[chemboy2]

In recent months I've been searching for my ultimate grip. Always played GP Tour Velvets but I figured there was other grips out there that might be worth a go. I thought I wanted a little more grip so I tried the corded model. Good grip with the glove hand but a little rough on the non-glove hand. I tried the GP Dual Durometer as well but found it lacking a bit in the feel dept. Then I stumbled across the Winn G8.

I had heard many things about Winn grips having longevity problems and that they down right sucked in the rain. The new G8s supposedly fixed these issues and came in an extra firm model so I figured what the hell. I threw them on a couple of clubs at the tale end of summer to give them a try. I was quite impressed with their tackiness and I felt that I held the club lighter with them. I was content with these grips but my non-glove hand like them a lot mroe than my glove hand. I thought they felt a little slick at times (foreshadowing).

A couple of weeks ago I stumbled across the GP New Decade Multicompound I had seen them before but, for whatever reason, never thought to try them I was demo'ing a club and noticed how well the corded top half gripped the glove while the tackier softer compound on the lower half allowed my fingers to to relax. I wasn't instantly smitten by this grip. The TVs on my irons NEEDED replaced and I decided right then and there this would be the grip. Two nights later I regripped my irons.

Fast forward to this morning. I decided to play a back 9 before work today; 48*F with a windchill of 38*F. (I realize this doesn't even qualify for "chilly" in a lot of other places but to a born and raised Cali boy this is COLD) Needless to say there wasn't a lot of "feel" in play this morning. Anyway, I have held off regripping the clubs that had the G8s on them and so this was the perfect opportunity to test the grips side by side.

First up was the New Decade Multi. Even in the cold weather the lower portion remained tacky and the corded top half held my glove hand tight. They felt every bit as good as any other time I've played them. Even though my hands were cold, I swung the club with confidence.

Next up was my G8 gripped hybrid. As soon as I pulled the club out of the bag I knew I was in trouble; the grip was smooth, too smooth. I struggled to hold on to the club in the practice swing and barely hung on when I went at it. A couple of holes later the yardage called for that same club; this time I wasn't able to hold on! I avoided that yardage the rest of the morning. As soon as I get home tonight I will be replacing the Winn's with a New Decade.

The New Decades play really well in "normal" weather but I was just blown away by how well they played in this morning's weather. The New Decades cost a few extra bucks but they are worth every penny.