blaise2089
New member
When I say the name GOODYEAR, what is the first thing that comes to your mind? Tires obviously??? Well if you were unaware, the company actually has golf club grips! Now before you go judging a book by its cover, I ask you to put away your predetermined thoughts about the company's tires (whether good or bad) and give these a chance. I was unable to find anything else on the forum about these, so I thought I might give everyone my thoughts (whether you like it or not!) and maybe provide another option for some.
I recently came across these grips on the Golfsmith website. I noticed the price of the grip was an astonishing $2.47. Wow, a multi-compound type grip at less than 2 dollars and 50 cents??? surely they can't be worth wasting your time! Long story short, I did some research, read some reviews, looked around and thought for a while. I decided to pull the trigger and order some. I mean what is there to lose, $35?
Now before I can tell you what I think about these grips you should probably know a little about me. I've been playing golf seriously for about 6 years now. The only grip I've really used are the Golf Pride Tour Velvets and the stock TaylorMade grips they put on woods, hybrids and drivers. Now I like the Tour Velvets a great deal, good price, nice feel, an all around decent grip.
I am at about a 7.5 handicap now and I would have to say my ball striking is one of my main strengths, giving me great distance with a driver and allowing me to play a set of muscleback irons. ***Disclaimer***I have not personally tested or used the Golf Pride New Decade, although I have buddies that play them and have given me thoughts.
That being said, I recently replaced 3 clubs with the Goodyear Tour Traction. These being my 56* sand wedge, 8 iron, and 19* hybrid. I wanted to be able to test the grips on different types of clubs and those that would be used most often.
Looks
For what it is worth, I think the look of the grip is impressive. Although the only color is white, it stands out without being very flashy. At first glance one might confuse this grip with the Golf Pride New Decades. If you look closely, however, the white portion of the Goodyears are actually only in the mid section of the grip, whereas on the New Decade the white portion extends all the way to the end of the grip.
Feel
When you first put your hands on the Goodyear while on the club you will notice it has a very distinct feel. The black portion of the grip is somewhat like the Tour Velvet, while the white portion gives you what you can tell will be very good control and a great deal of tackiness. The grip is slightly on the firm side, but actually gives you great comfort while laying in your palm.
Playability/Performance
Maybe most important aspect of a grip. As recently noted I tried to get the maximum amount of tests on a wide range of shot types, lies, and swings. I believe I was able to achieve this while on the range and a great deal on actual on course testing. One of my favorite things about the grip was on my sand wedge. I had a couple of "normal" bunker shots which the grip performed nicely on. One bunker shot I had required me to use a very powerful swing in which I had to precisely guide the club head. The Goodyear performed beautifully in that it never slid or budged in my palm at all, even through impact. The grip felt great on my irons and I felt I was able to hit controlled shots confidently in part to knowing the grip would stand up through my shot. I must also add that I live near Baton Rouge, Louisiana, where saying humidity is high would be an understatement. I have mostly found that the Tour Velvet would have some slipping through your shot and would lose its tackiness and "grippy-ness" and get slick. I had no problems with the grip getting moist and slipping due to the humidity.
PRICE!!!
$2.47, need I say more? I'm a college student with truck note, insurance, gas, and food with a limited golf equipment budget (ok I stretch it to the max, and occasionally go over!) but for about $35 to regrip your whole set, I say go for it!
I know it is getting to the end of the golf season for some but if you throw these on and get used to them over the off season, you can start it off early next year. For those like me just looking for a change on your clubs for the rest of the year, look into these grips.
Now for some pictures:
Any comments, questions, additions are welcomed and appreciated!
I recently came across these grips on the Golfsmith website. I noticed the price of the grip was an astonishing $2.47. Wow, a multi-compound type grip at less than 2 dollars and 50 cents??? surely they can't be worth wasting your time! Long story short, I did some research, read some reviews, looked around and thought for a while. I decided to pull the trigger and order some. I mean what is there to lose, $35?
Now before I can tell you what I think about these grips you should probably know a little about me. I've been playing golf seriously for about 6 years now. The only grip I've really used are the Golf Pride Tour Velvets and the stock TaylorMade grips they put on woods, hybrids and drivers. Now I like the Tour Velvets a great deal, good price, nice feel, an all around decent grip.
I am at about a 7.5 handicap now and I would have to say my ball striking is one of my main strengths, giving me great distance with a driver and allowing me to play a set of muscleback irons. ***Disclaimer***I have not personally tested or used the Golf Pride New Decade, although I have buddies that play them and have given me thoughts.
That being said, I recently replaced 3 clubs with the Goodyear Tour Traction. These being my 56* sand wedge, 8 iron, and 19* hybrid. I wanted to be able to test the grips on different types of clubs and those that would be used most often.
Looks
For what it is worth, I think the look of the grip is impressive. Although the only color is white, it stands out without being very flashy. At first glance one might confuse this grip with the Golf Pride New Decades. If you look closely, however, the white portion of the Goodyears are actually only in the mid section of the grip, whereas on the New Decade the white portion extends all the way to the end of the grip.
Feel
When you first put your hands on the Goodyear while on the club you will notice it has a very distinct feel. The black portion of the grip is somewhat like the Tour Velvet, while the white portion gives you what you can tell will be very good control and a great deal of tackiness. The grip is slightly on the firm side, but actually gives you great comfort while laying in your palm.
Playability/Performance
Maybe most important aspect of a grip. As recently noted I tried to get the maximum amount of tests on a wide range of shot types, lies, and swings. I believe I was able to achieve this while on the range and a great deal on actual on course testing. One of my favorite things about the grip was on my sand wedge. I had a couple of "normal" bunker shots which the grip performed nicely on. One bunker shot I had required me to use a very powerful swing in which I had to precisely guide the club head. The Goodyear performed beautifully in that it never slid or budged in my palm at all, even through impact. The grip felt great on my irons and I felt I was able to hit controlled shots confidently in part to knowing the grip would stand up through my shot. I must also add that I live near Baton Rouge, Louisiana, where saying humidity is high would be an understatement. I have mostly found that the Tour Velvet would have some slipping through your shot and would lose its tackiness and "grippy-ness" and get slick. I had no problems with the grip getting moist and slipping due to the humidity.
PRICE!!!
$2.47, need I say more? I'm a college student with truck note, insurance, gas, and food with a limited golf equipment budget (ok I stretch it to the max, and occasionally go over!) but for about $35 to regrip your whole set, I say go for it!
I know it is getting to the end of the golf season for some but if you throw these on and get used to them over the off season, you can start it off early next year. For those like me just looking for a change on your clubs for the rest of the year, look into these grips.
Now for some pictures:
Any comments, questions, additions are welcomed and appreciated!
