Press Releases 2011

SAN DIEGO, December 5, 2011 -- Lamkin Corporation, a leading manufacturer of premium golf grips, has unveiled its 2012 collection infused with more sizes, styles, materials and colors to create a menu of custom choices for every golfer.  This year’s lineup features grips engineered to help lower scores and improve games, including new offerings specifically crafted for wedges and adjustable clubs, as well as grips priced perfectly for value-minded shoppers.
R.E.L. 3GEN Grip now includes 11 new color options and more sizes to fit a wider range of golfers than ever before.  Undersize, Standard, Midsize and Oversize models are designed to ensure that every golfer can find the perfect fit to help lower his or her scores.  
“Playing a well-fit, high quality grip is the first step towards shaving strokes off your game,” explains Lamkin President and CEO Bob Lamkin. “That’s Lamkin’s mission: to help golfers play better. We wake up every day with that goal in mind.”
Adjustable club users will appreciate Lamkin’s orientation-free R.E.L. 3GEN 360° Grip. Its uniform design, free of logos or alignment markings, enables users to accommodate their set up (open, neutral or closed) without compromising clubhead position.  The R.E.L. features a minimal surface pattern to maximize surface contact with a golfer’s hands, providing extra comfort while reducing the need for excessive grip pressure throughout the swing.
The new Lamkin Performance Plus 3GEN Wedge Grip is constructed from the company’s proprietary vibration-dampening 3GEN synthetic rubber compound that protects hands while providing shot feedback and improved scoring opportunities.   With an additional inch of coverage versus traditional grips, this wedge tool accommodates choking down on the club for greater control of shots around the green.  Two visual “buttons” are located 1.5 inches apart to guide more precise and repeatable hand placement, resulting in more consistent swings.
Lamkin’s new X10 Grips were introduced as a solution for golfers stretched by today’s tough economy.  This value-priced X10 is made of a durable, proprietary synthetic rubber material designed to last round after round.  Like the R.E.L. 3GEN Grip, the X10 is available in Undersize, Standard, Midsize and Oversize, and features hand positioning guides and a well-spaced surface pattern for optimal traction and shot control.
Lamkin’s 2012 grip collection will be available through golf specialty, online retailers and green grass shops beginning November 2011. For more information about Lamkin Grips, visit www.LamkinGrips.com.

SAN DIEGO, November 16, 2011 -- In an era when attention spans are 140 characters in length and exaggerated marketing claims drive consumers to switch brands every day, one 86-year old company has proven that when a product is just right for its users, loyalty follows.

According to a recent survey conducted by Amateur Golf, Lamkin Grips has emerged as the brand inspiring nearly twice as much loyalty as its nearest competitor.

The nation’s top website site for competitive amateur golf polled its member base to gather data about purchasing habits when re-gripping clubs. The survey found that nine out of ten current Lamkin users prefer to stay with their current grip rather than try a new manufacturers’ product. Comparatively, the next-leading manufacturers’ users were more than twice as likely to try a new grip from a competing brand.

“Lamkin always has been a company passionate about the game of golf” says Bob Lamkin, the company’s president and CEO. “In making grips, our focus is on improving a golfer’s game by improving their connection to the club. I’d like to believe consumers keep coming back to Lamkin because we are committed to producing the best grip for every type of golfer, regardless of age, gender or handicap.”

The survey of avid golfers further revealed that among Lamkin users, more than 90 percent are “happy with [their] grips the way they are,” whereas 30 percent of the competitors’ users reported that they were not happy with their current grips.

In addition to millions of passionate and recreational golfers worldwide, Lamkin proudly provides grips to the nation’s premier golf club manufacturers. Lamkin’s loyal fan base also includes top Tour players – two of whom used Lamkin Grips to secure wins at the 2011 British Open and the 2011 PGA Championship.

SAN DIEGO, September 12, 2011 -- Lamkin Corporation, a leading manufacturer of premium golf grips, is finishing the 2011 PGA Tour regular season with a record 10 Tour wins, including first-place finishes at both the British Open and PGA Championship. "Lamkin grips continued to gain significant momentum with Tour players in 2011. Needless to say, I'm thrilled that the winners of the last two Majors were both using Lamkin grips!" said Bob Lamkin, President and CEO.

