Equipment
Luxury and Function, the World of Best Grips
It is hard to dispute that leather is, in many ways, the definition of luxury. But in golf, where leather head covers are in vogue these days due to a fairly recent renaissance, and leather grips continue inch their way back into the mainstream, it has been somewhat forgotten. As technology continues to affect almost every wrinkle of the golf business, Best Grips is doing its part to keep leather relevant in the modern game of golf.
Located near Houston, Texas, Best Grips has been making leather grips since 2003. In 2010, Best Grips ceased acting as the U.S. distributor for The Grip Master and started manufacturing its entire line of grips within the confines of the State of Texas. For those around in 2014, GolfWRX reviewed some of the then-available products developed by Best Grips, highlighting both the pros and cons of those products.
Currently, one of the highlights of Best Grips’ Club Grips is its use of ProTac, which provides increased tackiness when wet. The downside being that upon application of ProTac into the leather, its color changes, limiting its use to certain color grips (i.e., black and tan). While there is arguably nothing quite like ProTac otherwise utilized in the leather grip industry, its application limited Best Grips’ ability to offer color in its grip line.
Fast-forward to 2016 and Best Grips has solved its color dilemma, at least with respect to head covers, putter grips (be on the look-out for a new midsize pistol grip in the near future), and putter covers (available soon) through its introduction of the GT-L line of products. Designed with the intent to push the boundaries of “stock” options, Best Grips is now able to offer 10 plus leather colors (with more coming) and what amounts to thousands of custom options (all handled in-house, even embroidery and laser engraving).
Consistent with its tenants to (1) sell only what they would play, and (2) never pay anyone (including, playing professionals) to endorse its products, Best Grips continues to focus on the consumer. Incidentally, Best Grips does offer “Tour Issue” products at a discounted price for those regular golfers proud to openly represent Best Grips at their local club. Generally, you have to grab them quick because Tour Issue offerings are only available once a year and while supplies last, unless Best Grips decides to extend their run (which can happen).
For those still wondering if leather might be right for you, keep in mind that despite upfront costs that exceed its comparable rubber counterparts, you will get your money’s worth. The reason being, with proper care such as regular cleaning after use, leather grips have a longer shelf life then rubber. Whereas, rubber immediately begins to deteriorate upon production, leather can last.
As a whole, the GT-L line was developed in response to customer demand for color and its GT-L headcover is a best seller for the company. In discussing Best Grips generally and the GT-L line further with Albert “Zach” Sewill, President of Best Grips, it was evident that the future is bright for the company. Beyond the pursuit of success, however, Zach made it clear that it remains important to Best Grips to continue pushing the concept of customization at a price point that challenges other companies to keep pace in order to benefit players such as you and me.
You can learn more about Best Grips on its website. Best Grips offers a monthly/semi-regular newsletter to keep up on not only the company, but other golf-related topics as well as a blog known as the “Grip Life Blog.”
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Whats in the Bag
Xander Schauffele WITB 2024 (May)
- Xander Schauffele what’s in the bag accurate as of the PGA Championship.
Driver: Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke Triple Diamond (10.5 degrees @10.1)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Diamana PD 70 TX (45.5 inches)
3-wood: Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke Triple Diamond (15 degrees)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Diamana PD 80 TX
Hybrid: Callaway Apex UW (21 degrees)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Diamana D+ 90 TX
Irons: Mizuno MP-20 (3), Callaway Apex TCB ’24 (4-10)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue Mid X100 (3), True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue X100 (4-10)
Wedges: Callaway Jaws Raw (52-10S), Titleist Vokey Design SM10 (56-10S @57), Titleist Vokey Design WedgeWorks Proto (60-K @61)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue X100
Putter: Odyssey Toulon Design Las Vegas Prototype 7CH
Grip: SuperStroke Zenergy Tour 2.0
Grips: Golf Pride MCC Align
Ball: Callaway Chrome Tour
Check out more in-hand photos of Xander Schauffele’s clubs in the forums.
More Xander Schauffele WITBs
- Xander Schauffele WITB 2023 (August)
- Xander Schauffele WITB 2022 (July)
- Xander Schauffele’s winning WITB: 2022 Scottish Open
- Xander Schauffele’s winning WITB: 2022 Travelers Championship
- Patrick Cantlay, Xander Schauffele’s winning WITBs: 2022 Zurich Classic
- Xander Schauffele WITB 2022 (January)
- Xander Schauffele WITB 2021 (October)
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- Xander Schauffele WITB 2021 Masters
- Xander Schauffele WITB 2020 (October)
- Xander Schauffele WITB: 2020 Tour Championship
- Xander Schauffele’s winning WITB: 2020 Olympics
- Xander Schauffele WITB 2020
- Xander Schauffele WITB: 2020 Sentry Tournament of Champions
- Xander Schauffele’s winning WITB: Sentry Tournament of Champions
- Xander Schauffele’s winning WITB: 2018 WGC-HSBC Champions
- Xander Schauffele WITB 2018
- Xander Schauffele’s winning WITB: 2017 Tour Championship
- Xander Schauffele WITB 2017
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Whats in the Bag
Cam Smith WITB 2024 (May)
- Cam Smith what’s in the bag accurate as of the PGA Championship. More photos from the event here.
Driver: Titleist TSR3 (10 degrees, D4 SureFit setting)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus TR Blue 6 X
3-wood: Ping Max G430 Max (15 degrees)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus TR Red 7 X
7-wood: Titleist TS2 (21 degrees, D4 SureFit setting)
Shaft: UST Mamiya Elements Proto 8F5
Irons: Mizuno Pro Fli-Hi (2, 3), Titleist T100 (5-9)
Shafts: KBS Tour 130 X Custom Series
Wedges: Titleist Vokey Design SM9 (46-10F, 52-08F, 56-08M, 60-04T)
Shafts: KBS Tour 130X (46, 52, 56, 60)
Putter: Scotty Cameron 009M
Grips: Golf Pride Tour Velvet Tack
Ball: Titleist Pro V1x
Check out more in-hand photos of Cam Smith’s gear here.
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Whats in the Bag
Patrick Reed WITB 2024 (May)
- Patrick Reed what’s in the bag accurate as of the PGA Championship. More photos from the event here.
Driver: Ping G400 (8.5 degrees)
Shaft: Aldila Rogue Silver 125 MSI 70 Tour X
3-wood: Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke Triple Diamond (15 degrees)
Shaft: Aldila Rogue Silver 125MSI 80 Tour X
Hybrid: Callaway Apex Pro (18 degrees)
Shaft: Aldila RIP Phenom Hybrid 100 TX
Irons: Titleist 716 TMB (2), Grindworks PR-202 (4), Grindworks PR-101A (5-PW)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue X100
Wedges: Cleveland RTX ZipCore (50-10 Mid), Titleist Vokey Design SM9 (56-08M @55), SM10 (60-04T)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue S400
Putter: Odyssey White Hot RX Pt Customs No. 2
Ball: Titleist Pro V1
Grips: Golf Pride MCC
More photos of Patrick Reed’s WITB in the forums.
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TheNightTrain
Apr 3, 2016 at 11:43 am
As a recent customer I can honestly say these are so much better than any rubber or multi-compound grip out there. Yes they are more expensive, but they’ll last more than twice as long as other grips (and probably 4 times longer than my previous favorite, the Winn Dri-Tac). Do yourself a favor and order a couple to try them out.
John Pulley
Apr 1, 2016 at 5:38 pm
Why no pictures of golf club GRIPS in article about BEST GRIPS?
t-ball
Mar 31, 2016 at 10:29 pm
The GripMaster Cabretta Leather pittards , best putter grip in golf