Equipment

Bob Lamkin on the wrap grip reborn, 90 years of history

Published

11 years ago

Dec 2, 2014

2015 marks the 90th anniversary of Lamkin Golf Grips. The longest-standing gripmaker in the golf industry is fresh off the success of the UTx and R.E.L. grips in 2014 and is poised to unveil something even more exciting in the year ahead.

“The Wrap-Tech is our ‘hero launch’ for 2015,” said Bob Lamkin, third-generation president of the company. “And it’s part of the puzzle when you see the products that are going to be launched in 2015 and beyond.”

According to the president and CEO, “The grip has had rave reviews from everyone. We’re very excited about the initial feedback that we’ve had. That’s resonated through our focus groups, retailers, PGA Tour professionals.”

Wrap-Tech

Revolutionary new wrap-style grip with dual surface patterns for superior comfort and grip traction.
Made with the patented ACE compound engineered for unmatched tackiness and shock absorption.
Exceptionally tacky grip surface in all weather conditions.
Slightly softer material ideal for players who prefer not to wear a glove.

UTx

UTx-Blue-Std

Proprietary Tri-Layer Technology: Softer ACE foundation for enhanced feel. Moisture-wicking full cord fabric weave. Firmer, incredibly tacky top layer
Unmatched performance in all climates and weather conditions.
Exceptional torsion control & grip stabililty.
Promotes the ideal light pressure grip for longer, more consistent shots.

R.E.L. Ace

REL-ACE-3GEN-Orange-Std

Made with super-tacky ACE synthetic rubber.
Patented shock-absorbing technology dulls painful vibration without dulling shot feedback.
Extremely comfortable grip ideal for a wide range of golfers.
Unique surface pattern maximizes surface contact with a golfer’s hands for added control and stability.
Golf’s widest assortment of size and color options.

Lamkin’s offering for 2015 will also include stalwarts such as the Crossline, i-Line, and X10.

The CEO of Lamkin Grips was kind enough to talk a little about the family business and what’s ahead for the grip company.

On what’s coming down the pike

You’ll see line extensions on UTx. You’ll see this type of material technology move into the putter grip category. The end goal for us from the consumer perspective: develop products through material surface patterns.

What we’re really centering on in each one of the grip categories is performance. Performance materials, performance surface patterns; the combination of [the two] will increase playability. Performance for me equates into competence.

Golfers who regrip their golf clubs consistently stay within a product category. Instead of trying to convert them, or have them jump ship, what we want to do is have that same Ace material and the performance characteristics in all the product categories, whether it’s a putter grip, or a cord grip, or a wrap grip.

On the purpose of the grip

Get golfers to have a very light grip pressure and have confidence in the material and surface pattern where you don’t think you’re going to slip.

If you’re able to have a secure, tension-free swing from your elbows down, that really is going to be able to help the golfer…help a golfer make a full turn, generate swing speed.

If you’re really choking the grip because you don’t have confidence, it’s really going to impede your ability to freely swing the golf club.

On the company’s 90 years of history

I’m very proud of the fact that we’ve had three generations of evolution in the grip category. We’re the longest established grip company…from 1925 on. I have to applaud my grandfather and my father for instilling the core principle of continuous improvement.

We changed from when all grips were made of leather. My father came in and said we need to be able to offer a rubber material. My grandfather, it took a little while for him to warm up to the idea. We went into cord, and synthetic rubber, and then colors came out.

The dynamic changes from a manufacturing perspective to keep pace and to continue to develop new grips and new materials…a huge undertaking…new materials…new equipment…a constant learning…how to improve and get better…

We’ve brought a team of engineers together to really look at the materials side of the category and improve…with Wrap-Tech and the Ace material compounds.

It’s not just color. It’s not just cosmetic driven. People like the colors, but color doesn’t mean it’s a better product. Through the Ace materials, we’ve been able to combine the cosmetics with the functionality of a new material.

Each generation is a rebirth. It’s like a new company, and that’s been instilled in us through the generations.

We’re a privately held family business. We’re very proud of how much we’ve accomplished. Our management team, we have over 500 employees. It’s a collaborative effort worldwide. [We have a] singular goal: make it better each year.

On the company’s future

We keep bringing better products to market that are hopefully going to help golfers play more consistently or at least enjoy the game more. If we can do that, we’ve achieved our goal.

If you don’t improve, and you don’t keep trying to make the product category better, somebody else will. All we do is make golf grips, so our core focus is on that continuous improvement model in the materials side.

Lamkin indicated the company is doing extensive focus-group research globally to determine the optimal grip characteristics for, say, the United States’ West Coast versus the coast of Scotland.

Related Topics:grips Lamkin

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Ben Alberstadt

Ben Alberstadt is the Editor-in-Chief at GolfWRX, where he’s led editorial direction and gear coverage since 2018. He first joined the site as a freelance writer in 2012 after years spent working in pro shops and bag rooms at both public and private golf courses, experiences that laid the foundation for his deep knowledge of equipment and all facets of this maddening game. Based in Philadelphia, Ben’s byline has also appeared on PGATour.com, Bleacher Report...and across numerous PGA DFS and fantasy golf platforms. Off the course, Ben is a committed cat rescuer and, of course, a passionate Philadelphia sports fan. Follow him on Instagram @benalberstadt.

25 Comments

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Golfraven

Dec 5, 2014 at 6:26 pm

Glad for the comments folks. I was about to try the UTx on my driver first but need something that will last me longer than couple of months. will either stay with the Tour Velvet Cord or try the Golf Pride Multi-Compound Platinum – love the look of Platinum/White.

