Golf Pride Gives Golfers More Cowbell With ALIGN Max Grips

If there’s one factor I’ve realized from years of overlaying golf tools, it’s that grips is likely to be essentially the most missed piece of efficiency tools. We continuously 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 Pleasure needs to alter 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 turned the norm – virtually fully as a result of they have been simpler to fabricate and set up.

Quick ahead to immediately the place 25 to 30 % of PGA Tour gamers use reminder grips however the common golfer largely ignores them.

Stated one other means, Golf Pleasure believes ALIGN is barely scratching the floor of its potential.

By the numbers, the corporate has discovered that, when proven the expertise, 92 % of golfers discover ALIGN expertise 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 Pleasure and so they’re hoping that ALIGN Max will assist bridge the hole.

ALIGN Max: Extra cowbell

Should you consider the unique ALIGN grip as a mild suggestion for hand placement, the ALIGN Max is extra like your previous golf coach standing behind you actively adjusting your grip.

The ALIGN Max was designed in response to golfer demand. As Golf Pleasure Putter Product Supervisor Bruce Miller put it, “Some golfers, they need extra cowbell. They need it to really feel bigger than it’s.”

Not like the unique ALIGN’s surface-level reminder, Max’s reminder cuts all over 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 greatest hurdles with reminder grips has at all times been set up. Get it incorrect by even just a few levels and out of the blue your reminder is extra like a foul reminiscence.

The actual fact of the matter is that plenty of installers acquired it incorrect. 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 think that’s a part of the rationale why some golfers who tried ALIGN didn’t keep it up.

ALIGN or Mis-ALIGN, it too usually comes all the way down to the installer.

With ALIGN Max, Golf Pleasure 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 essential element that might considerably enhance the variety of repeat customers.

The best grip for you?

Right here’s a sobering stat: solely 41 % of golfers are assured they’ve chosen the precise grip. That’s like saying solely 41 % of individuals are assured they picked the precise sized footwear. Much more regarding? A whopping 83 % of golfers change their grips solely when completely essential.

When is that, precisely?

“We see golfers spending 1000’s 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 recreation.”

With that, you possibly can count on to see Golf Pleasure extra aggressively try to coach golfers on not simply discovering the precise grip but additionally understanding why and when you’ll want to change them.

My 2 Cents

At a launch occasion final yr, I had Golf Pleasure 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 nevertheless it additionally makes the grip really feel a bit bigger than the usual +4.

I feel you’re going to really feel the distinction, too.

The underside line

The ALIGN Max represents Golf Pleasure’s most aggressive push but to redefine grips as real efficiency tools. 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 if you happen to’ve been on the lookout for extra suggestions out of your grip, extra consistency in your hand placement or simply extra cowbell normally, the ALIGN Max deserves a critical look.

I must also point out that if you happen to love the present ALIGN, there’s no motive you need to change. Golf Pleasure’s preliminary analysis means that roughly 83 % of present ALIGN customers will make the change however Golf Pleasure has no plans to take away the prevailing ALIGN from cabinets. Consider Max as an alternative choice throughout the ALIGN household.