Equipment

Can a golf grip really help you gain distance?

Published

8 years ago

Jul 12, 2016

Lamkin makes the claim that with more traction and comfort, leading to a lighter grip pressure, golfers can actually gain speed and distance by using its new Z5 grip. But what makes this promise of “better traction and more comfort” any different than any other grip on the market?

Well, the Z5 grips have 5 different sections, or “zones,” each of which have different designs and are made with different materials. The rationale here seems to be that since each hand has a different function during the swing and setup, and they have different needs from a grip, that the grip shouldn’t be uniform from top to bottom.

Zones 1 and 2, the top two zones of the grip, have a cord weave and a horizontal pattern that’s said to provide traction in all weather conditions. And since most golfers wear a glove on their top hand, the cord probably will not put the hand in danger of discomfort.

From left to right: Zones 1, 2 and 3.

Zone 3, the middle zone, has what Lamkin calls “FingerLock panels,” helping to secure the thumb of the golfer’s top hand by having both the corded, horizontal pattern like the first two zones, but surrounding it with a “simulated rope texture.” According to Lamkin, this will give the golfer a feeling of control that allows a lighter pressure.

For those who don’t like the feel of Zone 3, the grip can be installed with its logo down, which effectively rids golfers of the feel of this zone and extends Zones 1 and 2.

Zones 4 and 5 have what the company calls a “shallow microtexture,” which is softer on the lower hand, since most golfers do not have a glove on that hand. The V-shape dividing line between the colors is there as a reminder for golfers where the proper placement of their fingers should be. This is said to promote control and consistency.

Zone 4 of the Z5 grip.

Lamkin’s new Z5 grips, made from a proprietary compound, are available in both standard (50 grams) and midsize (60 grams) in three colorways: Black/White, Blue/White and Red/White.

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Andrew Tursky

He played on the Hawaii Pacific University Men's Golf team and earned a Masters degree in Communications. He also played college golf at Rutgers University, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism.

12 Comments

Mel Sole

Aug 7, 2016 at 8:33 am

I tend to agree with John. My experience with Lampkin grips is that they do not last. The last set lasted for about 3 months (and I don’t play a lot as I’m an instructor and teach all day) I have no more confidence in Lampkin for the future!

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snowman

Jul 13, 2016 at 10:37 pm

I believe bottom line that grips are a commodity; use any quality grip that feels good to you. Properly sized Grip of any material /brand and you’ll be fine. hi tech materials, zones and such are just a marketing strategy to convince us to spend more on grips. Lots of majors won with the old boring GP green victory grips and the newer plain-jane tour velvet.

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john

Jul 13, 2016 at 10:23 pm

if these are made with the same material as the utx (the top half looks exactly like a utx) then they’ll wear out before you reach the 18th green, they’ve lost their way of late

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Golfer

Jul 13, 2016 at 12:26 pm

I’d like to see a comparison on trackman between these grips and other grips.

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myron miller

Jul 13, 2016 at 12:11 pm

All well and good but what if your hands are arthritic and you have trouble with smaller grips and need non-tapered grips. Doesn’t seem to look like a jumbo grip.

Also it would be nice to see some actual test numbers to see if for the same club, the grip actually makes a difference in distance and clubhead speed? Or is this just advertising hype? Personally i seriously doubt it makes any difference in swing speed or distance. And why would I care for my wedges and short irons. isn’t the function for these, accuracy and consistency?

Maybe for woods/driver/long irons it might make a difference, but I’d really like to see real tests to prove this statement.

Is it actually lighter than other companies grips?

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c2

Jul 13, 2016 at 8:39 am

Looks like the Golf Pride multi-compound to me, about as original as Taylormade’s composite drivers. Manufacturers copying another should at least have the decency to not act like they have invented something new.

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- Paul
  
  Jul 13, 2016 at 8:45 am
  
  Sharpro came up with the original “Multi compound” New Decade design, not Golf Pride.
  
  Reply Report comment
dd

Jul 13, 2016 at 2:52 am

So by gripping down it eliminates the top 2 sections, thus defeating the purpose of this grip altogether. Brilliant. Now I have no idea what the grip is supposed to feel like nor where to put my hands. What would small handed player like Lydia Ko do, when both her hands are small enough that almost 2 inches of the top and bottom of the grip are not used. I’ll be sure to tell people that this is for players with giant hands only. Brilliant.

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Dude

Jul 12, 2016 at 8:19 pm

What are the odds that this will cost $10+/grip? Do the benefits make it worth 3x more than a crossline?

What happens if you turn the logo down. Will your hands be in a Forbidden Zone?

Reply Report comment
Tider992010

Jul 12, 2016 at 12:06 pm

I really like Lampkin Grips. I would try these in a heartbeat.

Reply Report comment
- Milo
  
  Jul 12, 2016 at 12:22 pm
  
  I use UTx, awesome grips.
  
  Reply Report comment
- Nolanski
  
  Jul 12, 2016 at 6:05 pm
  
  I’m a crossline full cord guy myself but these are interesting.
  
