Grip Master vs Best Grips Comparison

[Cactus Jack]

I thought I’d post a few pics of the grips. From left to right is the Best Grips Microperf, Grip Master the Master, and Grip Master Roo. All grips are midsize. 
 

All are very tacky. I would say the Roo is the tackiest. They are the first grips which give me the freedom to get after the ball without worry. They do not move or slip. If your hands sweat at all, play in rain, these grips will cement to your hands. 
 

The primary difference between the grips are the seams. The Roos seam is smooth and not noticeable. The seams on the other grips are noticeable. I’d say they are equally raised. The feeling disappears after a few swings, but it’s there. 
 

Another difference is size. The Roo is the thinnest, and the Best Grip is the largest. The midsize Best Grip feels very similar to a Golf Pride midsize +4. 
 

I do think I’m a leather convert. I need a few more weeks of testing before I commit to a set, but each of the grips are special. 
 

 

 

[Trippels]

Tried the microperfs versus the roos extensively.

 

Roos feel better (softer), are slightly lighter, are less slick, and do just as well in the rain. In my experience they also seem to be better made and there is less variance from one roo grip to another compared to the microperfs.

 

 

Edited April 10, 2022 by Trippels

[EaglesGolf99]

I'm a GripMaster through and through. I believe I've got somewhere in the neighborhood of 125-140 of them installed on my collection of sticks. The Kidd, Standard, Black, with 3 Full Wraps, is my go to for all Clubs non Putter. 

[dekez]

To me, the Grip Master Master is more tacky than the Roo.

Edited April 10, 2022 by dekez
Removed reference to Signature

[johnnyjumpjump]

Grip Master Roo's.

I purchsed a set of S-Taper 120 pull's off the internet.  The set came with grips (not described).  I was shocked to find that the grips were Roo's in superb condition.  That was my introduction to Roo's, and I can't imagine better grips - tacky, firm but not hard, and indestructable.

[ChaosTheory]

Which one makes your hands black when you hit a couple dozen shots with the same club?  That turned me off from them.

 

Edit:  I found it in my box o' grips.  It was the Gripmaster Classic Wrap.  That Pro-Tac stuff they "infuse" into the leather made my hands black.  Do you find the same thing?

Edited April 10, 2022 by Snowman9000

[RobotDoctor]

Best Grips can add more tack to their grips.  I usually ask Zach for my grips to be a little tackier than normal, just a little.  Otherwise they would be too tacky.  I love the Microperf!!!

[Cactus Jack]

4 hours ago, EaglesGolf99 said:

I'm a GripMaster through and through. I believe I've got somewhere in the neighborhood of 125-140 of them installed on my collection of sticks. The Kidd, Standard, Black, with 3 Full Wraps, is my go to for all Clubs non Putter. 

How is the Kidd? I’ve read good things about them, and the price is right. Do have a raised seam?

[Cactus Jack]

Do any pros play leather grips? I thought Padrig did, but I don’t know of anyone off the top of my head. Given their swing speeds and different conditions they play in I would think leather grips would be more common. 

[gentles]

10 minutes ago, Cactus Jack said:

Do any pros play leather grips? I thought Padrig did, but I don’t know of anyone off the top of my head. Given their swing speeds and different conditions they play in I would think leather grips would be more common. 

Lucas Herbert and min woo Lee both play gripmaster - young Aussie pros 

[iceman1118]

I keep meaning to try the Roo from Gripmaster. Curiosity is highly peaked in this topic for me. 
 

For you leather users, is installation any harder than standard rubber grips? I do my own grips at home without a vice, just use a lot of solvent over a sink and they slip right on. I also go logo down so I am never concerned with perfect alignment. 

[dekez]

7 hours ago, Snowman9000 said:

Which one makes your hands black when you hit a couple dozen shots with the same club?  That turned me off from them.

 

Edit:  I found it in my box o' grips.  It was the Gripmaster Classic Wrap.  That Pro-Tac stuff they "infuse" into the leather made my hands black.  Do you find the same thing?

 

No. I have not experienced this with the Kidd, Signature, Master, or Roo. 

[dekez]

32 minutes ago, iceman1118 said:

I keep meaning to try the Roo from Gripmaster. Curiosity is highly peaked in this topic for me. 
 

For you leather users, is installation any harder than standard rubber grips? I do my own grips at home without a vice, just use a lot of solvent over a sink and they slip right on. I also go logo down so I am never concerned with perfect alignment. 

 

Logo down isn't really an option with these.  The seem would then be visible on the top.  They are a tad more difficult to install.  Not hard, but I cannot imagine doing so without a vice.  Air is my preferred method because it makes it easier to move them from set to set afterwards.

[RobotDoctor]

2 hours ago, iceman1118 said:

I keep meaning to try the Roo from Gripmaster. Curiosity is highly peaked in this topic for me. 
 

For you leather users, is installation any harder than standard rubber grips? I do my own grips at home without a vice, just use a lot of solvent over a sink and they slip right on. I also go logo down so I am never concerned with perfect alignment. 

 
You have to be careful slipping these on since the underlisting is a polymer based material.  It can buckle if you’re not too careful.  I use an air compressor, painter’s tape, grip solvent and a little bit of rubber cement.  I have absolutely no issue slipping the BestGrips Microperf grips on or off.  

[iceman1118]

Thanks for the info guys. 

