Star Sidewinder Grips?

[AZGolfNut2]

Looks like no Black Friday % discount this year. Did anyone jump on the bundle deal?

Edited November 25, 2023 by AZGolfNut2

[Ger21]

Holding out hope for Cyber Monday.

Looking for orange grips, which cost $2 more than the others. Should have bought during the Halloween sale.

[bg3putts]

Very good grips and last a long time.

[Kenny Lee Puckett]

I'm late to the party on these Star Sidewinder.

 

My goodness they feel good. Waggled a "preowned" iron yesterday at the shop with a set of them on. They were Standard size, felt a little "+4ish". VERY tacky. My GP TV Velvet 360 don't impress me this much. I'm almost compelled to regrip set with them.

[AZstu324]

Also late to this party but IMO Star are the best full rubber grips around! Their factory is right here in Chandler and I've been there. Talked to one of the owners and he told me a really cool story. The reason Star isn't as popular here in the US is simply because they last too long. Retail stores don't like to carry them because once a star grip goes on, that 2-3 years before the customer is back for a re grip. They like Golf Pride, and other brands because they bring customers back every 4-6 mo. Their big market is in Asia. Because of the insane costs of component pieces there, they love not having to go back every few months for regrips and Stars last FOREVER! Also, a club tech position is considered an "artisan" profession so just the installation costs alone are through the roof. 

 

And yes, most of the Star formula was stolen and then Pure started up right down the street in Mesa. I say "Most" because whatever part of the formula that keeps the grips from smelling like strong rubber, Pure did not get. That was also confirmed by the owner. 

[hammergolf]

3 hours ago, AZstu324 said:

Also late to this party but IMO Star are the best full rubber grips around! Their factory is right here in Chandler and I've been there. Talked to one of the owners and he told me a really cool story. The reason Star isn't as popular here in the US is simply because they last too long. Retail stores don't like to carry them because once a star grip goes on, that 2-3 years before the customer is back for a re grip. They like Golf Pride, and other brands because they bring customers back every 4-6 mo. Their big market is in Asia. Because of the insane costs of component pieces there, they love not having to go back every few months for regrips and Stars last FOREVER! Also, a club tech position is considered an "artisan" profession so just the installation costs alone are through the roof. 

 

And yes, most of the Star formula was stolen and then Pure started up right down the street in Mesa. I say "Most" because whatever part of the formula that keeps the grips from smelling like strong rubber, Pure did not get. That was also confirmed by the owner. 

I just put two on some wedges. Interested to see how they do.

[Golfinfloridaafter40]

On 11/2/2023 at 1:02 PM, Paintman said:

Some inside baseball about Star. I recently inquired if they plan to make something like a Pure DTX grip. Star emailed me back and said they are working on an aggressive textured grip for next year !

I like that grip in Chicago area humidity & rain. Plus sweating too much.

I talked to them at the PGS show about the same thing.  They have a model out now that is overly rough feeling, not near as good as the PURE version. I was really hoping for a Pure Combo grip version from them, but they said it was more difficult to make than I probably realized and they were not committed to it yet

[RSLP]

great grip , however players who grip closer to the end of the club may get a sensation that the grip cap moves.

[rbpwrx]

7 minutes ago, Golfinfloridaafter40 said:

They have a model out now that is overly rough feeling, not near as good as the PURE version. 

Which model of theirs is rough? I really like the Classic Wrap these days.

[Golfinfloridaafter40]

3 minutes ago, rbpwrx said:

Which model of theirs is rough? I really like the Classic Wrap these days.

I just looked through the catalog he emailed me and it is not listed yet.  It was for sure on display at the PGA show, but not something I would buy. 

[Bogey Fett]

Could someone weigh a midsize sidewinder for me? Preferably black but any color except white should be close enough.

The website has midsize listed at 15-20g heavier than standard and that just seems way off. Thanks!

[Badknee]

Here you go.

