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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New grips are great. I think that’s true almost regardless of what type of grips you put on. This season I had my clubs regripped with Golf Pride Multicompound grips (the ones that are half red and half black, cord on the upper part and all rubber on the lower part). So far, so good.
I still haven’t figured out what to do in the rain. There’s a point when I just can’t keep my hands dry. Even if I towel them off they’re still clammy. Do you have any experience with rain gloves? I’m guessing that they’re not very effective, but I haven’t tried them.
I’ve never tried rain gloves because I don’t end up playing in the rain that much (even though I actually sort of like it). I normally end up rotating through 3 or 4 gloves and just make sure I keep them as dry as I’m able. That plus the rain cover over my bag lets me keep my grips and gloves reasonably dry as long as it’s not a heavy rain. I also try to keep a couple of spare towels in the bag and rotate them.
Even with all that, I still get to the point where my hands are wet and there’s nothing I can do about it. When I get there, I just make sure I’m staying in control by clubbing up and just taking a very smooth swing. I suppose it’s sort of like adjusting for the wind.
This is going to sound bitter… Well, because I am bitter. These are the crappiest grips without a doubt! Play them in the rain once, you’ll find out how much they suck. They are like a slick sponge. They absorb water and the surface is smooth and slick. Clean them and they are a mess after. They are so incredably expensive. They are not worth a penny, let alone $6 a grip. Customer service blows too. Buy the Lamkin green or the Colf Pride wraps or velvets. They are far superior to the Winns for half the price.
Winn Grips are made in the worst polluted city in the world – Ghangzhou China. I seriously have a problem with the smell of the grips and the safety. I have twin toddlers who like chewing on the grips, and I’m worried that the pollution of that city and chemicals are hazardous to our health.
Justin, I have no idea if that’s true, but I’ll take your word on it.
At the same time, if I had children, I’d be less worried about the grips being made in a highly polluted city than I would be about letting young children chew on synthetic materials in the first place. Even if the grips were made in Anytown, USA, there’s no telling what kind of chemicals are used in their manufacture and what effect heat or wear or moisture have in bringing that stuff out.
It’s a similar situation with the hard plastic water bottles. I’ve heard that when those things get hot, they release some kinds of chemicals into the water and whatnot.