Scoring a victory at the 2011 British Open, the winner of the tournament used the Sure-Tac Classic Half-Cord, a grip exclusively manufactured for Tour players. Made of Lamkin's highly durable synthetic rubber, the Sure-Tac was the inspiration for the top-selling 85th Anniversary Sure-Tac grip. The Sure-Tac family of gris is both tacky and firm, providing great feel and exceptional torsion rigidity.

The winner of the PGA Championship used one of Lamkin's best-selling and most popular grips, gaining his PGA Championship win with the classic Crossline Full-Cord. One of the most popular grips among Tour players, the Crossline Full-Cord is the ultimate high-traction, wet-weather golf grip. In 2011, Lamkin cord grips were the most popular full-cord golf grips on the PGA Tour.

Mr. Lamkin continued, "Lamkin has a very loyal following of Tour players currently using our golf grips. We're extremely proud of our expanded success with Tour players, but we're just as focused on providing the same level of service and extensive selection of performance-enhancing grips to the millions of worldwide golfers who aren't playing on the Tour."

SAN DIEGO, August 22, 2011 -- Lamkin Corporation, a leading manufacturer of premium golf grips, proudly selects Golf National Pty. as its new distributor for the Australia market. Lamkin, in announcing the appointment, emphasized the importance of Australia to its global after-market business strategy. Lamkin chose Golf National because of its superior marketing plans, extensive network of shipping points and personal relationships with thousands of golf professionals throughout the country.

"Golf National will be very active in building an even stronger brand presence for Lamkin Grips in Australia. With 10 dedicated sales reps providing unsurpassed service and support, Golf National is ideally suited to support our goal of penetrating all regions of this very important market." said Bob Lamkin, President and CEO.

Golf National, headquartered in Queensland, operates four distribution facilities throughout Australia. They are a leading distributor of shafts, golf grips, tees and accessories. Commenting on their new relationship with Lamkin Grips, Golf National's CEO, Trevor Nash, said "The Lamkin brand has a tremendous history in the golf industry and is synonymous with uncompromising quality. We're thrilled to add this best-in-class line to our assortment of premium golf products".

Lamkin Grip's VP of Sales, Peter Brown, added, "Trevor and Simon Nash have impressive ideas for growing the Lamkin business in Australia. The Golf National marketing plan is thorough and we are confident in their ability to execute it fully. This partnership will ensure that golfers throughout Australia will enjoy improved access to the full portfolio of Lamkin grips."

SAN DIEGO, August 17, 2011 -- Lamkin Corporation, a leading manufacturer of premium golf grips, has opened a direct relationship with Brittain Wynyard & Co Ltd; naming the distributor its partner for sales and marketing in New Zealand. Lamkin expands its global reach tapping one of New Zealand's largest distributors of sporting goods. Brittain, Wynyard & Co serves the country's golf industry with the most extensive sales service team and superior logistics.

"We are strongly focused on expanding the after-market segment of our business throughout the world. Our partnership with Brittain Wynyard & Co gives Lamkin Grips with the ideal infrastructure to significantly deepen our penetration in this region." said Bob Lamkin, President and CEO.

The highly respected distributor has a distinguished history of effectively promoting and distributing top tier sports equipment throughout New Zealand. "We're very excited to strengthen our partnership with Lamkin, and look forward to providing all New Zealand golfers with access to the industry's top performing golf grips," said Golf Division Manager, Sam Sullivan

Lamkin Grip's VP of Sales, Peter Brown, added, "With three dedicated service reps, supported by world class logistics, Brittain, Wynyard has excellent coverage in New Zealand. We have every confidence that our new relationship will dramatically accelerate Lamkin's growth in this region."

Lamkin Grips, a family owned company since 1925, consistently delivers the highest quality, most game-enhancing and best feeling golf grips. With the industry's broadest assortment of styles, surface patterns, textures and sizes, Lamkin gives players at every level a better feel for their game. Their history of excellence has made Lamkin the chosen golf grip of nearly every premium club manufacturer, as well as millions of casual, avid and professional golfers around the world.
For more company and product information, go to www.lamkingrips.com or call (800) 642-7755.

SAN DIEGO, March 18, 2011-- As a co-sponsor of the 2011 San Diego Inter-Collegiate Championship, held at the San Diego Country Club on March 14-15, Lamkin Grips kicked off its new collegiate initiative by offering premium grips and grip installation to all members of the 12 teams in attendance. Lamkin's College Support Program provides free golf grips to all coaches of Division I and II college teams.

