Leather Grips? Who is using and what do you think

[NRJyzr]

I now have 27 holes under my belt with a full bag of GripMaster Roos, aside from putter.  They've even better than I had hoped.  Gripping the club is incredibly secure. 

 

[RobotDoctor]

4 hours ago, NRJyzr said:

I now have 27 holes under my belt with a full bag of GripMaster Roos, aside from putter.  They've even better than I had hoped.  Gripping the club is incredibly secure. 

 

 

Just wait until it rains.  They'll be fabulous!!!  😁👍

Edited May 23, 2021 by RobotDoctor

[Minarets]

I’ve always wondered about these.  People rave but it’s leather? How good can they be? And how can they last?   
 

finally saw some on a used set at Edwin Watts.   Masters edition. They felt like they had pine tar on them.  Was amazed how tacky they were.  I’m playing midsize right now with tour velvets +4.   Think I would prefer standard with a few extra wraps.  Wish I could find them locally.  I’m unsure and don’t want to settle or spend the money and it be wrong.   I play in TN and always have the soaking glove saga.  I am now very interested in these.  

[RobotDoctor]

4 minutes ago, Minarets said:

I’ve always wondered about these.  People rave but it’s leather? How good can they be? And how can they last?   
 

finally saw some on a used set at Edwin Watts.   Masters edition. They felt like they had pine tar on them.  Was amazed how tacky they were.  I’m playing midsize right now with tour velvets +4.   Think I would prefer standard with a few extra wraps.  Wish I could find them locally.  I’m unsure and don’t want to settle or spend the money and it be wrong.   I play in TN and always have the soaking glove saga.  I am now very interested in these.  

 

Leather grips are so worth it.  I love the feel, love the tackiness, love the fact that when my hands get moist the grips don't slip.  I will never go back to rubber grips as long as I play golf.  I also believe BestGrips is the best leather grips there are.  The product is outstanding and the customer service is even better.  I also believe GolfWRX members do get a discount.  Contact Bestgrips and ask about that.  While the price is higher than most rubber grips, they will last much longer and will not slip.  Totally worth the investment.

 

https://bestgrips.com/collections/club-grips

[saminhouston]

Ya Best Grips customer service is awesome, you talk directly to the owner.

[NRJyzr]

I've used both GripMaster Roos and Best Grips Microperfs.  I gave the slightest of edges to the GripMasters, and went with them for my current set, but I could easily go with Microperfs, and be just as happy.

 

Both are ridiculously good in damp conditions.  And humid conditions.  Actually, in all conditions.  🙂

 

[Double Dodger]

Another who will never go back to rubber. 

As for the poster who had his grips installed by a certain builder and experienced slipping, many people don’t realize there are Master Grips out there that are synthetic rather than real leather. That may have been what was installed on his clubs. 
 

I use painters tape and I use alcohol as solvent to installed them with air. Never have slipped and can play with then in about 30 minutes. I have removed them and reinstalled them probably 5 or 6 times. 
 

And for as the adjustable hosel goes, I just experiment until I have the right setting then I go back and blow the grip around until it is lined up properly. Easy as that and have not had any slipping problems. 

 

These grips are another example of how tour players are influenced by the money of these large companies.  Very few use these grips and it really makes one wonder why. 

[Minarets]

It’s time to buy.  Went to range yesterday and it felt like 327° out there.  Couldn’t hold the club steady after 15 min.  

[YungPro]

Best grips are insanely tacky. They’re tough to beat. 

[Laznasty]

I've been using them on my putters for the last 3-4 years. I don't see myself changing back to rubber grips. One thing to note, I only play in the rain if its light or misting, unlike most of the die-hard golfers on here, so my grips have held up incredibly well.

[Thayneil]

On 5/27/2021 at 10:32 AM, Double Dodger said:

Another who will never go back to rubber. 

As for the poster who had his grips installed by a certain builder and experienced slipping, many people don’t realize there are Master Grips out there that are synthetic rather than real leather. That may have been what was installed on his clubs. 
 

I use painters tape and I use alcohol as solvent to installed them with air. Never have slipped and can play with then in about 30 minutes. I have removed them and reinstalled them probably 5 or 6 times. 
 

And for as the adjustable hosel goes, I just experiment until I have the right setting then I go back and blow the grip around until it is lined up properly. Easy as that and have not had any slipping problems. 

