32 replies to this topic

[mr_divots]

Had a set of irons to grip, and having used the Golf Pride VDR's on another set, and a set of wedges, chose them for this set as I have liked them so far.

I had two rolls of tape left close to the end. Used one for the first layer, and then the other roll for the other wrap to finish up these rolls of tape. The second layer of tape seemed very sticky (Golfworks brand) so I really was not expecting the grips to be slipping every which way over 12 hours after gripping them, which they are now doing. Usually, with the solvent I use (GolfSmith professional) the solvent evaporates within a couple hours tops.
I made note of how easily they slipped on, almost no pressure needed to slide them on, which differed from when I put the VDR's on the other set, which took a little more force to push them on.

Wondering if I have $50 of worthlessness going on with these grips, and what may have caused it. I put my clubs in the basement to dry near a dehumidifier, so I don't think its an environmental issue. These shafts are Tour Concepts, and the others were C-tapers with the same grips. A .600 butt shaft with two wraps. I've used this roll of tape previously, and would have had the same issue I would think with other clubs if it were the tape?

Whaddya think? Bad batch of grips? Bad tape? Bad solvent? (I've used and re-used it a lot, but have not had issues before.)
It's raining, but being next to a dehumidifier indoors, I doubt humidity levels are preventing them from setting up??
I've never had this happen before, so just lost as to what happened. Do I have any recourse with anyone? GolfWorks since it is their tape? GP if it's the grips? And how would I prove either were the culprit? I guess I can let them sit for a couple more days and see if they set up. Just coming up confused as to where things went wrong. I did purchase the grips all at the same time from the bin @ GG. Did they just get a bad batch of grips? Anyone else had similar issues with VDR grips?

[sui generis]

What size are the grips? Could they be .620?

mr_divots, on 28 April 2012 - 02:00 PM, said:

Had a set of irons to grip, and having used the Golf Pride VDR's on another set, and a set of wedges, chose them for this set as I have liked them so far.

I had two rolls of tape left close to the end. Used one for the first layer, and then the other roll for the other wrap to finish up these rolls of tape. The second layer of tape seemed very sticky (Golfworks brand) so I really was not expecting the grips to be slipping every which way over 12 hours after gripping them, which they are now doing. Usually, with the solvent I use (GolfSmith professional) the solvent evaporates within a couple hours tops.
I made note of how easily they slipped on, almost no pressure needed to slide them on, which differed from when I put the VDR's on the other set, which took a little more force to push them on.

Wondering if I have $50 of worthlessness going on with these grips, and what may have caused it. I put my clubs in the basement to dry near a dehumidifier, so I don't think its an environmental issue. These shafts are Tour Concepts, and the others were C-tapers with the same grips. A .600 butt shaft with two wraps. I've used this roll of tape previously, and would have had the same issue I would think with other clubs if it were the tape?

Whaddya think? Bad batch of grips? Bad tape? Bad solvent? (I've used and re-used it a lot, but have not had issues before.)
It's raining, but being next to a dehumidifier indoors, I doubt humidity levels are preventing them from setting up??
I've never had this happen before, so just lost as to what happened. Do I have any recourse with anyone? GolfWorks since it is their tape? GP if it's the grips? And how would I prove either were the culprit? I guess I can let them sit for a couple more days and see if they set up. Just coming up confused as to where things went wrong. I did purchase the grips all at the same time from the bin @ GG. Did they just get a bad batch of grips? Anyone else had similar issues with VDR grips?

[SeekonkHolen1]

Was it two wraps of grip tape? it could be that the solvent got between the two pieces of tape loosening the adheasive and is now trapped in there. It will eventually dry out though. Put them outside in te sun for a few hours when it stops raining

[SeekonkHolen1]

sui generis, on 28 April 2012 - 03:00 PM, said:

What size are the grips? Could they be .620?

mr_divots, on 28 April 2012 - 02:00 PM, said:

Had a set of irons to grip, and having used the Golf Pride VDR's on another set, and a set of wedges, chose them for this set as I have liked them so far.

I had two rolls of tape left close to the end. Used one for the first layer, and then the other roll for the other wrap to finish up these rolls of tape. The second layer of tape seemed very sticky (Golfworks brand) so I really was not expecting the grips to be slipping every which way over 12 hours after gripping them, which they are now doing. Usually, with the solvent I use (GolfSmith professional) the solvent evaporates within a couple hours tops.
I made note of how easily they slipped on, almost no pressure needed to slide them on, which differed from when I put the VDR's on the other set, which took a little more force to push them on.

