Star Sidewinder Grips?

[svlido]

On 1/22/2024 at 3:54 PM, Kenny Lee Puckett said:

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.

 

11 minutes ago, Ger21 said:

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

 

The True Temper Icons are made from the same material but they are way better in terms of quality.  I just did 25 clubs and every grip was within a half gram.  I weight every grip I install and that's unheard of in my experience.

[NRJyzr]

8 hours ago, absoludicrous said:

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

 

57 minutes ago, Ger21 said:

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

 

 

Personal opinion alert!  😉

 

I've got some Iomic Stickys on a few clubs.  For what little it's worth, prefer the Sidewinder.

 

The Iomics aren't bad, to be sure, I just like the Stars better.

 

Now back to regularly scheduled posting

 

[azgreg]

19 hours ago, Ger21 said:

butt end feels much firmer

[Phebus]

When I ordered some more Sidewinder grips from Star a few weeks ago, they included a new grip with my order that I assume that they’re going into production with. It’s much more textured then the Sidewinder grips and felt really nice. I haven’t installed it on a club to try it yet as it was a standard and I play midsize. My only concern is that it might be a little harsh on the hands as its texture is pretty rough. I’ll try to take some pictures later today and post them up. 

[absoludicrous]

1 hour ago, NRJyzr said:

 

 

 

Personal opinion alert!  😉

 

I've got some Iomic Stickys on a few clubs.  For what little it's worth, prefer the Sidewinder.

 

The Iomics aren't bad, to be sure, I just like the Stars better.

 

Now back to regularly scheduled posting

 

You might be right. Sorry, I wasn’t clear in my post. My Tour Velvet comment was to the question earlier about how MCC’s compare and I think Sidewinders are closer to TV than MCC. 

[NRJyzr]

1 minute ago, absoludicrous said:

You might be right. Sorry, I wasn’t clear in my post. My Tour Velvet comment was to the question earlier about how MCC’s compare and I think Sidewinders are closer to TV than MCC. 

 

I think I quoted you only to help provide context for the quote of Ger's post  🙂

 

[AZGolfNut2]

10 hours ago, absoludicrous said:

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

 

https://stargrip.com/products/pga-show-special-13-grips-installation-gun Here's the link, since it doesn't seem to be listed in any of the main categories on the website. 

[smoova]

1 hour ago, AZGolfNut2 said:

 

https://stargrip.com/products/pga-show-special-13-grips-installation-gun Here's the link, since it doesn't seem to be listed in any of the main categories on the website. 

Thanks for posting - pushed me over the edge to try these out!

[Ger21]

4 hours ago, svlido said:

I just did 25 clubs and every grip was within a half gram.  I weight every grip I install and that's unheard of in my experience.

Stars are supposed to be ±1g, which is better than most.

[svlido]

2 minutes ago, Ger21 said:

Stars are supposed to be ±1g, which is better than most.

They're about that from my experience.  I think Golf Pride says +/- 2 but they're tighter than that from what I've seen.  I just pointed out the TT Icons because they are exceptionally tight tolerance.

[AZGolfNut2]

2 hours ago, Ger21 said:

Stars are supposed to be ±1g, which is better than most.

 

One thing to point out with Star grips is they are within +/- 1 gram of each other within a set, but not necessarily within 1g of the weights posted on the website. I'm guessing that may be because each batch of grips (or maybe even the raw materials) can be slightly different, but when building clubs what matters most is the consistency across a set of grips and they are very consistent in that regard. 

[Seamus_McDuff]

Any way to connect the gun to a tire inflator?

[AZGolfNut2]

17 minutes ago, Seamus_McDuff said:

Any way to connect the gun to a tire inflator?

 

It has a quick connect on it, so it needs to connect to an actual air compressor hose. I've seen people on YouTube use an inflator with a little air blower nipple, but it doesn't look very easy to install that way probably because a tire inflator doesn't put out a lot of pressure. I use 80-90psi with my compressor when I install grips, and anything less than about 50psi makes it very difficult. 

Edited January 24 by AZGolfNut2

[Bad9]

16 hours ago, Seamus_McDuff said:

Any way to connect the gun to a tire inflator?

You don't need the gun. I use one similar to this https://www.homedepot.ca/product/husky-7-piece-blow-gun-kit/1001056169 with the black rubber tip installed. I have used a 12v tire inflator with that or the coned shaped one next to it just fine. I set my compressor at 40psi and its plenty of pressure. Being doing it this way for 20+ years. I did buy one of the guns with the cup on the end but found it more awkward to use than the setup I just described.

[J.Bex]

22 hours ago, Phebus said:

When I ordered some more Sidewinder grips from Star a few weeks ago, they included a new grip with my order that I assume that they’re going into production with. It’s much more textured then the Sidewinder grips and felt really nice. I haven’t installed it on a club to try it yet as it was a standard and I play midsize. My only concern is that it might be a little harsh on the hands as its texture is pretty rough. I’ll try to take some pictures later today and post them up. 

Oooh sounds like the successor to Pure DTX, I hope 🤞.  I put a Sidewinder on my driver to try it out this year.  Haven't swung yet but it feels nice and grippy.  DTX is still going strong on the rest of my clubs, but eventually may go all Star.

 

17 hours ago, AZGolfNut2 said:

I've seen people on YouTube use an inflator with a little air blower nipple, but it doesn't look very easy to install that way probably because a tire inflator doesn't put out a lot of pressure.

