Star Sidewinder Grips?

[AZGolfNut2]

2 hours ago, absoludicrous said:

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. 
 

 

 

At the PGA Show I was told the grip itself is actually midsize, but they used a standard size "butt cap" since they don't have the new midsize butt caps done yet. This is just a prototype grip not quite ready for mainstream release yet, it's planned to be fully released by the end of March. 

 

Also, the black grip you posted looks like the DTX Combo (half DTX, half Pure Pro) rather than the full DTX grip. 

Edited February 15 by AZGolfNut2

[absoludicrous]

3 hours ago, AZGolfNut2 said:

 

At the PGA Show I was told the grip itself is actually midsize, but they used a standard size "butt cap" since they don't have the new midsize butt caps done yet. This is just a prototype grip not quite ready for mainstream release yet, it's planned to be fully released by the end of March. 

 

Also, the black grip you posted looks like the DTX Combo (half DTX, half Pure Pro) rather than the full DTX grip. 

 

Yes, it’s the DTX Combo. I was just showing that to compare the difference in the design. Thanks for confirming that I’m not crazy.

[absoludicrous]

A few rounds in with the Sidewinders on my irons and I like them. I wish they were a little softer like the Pure Pro’s, but they still feel good. I used hairspray and they haven’t moved on me. They seem a little tackier than the Pure Pro’s, and that is a plus for me. Since Pure is gone, I’m going forward with the Sidewinders for the foreseeable future. 

 

I put a few rounds in with the STX prototype grip and it feels a little larger than my other grips. I didn’t play very well with them, but I hit the range later and started to figure the grip and club out. I think I may go back to the Sidewinders. I like the texture and feel, but my hands are smaller and I think I’d rather go back to the standard size grips for consistency across my other clubs.

Edited February 19 by absoludicrous

[rbpwrx]

12 hours ago, absoludicrous said:

A few rounds in with the Sidewinders on my irons and I like them. I wish they were a little softer like the Pure Pro’s, but they still feel good.

Yeah I'd encourage anyone trying out Stars to check out the whole line. It's only a few bucks per grip. I have migrated from the Sidewinder to the Classic Wraps to the Tour Star, where I have stayed. The thicker ones feel a little softer just cause there's more rubber there. But I also have fat hands and get better results with a jumbo or midsize.

[leftymatt]

Great info/feedback in this thread from all.

 

I'm back on the hunt for a grip that works for me in terms of size and material. I like the sounds of firm and tacky, so recently picked up some midsize Sidewinders. New to installing w/ air and using a tire inflator so it's been a little choppy, but looking forward to trying out a couple of them. They don't feel quite as firm as I expected upon first grip, but I have yet to hit balls so I'll hold judgement until then.

 

 

[SAM_PGA]

On 2/19/2025 at 2:44 PM, leftymatt said:

Great info/feedback in this thread from all.

 

I'm back on the hunt for a grip that works for me in terms of size and material. I like the sounds of firm and tacky, so recently picked up some midsize Sidewinders. New to installing w/ air and using a tire inflator so it's been a little choppy, but looking forward to trying out a couple of them. They don't feel quite as firm as I expected upon first grip, but I have yet to hit balls so I'll hold judgement until then.

 

 

The midsize Sidewinders are much softer compared to the std size.  More material is naturally going to give more cushion but also more shock absorption. 

 

I started with std size Sidewinders (too small), removed them and built up using build up tape.  The size was more preferred but the end cap would twist over time.  I’ve ended up with the Tour Star+ 360 straight on and they feel perfect.  

[leftymatt]

On 2/23/2025 at 9:10 AM, SAM_PGA said:

The midsize Sidewinders are much softer compared to the std size.  More material is naturally going to give more cushion but also more shock absorption. 

 

I started with std size Sidewinders (too small), removed them and built up using build up tape.  The size was more preferred but the end cap would twist over time.  I’ve ended up with the Tour Star+ 360 straight on and they feel perfect.  

Good to know! This adds up, given that the listed weight difference between the sizes is anywhere from 17-20g. That's seemingly a lot more material. It's model-dependent for sure, but I'd say the softness difference between std/mid for some other grips I've played hasn't been substantial.