 

These grips are another example of how tour players are influenced by the money of these large companies.  Very few use these grips and it really makes one wonder why. 

which Gripmasters are synthetic?

[maamold]

On 5/26/2021 at 8:32 PM, Double Dodger said:

 

many people don’t realize there are Master Grips out there that are synthetic rather than real leather. That may have been what was installed on his clubs. 

 

 

Who is Master Grips and can you show me which of their grips are synthetic? That's why I stick with The Grip Master or BestGrips for real leather and hide.

 

[NRJyzr]

On 5/23/2021 at 11:13 AM, RobotDoctor said:

 

Just wait until it rains.  They'll be fabulous!!!  😁👍

 

I've had a brief experience with that.  Small shower at the end of a round.  Really only hit a wedge shot where moisture was in play, the leather did the job excellently.

 

I've been experimenting with a different driver, the shaft has a standard rubber grip that I haven't swapped out yet.  The different feel is a little odd.  Funny how quickly I've adjusted.  🤔

 

[Minarets]

9 minutes ago, NRJyzr said:

 

I've had a brief experience with that.  Small shower at the end of a round.  Really only hit a wedge shot where moisture was in play, the leather did the job excellently.

 

I've been experimenting with a different driver, the shaft has a standard rubber grip that I haven't swapped out yet.  The different feel is a little odd.  Funny how quickly I've adjusted.  🤔

 

Yeah that was my fear of switching to leather.  Getting used then the rib and feel. I assume it won’t take long. 

[NRJyzr]

4 minutes ago, Minarets said:

Yeah that was my fear of switching to leather.  Getting used then the rib and feel. I assume it won’t take long. 

 

I started with only a couple wedges, I really liked the feel almost right away.  I hit almost no full shots with wedges, though, wasn't sure how it would be on irons, hybrid, driver...  its been lovely.

 

I don't notice the rib.  I generally don't like ribbed grips, so it was a worry.  Part of why I transitioned as slowly as I did.  I've even changed the loft setting on driver, moving the rib, doesn't bother me at all.

 

[Robert L.]

I had a Grip Master putter grip on my Otey Crisman putter. I hated it and regretted installing it from the get go. Why? Way too tacky for me. I removed it and installed a Winn midsize grip, which feels tacky but not too tacky. What also pisses me off is wasting $30 on the Grip Master grip. Oh well, that's what it cost me to learn that I hated the grip!

[dubbelbogey]

No plans to switch to leather as I like my regular rubber grips just fine. However...

 

I am curious, what makes the leather so tacky? Are they treated in some way with something that gives them tackiness?

 

I grew up with leather tennis grips and they were not tacky, though I do remember you could buy stuff to apply to make them tacky. The transition to synthetic grips in tennis was a huge step forward.

 

 

[NRJyzr]

46 minutes ago, dubbelbogey said:

I am curious, what makes the leather so tacky?

 

The leather is treated/infused with a tack agent.

 

[Ri_Redneck]

23 hours ago, Robert L. said:

I had a Grip Master putter grip on my Otey Crisman putter. I hated it and regretted installing it from the get go. Why? Way too tacky for me. I removed it and installed a Winn midsize grip, which feels tacky but not too tacky. What also pisses me off is wasting $30 on the Grip Master grip. Oh well, that's what it cost me to learn that I hated the grip!

I've always used the Midsize Montana Cow putter grips from TGM. They don't have any tack at all. Soft and supple. I also have a Treble (red, white & blue) that isn't tacky. I believe the Signature replaced the Montana Cow though a few years ago. The Roo isn't very tacky either. I only use the tacky grips for wedges on up.

 

BT

[Robert L.]

On 6/14/2021 at 3:01 PM, NRJyzr said:

 

The leather is treated/infused with a tack agent.

 

I tried all kinds of things to tone down that tack agent on my Grip Master grip. Alcohol, saddle soap, dishwashing detergent, even acetone. Nothing seemed to work, if anything they got even tackier! I really don't know what would have worked.

[Double Dodger]

On 6/14/2021 at 1:29 AM, maamold said:

 

 

Who is Master Grips and can you show me which of their grips are synthetic? That's why I stick with The Grip Master or BestGrips for real leather and hide.

 

 

Ha! Showing my age there. Of course I meant (The) Grip Master. Master Grip used to make direct marketed gloves. They probably were one of the first DTC glove companies back in the old Golf Smith days. 

