Recently THP received something new from a very familiar name in the golf equipment marketplace. Normally when we hear the name UST Mamiya we’re immediately thinking fine quality golf shafts, with shaft lines such as the UST Proforce, and the ATTAS International Series UST has etched themselves quite a solid place in the bags of golfers of all skill levels. Any given week on the PGA Tour, UST Mamiya will have some 60 shafts in play with the best players in the world. To name some of the more prominent players using UST Mamiya high performance golf shafts are Stewart Cink, Davis Love III, and Rod Pampling. This is not a shaft review.
As I said here at THP we were able to get our hands on something new from a very familiar name in golf. From UST Mamiya: “Everyone who buys a golf shaft also needs a grip…” This simple logic was the deciding factor in UST Mamiya’s decision to enter the golf grip market. While we fully understand that the competition is well established with strong branding, we believe that there is room in the aftermarket for a “premium quality, premium priced” grip specifically designed with creative styles and colors to match today’s most popular shafts.
UST Mamiya developed 3 different models in their grip offerings, the Pro DC, the Comp SC, and the Tour PC. We were sent each kind and asked our thoughts and since I only game 1 set of clubs I had to determine how I would be able to test each of these grips simultaneously yet still offering each type plenty of opportunity to impress me. I had 3 of each grip and I decided on the following. Pro DC would go on my driver, 3 wood, and hybrid. The Comp SC went on my 3 wedges 52, 56, and 60 degree. And lastly the Tour PC went on my 8 iron, 9 iron, and PW. Each grip is completely unique to the other and this would give me an opportunity to compare the grips to each other and to my current irons that were left unchanged. So after a quick re-gripping in my garage I was ready to go.
Pro DC:
More from UST Mamiya: A great feel in a high performance, half cord – dual compound grip unique to and exclusively developed by the UST Mamiya design team. The Pro DC features a unique 4/3 compound, often preferred by better players and avid golfers looking for both torsional strength in the upper hand and a soft, velvety feel in the mid and lower section of the grip. Available in four graphically creative color combinations to match the world’s most popular golf shafts.
I have never been a cord or half cord fan myself, I feel I have tender hands and I just do not like the rough feel of a cord grip. I have had various kinds in the past and each time I am glad when it comes off. The Pro DC is different though, the unique 4/3 compound resulted in the cord portion of the grip being positioned under my glove so where my bare hand would grip was the softer non-cord section of the grip. Softer yet was the bottom portion of the grip but with me that didn’t really come into play since it was on my longer clubs but I could see how this would benefit someone gripping an entire set. The grip feels great and it performs even better. Testing a grip in August anywhere in the U.S. is always an adventure as temperatures are always hot and humid and this August was no different. I tested these grips for countless rounds and driving range sessions and 1 single swing resulted in my hand slipping from sweat. 1 swing. I was extremely impressed by this; I loved the added grip I had from the cord section under my glove without having to feel the roughness of a typical cord grip on my bare hand.
The Pro DC grip is available online and in various golf stores for right around $7.50 a grip and also available in Black/Gold, Black/Blue, Black/Red, and obviously Black/White.
Comp SC:
From UST Mamiya: Utilizing the latest compression molding technology, UST Mamiya designers used only the finest natural rubber available to create this unique select compound, multi-color grip. As with all UST Mamiya premium grips, the three quarter wrap in the upper section provides low torque as well as the ultimate in traction and feel. Reinforcing the trend that white is the hottest new color for 2010, the Comp SC is destined to become one of the season’s best sellers.
In the looks department I was immediately drawn to the Comp SC. As shown in the pictures the Comp SC grips used for testing were an Orange/Black combination that certainly was very catchy to the eye. Called “Gold/Black” on their website the grips that came to me sure look orange, but then again my own colored blindness could be to blame for that. Enough about the looks and the color, how do they feel? One word, amazing. Sure anytime you get new grips you’re going to love the feel. Here’s the kicker- my grips on the wedges these are on were brand new, all 3 wedges were purchased within the last 3 months! The difference between the stock grip and the Comp SC were night and day to me, as mentioned above I played a lot of golf in some very hot weather and I did not have a single slip or issue with the Comp SC grip.
Again the Comp SC grip is available at golf retail stores as well as online, the Comp SC costs right around $5.50 and like the Pro DC available in Black/Gold, Black/Blue, Black/Red, and Black/White.
Tour PC:
From the company: Introducing, UST Mamiya Premium compound golf grips. Designed using a new proprietary blend of the finest natural and synthetic rubber compounds, these grips provide a velvet soft feel featuring a glint texture for an exceptional torsionally tight, long lasting grip.
Last in the line of new grips from UST Mamiya is the Tour PC, this is the grip I used to replace grips on my 8 iron, 9 iron, and Pitching Wedge. The Tour PC is an all-black velvet type grip with a silver color fill. Soft to the hands does not begin to fully describe the feel of the Tour PC grip. Compared to the other UST Mamiya grips I tested as well as my old grips the Tour PC feels like the softest grip I’ve ever used. The softness of the grip definitely did not take away any of the performance as I always found great results when using my 3 clubs that I consider to be my scoring clubs. While not as flashy as the other 2 models the Tour PC is definitely a very soft and great performing grip that will certainly satisfy those people like me who have very tender hands and prefer a grip that won’t hurt when they grip it.
The Tour PC is the least expensive of the UST Mamiya grips at barely over $3.00 a grip; it’s definitely a great grip for the price. Available only in black.
Overall this was definitely one of the most unique reviews I have ever done, I now have quite a variety of grip offerings across my entire set of clubs but even though the review is over, I don’t think I’ll be changing that anytime soon. I love where each grip is positioned in my bag and think that other than getting some Tour PCs on the rest of my iron set I’m going to just leave things alone for a while. I will say that my personal favorite is the Comp SC, the combination of look and performance in this grip has won me over. Regardless of your personal preference UST Mamiya has you covered. A name we’ve long associated with great golf shafts has now effectively jumped into what already seems like a very tough golf grip market; based on my experience with their grips I’m sure they’ll do quite well.