 

Can you speak to the level of softness between the built up std Sidewinders and your Tour Star+ ? 

 

 

 

 

[AZGolfNut2]

5 hours ago, leftymatt said:

Good to know! This adds up, given that the listed weight difference between the sizes is anywhere from 17-20g. That's seemingly a lot more material. It's model-dependent for sure, but I'd say the softness difference between std/mid for some other grips I've played hasn't been substantial.

 

Can you speak to the level of softness between the built up std Sidewinders and your Tour Star+ ? 

 

 

 

 

 

A standard Sidewinder built up to a midsize is going to be much firmer than a midsize grip, because the additional size is in the form of firm tape rather than soft rubber. It's also going to be even firmer than a standard size grip, because when you make the grip larger with buildup tape you stretch the rubber which makes it slightly thinner and firmer.  This is one of the reasons many PGA Tour players who prefer larger grips use a lot of build-up tape rather than going up a size, for example Bubba uses something like 16 wraps! They want the bigger size without a loss in firmness. 

[leftymatt]

1 hour ago, AZGolfNut2 said:

 

A standard Sidewinder built up to a midsize is going to be much firmer than a midsize grip, because the additional size is in the form of firm tape rather than soft rubber. It's also going to be even firmer than a standard size grip, because when you make the grip larger with buildup tape you stretch the rubber which makes it slightly thinner and firmer.  This is one of the reasons many PGA Tour players who prefer larger grips use a lot of build-up tape rather than going up a size, for example Bubba uses something like 16 wraps! They want the bigger size without a loss in firmness. 

Yes, I am well-aware of all of this! Including the likes of what Bubba and Finau are using 😄 I've trialed varied amounts of build-up with standard size doing grips over the years

 

I could have phrased the question better: I'm interested in how much firmer/softer a standard Sidewinder plays vs. a standard Tour Star +

 

I know the best answer is to just order a Tour Star+ to try out myself. I used up my trial order already, but looks like I can order a single for fairly cheap through some other outlets

 

[SAM_PGA]

9 hours ago, leftymatt said:

Good to know! This adds up, given that the listed weight difference between the sizes is anywhere from 17-20g. That's seemingly a lot more material. It's model-dependent for sure, but I'd say the softness difference between std/mid for some other grips I've played hasn't been substantial.

 

Can you speak to the level of softness between the built up std Sidewinders and your Tour Star+ ? 

 

 

 

 

I don’t notice the Tour Star 360 to be soft.  It’s firm to me, maybe a tweener between std Sidewinder and an actual midsize Sidewinder. 

[AZGolfNut2]

The new STX grip is finally up on the website! Only black is available right now, in standard and midsize, with gray & white available for pre-order. 

 

https://stargrip.com/products/stx

[borker]

I've been using Star Sidewinder grips here and there for sets I've cycled for over a decade now. I've always been very happy with them in terms of performance/feel. Great in all conditions and one of the few that I can comfortably swing without a glove in humidity with just a quick towel wipe. The Made-in-USA was another selling point for me and they were always a value option. I recently installed a set of Sidewinders (I had laying around for a few years looking to get used) on an older set of pre-owned Callaway X Forged I picked up at a bargain price that needed new grips and swinging them I am again thinking of using a set on my gamers.

 

But I will be honest, when I just now looked at their website and see that the Sidewinders are now $8.99/ea, I highly doubt I will be buying these anymore. They used to be $3.00-$4.50/ea depending where you got them (Value Golf, Ebay), and even through Star directly, they were only like $4.99 - making them a lesser-known name value vs the likes of Velvet/Crosslines. Now they cost much MORE than those brands?

 

Another thing is the Sidewinders have a thinner profile than GP/Lamkin. The rubber wall thickness is good, but the installed size is thinner and needs more buildup IMO. On the newly installed set I just did using .600 core Sidewinders, I used three wraps + grip tape and I measure .910" at 2" down. I think GP Velvets gave me closer to .930. The Sidewinders with 3-wraps are smaller still than the GP standard with two wraps.

 

The STX grip looks interesting, but again $12 a grip!

[Ger21]

44 minutes ago, borker said:

Now they cost much MORE than those brands?