[AZGolfNut2]

Looks like Fred Couples is using Star Sidewinder grips! https://www.instagram.com/p/C5CLr4xvLQX?img_index=3

 

 

 

Edited March 28, 2024 by AZGolfNut2

[AZGolfNut2]

Star Sidewinders are in play at The Masters this week! And they ended up in the hands of THE MASTER! 😲

 

 

[rbpwrx]

1 hour ago, AZGolfNut2 said:

Star Sidewinders are in play at The Masters this week! And they ended up in the hands of THE MASTER! 😲

 

 

 

Love this! They are only 20 years behind us!

[Ger21]

I think I might go gloveless this weekend!

[jmagri78]

Revisiting an old thread. I'm currently playing the Golfpride MCC grips on all of my clubs and have been for years, however the Star Sidewinder really caught my eye due to the 3 year guarantee and the fact they're made in the USA. There are no local shops near me to see how they feel, but any comparisons to the MCC?

 

I realize that the MCC is a cord grip that will be a rougher texture, but anyone else make the switch and what are your thoughts on this grip in general? Thanks.

[Ger21]

21 minutes ago, jmagri78 said:

There are no local shops near me to see how they feel, but any comparisons to the MCC?

Much softer, and much stickier. Probably a touch smaller?

I've bought from this seller before, pretty inexpensive if you don't mind orange. Just be aware that they are the new bright orange, not the older orange show in the pictures.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/145355152845

[CactusGolf]

1 hour ago, Ger21 said:

Much softer, and much stickier. Probably a touch smaller?

I've bought from this seller before, pretty inexpensive if you don't mind orange. Just be aware that they are the new bright orange, not the older orange show in the pictures.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/145355152845

Thank you for sharing that!

 

I have been using the Pure grips since they came out, but also use Arccos and I've had to stop using them because the sensors pop out of the Pure grips all the time.

 

Are the butt-ends of the Star grips still as gummy or are they more solid like traditional Golf Prides?

[rbpwrx]

4 minutes ago, CactusGolf said:

Thank you for sharing that!

 

I have been using the Pure grips since they came out, but also use Arccos and I've had to stop using them because the sensors pop out of the Pure grips all the time.

 

Are the butt-ends of the Star grips still as gummy or are they more solid like traditional Golf Prides?

Star Grips are a solid rubber compound, kind of like a tire. I've been using them exclusively for 20+ years, and whenever I try another grip, I'm always disappointed, including the MCCs. The only thing that comes close is the CP2, a genuinely nice grip. But even those won't last nearly as long as a Star. The Sidewinder is available in Standard and Midsize, but you can adjust a lot with tape under the handle. I'm playing the Tour Star Jumbos at the moment, which have a fat low hand, like the MCCs. Super happy with those. No harm in buying one Star of any variety and giving it a shot. G'luck!

[NRJyzr]

12 minutes ago, CactusGolf said:

Thank you for sharing that!

 

I have been using the Pure grips since they came out, but also use Arccos and I've had to stop using them because the sensors pop out of the Pure grips all the time.

 

Are the butt-ends of the Star grips still as gummy or are they more solid like traditional Golf Prides?

 

4 minutes ago, rbpwrx said:

Star Grips are a solid rubber compound, kind of like a tire. I've been using them exclusively for 20+ years, and whenever I try another grip, I'm always disappointed, including the MCCs. The only thing that comes close is the CP2, a genuinely nice grip. But even those won't last nearly as long as a Star. The Sidewinder is available in Standard and Midsize, but you can adjust a lot with tape under the handle. I'm playing the Tour Star Jumbos at the moment, which have a fat low hand, like the MCCs. Super happy with those. No harm in buying one Star of any variety and giving it a shot. G'luck!

 

 

I found Star Grips through one of the clubmakers that frequented the old GEA forum.  Tried them randomly 20 years ago or so and quickly developed a liking.  I'm primarily a Sidewinder user, I like the Sidewinder better than any of the similar products created by other companies, like the Crossline and variants, Tour Velvet, assorted MCC grips, and so on.