[dubbelbogey]

1 hour ago, Double Dodger said:

 

... Master Grip used to make direct marketed gloves. They probably were one of the first DTC glove companies back in the old Golf Smith days. 

They still do. Good gloves, too.

[NRJyzr]

6 hours ago, Ri_Redneck said:

I've always used the Midsize Montana Cow putter grips from TGM. They don't have any tack at all. Soft and supple. I also have a Treble (red, white & blue) that isn't tacky. I believe the Signature replaced the Montana Cow though a few years ago. The Roo isn't very tacky either. I only use the tacky grips for wedges on up.

 

BT

 

You think the Roo isn't tacky?  Seems like it is to me.  <shrug>

 

[NRJyzr]

On 5/23/2021 at 11:13 AM, RobotDoctor said:

 

Just wait until it rains.  They'll be fabulous!!!  😁👍

 

Got my chance to play in rain, thought I'd add an update.  🙂

 

We were trying to get 9 holes in before a rain cell hit, but it arrived while were on #4 green.  Kept raining through the front, then slacked off, so we kept going for the full 18.  Wound up playing about 7 holes in the rain, overall.

 

The grips were as advertised, nice and tacky.  What I found particularly interesting was the difference between my left and right hands on the grip (I wear a glove).  The bare hand was good, though a bit less secure than when playing in humidity with no rain falling.  The glove hand felt almost glued in place.

 

I found that interesting.  🤔🙂

 

Most of my clubs have the Roo grip, but I have one with a Kidd grip, another with the Master Perforated grip.  The Kidd and Perf grips are less tacky in drier conditions, but they rose to the occasion in the rain.  

 

Really happy with the choice to go with leather.

 

Edited June 24, 2021 by NRJyzr

[kwcsports]

I just replaced all my grips with Gripmaster Roo's, as well as my putter. I love leather grips and will not be going back rubber. I have changed my grips yearly for 35 years, hopefully these last a few years at least. Expensive but feel great. 

[maamold]

14 minutes ago, kwcsports said:

I just replaced all my grips with Gripmaster Roo's, as well as my putter. I love leather grips and will not be going back rubber. I have changed my grips yearly for 35 years, hopefully these last a few years at least. Expensive but feel great. 

If they are the same quality as BestGrips you'll have no issue with durability. I've owned BestGrips microperf for 4 years and they show no signs of wearing out. 

[Double Dodger]

On 6/14/2021 at 1:29 AM, maamold said:

 

 

Who is Master Grips and can you show me which of their grips are synthetic? That's why I stick with The Grip Master or BestGrips for real leather and hide.

 

Check eBay. You’ll find them there if you check the description carefully. I’ve never seen one but I know they are out there. Made sure my order was for leather impregnated with the tacky compound. I forget exactly what they call it. Many putter grips you get will not have the tacky treatment. 

[NNJ111]

Has anyone built the best grip microperf up with 2-3 layers of tape? I’m told the midsize may be a bit bigger (on the upper hand, not just the reduced taper lower) than a normal midsize, so was thinking of trying to build up their standard to a midsize. Any thoughts?

[maamold]

Just now, NNJ111 said:

Has anyone built the best grip microperf up with 2-3 layers of tape? I’m told the midsize may be a bit bigger (on the upper hand, not just the reduced taper lower) than a normal midsize, so was thinking of trying to build up their standard to a midsize. Any thoughts?

The underlisting will not stretch much as it's not traditional rubber and leather doesn't stretch so you can't really make the grip expand like a normal grip. However, I've found that 2-3 wraps of standard masking tape (I use the masking, contact cement, and air method) is necessary to get the grip secured in place. This method allows me to blow them off and reuse them without damage. 

If you are using grip tape and solvent you may only need 1-2 to secure the grip, but be aware that the grip will be there for good as you might need to cut it off later. 

[Minarets]

29 minutes ago, NNJ111 said:

Has anyone built the best grip microperf up with 2-3 layers of tape? I’m told the midsize may be a bit bigger (on the upper hand, not just the reduced taper lower) than a normal midsize, so was thinking of trying to build up their standard to a midsize. Any thoughts?

I was thinking of the same thing and called him last week to discuss.  He said 3 wraps were all he would suggest but he talked me into midsize over the 3 wraps as I play the GP tour velvet +4 now in midsize.