Wondering if I have $50 of worthlessness going on with these grips, and what may have caused it. I put my clubs in the basement to dry near a dehumidifier, so I don't think its an environmental issue. These shafts are Tour Concepts, and the others were C-tapers with the same grips. A .600 butt shaft with two wraps. I've used this roll of tape previously, and would have had the same issue I would think with other clubs if it were the tape?

Whaddya think? Bad batch of grips? Bad tape? Bad solvent? (I've used and re-used it a lot, but have not had issues before.)
It's raining, but being next to a dehumidifier indoors, I doubt humidity levels are preventing them from setting up??
I've never had this happen before, so just lost as to what happened. Do I have any recourse with anyone? GolfWorks since it is their tape? GP if it's the grips? And how would I prove either were the culprit? I guess I can let them sit for a couple more days and see if they set up. Just coming up confused as to where things went wrong. I did purchase the grips all at the same time from the bin @ GG. Did they just get a bad batch of grips? Anyone else had similar issues with VDR grips?

I ampretty sure vdr's are .600

[BlakeBstone]

Why would you use double sides tape as build up?  I have never understood this, just use masking tape it's a lot easier/cheaper. And if they are slipping that bad you should be able to blow them right off and try again.

[rybo]

BlakeBstone, on 28 April 2012 - 03:11 PM, said:

Why would you use double sides tape as build up?  I have never understood this, just use masking tape it's a lot easier/cheaper. And if they are slipping that bad you should be able to blow them right off and try again.

It's thicker, no worries about slippage, and double sided tape is relatively inexpensive in the grand scheme of things.




To the OP,

If they are that sloppy pull one off and see what is going on.

[BlakeBstone]

rybo, on 28 April 2012 - 03:16 PM, said:

BlakeBstone, on 28 April 2012 - 03:11 PM, said:

Why would you use double sides tape as build up?  I have never understood this, just use masking tape it's a lot easier/cheaper. And if they are slipping that bad you should be able to blow them right off and try again.

It's thicker, no worries about slippage, and double sided tape is relatively inexpensive in the grand scheme of things.




To the OP,

If they are that sloppy pull one off and see what is going on.

Lol yeah double sided tape is .09mm and masking tape is .1mm if you can feel that you are in the wrong profession.

[mr_divots]

sui generis, on 28 April 2012 - 03:00 PM, said:

What size are the grips? Could they be .620?

I'm pretty paranoid about getting mis-matched grips in those loose bulk grip bins at GG and check for the .60R on every grip I buy there inside the grip mouth. That is the effect though, almost like the core is too large.

[Socrates]

I've had problems with the VDR and the DD2 grips being large on the shafts.  Feels like you have to stretch the grips down to get them to seat properly.  Make sure you measure the diameters and if you need more tape, use more tape to get a good fit.  I would pull on off too to make sure of what is happening.

[CelticFan3]

This happened to me the other day. All I did was use a  blow drier and work around the grip. I did this for about a minute covering the entire area of the grip. The grips dried and I haven't had any problems since.

[mr_divots]

BlakeBstone, on 28 April 2012 - 03:11 PM, said:

Why would you use double sides tape as build up?  I have never understood this, just use masking tape it's a lot easier/cheaper. And if they are slipping that bad you should be able to blow them right off and try again.

Was thinking about getting an air compressor and air nozzle, but alas, don't have either. (And I'm not doing enough sets to really justify it anyway.)

Side question:
Can you blow off grips that have been applied with double sided tape and solvent? Seems like you'd have to get some solvent in there somehow first to even be able to attempt it? I have a set of X100's that are too stiff and have new multicompounds on them that are brand new that I would LOVE to get off of them if possible.

At the risk of getting flamed, yeah, I can feel a difference. I am soooo picky about how my grips feel. I measure all the tape, measure how far down on the shaft to apply it, all so they come out really uniform. If you gave me two identical sets one with masking tape as a buildup layer, yeah I could tell. It's why I no longer use masking tape. I like the resulting feel and size with two wraps of double side. Call me crazy. I have two top 100 fitters that build my clubs and neither gets to put the grips on my clubs. That is how grip particular I am. They think I'm nuts too, but oblige me. LOL!

