Trevor Ng
Golf Pride is a leading manufacturer of high-performance golf grips, founded in Akron, Ohio in 1949. The company was born out of inventor and golf enthusiast Thomas Fawick's idea that rubber was the future of golf grips, providing a lighter, higher-traction, and more durable gripping surface. Golf Pride has since been committed to innovation, constantly seeking new ways to improve the connection between golfers' hands and their grips, whether through new materials, performance technology, or fresh textures. The company's Retail Lab, which opened in 2022, offers golfers a unique, personalised experience to choose the right grips for their game, with over 100 different products available.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1949 |
| Founder | Thomas Fawick, Bill Junker and Jim Karns |
| Headquarters | Akron, Ohio |
| Industry | Sports equipment manufacturing |
| Products | Golf grips |
| Product Features | Consistent hand placement, square clubface at address and impact, enhanced feel and size, hybrid performance, reduced grip pressure for better control |
| Product Types | Traditional feel (tour velvet and crossline), firmer and more traction (tour velvet cord, MCC, Z-grip), softer and more rubbery (CP2) |
| Achievements | More major wins than any other grip company, chosen by more than 80% of Tour professionals |
| Research and Development | Global Innovation Center, Retail Lab |
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What You'll Learn
Golf Pride is a leading manufacturer of high-performance golf grips
Golf Pride has since become a trusted brand in the golf industry, with more than 80% of Tour professionals choosing to use their grips. The company's obsession with the connection between the golfer's hand and the grip has led to continuous innovation in materials, performance technology, and textures. Their ALIGN Technology, for example, helps golfers with consistent hand placement and a more square clubface at address and impact.
Golf Pride's state-of-the-art Global Innovation Center and headquarters, which opened in 2019, reflect the company's commitment to research and development. The 36,000-square-foot facility includes open-office workstations, collaborative areas, and focus rooms to foster creativity and interaction among its employees. The company's Retail Lab, located in Pinehurst, North Carolina, offers golfers a unique "`inside the ropes`" experience, providing custom grip installation and consultation services to enhance their performance.
Golf Pride's extensive range of grips caters to different preferences and performance needs. Their traditional feel grips include the Tour Velvet and Crossline, while the Tour Velvet Cord, MCC, and Z-Grip offer firmer traction. For a softer, more rubbery feel, golfers can choose the CP2 grip. With a focus on maximising every player's potential, Golf Pride continues to innovate and improve the connection between golfers and their equipment.
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Golf Pride's history and values
Golf Pride is the leading manufacturer of high-performance golf grips. The company was founded in 1949 by Thomas Fawick, who first discovered that rubber was the future of golf grips. Fawick partnered with Bill Junker and Jim Karns in Akron, Ohio, to turn his concept into a reality. Akron, Ohio, was known as the "rubber capital of the world".
Golf Pride has been innovating the connection between hand and grip for five generations. The company's mission is to design grips for golfers worldwide, inspiring confidence in their game. They constantly seek new ways to improve their products, whether through new materials, performance technology, or fresh textures.
Golf Pride's state-of-the-art Global Innovation Center and headquarters debuted in 2019 near Pinehurst Resort's No. 8 course. The 36,000-square-foot facility reflects the rich golf history of North Carolina's Sandhills region through its brick and wood architecture. The open-office concept fosters creativity and interaction among Golf Pride's employees.
The company's Retail Lab, which opened in June 2022, provides golfers with an "inside the ropes" experience. It offers over 100 different products, including full swing and putter grips, and other Golf Pride merchandise. Golfers can consult with technicians, experience custom grip installation, and witness the regripping process firsthand in a contemporary facility.
Golf Pride's products are trusted by professionals, with more than 80% of Tour pros choosing to use their grips without any paid endorsements. Their commitment to innovation and performance has made them a leading brand in the golf industry.
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Golf Pride's commitment to innovation
Golf Pride is the leading manufacturer of high-performance golf grips. The company was founded in 1949 by Thomas Fawick, who was the first to realise that rubber was the future of golf grips. He believed that rubber provided a lighter, higher-traction, and more durable gripping surface than the popular leather grips of the time.
