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SwitchGrips allow golfers to change putter grips quickly with no mess

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Over the past several years, golf equipment companies have been pushing on-the-go customization of equipment, with adjustable drivers and moveable weights to make sure your club is exactly how you want it, when you want it.

Miami-based SwitchGrips is applying this same line of thinking to putter grips, giving the golfer the ability to quickly swap out putter grips without any of the elbow grease that has always been required. If it’s any indication, their recent selection as one of the top three “Best New Products” at the 2015 PGA Merchandise Show, means they may be on to something.

The concept behind SwitchGrips is that once you have replaced your current putter grip with the inner sleeve of the SwitchGrips putter system, then it never has to come off again. The actual grip that makes contact with your hands is an interchangeable outer sleeve that should allow a litany of combinations of look, weight and feel. The process of changing the grip is simple and can be done in less than a minute. Golfers simply need to remove a screw at the butt of the putter, slide the outer sleeve off, slide the new one on and replace the screw. That’s it.

SwitchGrips5

While plenty of golfers can replace their own grips in their garage without much headache, the fact is, most golfers have never changed them without the help of a professional, let alone considered doing their own work. No work bench, no vise and no messy mineral spirits required. The SwitchGrips process allows golfers with zero technical proficiency to try all different putter grip combinations without the usual hassle.

The entry level offerings from SwitchGrips include a rubber line, The Player ($27), and a leather option ($55) with an option in color, sizes and possibly shapes to be soon to come.

A first purchase from SwitchGrips will cost golfers an extra $10 bucks and includes the inner sleeve, weight and Torx key tool. The headline grabbing group of SwitchGrips is an array of exotic animal hides that likely won’t make any friends with the PETA crowd, but will certainly peak some curiosity among those looking for the finer touch on their putter, with lines that include Stingray, Crocodile and Snake grips ($190).

Sam Snead’s famous advice about gripping a golf club as if ”you were holding a bird in your hand” earns new meaning with their unusual line of Ostrich grips.

SwitchGrips2

With the recent prevalence of thicker grips both on tour and at clubs around the world, SwitchGrips gives golfers the opportunity to easily switch back and forth between different sizes until you find what’s right for you.

Weekend golfers, hackers, and single-digit handicappers alike always seem to be trying to find that elusive magic with the flatstick, whether it is experimenting with different heads, lengths or lies. SwitchGrips may just be the start of a new revolution in adjustability, allowing players everywhere to find that perfect putter feel to help trim those few extra strokes off their round.

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D.C. area golf addict and founding editor of BeltwayGolfer. Sinking three-putt pars since the late-80's. Best hole always seems to be the 19th. Worst club is between my ears.

25 Comments

25 Comments

  1. Anna Simon

    Nov 5, 2015 at 11:49 am

    Hi Alex,
    I am currently working with a company that is building a new product that helps golfers improve and analyze their golf swing, taking a multi-sensor approach to the swing analyzers products on the market. The product’s Kickstarter will be launching later this month. Would you like us to get in touch with you to test the product? If so, please send me your email to [email protected].
    Many Thanks,
    Anna Simon

  2. Pingback: GolfWRX.com – SwitchGrips allow golfers to change putter grips quickly with no mess | SwitchGrips USA

  3. Welby

    Feb 11, 2015 at 12:09 pm

    Or just use an air compressor and no grip tape to swap as often as you like. (Just please never EVER do it to match your outfit.)

  4. Lowell Madanes

    Feb 8, 2015 at 12:15 pm

    This is similar to when Winn grips came out and all you had to do was purchase the wrap to replace the grip. Interesting concept. Not sure if the price point will gain many buyers but you never know.

  5. Stan

    Feb 8, 2015 at 1:57 am

    I have to agree on what they go by on the best products awards. It should be the
    best gimmick award. There is so much more to a product then just being at the
    PGA show and being best in show kind of like a dog contest. Oh that’s right it’s
    not like it’s free to be there they have to pick somebody. It’s not legit unless it’s
    tour proven!

    • John

      Sep 26, 2015 at 8:01 pm

      Looks tour proven to me. Switchgrips had a top 5 finish with Stewart Cink at the Canadian Open and reached near the top at the British Open. We’ve seen 6 different guys using it on tour …thinking it’s not a gimmick.

      • Joke of a grip

        Jul 6, 2016 at 8:24 am

        6 different guys. What guys . And if Cink loves it so much why is he not playing it now.

  6. John Lefebre

    Feb 8, 2015 at 1:16 am

    WHAT A JOKE!!

  7. John Lefebre

    Feb 8, 2015 at 1:15 am

    I Agree with you Butch,
    A complete dud.. By the way is this crap approved
    by the USGA ?I see nothing about that anywhere.
    People have been cutting grips off for ever I don’t
    see this as the next best thing it’s the newest FLOP!!!!