 

If I hadn't jumped on the leather bandwagon, I would probably be using them for everything.  I still use them for some clubs, will remove them from one shaft to another, all that fun.

 

Cute Sidewinder story...  I'd put a couple Sidewinders on a pair of persimmon clubs that were part of my collection.  I would play them from time to time.  Somewhere along the line, they got buried in the absurd stash in my garage.

 

Fast forward a dozen years, and I am looking for these two clubs.  Find them, they've been just sitting in the garage all this time, through the array of Minnesota hot and cold.  The grips on these clubs needed just a wipe to remove dust, and they were perfectly usable.  I'd actually say more than just "usable," they were in rather good condition.  Other grips in that stash have not lasted as well.

 

They'll go a good long time  😁

 

[Ger21]

1 hour ago, CactusGolf said:

Are the butt-ends of the Star grips still as gummy or are they more solid like traditional Golf Prides?

I wouldn't call them gummy, but they are very soft. If you find the butt end to feel really loose, chances are it's not on all the way. I've found that the butt end sometimes forms a seal around the shaft during installation, right before it's all the way on, so no air is getting down around the rest of the grip, and it won't slide on all the way. What I do is hols the club/grip in my fingers and work it down firmly with my thumbs to get it to seat all the way, then give one more blase of air to pull the whole grip all the way on. When they are bottomed out all the way, the butt end feels much firmer.

[rbpwrx]

45 minutes ago, Ger21 said:

When they are bottomed out all the way, the butt end feels much firmer.

Firm is a good way to describe star grips. I wouldn't call them soft or gummy or sticky. They are certainly quite grippy, grippy and firm. And they stay that way for many years. A little soap and water freshens them right up when necessary.

[dono]

3 hours ago, jmagri78 said:

There are no local shops near me to see how they feel,

Star Grips still have the 3 grip sample offer.

https://stargrip.com/products/sample-grips?_pos=1&_psq=sample&_ss=e&_v=1.0&variant=44149062566048

 

[CactusGolf]

51 minutes ago, dono said:

Star Grips still have the 3 grip sample offer.

https://stargrip.com/products/sample-grips?_pos=1&_psq=sample&_ss=e&_v=1.0&variant=44149062566048

 

Thank you!  I love using Arccos during my normal rounds, but I've probably lost 5-6 sensors because the Trues are so soft at the end.  Either get lost in the bag or fall out when dropping a wedge.  Can't go wrong for $5.99!

[jmagri78]

Yeah, that's a great deal. I called Star and spoke to RJ, he was so passionate about their grips, it made me want to switch to them even more. He looked up local golf shops near me and gave me the contact info to the guy who carries them. Local shop has a few demo clubs I can try to see if I like the grip and no upcharge to install, since they're tapeless. He said he can install the entire set in 15 minutes or so. $8.99 per grip, whereas the GP MCC's are $12.99 plus $4.00 per club installation. 😮

Edited January 23 by jmagri78

[Phebus]

I love my Star Sidewinder grips. Tacky and wear great. Super easy to blow on. 

[dffjunior]

I snagged some of these a Pure replacements because those are getting very hard to find.

 

I was very disappointed.  I ordered a bunch of standard red grips and they were extremely small.  I then tried some white midsize and they were super jumbo.  I have Pure midsize and they are great.

[absoludicrous]

There is currently a PGA Show sale for a set of 13 grips, installation gun, and free shipping for $99.

 

I picked up a set to replace my Pure Pro’s and waiting for my irons to come in to try them out. They don’t seem very different than the Pro’s so far off the shafts, but we’ll see how they feel once I install them. 

 

I’m not sure if you can compare them to the MCC’s as my only experience with them felt pretty firm. The Sidewinders I have feel softer. Much more like a Tour Velvet, but tackier and slightly softer.

[Ger21]

7 hours ago, absoludicrous said:

Much more like a Tour Velvet, but tackier and slightly softer.

Closing thing to Sidewinders feel wise are Iomic Sticky's, imo.