Reply Report comment
Jeff

Dec 4, 2014 at 1:19 pm

Revolutionary new style grip? For Lamkin, yes. But it’s not revolutionary or new for golf. It’s just an updated version of the Sand Wrap offered by Royal Grips (remember them?) back in 1994. That being said, I’ll probably give them a try.

Reply Report comment
Steve

Dec 3, 2014 at 3:20 pm

Wow, I love their new grips. The updated logo and the new wrap seems like a winner.
Companies don’t make it 90 years by doing the SOS forever. Congratulations to Lamkin. They have been a part of the fabric of the game.

Reply Report comment
- Shallowface
  
  Dec 4, 2014 at 6:35 am
  
  Seems a lot of us here think the SOS is just fine.
  
  Reply Report comment
- Chuck
  
  Dec 7, 2014 at 3:37 pm
  
  Lamkin makes dozens of different grip models. If they want to introduce new innovations, I think that’s great. If they want to put a new logo on every new model as it is introduced, there’s nothing wrong with that.
  
  Just don’t make changes to existing models that are working beautifully and are part of equipment choices that I don’t want to change or re-adapt. And don’t even think of discontinuing a truly classic product like the Crossline.
  
  Reply Report comment
tom

Dec 3, 2014 at 12:12 pm

Hated the feel of the UTx. Ordered my Z545’s with Tour Velvets instead.

Reply Report comment
FTWPhil

Dec 3, 2014 at 11:25 am

Bring back Crossline Black it’s one of our best sellers! Why was the crossline pattern changed on the standard crossline? It is much smaller now.

Reply Report comment
- tom
  
  Dec 3, 2014 at 12:02 pm
  
  Agree. Love the Crossline black.
  
  Reply Report comment
- Tim
  
  Dec 4, 2014 at 2:22 pm
  
  Cross line and corded cross line are the most timeless grips, and very reasonably priced as well. Great grips for all weathers, have used them for years and multi compound for years, but the lambkins are about half the price of the golf prides.
  
  Reply Report comment
No bueno

Dec 3, 2014 at 1:00 am

Crossline is the only decent grip in the whole line that lasts any length of time. The rest are too soft and doesn’t last at all.

Reply Report comment
jonno

Dec 2, 2014 at 11:51 pm

all of the ace compound grips wear out too fast, utx lasts like a month on the driver

Reply Report comment
Dave

Dec 2, 2014 at 10:14 pm

Have used Lamkin for years. I don’t understand why most of their grips are available only in .580 when most shafts have a butt size of .600. I guess they think everyone needs oversize grips. I’d like to hear the reason for the .580 size.

Reply Report comment
obo

Dec 2, 2014 at 9:27 pm

The UTx are absolute garbage. They didn’t even last a year. Cords break down way to fast and the color will stain your golf glove and bare hand. Back to iomic for this guy.

Reply Report comment
- ron
  
  Dec 3, 2014 at 12:17 am
  
  iomic is trash
  
  Reply Report comment
- CM
  
  Dec 8, 2014 at 7:22 pm
  
  They do wear fast but like the firm tack. I can’t grips to last 5-6 months. No grip last a year with heavy use.
  
  Reply Report comment
Dbuck

Dec 2, 2014 at 8:05 pm

I have used Crosslines for several years on virtually everything and am glad they are keeping them in the line.

I will be trying the Wrap-Tech when it is available.

Reply Report comment
- FTWPhil
  
  Dec 8, 2014 at 10:23 am
  
  I’m very interested in the wrap grip color options as well. I currently use Golf Pride Tour Wrap blue. The different texture is pretty interesting.
  
  Reply Report comment
Shallowface

Dec 2, 2014 at 7:40 pm

I will never understand why they did away with the distinctive Lamkin logo as shown on the grip that’s in the picture of Mr. Lamkin, in favor of a white block letter logo that reminds one of Golf Pride.

Big fan of the Crossline as well as older products such as the Perma Wrap and the Sure Tac 85th Anniversary grip from 2010. I’ve tried a couple of the ACE products, but didn’t like the feel of them as well as the Crossline.

The old Sure Tac grips from the 80s were a remarkable product. Wilson used those on some of their Staff irons, and I have found some of those that were still playable after a light sanding and cleaning with soap and water. Incredible for 30 year old grips.

Reply Report comment
- Jafar
  
  Dec 3, 2014 at 9:39 am
  
  Perhaps money and manufacturing costs.
  
  A small design change could save millions possibly.
  
  Reply Report comment
  - Shallowface
    
    Dec 4, 2014 at 6:31 am
    
    Don’t see how it could make any difference. The logo is part of the mold, is it not?
    
    Reply Report comment
- Chuck
  
  Dec 4, 2014 at 10:32 pm
  
  Yes; keep the old logo!
  
  At the very least, PLEASE keep making the old Crosslines the exact same way, including the old logo.
  
  I will never understand why it is so hard to get a matching set of grips with options for rib and round. It’s hard enough finding any rib grips anymore.
  
  I’ll keep buying .580 rib and round Crosslines as long as they keep making them. (Ribs on Driver thru PW, Rounds on GW and SW.)
  
  Reply Report comment
David Gebhardt PGA

Dec 2, 2014 at 6:12 pm

Have used Lamkin for years,love the feel and durability of the Crossline. As a company you have always provided great r&d, but you are missing a growing market. Your wrap has been the best, except – it is righthanded. Try a model reversing the wrap for us lefties.

Reply Report comment
joey

Dec 2, 2014 at 3:21 pm

great article haven’t tried the new lamkins yet have golf pride tour wraps on and they are great

Reply Report comment

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Equipment

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Alistair Cameron

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