  8. Butch

    Feb 8, 2015 at 12:59 am

    This is a complete joke. What do you mean no mess!
    I have to install the sleeve first first right? This is a
    complete overpriced DUD!!! Will it match my dirty socks.

  9. paul

    Feb 6, 2015 at 2:43 pm

    there has been a few times when I have wanted to try a different grip on my putter but the cost of this system is too much. $37 for a bare bones start with $55 to $190 for a grip? c’mon man. the golfing assoc. wants to get more people playing the game but the vendors jack the price sky high on equipment and if it’s not right for you, then what? it’s hard to sell a used grip for a system that very few people have. in all fairness the concept is good, but it is just to expensive for most average golfers to try out. IMHO paul

  10. mike

    Feb 6, 2015 at 1:07 pm

    YEA I KNOW WHAT YOU MEAN ITS SEEMS COOL AND ALL THAT. I TRIED THESE AT THE PGA SHOW
    AND I WAS NOT IMPRESSED. FIRST OFF THE GRIP IS TO SHORT NOT THE STANDARD SIZE AND THE
    END CAPS WERE REALLY ANNOYING THE TOP ONE DUG INTO MY PALM AND THE FEEL WAS KIND OF DEAD. IMO

  11. Scooter McGavin

    Feb 6, 2015 at 12:54 pm

    I don’t understand how some of these “top product” awards are decided. I mean, yeah, the idea is cool, but once you think any further beyond that, I can’t think of a level where this is practical. I know it may not be possible, but a system that allows you to install ANY grip (not just this brand) would be much more valuable. For the price of their grips, you can have pretty much any non-leather grip professionally installed. Labor at my local store is only $3. I can see a certain limited use for fitting, like for fitting to the correct size, but even then, most customers will want other brands and models of grip. Top all of that off with the fact that you shouldn’t be changing your grip that frequently anyway, because you need to give one some time for you to adjust to it before you can know if it will work for you. Maybe I’m missing something, but please let me know if I am neglecting a valuable use for this system as it is, at the price that it is.

  12. Todd

    Feb 6, 2015 at 12:16 pm

    You got that right every HACK! No serious golfer would even think about wanting to match
    their outfit.

  13. Jeff Smith

    Feb 6, 2015 at 10:41 am

    I bet every pampas cigar smoking hack will go for this lame idea

  14. Todd

    Feb 6, 2015 at 9:56 am

    What happens if you want to change putters? You have to buy a whole new system?
    This could get a bit pricey.

    • John

      Sep 26, 2015 at 8:04 pm

      I just had to buy another inner sleeve when I changed liters it was only about $10

    • John

      Sep 26, 2015 at 8:05 pm

      Was only $10 when I changed *putters

  15. Ryan

    Feb 6, 2015 at 12:50 am

    Switch Grips have been a thing in Tenpin Bowling for AGES now.. Was waiting for them to attack the Golf scene… I’d prefer to see these being used for people who excessively wear-out grips.

  16. Kerry Corcaran

    Feb 5, 2015 at 7:03 pm

    Maybe I can match my underwear!

  17. Mitch Robbins

    Feb 5, 2015 at 2:57 pm

    Are you serious? Wow like I really want to match my putter grip to my outfit…

  18. Golfraven

    Feb 5, 2015 at 2:15 pm

    I like the idea. Maybe I would’t go as far as trying to match the grip color with my outfit but would be keen to try different sizes and shapes of grips. Playing the SuperStroke Flatso now but it was a risky and time consuming change from previous pistolero grip. If I didn’t like it it would be money thrown out of the window. Wonder why not all OEM offering such option especially when going through putter fitting. should be an easy thing to have separate heads and set of different shafts and grips.

  19. Jay

    Feb 5, 2015 at 1:58 pm

    And add extra weight to it on the days I’m feeling fat!!!

  20. Ryan Stewart

    Feb 5, 2015 at 12:51 pm

    Perfect, now i can finally match my putter grip with my outfit!

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Whats in the Bag

Kris Kim WITB 2024 (May)

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Driver: TaylorMade Qi10 (9 degrees @7)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Tensei 1K White 60 TX

3-wood: TaylorMade Qi10 Tour (15 degrees @13.5)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Diamana WB 73 TX

Irons: TaylorMade P770 (2, 4), TaylorMade P7MB (5-PW)
Shafts: Mitsubishi Tensei 1K White 80 TX (2), Nippon N.S. Pro Modus3 Tour 120 X

Wedges: TaylorMade MG4 (50-09SB, 56-12SB, 60-11TW)
Shafts: Nippon N.S. Pro Modus3 WV 125

Putter: TaylorMade Spider Tour

Grips: Golf Pride Tour Velvet Cord

Check out more in-hand photos of Kris Kim’s equipment here.

