Way back in February, shortly after I wrote my preview of the new EnergyGrip line of golf grips, the guys at EnergyGrip sent me a bundle of their new EG Tour grips to test out.  Unfortunately, in upstate NY where I live, there isn’t a lot of golfing to be done in the winter months, so short of frequently showing my disinterested wife how cool they are, there wasn’t much I could with them at the time.

With the weather finally turning for the better, I’ve regripped my TaylorMade SuperQuad with an EG Tour.  I’ve taken it to the range a dozen times or so.  I’ve played a few rounds with it.  I’ve hit some good shots, and some not so good shots.  In short, I’ve had ample opportunity to test out these new, state-of-the-art grips.

I know my readers have a lot of interest in the EnergyGrip, so I hope this review will be useful for those of you considering the EG Tour when next your regrip.

Installation

It shouldn’t come as any real surprise, but just in case there are any concerns, installing an EnergyGrip is no different than installing any other standard grip.  If you’re not comfortable installing your own grips, most pro shops, and even some big box sporting goods stores will install it for you for around $3 a club.

Look and Feel

As you can see from the picture below, then EnergyGrip EG Tour looks very similar to both the GolfPride Tour Velvet, and the Lampkin Crossline.  Depending on what’s easily available at the time I’ve been known to use either, although when both are within easy reach, I tend to lean towards the Lamkin.

With respect to the all important question of feel; my take on the EG Tour is that it’s every-so-slightly softer than either the Lampkin of the GolfPride (I believe the GolfPride Tour Velvet to be the most firm of the 3).  The EG Tour is still very much a firm grip, however; so those looking for something squishy (like many Winn Grips for example) will need to look elsewhere.  EngergyGrip has announced a “Rogers” model which I’m guessing will have a softer feel, similar to the GolfPride DD2.  For players who prefer an even firmer grip, a Tour Cord model is also available.

Between sweaty palms on the range, and some fairly wet golf courses, I’ve gotten a real handle on how the EG Tour stands up to moisture.  In line with what’s becoming the repetitive theme of this review, the EG Tour performs very similarly to the Tour Velvet and Crossline grips.  The one issue I’ve run into is that the non-textured area where the EnergyGrip logo is stamped does seem to be a bit more slippery than the logo areas of the other grips I’ve mentioned, but it’s certainly not a major cause for concern (silly as it sounds, I suspect the slicker feel in the logo area is simply a result of the EnergyGrip font).  The company claims that their Tour Cord model provides enhanced wet traction.

The bottom line is that, wet or dry, from one swing to another, I’d be hard pressed to distinguish between the EG Tour, Tour Velvet, and Crossline.  It’s a bit early for me to be talking about durability, but for what it’s worth, I haven’t seen any signs of premature wear.

The so far unanswered question is, of course,  does the vibration dispersion technology (the core of EnergyGrip’s marketing) actually work as advertised?  For many reason I consider myself an ideal reviewer for the EnergyGrip.  I have a good sense of exactly where I’ve hit the ball on the clubface.  I know high from low,  toe from heel, and fade from draw (ok, hook from slice).  Most relevant to the cause, however; I’m a notoriously bad spring golfer.  From March into late May (and sometimes beyond), it’s not unusual for me to beat ball after ball of the hosel and heel of whatever club I happen to be swinging.  Anyone who knows me can attest that while I understand the importance of the short game, at the range, I generally eschew my wedges, and indeed my irons, all in favor of teeing up with the driver.

My point is this, when you’re the type of guy who hits 200 balls (150 of them with your driver) in sub-freezing temperatures, often hitting them on the hosel and heel, sore hands pretty much come with the territory.  My (lack of) practice routine has been the same for the last few years, and and times it has gotten to the point where I can barely extend my fingers because of the soreness.

This year has been much different.  I’m still hitting hundreds of balls of the heel and hosel (what’s the definition of insanity?), but my hands are noticeably less sore than in years past.  The only change I’ve made to my driver since last season is the EG Tour (I’m certainly not hitting it any better).

The benefit of the EG Tour was most noticeable on a particularly windy 20-something degree day, when it quite honesty hurt too much to take more than a few swings with any other club in my bag (windchill is a merciless bear).  If you’re being forced to cut back on the number of rounds you play because of soreness in your wrists and hands, it’s definitely worth checking out the EnergyGrip product line.

It’s also worth noting that, as advertised, I haven’t experienced any loss of feel with the EG Tour on my driver.  The heel and hosel still feel like themselves.  The toe is the toe.  The sweet spot, on those rare occasions I find it, is as sweet as ever.

Final Thoughts

There is a noticeable difference between the vibration reducing EG Tour from EnergyGrip, and the similar grips on the market, especially after a round of golf, or a long session at the range.  I can’t speak to what difference it would make to the better ball strikers among us, but for guys like me, whose swing flaws lead to fewer rounds because of soreness, they’re a welcome edition to the golf bag.  My general rule of thumb when it comes to golf equipment is this; If it’s good enough to be in a PGA Tour player’s bag, it’s good enough (and possibly too good) to be in mine.

For now, I’m using the EG Tour exclusively on my driver.  I’ll be installing them on my wedges shortly (I’m holding off as I may buy new wedges).  The same is true of my fairway woods.  The grips on my irons are practically new, but when the time comes, they’ll very likely get the EG Tour treatment as well.

I’m sold on the EnergyGrip Technology.  I’m wholly convinced that it does what they say it does.  It’s not all kittens and daisies though.  Here, as they say, is the rub.  The previously mentioned Lamkin Crossline and GolfPride Tour Velvet both retail for around $3 each.  The retail price for a single EnergyGrip is around $12, so you are going to pay for the technology and the R&D that went into it.  That said, with other higher-end grips hovering close to the $10 mark and selling well, I’m guessing the EG Tour (and other EngergyGrip products) will have very little trouble finding an audience.

Complete product details can be found at EnergyGrip.com