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Custom-fit workshop
Spoilt for choice
Not only is continuity of grip size crucial for golfers, but as
Golfsmith Europe managing director Douglas Poole (pictured)
writes, the variety of grips has grown enormously in recent years
I
’ve seen players’ bags with a sorry same design as the traditional leather, wrapped
assortment of grips in various conditions, grips, but with vibration-dampening materials
wear and sizes, so how can they achieve a and water-resistant surfaces. Some of the
consistent feel if each club requires a greatest advances in EPDM are single-seam
different hold? designs constructed by wrapping an outer sheet
When fitting golf equipment, we are pursuing over an under listing, with a single seam on the
continuity within the set. grip’s backside. The artwork that can be put on
A set of clubs accompanied by the perfect grip this style of grip is relatively limitless.
size and design results in comfort, relaxation and EPDM grips are generally lighter than their
confidence. The last thing any golfer should be rubber counterparts. To many golfers, they are
thinking about over a shot is how to adjust to a softer and have greater torque, resulting in more
club’s grip. twisting in the hands than with a natural rubber grip. However, there are
Today there are many styles and compositions. The simple choice between now numerous EPDM designs that are quite firm.
‘leather or rubber’ has evolved into a series of decisions on materials,
durometers and colours that go way beyond the once standard ‘black’. The Variables
There are a variety of ways to distinguish grips from one another:
Selecting the right grip Weight: Grips can be as light as 20 grams. However, due to their narrow
Unlike fitting irons for lie angle or shafts based on swing speed, grip wall thickness, these have a tendency to transmit harsh vibration. Thicker-
selection is a personal choice. Optimal grip size can be measured, but style walled grips have more material to dampen vibration and are much more
selection and material simply depends on personal preference. It remains popular. Some lightweight models have cavities inside. The air pockets
important to know what’s out there, so here’s a run-down on grip styles. remove weight but keep wall thickness.
As technology in materials and manufacturing advances, so do product Vibration Dampening: Internal cavities are also a means of dampening
options. Over the past decade, the number of grip styles has expanded vibration, and they are oriented in channels running either parallel or
rapidly. For starters, we have seen the demise of the traditional leather grip. perpendicular to the shaft. Materials of various durometers are married
Golfers now expect better performance through material technology which together to control the grip’s feel. A firmer rubber is used as a base with a
leather cannot offer. Grips are manufactured today from two primary softer rubber designed to contact the hands. In EPDM models, a very soft
materials, natural rubber and ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM) polymer material is used as an outer wrap to dampen vibrations.
elastomer. EPDM grips are also referred to as synthetic or polymer grips. Arthritis relief: Golfers with arthritic hands often appreciate grips that
couple vibration dampening with a jumbo size. Arthritic golfers can struggle
Rubber & Cord Grips to wrap their fingers snug around the grip, so a larger diameter provides a
Natural rubber grips have been used for over half a century. Their styling comfortable hold. These styles usually have cavities to reduce weight.
has changed over the years but their two basic compositions have largely All Weather: The most versatile grip for combating moisture used to be
remained: the all-rubber grip and the cord grip (which has cotton string the cord. However, due to the harshness many golfers felt with cord, there
impregnated into it), or a combination of rubber and cord. are now natural rubber designs with a coarse texture that provide as much
The all-rubber composition generally has a softer feeling even though it friction as cord. Coatings have been added to the polymer outer wrap of
can be manufactured in a variety of durometers (hardness). Grips with cord EPDM grips to provide tackiness, even in the rain. Every modern grip does
in them are much firmer. The cord itself acts like an aggregate rock in not automatically combat moisture, so you need to pay attention to grip
concrete, strengthening the structure of the grip. Many golfers are drawn to specifications to determine which models work best when wet.
the corded grips because of improved hand traction. This is especially true Ribbed vs. Round: Except for putter grips, all golf grips must be
for golfers who experience sweaty palms or play frequently in humid or cylindrical. The internal cavity of the grip is completely round, but a minority
rainy conditions. The cord acts similarly to snow tires on a slippery road. of models incorporate an internal rib of material, on the back side of the
In recent years, the greatest advance in rubber grip technology has been grip. As this rib of mass rests against the shaft, it creates a ridge that can be
the introduction of various colours. For many decades, rubber grips were felt along the back outer side of the grip. Many golfers like the feel of this
primarily black. Now, manufacturing advances allow these rubber grips to extra mass, as it rests within the fingers and provides a guide by which they
be multi-coloured, thereby taking styling to a new level. can consistently position their hands. Golfers that like to open and close the
face of the club at setup may not desire the rib, as it becomes a distraction.
Synthetic Grips Don’t forget, the golf grip is the only contact point between the golfer
In the past two decades EPDM grips have undergone the fastest and the golf club. That makes it an integral part of the equipment, yet it is
technology advances. EPDM can be moulded into a single-piece or used in amazing how many golfers under-estimate its significance.
multi-layered constructions. Polymer wrap styles are available, much in the www.golfsmith-europe.co.uk
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