Earlier this year I introduced Tour-G Grips and they’ve been pretty popular. Just to recap the concept behind Tour-G, it is a premium Acrylate-Butadiene Rubber grip, made in Japan, which utilizes a synthetic polymer for premium grip and control. The key feature and concept of the new Tour G grip is its use of MCT or Multi Compression Technology. Tour G created a grip that is supposed to work for different players by varying the firmness of the grip depending on the players swing speed and swing style. They believe that a player with a fast and aggressive 110mph swing should not be using the same grip as a slower 85mph swinger. By altering the way the grip reacts to the swing, a player can take full advantage of the shaft and head performance as after all, the grip is what connects the players hands to the club.
In order to create a comfortable grip with premium traction and control for different style player, Tour G has divided their grip into 3 section just like a shaft. The Butt of the grip, the mid section, and the tip of the grip. Varying the hardness or compression of the tip section of the grip without increasing or decreasing the grips diameter, creates a smoother or more stable swing depending on the player.
Tour-G has released a couple of videos showing their concept. While the videos are in Japanese you get a sense of the differences between the models simply by viewing the part where they clamp each different model grip in a vice and you see how the grip sags or flexes. This demonstrates each models rigidity and hardness.
The grips are of course available in the pro shop and can also now be special ordered from Tourspecgolf.com in all white or all orange.
The first movie shows some of the technology as well as comments by Dinesh Chand (in Japanese). Dinesh speaks about how good the Tour-G feels and how a grip that does not twist or slip is obviously the most important factor in making a good grip. Dinesh talks about how the Tour-G does not lose traction in the wet and rain and how it helped him succeed on tour by providing grip matching his swing.
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The second movie is actual testing by Mark Kannai also in Japanese. Mark talks about Tour G and it’s flex control performance and how its the first grip in the world that varies hardness and compression through the grip’s different sections. He goes through the different models pointing out the soft tip area of the Tour G 30 which allows slower swingers to feel the shaft more and allow for more movement of the shaft helping with swing speed. He then tests the Tour G 70 and while holding just the grip in his hands, he notes that by twisting the grip you can feel it’s stiffer than the 30 by 1.5 to 2 times at least. He then puts the Tour G 70 on the exact same XXIO driver he just used for the 30 and explains it gives a obviously different more stable feel. The swing comes under more control and direction. The last model the Tour G 50 is the balanced model of the lineup with a similar hardness through the entire grip. Mark explains it’s the most “natural” feeling grip on the driver and the balance of feel and control.
[flv:http://blog.tourspecgolf.com/videos/tourgmovie03.flv 640 427]
Have a couple of the Tour G30s that have been sitting around for the longest time and hopefully will be testing them in the near future when I get my driver re-shafted. The concept & technology seems to make sense when you think about it. But, I’ll see how that goes… If not, I can always try the 50 version.
I just love the way the Japanese makes these videos. They are so detail and informative. I wish i could understand it a little more.
Interesting. I had no idea that there was so much insight into these grips.
I have never tried any of the jdm grips because I play with a midsize grip. Can you use buildup tape with these and if so does it affect the way they perform?
I have been playing the 50 grips and hands down the best grip there is out there.