November 11th, 2009
It seems like all the golf publications and websites are always listing what drivers, irons, putters, etc. the pros play, but rarely do they mention what grips they use. Yes, money talks–most pros have endorsement deals with the equipment manufacturers and therefore it’s easier for those companies to publicize their connections. However, not many pros have deals with the grip companies. So, while I can’t name names, I can say that some of the very best PGA players in the world use Lamkin grips, as do many of the top players on the LPGA and Champions Tours. In later blogs I’ll drop hints. In the meantime, one name that I can mention is Zack Adams. (No, we don’t pay him.)Â Zack just competed in the 2009 Remax Long Drive Championship finals using Lamkin grips. After the event he said he was extremely happy with them, and he emphasized how important grips are to his performance because he doesn’t use a glove. Just a thought, but perhaps if I took off my glove I could hit it 400 plus yards. Yeah, right! Anyhow, the event will be televised on ESPN in December. I’ll be watching.
November 1st, 2009
About a month ago, we went to Latrobe, Pennsylvania to film a few videos for our website with Arnold Palmer. What a treat. As you enter his front door you are immediately engulfed in golf history, but the best part about the experience was how comfortable it was. He made us feel right at home, as did his staff. Mr. Palmer had just celebrated his 80th birthday and his office was filled with cards. You realize how important family is to him when you glance at all his photographs. Off in another room is his workshop, a paradise for those who like to tinker with clubs. In fact, Mr. Palmer re-gripped his clubs with the new N-DUR grips as we were waiting for the crew to set up. If you look in the background of the video we have with Mr. Palmer and Bob Lamkin you can see the assortment of clubs, shafts and grips stacked about. We ended up filming for a little over an hour. We didn’t have a script, rather, it was an informal interview and chat. As you can tell, the result was a natural conversation, with Mr. Palmer speaking from his heart. You can’t fake authenticity. It certainly made our job easier!
Of course, Bob also had a starring role, talking with Mr. Palmer about the advancements made in grip technology over the years. (Keep in mind, Lamkin has been in this business since 1925.) By the way, it’s truly fun to watch the two interact. There is a genuine bond between them, almost like a father and son. Bob even recalled the story about when he was a young kid in Chicago and his dad sent him to meet Mr. Palmer in a tournament parking lot to give him some new grips. I am really looking forward to returning some day. This time we’ll have to extend our time there so we can play Latrobe Country Club. It’s a beautiful place. I would expect nothing less–it’s the hometown of the King!
