Time to get your golf clubs re-gripped? In this comparison guide, I review Golf Pride vs Lamkin to help you pick the best grips for your golf clubs. Both of these golf grip brands have a great reputation, but which one is worth the money more?
Key Takeaways
- Market Position: Golf Pride dominates the professional market with approximately 80% of PGA Tour players using their grips, while Lamkin offers innovative alternatives with loyal followings among both pros and amateurs.
- Feel Differences: Golf Pride grips typically offer a firmer, more responsive feel, while Lamkin grips tend to focus on comfort with softer materials and advanced textures.
- Technology Highlights: Golf Pride’s ALIGN Technology helps square the clubface consistently, while Lamkin’s Fingerprint Technology provides enhanced stability and reduced slippage.
- Popular Models: Golf Pride’s Tour Velvet and MCC series versus Lamkin’s Crossline and UTx are the flagship models from each manufacturer.
- Durability Factors: Both brands offer excellent longevity, with corded options generally lasting longer but requiring more maintenance than non-corded alternatives.
- Player Recommendations: Beginners might prefer Lamkin Sonar or Golf Pride CP2 for comfort, while advanced players often choose Golf Pride Tour Velvet or Lamkin UTx for responsiveness.
Golf Pride Overview
Golf Pride is one of the most recognizable golf grip brands in the industry. If you’ve ever swung a club, there’s a good chance you’ve felt a Golf Pride grip in your hands. The company has been a leader in grip innovation for decades, and its products are trusted by amateurs and pros alike.
Golf Pride’s Technology
Golf Pride is all about performance, comfort, and consistency. The company utilizes advanced rubber compounds, hybrid materials, and innovative designs to help golfers achieve better control and feel. Their grips cater to all players, from those who prefer a firm, responsive grip to those who want a softer, more cushioned feel.
One of their standout technologies is the ALIGN Technology, which is designed to help golfers square the clubface more consistently. This technology features a raised ridge along the back of the grip, providing a tactile reminder of proper hand placement.
ALIGN can be a game-changer if you’ve ever struggled with consistency in your grip.
Popular Golf Pride Models: Tour Velvet Cord
Golf Pride offers a wide variety of grips that are popular amongst all golfers:
- Golf Pride Tour Velvet Cord: This is one of the most common golf grips used. Many professional golfers use it, and it offers a balanced feel with moderate firmness and excellent traction, providing a great grip in various weather conditions, making it a fantastic grip for all golfers.
- Golf Pride MCC (Multi-Compound): This hybrid grip combines rubber and cord to provide control and comfort. It’s a top choice for golfers who want a bit of extra traction in their upper hand with a lighter grip pressure.
- Golf Pride CP2 Pro & CP2 Wrap: These grips are designed for players who want extra comfort and shock absorption. They’re great for golfers with arthritis or who simply prefer a softer grip.
- Golf Pride Z-Cord Grip: This one’s for the players who love an ultra-firm, high-traction grip. The Z-cord design ensures maximum control, even in wet conditions.
Lamkin Golf Grip Overview
Lamkin is another powerhouse in the golf grip industry, known for its commitment to quality, innovation, and performance. It has been producing grips for nearly a century and offers golfers a variety of textures, materials, and designs to fit their needs.
Lamkin’s Grip Technology
Lamkin focuses on material innovation and surface texture technology for optimal traction and comfort. One of their standout features is fingerprint technology, which incorporates intricate micro-textures to improve grip stability and reduce slippage.
Lamkin also utilizes Genesis Material, a proprietary rubber compound that enhances durability and feel while maintaining a comfortable, tacky surface.
Popular Lamkin Models: Lamkin Crossline
Lamkin has an impressive lineup of grips, each catering to different golfer preferences:
- Lamkin Crossline Cord: One of their most popular grips, the Lamkin Crossline cord grips feature a distinctive pattern that enhances traction and control. The Lamkin Crossline is a favorite among both amateurs and professionals. These crossline cords are known for their durability and reliable performance in various weather conditions, making Lamkin Crossline Cords a top choice for many golfers.
- Lamkin Sonar: This grip integrates Fingerprint Technology with a softer, slightly tacky feel, providing excellent comfort and playability.
- Lamkin UTx: A high-performance corded grip that delivers exceptional all-weather traction, perfect for players who need extra control in various conditions. Many golfers also consider the Lamkin Players Cord for its durability and ability to maintain grip quality despite moisture and wear.
- Lamkin ST+2 Hybrid: This hybrid design combines softer rubber in the lower hand with firmer material in the upper hand for enhanced stability and feel.
Golf Pride vs Lamkin Durability
When it comes to durability, both Golf Pride and Lamkin offer high-quality grips designed to last multiple rounds of play. However, some key differences in material composition and wear patterns, such as the long-term performance of Lamkin Crosslines compared to other brands, may influence your choice.
Longevity Comparison
Golf Pride grips are known for their resilience, especially in models like the MCC and Z-Grip, which incorporate corded materials for extra longevity. Their advanced rubber compounds also contribute to extended durability, making them popular for players who prioritize grip lifespan.
