If there’s one factor I’ve realized from years of protecting golf gear, it’s that grips may be probably the most ignored piece of efficiency gear. We ceaselessly point out that the ball is the one piece of kit you utilize on each shot however the grip is actually the one level of contact between you and your membership on each swing (on this story, putts depend as swings). Regardless of that actuality, most golfers deal with grips with all of the consideration of a subway handrail.
Golf Satisfaction needs to vary that mindset with its new ALIGN Max grips. The case is compelling.
The evolution of reminder grips
For these unfamiliar with golf’s grip historical past (I’m guessing that’s 99 % of us), reminder grips have been as soon as the usual. We’re speaking 90 % of all grips within the ’50s and ’60s. However as mass manufacturing took maintain, spherical grips grew to become the norm – virtually completely as a result of they have been simpler to fabricate and set up.
Quick ahead to as we speak the place 25 to 30 % of PGA Tour gamers use reminder grips however the common golfer largely ignores them.
Mentioned one other means, Golf Pride believes ALIGN is barely scratching the floor of its potential.
By the numbers, the corporate has discovered that, when proven the know-how, 92 % of golfers discover ALIGN know-how interesting. The problem is that solely 38 % have heard of ALIGN, and solely 20 % both play or have tried them.
It’s a disconnect that isn’t misplaced on Golf Satisfaction they usually’re hoping that ALIGN Max will assist bridge the hole.
ALIGN Max: Extra cowbell
In the event you consider the unique ALIGN grip as a delicate suggestion for hand placement, the ALIGN Max is extra like your outdated golf coach standing behind you actively adjusting your grip.
The ALIGN Max was designed in response to golfer demand. As Golf Satisfaction Putter Product Supervisor Bruce Miller put it, “Some golfers, they need extra cowbell. They need it to really feel bigger than it’s.”
In contrast to the unique ALIGN’s surface-level reminder, Max’s reminder cuts during the grip. It’s just like the distinction between a pace bump and a Jersey barrier.
The extra aggressive rib will probably make a big distinction at retail the place the advantages of the ALIGN grip weren’t at all times noticeable to golfers who have been simply pulling grips out of baskets at Golf Galaxy.
With ALIGN Max, the rib is waaaay extra pronounced. You’re going to really feel it even when the grip isn’t put in on a shaft.
Talking of set up …
The set up drawback
One of many largest hurdles with reminder grips has at all times been set up. Get it improper by even a number of levels and abruptly your reminder is extra like a nasty reminiscence.
The actual fact of the matter is that a variety of installers acquired it improper. I can’t depend the variety of ALIGN grips I’ve seen the place the rib was, angled, twisted, turned and in any other case completely buggered.
I believe that’s a part of the explanation why some golfers who tried ALIGN didn’t keep it up.
ALIGN or Mis-ALIGN, it too typically comes all the way down to the installer.
With ALIGN Max, Golf Satisfaction addressed the difficulty head-on, making them considerably simpler to put in straight. Whereas it’s most likely not correct to name it self-correcting, the brand new design is far much less susceptible to twisting. It’s a vital element that might considerably improve the variety of repeat customers.
The suitable grip for you?
Right here’s a sobering stat: solely 41 % of golfers are assured they’ve chosen the suitable grip. That’s like saying solely 41 % of persons are assured they picked the suitable sized sneakers. Much more regarding? A whopping 83 % of golfers change their grips solely when completely obligatory.
When is that, precisely?
“We see golfers spending hundreds of {dollars} to go on bucket-list golf journeys whereas taking part in grips slicker than a steel shaft,” says Miller. “They don’t know how a lot it’s hurting their sport.”
With that, you’ll be able to count on to see Golf Satisfaction extra aggressively try to coach golfers on not simply discovering the suitable grip but additionally understanding why and when you could substitute them.
My 2 Cents
At a launch occasion final 12 months, I had Golf Satisfaction set up the ALIGN Max on my driver. I’ve performed mid-sized MCC +4 grips for the final a number of years and my preliminary response was that not solely was the rib on the ALIGN Max extra pronounced however it additionally makes the grip really feel a bit bigger than the usual +4.
I believe you’re going to really feel the distinction, too.
The underside line
The ALIGN Max represents Golf Satisfaction’s most aggressive push but to redefine grips as real efficiency gear. It’s not nearly having one thing to carry onto anymore – it’s about consistency, precision and, finally, higher golf.
Will it revolutionize how golfers take into consideration grips? That is still to be seen. However should you’ve been in search of extra suggestions out of your grip, extra consistency in your hand placement or simply extra cowbell on the whole, the ALIGN Max deserves a severe look.
I must also point out that should you love the present ALIGN, there’s no cause it’s important to swap. Golf Satisfaction’s preliminary analysis means that roughly 83 % of present ALIGN customers will make the swap however Golf Satisfaction has no plans to take away the prevailing ALIGN from cabinets. Consider Max as another choice inside the ALIGN family.
Specs, Pricing, Availability
Accessible in MCC and MCC +4, the Golf Satisfaction ALIGN Max might be accessible starting Feb. 15. Retail value is $14.99 per grip.
The publish Golf Pride Gives Golfers More Cowbell With ALIGN Max Grips appeared first on MyGolfSpy.