  Reply Report comment

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Equipment

A shocking Backstryke putter appearance + 7 interesting gear photos from the Zurich Classic

Published

41 mins ago

Apr 25, 2024

Andrew Tursky

Welcome to New Orleans, where TPC Louisiana plays host to the 2024 Zurich Classic. In between breakfast beignets and nightly Creole feasts, PGA Tour players are also competing in the unique two-man format at the Zurich this week.

Although the vibes in Nawlins are a bit lighter-fare than the recent back-to-back competitions the Masters and the RBC Heritage signature event), the gear news was no less serious this week.

We spotted some recent changes from Rory McIlroy, a very rare Odyssey Backstryke putter, dove into the bag of legendary New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees, and spotted Patrick Cantlay continuing to test new equipment.

Get your beads out and crack your crawfish, because it’s time for an equipment rundown from The Big Easy (meaning New Orleans, of course, not Ernie Els).

See all of our photos from the Zurich Classic here

Rory’s on-and-off lob wedge

Since the end of 2023, Rory McIlroy has had an on-again, off-again relationship with a Titleist Vokey K-Grind lob wedge. In his last start, it was on, and the wedge is back in the bag again this week. We got a great look at the complicated grind that McIlroy uses.

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A full look into McIlroy’s bag above also shows that he switched out of the TaylorMade BRNR Mini Copper that he used at the RBC Heritage, and he’s back into the Qi10 core 3-wood. As we discussed last week, McIlroy will likely keep the BRNR around as a course-specific club, trading it in and out for the 3-wood.

See Rory McIlroy’s full 2024 WITB from the Zurich here

Turning Back the clock

Unless Tommy Gainey is in the field, it’s unlikely you’ll ever see Odyssey’s Backstryke technology make an appearance on the PGA Tour.

But then, when you least expect it, Russ Cochran shows up.

For more than a decade – since the 2013 Sony Open in Hawai’i – Cochran has been stuck on 599 PGA Tour starts. This week will be his 600th.

Cochran is in the field at the Zurich this week playing alongside Eric Cole, whose regular caddie is Reed Cochran, Russ’s son.

The Backstryke putter was first released back in 2010, and its unique design helps shift the axis point of the putter closer to the CG of the head. And, the putter is getting a nod this week at the Zurich Classic, thanks to Cochran’s 600th career PGA Tour start.

The putter is certainly awesome, but don’t forget to check out Cochran’s full WITB from this week.

Drew Brees with a Super Bowl winning Scotty Cameron putter

Drew Brees, a legendary retired quarterback for the hometown New Orleans Saints, made an appearance at the Zurich’s Wednesday Pro-Am, playing alongside Zach Johnson, Ryan Palmer, and current Saints QB Derek Carr.

Brees’ bag included a TaylorMade Stealth2 Plus driver, a BRNR Mini 13.5-degree, a Stealth 5-wood, a mixed set of P-790 and P-760 irons, Milled Grind Hi-Toe wedges, and a custom Scotty Cameron “New Orleans Saints” putter, which Scotty made for Brees following his Super Bowl MVP-winning performance in 2010.

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It should also be noted that Brees has his Venmo QR code as a bag tag.

If you’re gambling with Brees on the course, just know that not having cash won’t work as an excuse.

Brilliant.

See Drew Brees’ full WITB from the Zurich here

Stricker’s unrecognizable putter

Steve Stricker has made numerous upgrades to his bag recently, including a new TSR3 driver and T100 irons, but his longtime Odyssey White Hot No. 2 putter is still going strong. It’s the most recognizable unrecognizable putter ever.

Here’s a better look at Stricker’s flatstick, which he started using back in 2007.

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Patrick Cantlay has opened the equipment-switching floodgates

Over on the PGA Tour’s Equipment Report this week, we covered Cantlay’s recent switch into Ping Blueprint S irons, and a Titleist TSR2 driver.

Cantlay hadn’t switched irons for about seven years, so the iron switch he made at The 2024 Masters came as a shock to the norm. He simply isn’t one to change gear very often, so anytime Cantlay makes a switch, it’s news.

It seems the floodgates of equipment testing have opened up a bit for Cantlay, who was also spotted testing a custom Scotty Cameron blade putter on Tuesday this week. By Wednesday, Cantlay was back practicing with his familiar Scotty Cameron T5 Proto mallet, but it’s certainly something to keep an eye on going forward.

Daniel Berger’s custom Jailbird site lines

Berger, who’s currently using Odyssey’s Ai-One Mini Jailbird mallet putter, has a unique 3-dot, 2-line alignment on the crown of his navy-white-navy-white mallet putter. Looking down at the putter, it’s easy to see why this alignment system would help; it just seems impossible to set up to the ball off-center, or misaligned to the target.

Also, for anyone worried, you can rest easy. Yes, he’s still playing the 2013 TaylorMade TP MC irons, which we highlighted in our recent “Modern Classics: Old vs. New” video testing series.

FitzMagic teams back up

Brothers Matthew and Alex Fitzpatrick are teaming up once again at the Zurich this year, and Bettinardi Golf hooked them up with some festive “FitzMagic” headcovers to match this week.

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And, with that, we say goodbye to the Zurich Classic in New Orleans. Don’t forget to check out all of our photos from this week, including 30 unique photo galleries full of equipment photos.

We’ll see you next week in Texas for the 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson!

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