Equipment
Can a golf grip really help you gain distance?
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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- Kris Kim what’s in the bag accurate as of the CJ Cup Byron Nelson. More photos from the event here.
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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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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Equipment
Coolest thing for sale in the GolfWRX Classifieds (5/3/24): Scotty Cameron Champions Choice 2.5+ putter
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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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!
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.
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
Golfer
Jul 13, 2016 at 12:26 pm
I’d like to see a comparison on trackman between these grips and other grips.
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?
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.
Paul
Jul 13, 2016 at 8:45 am
Sharpro came up with the original “Multi compound” New Decade design, not Golf Pride.
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.
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?
Tider992010
Jul 12, 2016 at 12:06 pm
I really like Lampkin Grips. I would try these in a heartbeat.
Milo
Jul 12, 2016 at 12:22 pm
I use UTx, awesome grips.
Nolanski
Jul 12, 2016 at 6:05 pm
I’m a crossline full cord guy myself but these are interesting.