50 Words or Less
The Lamkin Sonar grip hits that “just right” spot between firm and squishy. Multiple textures promote consistent hand placement.
Introduction
Most golfers subscribe to the Goldilocks principle when it comes to grips. They don’t want something too hard or too rough nor do they want something that feels like a Nerf ball. Lamkin’s new Sonar grip is made for all those golfers by offering high performance with a comfortable feel.
Looks
Lamkin nailed the look of the Sonar grip: it’s not plain black, but it’s not going to turn anyone away with wild looks. I may be a little biased, however, since it’s my favorite color.
Whether you prefer the logo up or down, the Sonar grip gives you blue waves and white blocks to guide your hand placement. The multiple textures on the grip also provide an interesting visual element that you appreciate on closer inspection.
Feel
The Lamkin Sonar fits into the middle of the 2018 club grip line up. It’s not as firm as the TS1, but it’s not a squishy comfort grip, either. There’s a modest amount of tack which you can preserve if you keep your grips clean.
What stands out most are the various textures on the grip. By my count, there are no less than four different treads under my hands when I take my grip. The patterns aren’t so different as to make you feel uncomfortable, but they’re enough to make you think, “Hmm, my thumb is a little too far right, let’s get that back in line.”
Performance
The performance of the Lamkin Sonar lives in the same middle ground as the feel. The combination of tack and texture provides plenty of control over the club. Even in moist conditions, you don’t need to crush the grip to keep it from slipping.
The benefit of the extra cushioning is most noticeable when you mishit a shot. These grips absorb a little more sting than a firm players grip. Especially for golfers with joint pain, this is an important performance feature.
Like the TS1, the Lamkin Sonar features a reduced taper. This means that the grip does not shrink (as much) as you get further from the butt of the club. There are multiple benefits to this design: uniform grip pressure, the ability to utilize the entire grip, and, for many players, fewer hooks.
Conclusion
If you’re not sure if you need to replace your grips, you probably need to replace your grips. And if you’re going to do that, give the new Lamkin Sonar a try. It offers a number of performance benefits over plain black rubber while also being comfortable and durable.
Buy Lamkin Sonar Grips HERE
He founded Plugged In Golf in 2013 with the goal of helping all golfers play better and enjoy the game more.
Matt lives in the northwest suburbs of Chicago with his wife and two daughters.
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13 Comments
How did you like these compared to the Golf Pride CP2 Pros and MCC?
John,
I like the Sonar as much as any non-cord grip I’ve played in a while. The amount of tack is just right, not slick, not sticky.
Best,
Matt
How would they compare to the tried and true Crosslines?
Jeff,
Crosslines aren’t as sticky but they have more texture.
-Matt
Having them installed on my irons this week. Much needed replacement to the original Callaway’s. I liked the feel in the shop, hopefully it will be there on the course too.
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How do these grips compare to the Winn Dri Tac grips? I love the feel of the Winn but would like a grip that is more durable.
Jim,
You nailed it, the Sonar is going to last a lot longer than any Winn grip I’ve used.
-Matt
Is this grip good if I have bad arthritis in hands
Is it a pain or physical limitation that’s the issue? As in do firmer/softer grips help, or size of grip?
– Meeks
What is proper placement of the thumb given the white outline squares?
I don’t think there’s a right or wrong grip, but the conventional wisdom would have your right (lower) thumb in the white square.
Best,
Matt