Equipment

Can a golf grip really help you gain distance?

Published

10 years ago

Jul 12, 2016

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.

Related Topics:grips Lamkin

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Andrew Tursky

He played on the Hawaii Pacific University Men's Golf team and earned a Masters degree in Communications. He also played college golf at Rutgers University, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism.

12 Comments

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!

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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.

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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

Reply Report comment
Golfer

Jul 13, 2016 at 12:26 pm

I’d like to see a comparison on trackman between these grips and other grips.

Reply Report comment
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?

Reply Report comment
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.

Reply Report comment
- Paul
  
  Jul 13, 2016 at 8:45 am
  
  Sharpro came up with the original “Multi compound” New Decade design, not Golf Pride.
  
  Reply Report comment
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.

Reply Report comment
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?

Reply Report comment
Tider992010

Jul 12, 2016 at 12:06 pm

I really like Lampkin Grips. I would try these in a heartbeat.

Reply Report comment
- Milo
  
  Jul 12, 2016 at 12:22 pm
  
  I use UTx, awesome grips.
  
  Reply Report comment
- Nolanski
  
  Jul 12, 2016 at 6:05 pm
  
  I’m a crossline full cord guy myself but these are interesting.
  
  Reply Report comment

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Equipment

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Published

12 hours ago

Jun 10, 2026

Will Schube

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Shaft: Mitsubishi Chemical Tensei 1K Pro Red 70 TX

7-wood: Titleist GTS3 (21 degrees, D1 SureFit setting)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Chemical Tensei 1K Pro Red 80 TX

Irons: Titleist U505 (3), Titleist 620 MB (4-9)
Shafts: Fujikura Ventus Black HB 8 X, True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue

Wedges: Titleist Vokey Design SM11 (48-10F, 52-12F, 56-14F), WedgeWorks (60-K*)
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See more in-hand photos of Bud Cauley’s clubs here.

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Will Schube

In our forums, one user has offered up a prompt for the true sickos, inviting fellow forum members to share every set of irons they’ve ever owned. As to be expected, this is a lengthy forum topic.

@Lamosteve began:

Can you name every set of irons you’ve owned? Here’s mine

Spalding Dots
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Lynx Parallax
Mizuno EZ Comp
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macedan: “Started with a hand-me-down Golden Bear set from my brother when I was in high school, never really played more than once a year or got into the game until about summer of 2017. First purchased a set of Cleveland CG4’s (I actually really miss this set sometimes, soft & not terribly large for a GI iron), moved into Nike Vapor Fly’s by the end of the year. Those lasted until spring of 18 when I decided I wanted new, so I traded them in for TM Rbladez. Honestly, although I liked the Rbladez, poor decision on my part, I think this was really about the only time so far that after a week or two I was kicking myself for not staying with what I had. Rbladez stayed with me until late last summer when I switched to P790’s and (knock on wood) I am hoping this will be my longest lasting set.”
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