50 Words or Less
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
He founded Plugged In Golf in 2013 with the goal of helping all golfers play better and enjoy the game more.
Matt lives in the northwest suburbs of Chicago with his wife and two daughters.
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24 Comments
This is similar to what Bryson does with his big armlock grip too, right? Nice to see it in a more made-for package
Andy,
I can’t speak to what Bryson does, but I don’t regard GOAT Grips as being similar to the armlock style. This grip isn’t trying to immobilize the hands; it’s putting more feel and connection into them.
Best,
Matt
This looks nice and familiar. I installed a SuperStroke sideways years ago when I was putting Left Hand Low. I really liked the feeling that I was pulling the flat side of the grip towards the target with my left hand. I can’t say I got much out of it with my traditional grip. It may be better with a straight back straight through stroke and I have a strong arc to mine.
Interesting review, Matt. You said that your conventional grip seemed to work best (for you). Can you envision a “claw grip” working with this type of putter grip as well…..or perhaps not? I think it might, but sight unseen makes it difficult of course. Again, thanks.
Steve,
Yes, I think a claw grip can work with this very well.
Best,
Matt
Another fine review, Matt!
Will visit my local shop to see if they have a demo yet.
Matt, I play a L.A.B. MEZZ.1 with the Press II 1.5 grip. How do you compare the GOAT to the L.A.B. grip?
Mark,
They’re trying to accomplish different things. The LAB grips are built to create a “natural” forward press; they don’t have any explicit goals of connecting the players hands more closely to the club face.
Best,
Matt
Maybe I’m overlooking something but what is the difference between these grips and just turning a Superstroke Flatso 90degrees?
Brandon,
If you turn a center-shafted grip 90 degrees, your hands will be very far from the top of the shaft and the face of the putter. The GOAT Grip puts your hands very close to both.
-Matt
Matt, good review. Thinking this grip could help keep me on a more stable plane. Tend to pull short putts left. Think this would work fine for a standard grip with trail hand index finger pointed down the shaft? Thanks
Conor,
Yes, I think it would work well with that grip.
Best,
Matt
Hi Matt, how would you compare these to the tour touch grips?
Regards
David
David,
I haven’t used the P2 grips, so I can’t speak to that.
Another PIG writer did a review about 6 years ago: https://pluggedingolf.com/p2-putter-grips-review/
-Matt
Would love to demo these in store somewhere. Trying out new putter grips is not without risks as you have to cut off the old, buy and put the new one on, hope the new one is better than the old one, and if not you’re back to square one in now finding something to put on and out close to $60-$100 as putter grips all routinely cost $20-$35. A lot of faith in something you’re not sure 100% of will even work. Not like a swing grip where’s it’s easy to demo one on a random club and go from there.
Dandy Golf has shipped their putters with grip turned the opposite way for at least 20 years. I took to doing this over 15 years ago.
I appreciate this company and hope they are successful but this idea is not new nor does it require a specialized grip
Matt,
After reading your review I was totally intrigued so I ordered the blackout grip. I’ve replaced the Press II 1.5 grip on my L.A.B. MEZZ.1 and the feel of the GOAT grip is a MAJOR improvement over the Press (which was big improvement over other putter grips I’ve used previously).
It really locks in my grip to the face of the putter. It feels like you have to do something terrible to start the putt offline.
And contrary to what Dan says in the podcast, I think it’s PERFECT for a left hand low grip!!
Mark,
That’s great to hear!
Best,
Matt
Matt, this was a great review and intrigued me to the point of buying one. I had installed an oversized Lamkin Pistol grip on my Odessey 10 putter. I constantly felt as though the head was lost and struggled with it. This past week I istalled the TP 2.0. Haven’t gotten to play a round with it, but did spend quite a bit of time on the practice green. It definitely shows promise of more consistency of holding my intended line. I use the lead hand low grip and the face felt more connected to my lead hand. Thank you for continually introducing us to such a variety of golf products.
Craig,
I hope the grip continues to work well!
Best,
Matt
I want to order the black grip but their site is extremely difficult to navigate and buy
Hey Matt. You didn’t mention that these were right handed grips only, as that is all that the GOAT website offers. What’s stopping you from spinning it around? Just another golf company excluding lefty’s. Hard pass.
Kevin
Kevin,
You can’t spin the grips around because part of the design is putting your hands closer to the top of the shaft. Said another way, the grip is thinner on top, thicker on the bottom. If you flip it, it will be thicker on the top.
-Matt
Oops. Look like my installer and I goofed. I should have read your review closer, Matt. My GOAT TP. 2.0 logo runs (traditionally) on top of the grip facing down to the putter head. The 2.0 on the grip is on the left hand side of the grip instead of right in the middle as you pictured. I guess this explains why I have not noticed much difference in performance or look to this grip. In the words of Roberto DiVincenzo, “what a stupid I am”. Ugh