I just checked them again, and maybe it's a humidity issue. The butt ends are seemingly setting up a little more now. Mostly it's the area with the "Golf Pride" logo on top of the grip that is sliding around right now. Maybe there are some vent holes elsewhere on these grips to allow for evaporation, but are not present under the GP logo?

I had two other clubs I did at the same time and used some UST/Mamiya grips on those, and those had set up within two hours last night and was actually swinging them. Must be the grips and the weather. I'll post up in a couple days if these end up setting up OK. Hopefully they do, as I've liked these grips on my other set.

[BlakeBstone]

How much do you want for the x-100s lol.  Shoot me a pm maybe we can work something out

[mr_divots]

Socrates, on 28 April 2012 - 03:27 PM, said:

I've had problems with the VDR and the DD2 grips being large on the shafts.  Feels like you have to stretch the grips down to get them to seat properly.  Make sure you measure the diameters and if you need more tape, use more tape to get a good fit.  I would pull on off too to make sure of what is happening.

That is exactly what it was like trying to apply them. Thank you. I kept having to stretch them down the shaft to cover the grip tape as they kept sliding back up. If that's the case, I won't be buying these again unless I have a digital calipers handy. Seems the consistency and QC should be good enough that a .600 core grip on a .600 butt shaft with two layers of double sided tape shouldn't be a problem.

Bring production back home please, GP. China is not the answer. Same grips, two distinct experiences. Not good.
Haven't checked out Lamkins for years. I think its time.

[mr_divots]

BlakeBstone, on 28 April 2012 - 03:47 PM, said:

How much do you want for the x-100s lol.  Shoot me a pm maybe we can work something out

PM sent. LOL!

[mr_divots]

OdessaGolfer, on 28 April 2012 - 03:37 PM, said:

This happened to me the other day. All I did was use a  blow drier and work around the grip. I did this for about a minute covering the entire area of the grip. The grips dried and I haven't had any problems since.

Thanks. Same grips? VDR's?

[TheBigSmooth]

Get an air compressor and a gun and be done with all that nonsense.  

Blow dryer should help in your situation.

[Cwebb]

mr_divots, on 28 April 2012 - 03:56 PM, said:

Socrates, on 28 April 2012 - 03:27 PM, said:

I've had problems with the VDR and the DD2 grips being large on the shafts.  Feels like you have to stretch the grips down to get them to seat properly.  Make sure you measure the diameters and if you need more tape, use more tape to get a good fit.  I would pull on off too to make sure of what is happening.

That is exactly what it was like trying to apply them. Thank you. I kept having to stretch them down the shaft to cover the grip tape as they kept sliding back up. If that's the case, I won't be buying these again unless I have a digital calipers handy. Seems the consistency and QC should be good enough that a .600 core grip on a .600 butt shaft with two layers of double sided tape shouldn't be a problem.

Bring production back home please, GP. China is not the answer. Same grips, two distinct experiences. Not good.
Haven't checked out Lamkins for years. I think its time.

Try the Lamkin R.E.L. I just recently switched, after sticking with the Crosslines for years.  Great tackiness on this new REL, that is brought back to life everytime you wipe them down.

[mr_divots]

Cwebb, on 28 April 2012 - 05:48 PM, said:

mr_divots, on 28 April 2012 - 03:56 PM, said:

Socrates, on 28 April 2012 - 03:27 PM, said:

I've had problems with the VDR and the DD2 grips being large on the shafts.  Feels like you have to stretch the grips down to get them to seat properly.  Make sure you measure the diameters and if you need more tape, use more tape to get a good fit.  I would pull on off too to make sure of what is happening.

That is exactly what it was like trying to apply them. Thank you. I kept having to stretch them down the shaft to cover the grip tape as they kept sliding back up. If that's the case, I won't be buying these again unless I have a digital calipers handy. Seems the consistency and QC should be good enough that a .600 core grip on a .600 butt shaft with two layers of double sided tape shouldn't be a problem.

Bring production back home please, GP. China is not the answer. Same grips, two distinct experiences. Not good.
Haven't checked out Lamkins for years. I think its time.

Try the Lamkin R.E.L. I just recently switched, after sticking with the Crosslines for years.  Great tackiness on this new REL, that is brought back to life everytime you wipe them down.

