Okay, here’s my experience with trying out the Champkey golf grips, written in a casual, blog-style format:
So, I’ve been looking to regrip my clubs for a while now. My old grips were worn slick, and I felt like I was losing control, especially when my hands got a little sweaty. I’d heard some buzz about Champkey grips, mostly about how they’re a good value for the money, so I figured I’d give them a shot.
First thing I did was hop online and do a quick search to check the design and color, ordered a full set. They arrived pretty quickly, which was a nice start.
Getting Started: The Prep Work
Before I could slap the new grips on, I had to get the old ones off. This is probably the most tedious part of the whole process. I used a hook blade utility knife (be super careful with this!) and sliced down the length of the old grip. Then, it was just a matter of peeling them off. Sometimes they come off easy, sometimes they’re stubborn and you gotta use some elbow grease.
Next up was cleaning off the old tape residue. I used some grip solvent (you can find this at most golf stores or online) and a rag. It took a bit of scrubbing, but I got the shafts nice and clean. It’s important to get all that old gunk off so the new tape sticks properly.
Putting the Champkey Grips On
Okay, time for the fun part! I grabbed the Champkey grips and the new grip tape. Double-sided tape is the way to go, in my opinion. I applied the tape to the shaft, making sure it was straight and covered the entire area where the grip would go.
Next, I used a good technique, cover the little hole at the butt end of the grip with my finger, and poured some solvent inside. Swirled it around to coat the inside of the grip, then quickly poured the excess solvent over the grip tape on the shaft.
Then, it was go-time! I slid the grip onto the shaft, working quickly before the solvent evaporated. The key here is to get it aligned correctly the first time. You can usually twist it a little bit to adjust, but you don’t have much time. This is a bit of a messy, slippery operation, but not rocket science.
My Impressions
Once the grips were on and the solvent had dried (I usually give it at least a few hours, preferably overnight), I took them out for a test run.
- Feel: The first thing I noticed was how tacky they felt. And they had a nice, cushioned feel without being too bulky.
- Performance: I definitely felt like I had more control over the club, I could be confident.
- Durability: It’s still a bit early to say for sure how they’ll hold up long-term, but after a few rounds and some range sessions, they still look and feel pretty good.
Overall, I’m pretty happy with the Champkey golf * were easy enough to install, and they’ve definitely improved my grip on the club. Time will tell how they hold up, but for now, I’d say they’re a solid choice, especially if you’re looking to save a few bucks.