Inflator is still really easy, just have to find a good setting.  Easy work from normal grips to jumbo to giant SuperStrokes.

 

On pressure, psi, CFM:

 

I know people talk about pressure when it comes to saying how much works or not, but it really depends on each compressor's CFM.  The rate of air flow, ramp up, is what makes a big difference with everyone's methods and settings.  Inflators have a lot lower CFM than air compressors.  That also makes them more idiot proof to not blow up any grips!  So just a PSA for people sharing pressures they use or recommend to others... CFM is not apples to apples from compressor to compressor or inflator, so it's not just your psi that would work or not for someone else.

 

An inflator at .25 CFM can be on constantly at a 100 psi setting and never blow up a grip.  But blow 100 psi with a compressor that's 5 CFM - holding the air gun's trigger down constantly without quick pulses - and you know what will happen real quick! 🙉 💣🎆

[NRJyzr]

10 minutes ago, joostin said:

On pressure, psi, CFM:

 

I know people talk about pressure when it comes to saying how much works or not, but it really depends on each compressor's CFM.  The rate of air flow, ramp up, is what makes a big difference with everyone's methods and settings.  Inflators have a lot lower CFM than air compressors.  That also makes them more idiot proof to not blow up any grips!  So just a PSA for people sharing pressures they use or recommend to others... CFM is not apples to apples from compressor to compressor or inflator, so it's not just your psi that would work or not for someone else.

 

An inflator at .25 CFM can be on constantly at a 100 psi setting and never blow up a grip.  But blow 100 psi with a compressor that's 5 CFM - holding the air gun's trigger down constantly without quick pulses - and you know what will happen real quick!

 

This is an excellent point, I hadn't considered it.  Made me searching for the details on my own compressor, LOL

 

[J.Bex]

14 minutes ago, NRJyzr said:

 

This is an excellent point, I hadn't considered it.  Made me searching for the details on my own compressor, LOL

 

Just add it to the list of non-standard golf things that are shared like club lengths, shaft flex... 😆 

 

[Phebus]

Pictures aren’t the best, but here’s the new style grip Star sent me.

 

 

[NRJyzr]

1 hour ago, joostin said:

Just add it to the list of non-standard golf things that are shared like club lengths, shaft flex... 😆 

 

 

For the sake of anyone curious...

 

I have a California Air Tools Quiet Flow 4.7 gallon compressor.  It's rated at 2.2 CFM at 90 PSI.

 

Edited January 25 by NRJyzr

[J.Bex]

44 minutes ago, Phebus said:

Pictures aren’t the best, but here’s the new style grip Star sent me.

 

 

Yes, kind of like Pure DTX tread.  Thanks, and thanks Star for my possible future grip (midsize please) lol.

[NRJyzr]

48 minutes ago, Phebus said:

Pictures aren’t the best, but here’s the new style grip Star sent me.

 

 

 

Reminds me of a cross between Pure DTX and the Royal Sand Wrap

 

[absoludicrous]

1 hour ago, Phebus said:

Pictures aren’t the best, but here’s the new style grip Star sent me.

 

 

 

Oh, you got lucky and they sent you a black one. They sent me a red one, but I’m going to try it out even though it stands out a bit.

 

I’m hoping a combo grip is in the future as I only have one Pure DTX Combo grip left. Could be a combo of this and the Sidewinder. 

[Phebus]

I wish they had sent me a midsize. I might build up with some tape and try this one out. 

[gdb99]

Just ordered 3 different models with the free shipping. Looking forward to trying out Star grips. Long time Lamkin cord grip user. That new grip might be what I am after. 

[Ger21]

On 1/25/2025 at 9:20 AM, joostin said:

But blow 100 psi with a compressor that's 5 CFM - holding the air gun's trigger down constantly without quick pulses - and you know what will happen real quick!

That's why I'm using 30-40psi. I can easily blow up a grip with anything over 50psi.

[metaldog]

@Phebus @absoludicrous how's the new grip vs the sidewinders?

[Phebus]

I’ve yet to install the new grip. I like the midsize Sidewinders and didn’t want to build the new grip up to midsize to compare. 

[absoludicrous]

I think they are calling this grip the STX now? I haven’t used the Pure DTX grips, but I had the DTX combo grip (Half DTX/Half Pro grip) and the DTX texture is similar. The design is slightly different and the DTX seems slightly firmer. 
 

The comparison to the Sidewinder is that the STX are a little softer/squishier where the sidewinder is feels a little thinner and firmer. I think I prefer the Sidewinder for now. 
 

I threw it in my 3HL and it seemed to have changed the SW, so the grip seems to be heavier. I haven’t weighed it to confirm. I’m actually wondering if I may have been given a midsize grip since they threw it in my order for free. Comparing it to the Sidewinder and the DTX Combo grips, they look thicker, especially down the bottom hand. 
 

I just threw it on a new 3W I received this week and will test it out on Sunday. 
 

I think I prefer the Sidewinder more, but I haven’t had a lot of rounds with it yet and my opinion could change over time. 
 

I am gonna try to weigh this next time I take it off to see if there is a difference that I’m feeling/seeing. Again, I don’t know exactly what they shipped me so I might not be commenting on their standard production grips that they will be selling. I hope that helps. 

[Phebus]

The one they sent me had “standard” on the grip end. So look at yours and it should say if it’s standard or midsize. 

[absoludicrous]

Thanks. Mine says standard but it visually looks and feels larger. 
 

I took a picture if anyone was interested in the difference in the design/texture vs DTX.