I’ve used.  SuperStroke states that these grips have a “firm rubber inner core.”  This effectively communicates feedback about strike quality to the hands.

Performance

When most golfers think of SuperStroke putter grips, they imagine something very large.  That’s not necessarily the case.  All SuperStroke grips share the No Taper Technology – designed to keep grip pressure even in both hands – but the sizes and shapes vary widely.

The most traditional shapes are the Tour and Pistol.  The Pistol has a curved top section that locks in the upper hand; the Tour is uniform top to bottom.  Additionally, the Tour is offered in a wide range of sizes, from the conventional 1.0 to the very large 5.0.  The Pistol is offered in 1.0 or 2.0.

For players seeking something further from the beaten path, SuperStroke has the Flatso, SS2R, Claw, and Wristlock grips.  The Flatso has a pentagonal shape and the SS2R is a 1″ square.  SuperStroke’s Claw grip is a mix of pistol grip upper with a square bottom.  Finally, the Wristlock is a longer grip with a “pronounced butt section” meant to lock into your wrist [full Wristlock review HERE].

Before moving on, it’s important to note that the weight of these grips varies substantially.  Across the entire SuperStroke line, there are grips as heavy as 107 grams and as light as 54 grams.  This can have a massive effect on the way that your putter feels, so take it into consideration before making a grip change.

One new element that is consistent across the Zenergy line is Spyne+ Technology.  This is SuperStroke’s term for the embossed ridge on the backside of the grip.  Spines in grips are meant to promote consistent hand placement.  I think the Spyne+ is a solid design.  If you’re going to have a spine, make it as noticeable as possible so you use it when you’re under pressure.

Finally, every Zenergy putter grip has SuperStroke’s Tech Port.  This allows golfers to add CounterCore weights to their grip (sold separately at 25, 50, and 75 grams for $9.99 each).  This is one of the easiest ways to counterweight a club that you’ll find – no cutting, no mess.  SuperStroke is also hinting at other accessories such as performance trackers coming soon.

Conclusion

No matter your putting style or grip preference, there’s something in the new SuperStroke Zenergy putter grip line for you to try.  From the traditional Pistol to the extreme Wristlock, these grips can help whether you’re just looking for a fresh grip or an entirely new perspective on putting.

Visit SuperStroke HERE

The post SuperStroke Zenergy Putter Grip Review appeared first on Plugged In Golf.

50 Words or Less

The NO1 putter grips have a unique feel and NO1’s trademark consistency.  The P90 Series has a more pronounced pistol shape.  P60 is a midsize grip with a moderate profile.

Introduction

As the 2023 golf season starts to come into view, we gear-obsessed golfers start to think about tuning up our sets.  While a new driver is one of the more exciting ways to dive into the season, smaller changes can have a big impact, too.  If you like your putter but need a little something different, a new grip can be a great choice.  One of our favorite grip companies, NO1 Grip, has recently jumped into the world of putter grips, so we decided to take a look at their P90 and P60 to see if they’re worth putting on your prized flat stick.

Check out NO1’s UN Series club grips HERE

Looks

When I think of NO1 grips, the first thing that comes to mind is bright colors.  While there is no neon in the putter grips – yet – they are more lively than most.  Both the P60 and P90 grip come in the same array of colors.  In addition to the white, red, navy, and black colorways seen here, there is a gross light blue option.  IYKYK.

In terms of branding, the NO1 putter grips are bolder than most NO1 grips.  On the sides, there’s a large “NO1 GRIP” in the contrasting color.  The traditional NO1 logo is also present on the front of the grip at the top and at the bottom.

Feel

Both the NO1 P90 and NO1 P60 share a unique “carbon weave surface.”  It not only looks cool, it gives your hands some sensation beyond the normal smooth rubber grip.  I would stop short of saying that it adds much traction, but the feeling does give you a signal if you’re sliding your hands around on the grip.

At impact, the difference in construction gives each grip a distinct feeling.  The P60 has a foam core which is what makes it so light weight.  This results in a slightly softer, more muted sensation in the hands.  The P90 has a multi-layer elastomer compound core which feels more responsive and connected to me.

Performance

There are two major performance differences between the NO1 P60 and the P90.  The first is the weight, which is right in the name.  P60 grips weigh 60 grams and P90 grips weigh 90 grams.  NO1 maintains a tremendous reputation for quality and consistency, and that came through in these grips: all four grips weighed exactly what they were supposed to.  That 30 gram difference will have a big impact on swing weight, so make sure you consider the weight of your current grip and where you want to end up before you decide on a new grip.

The other major difference is the shape.  As you can see above, the P90 (red) has a more pronounced pistol shape in the left hand.  Per NO1, the angle is the “maximum allowed by the rules of golf.”  The P60 is larger overall (a “midsize profile”) but has a straighter shape.

For me, the P90 is the easy choice.  I like the way that the pistol shape locks the grip into my left hand.  Also, I appreciate that NO1 put a minimal taper below the pistol section – the grip isn’t overly skinny in the right hand.  Players that like a bigger, SuperStroke-style grip will gravitate toward the larger P60.  This grip also has a reduced taper so your grip pressure is more equal.

