Grip
A Brief History Of Grips
We all take slip-on rubber grips for granted today, but there was a time when every grip was a leather type wrap.
The time involved in installing leather grips was one of the more time consuming aspects of club assembly less than 50 years ago - and for those who use leather today, you sure know what I am talking about!
Way back in 1949, a man by the name of Thomas Fawick recognized that rubber might make a good material for a golf grip.
He began a company in Akron, Ohio, that was soon named GolfPride.
While the first rubber grips were moulded onto the shaft, by 1953, slip-on grips had been developed, virtually revolutionizing the grip industry!
When Tommy Bolt won the US Open in 1958 with slip-on GolfPride grips, the entire golf industry took notice and the decline of leather grips was a certainty.
Rubber slip-on grips were here to stay, just as they are today.
Rubber grips are used by at least 90% of all golfers today thanks to Mr. Fawick's vision half a century ago.We salute him and the GolfPride company for 50 years of grip production, leading the industry even today!
Without Mr. Fawick, we may all still be wrapping leather grips, a task not highly enjoyed by most club makers!
The grip is most important make sure it is sized for your hands as a wrong sized grip could add strokes to your score.
There are many different types of grips - try some for feel.
Modern technology has aided in the development of new styles and feels.
Softer grips are increasing in popularity and the soft feel is easy on the hands-increasing comfort, adding more resistance to slippage and increasing shock absorption.
The cord type grips are chosen by golfers who have developed a specific preference for this harder and firmer feel, or by golfers whose hands perspire excessively during a round of golf.