Lamkin Golf says its UTX Green and Blue Grips are the fastest-growing grip in their lineup on the PGA Tour.  They categorize the grip as “Ultra Tack with Cord” and believe it is an “industry-first” grip that gives golfers the confidence of a secure connection with the club. Lamkin says the Tri-Layer Technology results in “the same traction, moisture control and enhanced feel trusted by tour pros around the world.”

The Tri-Layer Technology “blends three unique materials to create the perfect-feeling grip.”  The outer layer features firm ACE material to provide “superior torsion control and vibration dampening.” Next is a middle layer of full-cord fabric weave to enhance moisture-wicking properties and increase grip traction. Last is the soft inner layer of ACE foundation for enhanced comfort and feel.

Is this the ultimate combination for a grip with tack and the benefits of a corded grip?  Read on to see what our testers discovered. 

Selection Process

Our Forum staff handpicked four testers for the  UTX Green and Blue Grips. Testers selected their preferred color and size and received a full set of UTX grips from Lamkin. 

Insights from Testers

Initial Impressions and First Look

Overall initial impressions were solid. Testers noted how great the coloring of the grips looked and that they felt great in-hand.

Mikeanthony: “Upon arrival and straight out of the box, I was immediately in love with them. The handsome, dark navy blue color with the electric yellow colorway from the cords really gives off a classy, yet modern, appearance.”

LeftyMatt89 chose to test the UTX Green. “I am impressed by both the color choice and the amount of cord present in the grips. The grips give off a Master’s vibe and I believe they will get a lot of comments throughout the test … the main standout from the Lamkin UTX grip from my previous grip is the cord on the bottom hand portion” which he said offered a “great initial feel.”

Digiburdie: “I’m very impressed with the Master’s vibe these give off. BIG kudos to Lamkin for this color option. I think they look amazing when they are on the club. The taper is something I”m going to have to get used to, but they feel great.”

Everado: “Out of the box, the first thing you notice is the green color really pops! They definitely get major style points and are really going to pair well with the BB&F Co. “After-Eight” ferrules.”

Look and Feel

With initial impressions out of the way, it was time to focus on the overall aesthetics and feel of the UTX grips. Our testers had a lot to say about the uniformity, simplicity, style and combination of tackiness from the ACE material and firmness from the corded weave.  

LeftyMatt89 commented that the “grips look great with the uniformity of a 360-degree look. This makes it easy if you want to install logo-up or logo-down.”  He also likes “that for a driver, the grips allow easy ability to change an adapter setting without messing up the look as it is the same throughout the grip.”

Mikeanthony noted that “another area where I feel these grips are a winner is in the gloveless touch/approach shot area of my game with the wedges.” He found that the cord of the grip gave him the security and connection he needed, even in humid conditions.

Digiburdie: “What I like most about the aesthetics of these grips is that because they are simple corded grips, with not a lot of flash to them … they don’t distract me when I’m setting up my shot.” However, he did struggle a little bit adjusting to the taper coming from a reduced taper grip. Because of the taper, “they don’t feel midsize to me.”

Everado found that “compared to the Lamkin Crossline Full-Cord grips, the UTX cord texture is not as rough or fuzzy but still provides ample traction.”  He was also a fan of the near 360-degree uniformity of the grip as it felt consistent “especially for wedges where hand and club positions will vary depending on the shot.”

On-Course Results

After getting some first impressions and installing the grips, it was time for the real work to begin as our four testers took the Lamkin UTX grips out on the course to see how well they stood up to summer heat and humidity.  

Things didn’t start out rosy for Mikeanthony. “there were a few moments over the course of 4 to 5 holes during my first round of playing with these grips that I was regretting in participating in this review.”  He played in a rain-soaked round for the first eight holes and “the grips were oddly slippery for my non-gloved lower hand.” With that being said, once he made the turn and the sun came out, the grips got progressively more tacky and his initial concerns started to fade. 