Well, there is the fact that they are better than those brands.

[golfschnell]

Are the new STX reduced taper? The pics in link above look reduced or modern taper but no notation as such in the description. Will b looking forward to feedback on these as they look interesting but also look like they could feel hard and plasticy.

Edited April 1 by golfschnell

[rbpwrx]

39 minutes ago, golfschnell said:

Are the new STX reduced taper? The pics in link above look reduced or modern taper but no notation as such in the description. Will b looking forward to feedback on these as they look interesting but also look like they could feel hard and plasticy.

I have a bunch of the prototypes. Not hard or plasticky, same material as all their other grips, same tacky firmness, but with WAY more texture. I play their Tour Star Jumbo, but would switch to the STX if they made it FAT.

[PedronNiall]

1 hour ago, Ger21 said:

Well, there is the fact that they are better than those brands.

 

Yep. Better in every way, including a 3 year guarantee that will be longer for most if they simply wipe them down on occasion. 

[SAM_PGA]

Funny how some have zero issues with dropping another $650+ on the latest driver, not to mention the shaft upcharge... but balk at the cost of $8-12 per grip with a 3-year warranty.  Not to mention if you do use compressed air they can be reused time and time again.  I've had my current set of Star Grips on 3 different shaft sets.

 

The connection to the club is the most important aspect to a player's performance, yet it goes undiscussed too often.  

[Urb]

Was kinda hoping they'd buy the molds from Pure for the DTX.  Or just copy it.

 

It does look like they slimmed the butt and gave it less taper, which would be an improvement over the DTX.

 

Still needs to be way rougher like the DTX.

[AZGolfNut2]

They're also available on the sample page if you want to try one out (at a discounted price and free shipping) before buying a full set: https://stargrip.com/products/sample-grips?variant=52379945238688

Edited April 1 by AZGolfNut2

[absoludicrous]

I just went to Golf Galaxy and searched for their top selling grips and they ranged from $6.50-$16. I’m not sure how the Sidewinders at $8.99 are that much more expensive? They seem to be on the lower side compared to the other popular grips out there. They’re not the cheapest, but they’re pretty good quality and worth it in my experience. 

Edited April 2 by absoludicrous
Fixed price

[jmagri78]

For those who are ordering or order the STX, please provide feedback on what you think. I would like to get a couple to try if they're worth it.

[metaldog]

not that I won't be spending on these, but a big sell point to me for the sidewinders were how cheap they were, currently have some new tv +4's that I'm trying out (and love) and if these at least last half as long as star grips do then i'd rather play golf pride grips, something tells me golf prides will break down on me soon though...

Edited April 5 by metaldog

[rbpwrx]

On 3/31/2025 at 8:55 PM, golfschnell said:

Are the new STX reduced taper? The pics in link above look reduced or modern taper but no notation as such in the description. Will b looking forward to feedback on these as they look interesting but also look like they could feel hard and plasticy.

I have an STX prototype in hand - it is grippy and tacky, like all other Star Grips, but with a lot of texture. Not hard or plastic-y at all. If they made a Jumbo, I'd be playing it. Sidewinder on steroids.

[lookylookitzadam]

Just ordered a few via their sample pack deal…excited to try them out. 

[golfschnell]

Just saw the STX in my new Golfworks catalog. To answer part of my own earlier question they are a reduced taper design.

[borker]

I stopped by a local golf store today and wandered to their small grip section. Corner of my eye I saw "Closeout" section and they had brand new black Sidewinder grips for $3.99! They only had two left in the bin though and the worker told me they had like 30 a few weeks ago when they put them for that price. When I checked out with those two grips they rang up $.50!! I was like "wait is that right? Any more in back because I will take all you have of them for that price". Nope, only those two left. UGH.

 

These two are going on my current gamer's. I have one additional grip still from my inventory and will just get the rest from Star at retail or Value Golf has them for $1 less than Star.

 

 

[Seamus_McDuff]

On 1/24/2025 at 1:57 PM, Seamus_McDuff said:

Any way to connect the gun to a tire inflator?

Revisiting this, I was able to use the gun with a tire inflator by adding these 

 

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CNLC38V1?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title&th=1
 

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000YC9FVO?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title&th=1