Superstroke has purchased Lamkin........

[Qegurezi]

I wonder what this means going forward?

 

https://www.golfwrx.com/738679/superstroke-buys-lamkin-grips/?utm_source=Front&utm_medium=Blogroll_Home&utm_campaign=GolfWRX_OnSite&utm_content=unused

[Grouchykona]

Lamkin has some of the nicest looking grips.  Superstroke has some of the fugliest. 
 

I hope this marriage doesn’t produce ugly kids. 

Edited May 7, 2024 by Grouchykona

[wcbjr]

As long as they don't force Lamkin to use the same rubber as SuperStroke.  I cannot stand removing SuperStroke grips.

[Mob]

I have only used Lamkin grips for the past 30 years.  I hope this acquisition doesn't change the quality and innovation of what Lamkin produces.  I love the Sonar line of grips.

[ewaldbeukes]

Please leave my Crosslines alone!

[grochol17]

As far as I can tell, superstroke is really only known for putter grips.  Hopefully they just saw this as an opportunity to bring in the Lamkin brand and grab a bigger piece of the full swing grip market.  I think it would be a mistake for them to just take all of the intellectual property and gut Lamkin.

[cgasucks]

I've switched from Golf Pride MCCs to Lamkin Crossline Oversize over 10 years ago and never looked back.  I hope Superstroke does not screw around with the original formulation and production of those grips.  I remember hearing stories of the current Project X shafts weren't the same as the originals before TT bought them.  Most likely because TT didn't use the original machines to make them.

Edited May 7, 2024 by cgasucks

[philly2kuk]

Ugh I love my deep etch full cord. Hopefully superstroke won’t ruin it or I’ll have to start my search all over again for  the perfect putter grip.

[jah7838]

I'm right there with those that hope they don't mess up a good thing.  I've been using Lamkin grips since I've started playing golf in 2008, and don't want to use anything else.  I'm currently using Lamkin Crossline Cords and don't want to change from them.  

[Hari_Selden]

 After 25 years of Lamkin grips, I just bought some Star grips to try and I like them a lot. My Spidey sense must be working.

[jvincent]

2 hours ago, cgasucks said:

I remember hearing stories of the current Project X shafts weren't the same as the originals before TT bought them.  Most likely because TT didn't use the original machines to make them.

 

If you believe the stories that came out after the acquisition, the old Royal Precision manufacturing processes were a gong show and they had a LOT of rejects. Presumably when TT took them over they tried to retain as much of the original design/feel but with a better manufacturing process.

[MysteryV]

I'd be shocked if there wasn't some change to the Lamkin parts with this change. 

If Lamkin was extremely profitable after all these years, they wouldn't be selling the business.

The move doesn't really horizontally expand Superstroke's catalogue or open any new markets.

To me - this seems like a margin play - which would likely come with change in manufacturing thereby changing the Lamkin products in some way.

 

All speculation obviously, but I wouldn't hold my breath hoping nothing changes.

Edited May 7, 2024 by MysteryV

[st1800e]

32 minutes ago, MysteryV said:

I wouldn't hold my breath hoping nothing changes

Yes, the only Constant in life is Change.  

[MattM97]

Let's take a less doom and gloom look at this. Ideally the easiest move is for SuperStroke to slap their name on current Lamkin grips and call it a day, their place in the grip game is now closer to Golf Pride on full swing and they gain a few extra on putter side too. One thing that SS does like is colors/variety so could maybe see new sizes in some grips, new colors that were not available before cause have to chip away at the Golf Pride MCC options. 

 

Another thing to look at is the Lamkin putter line what's happening with that? I'm sure some are going to sent to the graveyard mainly the Polyurethane grips but I'm sure a few may find their way over to an updated SuperStroke style grip with the Lamkin shape. The rubber grips that are well loved I could see stay, it's a segment SS doesn't have and can just call it the Heritage line or similar, no reason to axe those cause they'll just lose those players to Golf Pride or others which I'm sure they don't want. 

 

But this is just some random thoughts on my end, obviously SuperStroke is lacking on full swing side for grips and Lamkin is known for that so bring it together, a few other changes and you have a bigger company. At the same time Lamkin could still exists as something like Lamkin by SuperStroke and nothing else happens. 

[SheriffBooth]

5 minutes ago, MattM97 said:

Let's take a less doom and gloom look at this. Ideally the easiest move is for SuperStroke to slap their name on current Lamkin grips and call it a day, their place in the grip game is now closer to Golf Pride on full swing and they gain a few extra on putter side too. One thing that SS does like is colors/variety so could maybe see new sizes in some grips, new colors that were not available before cause have to chip away at the Golf Pride MCC options. 

 

Another thing to look at is the Lamkin putter line what's happening with that? I'm sure some are going to sent to the graveyard mainly the Polyurethane grips but I'm sure a few may find their way over to an updated SuperStroke style grip with the Lamkin shape. The rubber grips that are well loved I could see stay, it's a segment SS doesn't have and can just call it the Heritage line or similar, no reason to axe those cause they'll just lose those players to Golf Pride or others which I'm sure they don't want. 

 

But this is just some random thoughts on my end, obviously SuperStroke is lacking on full swing side for grips and Lamkin is known for that so bring it together, a few other changes and you have a bigger company. At the same time Lamkin could still exists as something like Lamkin by SuperStroke and nothing else happens. 

 

Yup, I agree with this.  SuperStroke is a very strong brand name in golf, that makes subpar swinging grips but excellent and popular putter grips.  Lamkin is second fiddle to GolfPride, but still makes excellent swinging grips and subpar putting grips.  Seems like a match made in heaven to me.