A Few Hiccups

LeftyMatt89 says he “swings a driver around 120 mph and did not notice any slippage despite the wet conditions” at play. Although he and mikeanthony both played in rain, they had different experiences to start. Matt does not wear gloves for short-game shots so his “feel is primarily dependent on the grip.” He added that he “adjusted from my MCC grip to the Lamkin UTX grip very quickly and was able to generate a lot of quality short game pitches, chips and feel shots.”  In short, he was loving the tacky and secure feel from the UTX grips.

Digiburdie praised the grips’ performance “under hot and sweaty hands conditions.”  Something he noticed right away was the tacky grip made it seem like his hands were glued to the grip which he loved.  He added that “after about 10-15 rounds with [the UTX grips], that tackiness is still alive and well on the grip.  Big win for Lamkin in [the durability] department.”  And if all that sounds great, the biggest thing our tester enjoyed was the feedback on shots. “This is where they changed my game. The feedback I get with these grips is way above and beyond anything I’ve felt with other grips.”

Everado tested under the hot Phoenix sun in a year that was “particularly hotter and more humid than normal.”  However, the Lamkin UTX was up to the challenge as even in his sweaty hands the “UTX provided ample amount of traction and tackiness.”  He noted that he “didn’t have any issues with slippage or losing any feeling of shot feedback during any of [his] rounds.”

Miscellaneous Thoughts

As our testers started to wrap up their six-week testing period, we asked if they had any different opinions on the grips or things they would like to see in the future from doing this test.

Mikeanthony: “These grips are definitive winners. They really do give me the right amount of feel … and feedback!”  There was one thing he would like to see improved, however. “These grips just did not hold my Shot Scope tags well. I had two tags that came off, which I was able to find deep within my golf bag, and another that broke off. Unfortunately, the tags don’t sit flush against the butt of the grips for it has a rounded edge.”

LeftyMatt89 had a concern over an initial “slippery” feeling he felt and he worried that people might feel this at a golf shop and not make the decision to give these a try, something he thinks would be a mistake. “The grips are as grippy and tacky as anything comparable in the market.” He had some concerns for durability, however, particularly with his driver. “The driver (grip) has a little fraying. All other clubs look pretty good, only the driver has a little bit of wear.” Keep in mind that he is a particularly high-speed swinger and this wear was isolated to the driver.

Color Options

Digiburdie enjoys the feedback and tackiness of the grips. And while he liked the green colorway, he did note “the limit of only 2 colors” and “the quick taper” as limiting factors.  He would love to see more colors and a reduced taper profile.

Everado wants to see the UTX offered in more colors, taking a cue from other manufacturers that match team or school colors. “I understand that it can potentially be a manufacturing nightmare but I have to think if the UTX was offered in even more color options Lamkin would gain more market share.”

The Final Verdict

It was a clean sweep for the Lamkin UTX grips as all four of our Forum testers plan to keep them installed on their clubs! Some even plan to replace them with UTX when these eventually wear out.

Our four Lamkin UTX Green and Blue testers summarized their reviews as follows:

“I really am impressed with how these grips performed in the heat and at times oppressively humid conditions of Charleston. I have no doubt these grips would be strong performers in any set of conditions and climate.” – mikeanthony

“The grips are not only the best grips I have seen aesthetically, they perform and live up to the claims Lamkin makes. The grips are truly the only tacky full cord grip on the market… Without question, I am 100% going to game these grips and buy them whenever they wear out.” – LeftyMatt89

“I would play these Lamkin UTXs grips and plan on keeping them on my current clubs.  I would recommend them to anyone looking for a good corded grip that plays well in hot sweaty and wet conditions. After adjusting to the tapered feel these have been one of the better sets of grips I’ve used to date.” – Digiburdie

“With the Lamkin UTX, I think I’ve finally found a grip that provides ample traction and tack without tearing up my gloveless hands! Compared to my current grips, the Lamkin UTX grips provide better wear. Have better firmness, better playability with woods and wedges, and plenty of tack, and now with two standout color options, it’s a solid win!” – Everado

Want to read the full reviews? Go here:  Forum Member Reviews: Lamkin UTX Grips

What is Forum Member Testing?

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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. 

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