On the other hand, Lamkin integrates proprietary materials like Genesis Material, which is designed to be both soft and highly durable. For instance, the UTx and Crossline models are built to withstand extensive play while maintaining traction and comfort.
Lamkin’s Fingerprint Technology also helps reduce wear by distributing pressure evenly across the grip surface.
Maintenance Requirements
Proper maintenance can significantly impact grip longevity for both brands. Golf Pride grips, especially those with softer materials like the CP2 Pro, require regular cleaning with mild soap and water to maintain their tackiness and performance.
Like the MCC and Z-Grip, corded grips tend to last longer but may accumulate dirt and moisture more quickly.
Lamkin grips generally require similar maintenance, with models like the Sonar benefiting from occasional cleaning to retain their tacky feel. Their Fingerprint Technology helps reduce excessive wear, meaning some Lamkin grips may retain their feel longer with minimal upkeep.
Which Brand is More Durable?
Both brands have their strengths in durability, but the best choice depends on your playing style and personal preferences. A corded grip like the Golf Pride MCC or Lamkin UTx may offer better longevity if you play frequently in various weather conditions.
If comfort and tackiness are a priority, Lamkin’s Genesis Material or Golf Pride’s CP2 Pro might be the better fit.
Golf Pride vs Lamkin: Performance in Various Weather Conditions
Golf Pride and Lamkin grips perform well in different weather conditions, but specific models stand out depending on the climate and playing environment.
Wet Conditions
- Golf Pride: The MCC and Z-Grip models offer excellent traction in rainy or humid conditions due to their corded design, which wicks away moisture and enhances grip stability.
- Lamkin: The UTx and Crossline grips are particularly strong in wet conditions, featuring high-traction patterns and moisture-resistant materials that maintain a secure grip in the rain.
Hot and Humid Conditions
- Golf Pride: The Tour Velvet and MCC grips balance tackiness and breathability, making them solid choices for hot weather play.
- Lamkin: The Sonar and ST+2 Hybrid grips feature Fingerprint Technology, which enhances grip stability even when hands get sweaty, making them great for warm climates.
Cold Conditions
- Golf Pride: The CP2 Pro and CP2 Wrap grips offer a softer, more cushioned feel, making them comfortable for cold-weather rounds when firmer grips might feel too harsh.
- Lamkin: The Sonar grip’s tacky surface and Genesis Material retain their feel better in colder temperatures compared to firmer grips.
Golf Price vs Lamkin: Professional and Amateur Preferences
Regarding professional and amateur golfer preferences, Golf Pride has a clear advantage in terms of usage on the PGA Tour. Most Tour players, including major champions, use Golf Pride grips, particularly the Tour Velvet and MCC models.
Golf Pride estimates that around 80% of PGA Tour professionals choose their grips, even without endorsement deals. Additionally, many professionals prefer the Project X Hzrdus Black shaft for its weight and performance characteristics, often seen in models like the Srixon ZX5 LS Driver and Srixon ZX Fairway.
While less common on tour, Lamkin grips are still favored by certain professionals, including major winners and elite players who prioritize their unique technologies. They are also widely used by amateur players who prefer their soft yet durable materials.
Amateur golfers often explore various putter grips, such as the non-tapered polyurethane grips from Super Stroke, and rubber composite grips, which are praised for their control and comfort.
For amateur golfers, choosing between Golf Pride and Lamkin often depends on personal preference. Golf Pride grips are more widely available and used in stock club offerings, making them a default choice for many players.
Meanwhile, Lamkin grips are often selected by golfers who want something different from the mainstream. Additionally, Winn Grips are popular among amateurs for their soft and tacky feel, especially beneficial for players with arthritis.
Making the Right Choice: Golf Pride or Lamkin?
Choosing between Golf Pride and Lamkin depends on personal preference, playing style, and specific needs.
Key Differences
- Golf Pride dominates the PGA Tour with various grip styles and firmer, high-performance options.
- Lamkin is known for its innovative materials, softer feel, and focus on comfort and durability.
- Golf Pride grips often have a slightly firmer, more responsive feel, while Lamkin grips focus on advanced texture and all-weather performance.
Who Should Choose Which?
- Beginners: If you’re new to golf, Lamkin’s Sonar or Golf Pride’s CP2 Pro grips offer comfort and a tacky feel that enhances control.
- Intermediates: Golf Pride’s MCC or Lamkin’s ST+2 Hybrid grips offer a good balance of control, traction, and comfort as you refine your skills.
- Pros and Low Handicappers: Golf Pride’s Tour Velvet or Z-Cord Grip and Lamkin’s UTx provide excellent responsiveness and grip stability for advanced players.
How to Upgrade Your Golf Grips
If you go into your local golf shop, such as Golf Town in Canada or Golf Galaxy in the USA, the teams there will help you upgrade your golf grips. You will be able to take your golf clubs in and the teams there will take care of everything else.
You can buy golf grips online and install them yourself, but I wouldn’t recommend it. It’s not worth the possibility of messing things up and then having a loose grip on our golf clubs.