"I'm passionate about this program because it allows us to give something back to the players and coaches who work so hard to maintain the integrity of this great game," said CEO Bob Lamkin.

Lamkin Grips is an equal opportunity provider. Its newest initiative is available to any eligible Division I and II women's golf teams as well. Coaches who are interested in receiving new grips can select from any of Lamkin's current grips and then send their request directly to griprequest@lamkingrips.com.
Maintaining and upgrading a player's grips is a critical component for all golfers, but is especially important at the collegiate level with such a high number of rounds played.

At last weekend's San Diego Intercollegiate Classic, where local powers San Diego State (ranked No. 6 nationally) and the University of San Diego (No. 19) finish third and fourth, respectively, the field was ripe for an opportunity that only Lamkin Grips could provide.

"We're always trying to educate golfers on the importance of regripping," said Lamkin. "After 50-60 rounds, or about once a year for most golfers, clubs should be regripped. At the collegiate level, players are regripping much more often. Providing free grips to their coaches is a great bonus!"

Lamkin Corporation, a privately owned company headquartered in San Diego, is a leading producer of premium golf grips. For over 85 years, Lamkin has crafted superior grips that provide golfers with an enhanced playing experience. This history of excellence has made Lamkin the chosen grip of nearly every club manufacturer and golfers throughout the world. For more company and product information, go to Lamkin Grips.com.

SAN DIEGO, January 13, 2011 -- The Lamkin Corporation, a leading manufacturer of premium golf grips, is very pleased to announce key additions to its executive leadership team. Dave Claas, who joined the Lamkin Corporation in 2007, was promoted to President and will assume responsibility over day-to-day operations in their San Diego headquarters, as well as manufacturing facilities in both China and Mexico. In addition to over 16 years of engineering, product development and manufacturing experience, Claas has led high-functioning production teams throughout Asia and Latin America. Under his leadership, Lamkin has achieved significant growth in the OEM segment of the golf grip category.

"I am thrilled to promote Dave Claas to this position. Much of Lamkin's recent success can be attributed to Dave's ability to build highly productive and efficient manufacturing networks. With Dave overseeing day-to-day operations, I will remain focused on strategic growth opportunities and business development initiatives to drive continued expansion of the Lamkin brand," said Bob Lamkin, CEO.

Lamkin is also pleased to announce the hiring of a new Vice President of Sales, Peter Brown. Brown brings with him an impressive 30 years of sales and marketing experience for top consumer electronics and high technology companies including Hitachi, Philips and Sanyo. His background includes both domestic and international leadership roles with oversight responsibility for numerous distribution models. With a consistent track record of expanding sales in intensely competitive business environments, Brown is a highly accomplished, customer-centric sales leader. His responsibilities for the Lamkin Corporation will focus on worldwide OEM and after-market sales functions.

Also joining the Lamkin team is Kerri Kauffman, the company's new Sr. Director of Marketing. Kauffman has devoted the majority of her 15 years of marketing and product management experience to the sports industry. Prior to joining Lamkin, Kauffman spent over a decade with The Upper Deck Company and executed major product development, athlete acquisition, licensing and marketing programs that helped drive significant sales growth in their baseball, football, hockey and golf business units. In addition to overseeing all of Lamkin's marketing communications, Kauffman is also responsible for providing support to the expanded sales team and leading product development initiatives.

"Peter and Kerri are tremendous additions to the Lamkin organization and will play a vital role in helping us achieve sustained growth in the golf grip category", said new President Dave Claas.

CEO Bob Lamkin added, "This is an exciting time for Lamkin. We're adding new resources so that we can continue to expand our business."

The promotion of Dave Class, and the addition of Peter Brown and Kerri Kauffman, complete the executive management team that also includes VP of Finance, Adam Colton, and Director of China Operations, Steve Tallman.



Lamkin Corporation, a privately owned company headquartered in San Diego, is a leading producer of premium golf grips. For over 85 years, Lamkin has crafted superior grips that provide golfers with an enhanced playing experience. This history of excellence has made Lamkin the chosen grip of nearly every club manufacturer and golfers throughout the world. For more company and product information, go to www.lamkingrips.com or call (800) 642-7755.