[EaglesGolf99]

6 hours ago, Cactus Jack said:

How is the Kidd? I’ve read good things about them, and the price is right. Do have a raised seam?

Love them. I tried everything GripMaster had available at the same time. One of each grip on one club. I settled on The Kidd. Yes, the Seam is slightly raised ala "a rib".

[aenemated]

I've had my eye on these for a while. I used to love the OG leather wraps you actually wrapped to put on. 

[m_w]

Anyone have experience putting 3-5 wraps under these grips, specifically midsize? Is it an issue? No issue at all? Thanks!

[hurley999s]

I put several layers of tape under mine and am still able to put them on by hand over the sink - no vice. 
 

Key I think is I use Brampton’s HF100. 
 

I’ve done this with Best Grips and a variety of Gripmaster - Roo, Master, Wraps. Both standard and midsize. 
 

Just last week I built a couple test clubs with LA Golf L series shafts - butt OD I calipered at .645. Still added several layers of tape and got midsize Best Grips microperfs on them on by hand over the sink. 

[granata10]

I am new to the leather grip use but I love them so far. I have only used Best Grip Micro perf but now I am intrigued by the Roos

[Ri_Redneck]

On 4/9/2022 at 10:02 PM, Snowman9000 said:

Which one makes your hands black when you hit a couple dozen shots with the same club?  That turned me off from them.

 

Edit:  I found it in my box o' grips.  It was the Gripmaster Classic Wrap.  That Pro-Tac stuff they "infuse" into the leather made my hands black.  Do you find the same thing?

All of the black GM grips will stain your hands a bit. Nothing a little soap and water won't cure though.

 

BT

[Ri_Redneck]

On 8/18/2022 at 5:26 PM, m_w said:

Anyone have experience putting 3-5 wraps under these grips, specifically midsize? Is it an issue? No issue at all? Thanks!

As for sizing between brands, TGM uses what I would call a standard taper and Best Grips uses what they call "Pro Taper" which is larger under the lower hand. I think they describe how much on their website.

 

Building up these grips with more layers of tape can be problematic because they will not stretch like an all rubber grip. They will get progressively firmer with more layers of tape. I install all my grips with 3m blue painters tape, a mild Dawn/water solution and compressed air. I used to play standard size grips with 4 layers of full length tape and 4 extra under the lower 1/2 of the grip (not Best Grips because of the Pro Taper). This gave me a fairly firm feeling grip when installed. However, they required higher pressure and more effort to slide on the shaft. I finally moved up to Midsize grips and now use just 2 wraps full length. They slide on easy now.

 

One alternative if you want to build up a standard size grip is to purchase the underlisting and wrap separately (available from Golfworks). With this you can build up all you want and install the underlisting which will stretch to fit the buildup. Then wrap the leather strap around by hand. Just like in the old days. It's simple to do. There's old pictures on the web of Palmer doing this to his clubs back in the day.

 

BT

Edited August 22, 2022 by Ri_Redneck

[nathans]

On 8/18/2022 at 5:26 PM, m_w said:

Anyone have experience putting 3-5 wraps under these grips, specifically midsize? Is it an issue? No issue at all? Thanks!

Easily possible.

 

Despite the warning only to use 2 build up layers and 1 double sided tape layer, you can use many more build up layers.

 

I put 10 wraps (yes 10!) of Golfworks full buildup tape under the Cabretta Signature midsize without a problem. However, I did warm up the grips with a heat gun before. I also blew the grips on with solvent as a lubricant and no double sided tape, so I could blow them off. No issue blowing them off either.

[EddieEdwards]

I like the micro perfs the best.  The roo’s the least (too soft).

 

They are a little more difficult to install.  With double sided tape they squeegee the adhesive off the tape.  If I blow them on I still need plenty of solvent.  I can’t do it with just air.  They are less likely to twist though.

[jmkorting]

What is people's thoughts/opinions on what Gripmaster grip is the softest?  Have enjoyed the softness of Winn Dri Tac 2.0 and Golf pride CPX grips.  Have tried both the Signature and Master grips.  Both to me are on the firm side.  Curious of others opinions 

[NC#1Hack]

I would say the Roos are pretty soft, never tried the wrap but hear its the softest.

[dekez]

On 3/5/2024 at 1:17 AM, jmkorting said:

What is people's thoughts/opinions on what Gripmaster grip is the softest?  Have enjoyed the softness of Winn Dri Tac 2.0 and Golf pride CPX grips.  Have tried both the Signature and Master grips.  Both to me are on the firm side.  Curious of others opinions 

 

I have used the Signature, Kidd, Roo, and Master.  I found the Master (the perforated ones with the colored caps) to be the softest.  But they are all on the firmer side.

[300_yard_drives]

I wanted to love best grips. Went thru a few sets, but the grip master grips are just better. Better texture, tack, and durability. I’ve tried all models but the Roo is the best if you like a firmer grip and the Kidd is the best if you like a softer grip. The best part about Best grips is seasonal colored models which are awesome.

[bubbagump]

Question on grip removal, if you have some leather grips installed with tape, will blowing them off be an option? 

 

I have some best grip Augustas that are still in great condition that I would like to salvage but they are installed with tape and wasnt sure how that all works.  

[Skeeter]

Have played and owned both.  The biggest decider for me was that GripMaster has their "sewn" grips where the seam is much less pronouced.  The Best Grips are all seamed and I just don't like the feel.  GripMaster Roo grips are the best I've ever played.