What is Forum Member Testing?
MyGolfSpy Forum offers a unique opportunity to all of its readers of all abilities, ages and handicaps to test, review and keep a variety of different golf equipment, apps, apparel and more. Successful candidates are selected by forum staff.
Members who are selected interact, engage and write a review on the specific product while enjoying the fun of trying new gear!
Member testing is vital because it gets gear in the hands of you, the golfer. Our members give honest feedback on how any product or service works for a variety of handicaps and abilities to ensure our readers are even more informed when making purchasing decisions.
To learn more about how testers are selected, go to this forum thread: Want to be a tester?
The Testing Opportunity
Garsen putter grips may not be as well known as other brands but they have had success at all levels of professional golf and offer a variety of putter grips to suit various strokes and grips.
Testers were given three grips as part of testing: the Ultimate, Quad Tour and Max. As we had 12 testers for this opportunity, we split them into three groups of four so each putting grip had equal representation during testing. In this article, we will review the Max. Reviews of the Quad Tour and Ultimate grips can be found in supporting articles.
Garsen describes their Max putter grip with the following claims:
“The Garsen MAX grip features the most substantial innovation in putter grip technology in the history of golf. By using a square grip with a 45% rotation, the “front” of the grip now becomes an angled area perfectly fitting the players’ grip and creating a much more biomechanically efficient position for the putting stroke. This simple, yet highly effective, grip innovation is the fastest way to immediately improve your putting.
Unlike a traditional putter grip, the MAX places your hands in a position so the palms face each other and the wrists are in a neutral position. It turns your elbows into your body and sets your shoulders back. This relieves arm and shoulder tension, inhibits wrist action, which takes “the hands out of the putting” and promotes shoulder rotation, creating a solid putting stroke, which will give you a one-piece feel, leading to a more consistent stroke.”
A lot of our Member Tests focus on data and objective evidence. However, putter grips are much more subtle and subjective. Nevertheless, our testers gave us a lot of valuable information. Here’s what they discovered about the Garsen Max putter grip.
Garsen Max Grip Reviews and Insights
From tester Blueberry_Squishie:
“The material feels nice…. They don’t feel cheap or low quality. Garsen claims the Max grip puts you into a more ‘Biomechanically efficient position’ .. holding onto the Max… there is a difference in how my hands fit onto the club… palms seem to be facing each other.”
From tester Ben Joest:
“Out of the wrapper this is a sharp looking grip. The design is bold, but not overly so, with clean lines and a geometry that is pleasing to the eye. The grip provides just enough ‘Hey! Look at me!’ without becoming distracting. … A matter of preference, I would love to see the Max in solid colors.”
Our testers then shared how these grips performed on the course and in practice.
Tester Caddie1966 found the Garsen Max putter grip helped him hit more solid putts.
“My putter head sits more level to the ground as the grip changes have me more upright and closer to the ball. I make better contact closer to the sweet-spot. My misses are closer to the hole. More putts are getting to the hole and more putts are on the high side.
The Garsen Max, specifically the RIB and the oversize technologies completely changed my technique and stroke for the better. The new technique has resulted in better outcomes… higher confidence. The Garsen Max grip has been shockingly positive for me and has far exceeded my expectations.”
Tester Subdiver1 took a little time to get acquainted with the grip.
“It took some time and some adjustment to get the right fit. Once I got comfortable, I like the way I could return to the same hand position pretty readily without having to make a conscious effort. I won’t say my distance control is all that much better, but I am confident with this grip and that has contributed to decent control.
The end cap is a detractor for me… this plastic tip that looks like an afterthought. In production and Quality Control we talk a lot about Fit, Form and Function. The end cap may not contribute or detract from performance (function), but it takes away from aesthetics which affects form to a degree (translating to perception of quality).”
Ben Joest showing his Garsen Max End Cap
Tester Ben Joest put the grip to the test saying:
“I have rolled at least a thousand putts with this grip over the past month… the ‘elbows-in’ position the grip naturally promotes does help with a smooth, repeatable putting stroke. During all phases of the testing, I did not notice any twisting of the putter face that would lead to bad pushes or pulls.”
Tester Blueberry_Squishie noted that in the first three rounds with the Garsen Max grip, he did not miss a putt inside 61/2 feet and, while it was a small sample size, he noted that his putts consistently started on the target line which is an improvement over his previous putter grip.
“My favorite part of this product is the unique front profile. Aligns the hands facing each other and helps with aligning the face square to the target.
With on-course testing completed and the practicing done, our testers wrapped up their reviews with their final thoughts.
The Final Verdict
Subdiver1 concluded his test review by noting he will continue to play the Garsen Max grip.
”Whether you are a beginner or a long-time scratch player, if you are looking for a change to your putting take a look at what Garsen has to offer. The product quality is very good, and the price is very reasonable.”
Blueberry_Squishie shared his final review sentiments:
“I don’t see myself using another type of grip anytime soon. Keeps my palms directly opposed to each other and helps me make a good stroke; everything you could want from a grip… aligning the face at address and being able to make a stroke that starts the ball on line. The colors and graphics aren’t to my liking, but the performance benefits of the unique grip design help my putting”
“In 5 rounds, I gained 3.8 strokes putting using the Garsen Max putter grip. The statements on the Garsen Golf website rang true for me. The Max has found a home in my bag and will be tough to remove.”.
Finally, Ben Joest added slight reality check to his final review
“Due to the subtle nature of the art of putting, I’m not certain any product on its own can transform a bad putter into a good putter, or a good putter into a great putter. The unvarnished, unsexy truth is that only practice and commitment to improvement can do that. However, I do believe that products such as the Garsen Max putter grip, that help the earnest and faithful achieve that end. This grip allows its users to develop a consistent stroke. If you struggle with developing a repeatable putting stroke, then the Garsen Max is absolutely one you must try.”
The Garsen Max putting grip was a resounding success with our testers. Three of the four have become loyal users while the fourth is deciding between the Max and the Ultimate grip by Garsen. The testers were consistent in noting the Garsen Max grip design promoted a repeatable putting stroke which translated into more putts rolling on the intended line. Some found the color schemes and graphics to be too extreme and noted the end cap detracted from the aesthetics.
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