Golf Pride has been committed to innovation since its inception. The company's mission is to design grips for the hands of golfers worldwide and inspire them with a feeling of confidence to play their best. To achieve this, Golf Pride constantly looks for new ways to innovate and improve the connection between the golfer's hands and the grip. This includes exploring new materials, performance technologies, and textures.
One example of Golf Pride's innovation is its ALIGN Technology, which helps golfers with consistent hand placement and a more square clubface at address and impact. The MCC ALIGN MAX and MCC Plus4 ALIGN MAX grips feature this technology, providing golfers with enhanced performance and control.
Golf Pride's innovation extends beyond just its products. The company's state-of-the-art Global Innovation Centre and headquarters, which debuted in 2019, was designed to foster creativity and encourage interaction among its employees. The open-office concept features unobstructed workstations, collaborative areas, and focus rooms, reflecting Golf Pride's commitment to continuous learning and improvement.
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Golf Pride's Retail Lab
Golf Pride is a leading manufacturer of high-performance golf grips. The company was founded in 1949 in Akron, Ohio, by Thomas Fawick, Bill Junker, and Jim Karns. Fawick, an inventor and golf enthusiast, was the first to realise that rubber was the future of golf grips, offering golfers a lighter, higher-traction, and more durable grip.
The Retail Lab is a custom-built grip install station that allows for accurate installation in about an hour. Led by Golf Pride's lead tour technician, Andy Bare, the lab provides golfers with a unique and educational experience, helping them to select the right grip for their game and simplifying the often complicated process of regripping.
The facility's contemporary design incorporates subtle design elements of Golf Pride's grips, from golf grip-mimicked lighting and carpet to floor-to-ceiling wall graphics. The open-concept space fosters creativity and encourages interaction among Golf Pride's employees, with workstations, collaborative areas, and focus rooms.
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Golf Pride's most popular grips
Golf Pride is a leading manufacturer of high-performance golf grips. The company was founded in 1949 by Thomas Fawick, Bill Junker, and Jim Karns in Akron, Ohio. Golf Pride designs grips for golfers worldwide, aiming to inspire confidence in their games.
Tour Velvet
The Tour Velvet grip is a traditional grip that provides a classic feel. It is one of the most popular models in golf, offering a balance between softness and firmness.
Tour Velvet Cord
For golfers seeking firmer traction, the Tour Velvet Cord is a popular choice. This grip features a corded surface that provides enhanced traction and a secure connection with the golfer's hands.
MCC
The MCC (Multi-Compound Cord) is a tech-filled hybrid grip that combines rubber in the lower section with cord in the upper section. This grip is widely used by elite players who appreciate the high levels of impact feedback and the complex surface texture. The MCC is now offered in the Plus4 style, featuring a thicker bottom hand for a more relaxed grip and improved moisture management.
Z-Grip
The Z-Grip is the firmest grip in the Golf Pride family, delivering an intense feel and maximum feedback. It is designed for golfers who prioritize firmness and seek a direct connection with the club. The Z-Grip is favored by players like Collin Morikawa, who appreciate the combination of firmness and feedback.
CP2
The CP2 is a softer, more rubbery grip in the Golf Pride lineup. It offers a gentle and tacky surface that provides a comfortable and secure hold.
Golf Pride offers a wide range of grips to suit different preferences and playing conditions. Their ALIGN Technology, featured in the MCC ALIGN MAX and MCC Plus4 ALIGN MAX, helps golfers achieve consistent hand placement and a square clubface throughout their swings. Golf Pride's commitment to innovation and performance has made them a trusted brand among golfers worldwide.
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Frequently asked questions
Golf Pride is a leading manufacturer of high-performance golf grips.
Golf Pride's mission is to design grips for the hands of golfers worldwide and inspire them with a feeling of confidence to play their best. The company constantly innovates to improve the connection between golfers' hands and their grips.
Golf Pride was founded in 1949 by Thomas Fawick, Bill Junker, and Jim Karns in Akron, Ohio.
The Golf Pride Retail Lab is a custom-built grip install station that allows golfers of all abilities to touch, feel, and witness the regripping process firsthand. It offers an “inside the ropes” style of grip consultation, selection, and installation experience.