Long time no see Colby! I just might have to check those out. I was thinking the VDR's might be my grip now with the ever-increasing price of the NDMC's which were my go-to. Now, this has me second-guessing these. Maybe it's insanely humid right now and I don't realize it, but I have not had a problem once in 8 years of doing my own grips. I'll keep the R.E.L.'s in mind.

[Cwebb]

Did you install those grips over steps, such as on a Dynamic Gold?  I know it's not normally an issue, but when doing this, if the full length of the outside diameter of the shaft becomes signicantly smaller than the inside diameter of the grip, sometimes the tape won't be able to hold on....especially when using .60's vs .580's.  You can usually get away with it on .580's, but not always with .60's.

My standard installation for any grip or shaft, is to have a constant shaft diameter under the full length of the grip.  This is actually the only way you can achieve the true designed shape and taper for a grip.  The I.D of a grip is constant, so it must be installed over a constant shaft O.D in order to acheive it's designed shape and taper rate/size.

BTW, standard installation over Dynamic Golds is 2 wraps of masking tape or 1 wrap of 2 side tape....forr each step that runs up under the grip.  For graphite shafts, you can measure with calipers and for each spot that the shaft O.D drops down by about .01".....one wrap of masking tape down to the bottom of where the grip will end.  "stagger" the tape in this way all the way down, to acheive a near constant shaft O.D.

Different shaft have all kinds of different sizes and taper rates.  The only way to make all your grips feel the same, is to match the overall shaft O.D's and taper rates or lack of.

[LuckyGolfer2009]

I think that it is the GolfWorks Tape.  I had the same problem. I installed a set of VDR's on some irons and they took the longest I have ever seen to dry.  Corded grips seem to dry faster but still take forever.  Today I regripped a driver and used a New Decade grip with the same tape, but much less solvent and waited about 29 seconds.  Blew the excess solvent off of the shaft and then installed the grip.  I was able to swing the club no problem in 30 mins.

[balbowski]

Doesn't the tour concept shaft taper a little more than most other shafts right about where the grip ends? Granted the only tour concept shafts I have seen are on the Cleveland 588 wedges but to me they looked to have a much skinnier outside diameter once the shaft comes out of the grip. I was surprised when the butt end measured to .600" honestly.

[lenrex]

To get the grips off cleanly with a compressor you'll need a solvent gun with a needle to blow solvent inside the grip.  I've had little success getting grips off with my compressor that have been put on with double sided tape and solvent.  The grips always seem to grab some of the tape adhesive.  OEM tape is a little better, but that's my experience with Golfsmith tape anyways.

Some will say that there is a danger with the gun and needle method; as if you stab yourself and get infected with mineral spirits/solvent, you can get a really bad infection and possibly lose fingers.  Maybe find a golf shop to do it!

I now just use 2" 3M blue painters tape and blow them on.  Put the tip of the grip in mineral spirits just to get it on the shaft and voila, they blow right on. I'll never do grips any other way...

[mr_divots]

Cwebb, on 28 April 2012 - 10:32 PM, said:

Did you install those grips over steps, such as on a Dynamic Gold?  I know it's not normally an issue, but when doing this, if the full length of the outside diameter of the shaft becomes signicantly smaller than the inside diameter of the grip, sometimes the tape won't be able to hold on....especially when using .60's vs .580's.  You can usually get away with it on .580's, but not always with .60's.

My standard installation for any grip or shaft, is to have a constant shaft diameter under the full length of the grip.  This is actually the only way you can achieve the true designed shape and taper for a grip.  The I.D of a grip is constant, so it must be installed over a constant shaft O.D in order to acheive it's designed shape and taper rate/size.

BTW, standard installation over Dynamic Golds is 2 wraps of masking tape or 1 wrap of 2 side tape....forr each step that runs up under the grip.  For graphite shafts, you can measure with calipers and for each spot that the shaft O.D drops down by about .01".....one wrap of masking tape down to the bottom of where the grip will end.  "stagger" the tape in this way all the way down, to acheive a near constant shaft O.D.

Different shaft have all kinds of different sizes and taper rates.  The only way to make all your grips feel the same, is to match the overall shaft O.D's and taper rates or lack of.