[MattM97]

5 minutes ago, SheriffBooth said:

 

Yup, I agree with this.  SuperStroke is a very strong brand name in golf, that makes subpar swinging grips but excellent and popular putter grips.  Lamkin is second fiddle to GolfPride, but still makes excellent swinging grips and subpar putting grips.  Seems like a match made in heaven to me.

 

Exactly there is zero reason to buy and dissolve a company and be in a worse spot since many pros would jump brands to competitors. I know people will go and say well what about when TM bought Adams or Cleveland buying Never Compromise, they just wanted tech and patents for that. 

 

My wishful thinking as someone who doesn't use either is it elevates both brands to a new level in the golf game and the consumers benefit from it too. 

[Trippels]

Golf pride sitting extra comfy on their throne now

[Yoshifan151]

Hopefully nothing really changes on the consumer side or I may need to start a Crossline stockpile, especially the midsize cord.

[dubbelbogey]

With their price increases, Lamkin has pretty much lost me as a customer over the past several years. Global rubber prices do NOT track with their (and Golf Pride's) increases in price. Tire prices do not track this either, so it's not due to raw material cost. Good product (I was a very long time Crossline user), but they have lost the value proposition for me. 

 

[Amarsuperstar]

3 hours ago, dubbelbogey said:

With their price increases, Lamkin has pretty much lost me as a customer over the past several years. Global rubber prices do NOT track with their (and Golf Pride's) increases in price. Tire prices do not track this either, so it's not due to raw material cost. Good product (I was a very long time Crossline user), but they have lost the value proposition for me. 

 

almost like raw material isn’t the only thing needed to make a grip.

[Amarsuperstar]

7 hours ago, MysteryV said:

I'd be shocked if there wasn't some change to the Lamkin parts with this change. 

If Lamkin was extremely profitable after all these years, they wouldn't be selling the business.

The move doesn't really horizontally expand Superstroke's catalogue or open any new markets.

To me - this seems like a margin play - which would likely come with change in manufacturing thereby changing the Lamkin products in some way.

 

All speculation obviously, but I wouldn't hold my breath hoping nothing changes.

Pretty big assumption on the reason for the sale. It’s a family held company. Maybe the family just wants to cash out? Happens all the time. 

[dwboston]

3 hours ago, dubbelbogey said:

With their price increases, Lamkin has pretty much lost me as a customer over the past several years. Global rubber prices do NOT track with their (and Golf Pride's) increases in price. Tire prices do not track this either, so it's not due to raw material cost. Good product (I was a very long time Crossline user), but they have lost the value proposition for me. 

 

 

Transport/shipping costs and labor costs are up significantly, as are interest rates (cost of borrowing). There's your price increases.

[Nessism]

6 hours ago, SheriffBooth said:

 

Yup, I agree with this.  SuperStroke is a very strong brand name in golf, that makes subpar swinging grips but excellent and popular putter grips.  Lamkin is second fiddle to GolfPride, but still makes excellent swinging grips and subpar putting grips.  Seems like a match made in heaven to me.

 

Excellent observation!  Mr Sheffif, based on this contribution, you deserve an extra helping of mustache wax.  Please tell management that I've bequeathed this royalty on yee!  Please carry on...

[Louis_Posture]

4 hours ago, dubbelbogey said:

With their price increases, Lamkin has pretty much lost me as a customer over the past several years. Global rubber prices do NOT track with their (and Golf Pride's) increases in price. Tire prices do not track this either, so it's not due to raw material cost. Good product (I was a very long time Crossline user), but they have lost the value proposition for me. 

 

So which brand-model grips do you now buy?

[metaldog]

The genesis material putter and full swing grips are so good, like I’ve used mine for a year now in a wet and humid country, I have never cleaned them, and they still feel very grippy. (I play about 2 rounds a week, practice everyday)
 

I am wishing and praying so hard genesis works into genesis works or at least they keep the original formulation in the lamkin grips, the durability is so good, Superstroke breaks down soooo fast….

Edited May 8, 2024 by metaldog

[MysteryV]

1 hour ago, Amarsuperstar said:

Pretty big assumption on the reason for the sale. It’s a family held company. Maybe the family just wants to cash out? Happens all the time. 

 

Yup.  Just to drive the point home, I even went as far as writing "All speculation obviously."

 

That said - people do not sell the family business after 99 years because it's extremely profitable.  That absolutely does NOT happen "all the time".  False.

 

 

[Amarsuperstar]

9 minutes ago, MysteryV said:

 

Yup.  Just to drive the point home, I even went as far as writing "All speculation obviously."

 

That said - people do not sell the family business after 99 years because it's extremely profitable.  That absolutely does NOT happen "all the time".  False.

 

 

Yeah the entire $700 billion private equity market is based entirely on unprofitable companies. 

[Cwebb]

How about a surprise and bring back the original cursive Lamkin logo.  Changing that was a big mistake

[MysteryV]

2 hours ago, Amarsuperstar said:

Yeah the entire $700 billion private equity market is based entirely on unprofitable companies. 

 

Nobody said it was.  I certainly didn't write anything remotely close to that.  You seem to be directing your sarcasm at a premise you made up.  Bold strategy Cotton.  

[zap311]

Does anyone have an update on this acquisition? I'm considering whether I should stock up on my preferred Lamkin grips before SuperStroke changes manufacturing or discontinues some models.