 

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Welcome to the family: TaylorMade launches PUDI and PDHY utility irons

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TaylorMade is continuing its UDI/DHY series with the successor to the Stealth UDI and DHY utility irons: PUDI and PDHY (which the company styles as P·UDI and P·DHY). TaylorMade is folding the designs in with its P Series of irons.

TaylorMade outlined the process of developing its new utilities this way. The company started with the data on utility iron usage. Not surprisingly, better players — i.e. those who generate more clubhead speed and strike the ball more precisely — were found to gravitate toward the UDI model. DHY usage, however, covered a wider swath than the company might have expected with six-to-18 handicappers found to be bagging the club.

TaylorMade also found that the majority of golfers playing UDI or DHY utilities were playing P Series irons at the top of their iron configurations.

Can you see where this is going?

Matt Bovee, Director of Product Creation, Iron and Wedge at TaylorMade: “As we look to the future, beyond the tech and the design language, we are excited about repositioning our utility irons into the P·Series family. P·UDI is an easy pair for players that currently play P·Series product and P·DHY is an extremely forgiving option for players of all skill levels. It is a natural fit to give these players the performance in this category that they are looking for.”

 

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TaylorMade PUDI

TaylorMade PUDI technology cutaway (via TaylorMade)

Crafted with tour player input, TaylorMade sought to develop a confidence-inspiring utility iron that blends with the rest of the P Series irons. Also of note: Interestingly, the PUDI has a more compact head than the P790.

In comparison to past UDI products, the PUDI has a more traditional iron shape, slimmer toplines, and less offset with a little of the backbar visible at address.

TaylorMade PDHY

TaylorMade PDHY tech cutaway (via TaylorMade).

Larger in profile than the PUDI, the PDHY seeks to position center of gravity (CG) lower in the club for ease of launch. The toe height is larger and the profile is larger at address — roughly five millimeters longer than PUDI — the sole of the club is wider for improved forgiveness.

Club Junkie’s take

Golfers who feel like they are missing something at the top of the bag could find the PUDI or PDHY a great option. The look of the PUDI should fit the most discerning eye with a more compact look, less offset, and a thinner topline. If you want a little more confidence looking down the P-DHY will be slightly larger while still being a good-looking utility iron.

For being small packages both models pack a pretty good punch with fast ball speeds, even off-center. The feel is soft and you get a solid feel of the ball compressing off the face when you strike it well. Your ears are greeted with a nice heavy thud as the ball and club come together. The PDHY will launch a little higher for players who need it while the PUDI offers a more penetrating ball flight. Both utility irons could be the cure for an open spot in the top end of the bag.

PUDI, PDHY, or Rescue?

TaylorMade offers the following notes to assist golfers in filling out their bags:

  • PUDI has mid-CG right behind the center face to create a more penetrating mid-to-low ball flight
  • PDHY has a lower center of gravity to produce an easier-to-launch mid-to-high ball flight.
  • Both PUDI and PDHY are lower-flying than the company’s hybrid/Rescue clubs.
  • PUDI is more forgiving than P790.
  • PDHY is the most forgiving iron in the entire TaylorMade iron family

Pricing, specs, and availability

Price: $249.99

At retail: Now

Stock shafts: UST Mamiya’s Recoil DART (105 X, 90 S and 75 R – only in PDHY)

Stock grip: Golf Pride’s ZGrip (black/grey)

PUDI lofts: 2-17°, 3-20°, 4-22° in both left and right-handed

PDHY lofts: 2-18°, 3-20° and 4-22° in both left and right-handed

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Coolest thing for sale in the GolfWRX Classifieds (5/3/24): Scotty Cameron Champions Choice 2.5+ putter

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At GolfWRX, we are a community of like-minded individuals that all experience and express our enjoyment of the game in many ways.

It’s that sense of community that drives day-to-day interactions in the forums on topics that range from best driver to what marker you use to mark your ball. It even allows us to share another thing we all love – buying and selling equipment.

Currently, in our GolfWRX buy/sell/trade (BST) forum, there is a listing for a Scotty Cameron Champions Choice 2.5+ putter

From the seller: (@wwcl): “Has been gamed as pics show. 33.5 includes original h/c and grip. $575 includes shipping and PP fees.”

To check out the full listing in our BST forum, head through the link: Scotty Cameron Champions Choice 2.5+ putter

This is the most impressive current listing from the GolfWRX BST, and if you are curious about the rules to participate in the BST Forum you can check them out here: GolfWRX BST Rules

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