I’m the kind of guy who keeps the same grips around for way too long. This spring, I realized that I was consciously thinking about them during swings, so it was time to get some new ones on there.

I was leaning toward a Winn grip, even though I’ve never played them before. They have a good reputation and I’ve always liked the feel when friends have let me try out theirs, or when I get to try them out in a retail store.

After a little research, and some hands-on test-gripping at Golfsmith, I bought 13 of them (the 6G8X-BBL model) and installed them myself.

Here are the specs and sales blurb from Winn’s website:

Our popular G8 evolves to incorporate our new Advanced Integration (AI) technology. AI technology strategically places our innovative materials in critical grip areas. With alluring color contrast, this technology precisely positions the optimum levels of tackiness and feel where they are most needed.

Using V17 material, this grip is tackier and more durable—perfect for all weather conditions. Advanced Vertical Seam (AVS) technology enables easy installation.

John Daly calls this grip “the best I’ve ever played.”
Specifications:
Material V17
Firmness Extra Firm (XF)
Thickness 2.0 mm
Color Black/Blue
Weight 58 gms
Size Midsize
Pattern Medium CC AVS
Profile Tapered
Core Size .600 Core

I got them installed and was at the range the next day. I must say I was impressed with their feel. They’re billed as extra firm, but if that’s extra firm, then there are no words to describe the grips I’ve been playing. To me, they have a nice, tacky feel.

One thing that concerned me was performance in wet weather. Winn bills them as being great in all weather. I was a little concerned when I washed them with warm soapy water the day after I installed them, because they felt somewhat slick. However, I just read the “Grip Care” section of Winn’s website and it explicitly says not to do that because it may undermine the tackiness. So, we’ll chalk that up to user error. I haven’t experienced the slickness since then, though.

Here’s the lowdown:

The Good

• Excellent tacky feel. As I said, my hands get pretty sweaty and even with a wet glove, it feels like the club is surgically attached to my glove hand.
• They immediately increased my confidence with every club in my bag. This is mostly due to the fact that my old grips were very worn. But I still have to credit Winn with the nice feel. Their midsize grip is perfectly sized for my hand, without the need for extra wraps of tape.

The Bad

• They were a little pricey at around $5 each. Winn grips typically run on the higher end of the price spectrum, so this was no surprise.
• I’m still left wondering about how they’ll perform in wet weather. They do an outstanding job with my sweaty hands, but even I’m no match for a steady rain. This is more of an unknown than a knock on the grips, and since I fear the unknown it goes under “Bad”.

Conclusion

I definitely have to give the G8 the thumbs up. So far it’s the best grip I’ve ever played, which isn’t saying too much. I tend to play grips for way too long, and often times end up getting new irons before changing the grips. Nonetheless, it’s still a complement. They beat all the stock grips I’ve played and the few different replacements that I’ve used in the past.

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