Conclusion

As a longtime fan of NO1’s quality and consistency, I’m very happy to see them getting into putter grips.  Their initial offerings cover two of the most-used shapes, and I’m hopeful that we’ll see them build out their line up in the coming years.  As the snow melts, I’ll be eager to see if the P90 can breathe some fresh life into one of my older putters.

Visit NO1 Grips HERE

The post NO1 Putter Grip Review appeared first on Plugged In Golf.

50 Words or Less

The JumboMax Tour Series and Ultralite grips provide a wide range of sizes and weights to help players find more speed and consistency.  With so many options, fitting is essential.

Check out the new JumboMax MX Zen Lite grips HERE

Introduction

After over nine years of unplugging myths and testing equipment, you’d think I would be immune to hype.  I’m not.  When Nick Sherburne from Club Champion told me about the club speed he gained switching to JumboMax grips, my first thought was, “I need to try that.”  So I did.  I tested both the Tour Series and Ultralite grips from JumboMax in my ongoing quest for more distance.  I’ll share my results in this review.

Before moving on, I’d like to thank Mitsubishi for providing their TENSEI 1K Pro White shaft [review HERE] for this testing.  I was able to leave my gamer untouched and install the JumboMax grips on the second shaft for direct, head-to-head comparisons.

Looks

The JumboMax Tour Series grips is offered in three colorways – black/green (above), black/grey, and white/red/blue.  All three feature the swooping graphic that highlights the texture change in the middle of the grip.  There’s also a JumboMax logo at the bottom that matches the grip’s color scheme.

JumboMax offers the Ultralite in only one colorway, shown above.  While some variety would be nice, I do like the thin graphics on this model and the way they enhance the grip’s texture changes.  Players who opt for the largest Ultralite can choose to have Bryson’s personal logo on their grips.

Feel

When you put your hands on JumboMax grips*, it’s hard to notice anything other than the size.  I imagine it’s like shaking hands with Shaq – you wouldn’t realize if his hands were sandpaper or velvet because you’re overwhelmed by their proportions.

Both the Tour Series and Ultralite grips are fairly soft with modest tack.  JumboMax rates the Tour Series as “firm” and the Ultralite as “mid-firm.”  I didn’t find the difference to be that substantial.  Similarly, the Tour Series has “Dual Texture” and the Ultralite has “Tri-Texture” but the differences between the textures are subtle.  Perhaps with a much longer exposure to the size of these grips, the texture differences would come to the fore.

*For this review, I tested “Small” and “Large” grips.  JumboMax does offer some grips that are conventionally sized, but both grip sizes I used are at least .3″ larger (butt diameter) than a standard grip.

Performance

Let’s start with some specs on the JumboMax grips.  The Tour Series actually starts a bit lighter than an average grip at 41 grams.  That jumps up, quickly, however, when you get into the “real” JumboMax sizes.  Their Small weighs 99 grams, the Large 112, and the XL a whopping 123 grams.  The Ultralite Series is, of course, much lighter.  The Small weighs 48 grams and the XL weighs 50 grams.

Depending on the grip you currently play and what JumboMax you try, your club’s swing weight can change dramatically.  For me, the Ultralite grips actually bumped the swing weight up a couple points.  The Tour Series, in contrast, offers extreme counterweighting.  JumboMax claims this “helps golfers smooth out their swing,” but that will change from player to player.

Want a bigger, lighter putter grip? Check out the JumboMax pistol grips HERE

Now, on to my testing results.  I tested the four grips – Tour Series Small and Large, Ultralite Small and Large – independently against my normal grip on the same TENSEI 1K Pro White shaft.  I started with the most extreme, the Tour Series Large.  The majority of my notes from this test relate to how bizarre this made the club feel.  My driver felt shorter and lighter, like a toy or child’s club.  I felt like I was swinging the grip only.  Hitting in on my Foresight GCQuad, I was hoping to see big speed gains, but I did not.  I actually lost 3 MPH compared to my normal grip.  It’s also worth noting that I saw the ball launching noticeably higher with a touch more spin.

Next, I tried the Ultralite Small.  This was a much less dramatic change as the swingweight was very close to my gamer.  Also, the smaller size was an easier transition.  Unfortunately, the best results I got from this grip merely matched my gamer.  In the interest of brevity, I’ll just tell you that I did not find any additional speed with the Ultralite Large or Tour Series Small either.

If you’d like more data on grip size, we have a Golf Myths Unplugged about grip size and swing speed HERE and one about grip size’s impact on the swing HERE.

Conclusion

While I did not find any additional swing speed with the JumboMax grips, many other players have.  JumboMax offers far and away the largest range of grip sizes and weights, and I’m excited to see how they develop their fitting system.  As more players get access to the full range of grip possibilities, I’m eager to see how many find greater speed and consistency outside the norm.

Visit JumboMax HERE

The post JumboMax Tour Series & Ultralite Grip Review appeared first on Plugged In Golf.