That very well could be part of it Colby, and I was wondering about that myself. (They are Tour Concept shafts.) Still, I can see one wrap not being enough, but two wraps would seem sufficient.
A lot of variables in gripping this set that I just did not anticipate.
Think I need to do a few things after this experience:
1. Seriously price some air compressors and a grip nozzle.
2. Never buy GolfWorks grip tape again. (This is the biggest variable in play, as usually I use GolfSmith tape. Hmmm...)
3. Consider getting a digital calipers to measure the diameters before install.

Then again, this is the only time I've had an issue in 8 years of gripping, so maybe I'm getting ahead of myself?

[Cwebb]

With as many clubs as you have/get and since you are very particular about grip feel, a good set of digital calipers would be well worth your investment.  You will be able to get every grip from top to bottom on almost any shaft to feel nearly identical to others with completely different diameters and taper rates.  Get some

Golfworks is a great company.  Better than Golfsmith by far.  I seriously doubt there's any issue with their tape.  I'll bet it's something else

[mr_divots]

Uggh. Well, they've set up pretty well. I have a few clubs where they still want to move under the lower hand just slightly. They have to be dried by now. Bottom line: I have no confidence in these grips right now. They have to go no matter what. What a shame.

I've gripped a lot of stepped shafts before (DG, Nippons, Tour Concepts, etc.) Never had this issue. They may well be a thinner taper shaft, but I still think a .600 butt shaft with a .600 diamter grip and two wraps of double sided tape should NOT move.

The grips are what I'm looking at as the culprit. I could literally grab the rubber and pull it an inch away from the shaft there was so much slack in some of the grips. I did take a picture of that for proof. I may contact GP and see what they say. I'm a lifelong GP player. I'm concerned with possible consistency issues with the VDR, and others saying they had some similar experiences has me re-thinking this grip.

[slide13]

where did you buy the grips at?   I've heard of fake GP grips before, if you bought them off Ebay or something that could be the issue.  I use VDRs on almost all my clubs, though mine are midsize.  Never had a problem and there is absolutely no slack in the fit of my grips to the shafts.  Love these grips.

[Socrates]

The DD2's that I had a problem with were direct from GP so they weren't knockoffs.  The VDR and the DD2 were the only GP grips I ever had an issue with.  Stretched them down and they were okay, but you should never have to stretch them down.  Real odd.  Likely had a problem with the new tooling when they relocated in the far east.

[Cwebb]

mr_divots, on 01 May 2012 - 01:18 PM, said:

Uggh. Well, they've set up pretty well. I have a few clubs where they still want to move under the lower hand just slightly. They have to be dried by now. Bottom line: I have no confidence in these grips right now. They have to go no matter what. What a shame.

I've gripped a lot of stepped shafts before (DG, Nippons, Tour Concepts, etc.) Never had this issue. They may well be a thinner taper shaft, but I still think a .600 butt shaft with a .600 diamter grip and two wraps of double sided tape should NOT move.

The grips are what I'm looking at as the culprit. I could literally grab the rubber and pull it an inch away from the shaft there was so much slack in some of the grips. I did take a picture of that for proof. I may contact GP and see what they say. I'm a lifelong GP player. I'm concerned with possible consistency issues with the VDR, and others saying they had some similar experiences has me re-thinking this grip.

It sounds to me like you got a batch of grips that are outside the tolerance on the large side for inside diameter.

[mr_divots]

Well, got a hold of someone at GP and they are taking care of it. They're going to send some replacements and would like me to send the cut off grips back and a copy my receipt so they can try to work with Golf Galaxy to see if they got a bad shipment of grips and check that production run. As disappointed as I have been, they are handling it very well and I appreciate that and it will go a long way toward keeping me as a GP customer/loyalist.

Edited by mr_divots, 03 May 2012 - 12:46 PM.

[mr_divots]

slide13, on 01 May 2012 - 08:47 PM, said:

where did you buy the grips at?   I've heard of fake GP grips before, if you bought them off Ebay or something that could be the issue.  I use VDRs on almost all my clubs, though mine are midsize.  Never had a problem and there is absolutely no slack in the fit of my grips to the shafts.  Love these grips.

I do too. I'll give them another chance. My other set of irons and wedges I put the VDR's on have been great. I just wasn't going to be able to swing with any confidence thinking they were going to possibly slip on me though.