The year was 2014 and Lamkin Golf made waves throughout the golf industry with the introduction of the UTX grip. In fact, here at THP we were absolutely mesmerized by the grip as it brought cord into the modern day meeting new rubber materials to offer performance in all areas. Then, as time went on, something changed.
Whether it was a shift in production methods or issues with materials, I cannot say for sure, but what was certain is that the UTX lost its bite somewhere along the way. Frankly, it became a shell of itself. It is for that reason that when the opportunity to get the UTX back in hand for a 2023 review, I jumped on it.
The Lamkin UTX
In all technicality, when it comes to the messaging behind the UTX, nothing much has changed. This is a grip designed with the purpose of bringing tackiness and corded materials together into one. It would seem that the design is precisely in line with what we saw in 2014 with Lamkin’s soft ACE rubber at the core followed by a full-cord fabric weave and finished with a firmer layer of ACE material. This combination is, according to Lamkin, the key to blending the tackiness of rubber with the durability and control of cord.
The UTX has gone through many color combinations and offerings over the years, but this iteration is being offered in Gray with a black cap as well as Green or Blue with a white cap. Interestingly, it is still a much more toned down look than the originals in 2014 which had a major multi-color blending in the grip. Here, the Gray will please those looking for a one-tone type look while the Green and Blue both let the yellow cord pop through for a little more flash.
In-Hand Performance
If you couldn’t tell, prior to this review I had become fairly critical with Lamkin for the pathway that the UTX has taken since 2014. What was once, in my opinion, an absolutely elite grip had been passed by in the segment. So, coming into this, I was prepared for more of the same, but instead this ended up more of a trip down memory lane in the best way possible.
The fun thing about the UTX originally was how it took the texture of a cord and plugged it into a framework that was still firm, but offered more tack and give than other full cord grips we had seen, including the legendary Lamkin Crossline Cords. Well, I am more than pleased to say that it is back.
I worked with the UTX in both Gray and Green and put them on full swing as well as partial swing clubs to get a better feel for the grips. Mother nature had quite the assist for my testing because I experienced some massive temperature swings throughout my time with these, going from the mid 80’s to the high 30’s.
Within that window, I saw a level of consistency that you absolutely demand if you are the type of player who prefers a cord. In the heat, the ACE layers shined through for enough tack/give to add feel without adding torsion/twisting. In the cold, the give of the material certainly lessened, but it didn’t vanish entirely, and in temps where traditional cords get borderline hard, this is a great thing to experience.
The Details
In all, the UTX is definitely back, and that only adds another feather back into the cap of Lamkin Golf and increases their grip fitting arsenal to cover the gamut of golfers needs. While a corded grip still won’t be for everyone, the UTX makes it more playable for mere mortals like so many of us, the only thing I’ll be interested to see is if perhaps Lamkin brings out more fun color options in 2024.
The Lamkin UTX grips are priced at $9.99 for standard and $10.49 for mid-sized. They are available now at golf retailers and fitting centers worldwide. To find a store near you that carries the Lamkin line, check out their website here.
Awesome review [USER=1193]@Hawk[/USER] Nice to hear that Lamkin seems to have gotten this one right.
I think I am going to give the green a try on my next set of irons.
Great article [USER=1193]@Hawk[/USER] . Crazy because I was actually searching for a UTX article here yesterday, so great timing too! I really like the look of the blue, not pictured, and it seems like a really great option. Love this type if grip so next time I need new I’ll have to check these out.
Nice to see the UTX go back to what made it great.
Great article [USER=1193]@Hawk[/USER] uTX had fallen off my radar for the very reasons you mentioned in the article. The green colorway was the best of both worlds for me and I was a little sad when the quality started to decline. So much so it pushed me to the GP ZCord on all my clubs which I like, but I am sacrificing some comfort there.
Once it’s time to re-grip the clubs, I will look to these to throw on 8i or driver to see if it’s worth replacing through the bag.
Colors are fantastic obviously.
Not what I’m looking for in an iron grip but have thrown a couple on driver/long clubs and they seem to perform well.
Glad that color is returning. I’ll be looking for them when I next need grips. I prefer color as they are easier to see when you’re doing cart path only golf.
UTX has been my go to for numerous years. Have a set of blue ready to go when I get back to playing consistently. Hoping they come out with red again soon.
Well done [USER=1579]@Jman[/USER]. Glad they have made the UTx a UTx again. I stocked up on the originals way back in the day and it’s probably time to add some newer ones.
Good write up [USER=1579]@Jman[/USER]. I have really enjoyed the UTX but not for awhile. Glad to hear they are getting back. May have to find some of the blue ones.
I originally got into the UTX after seeing them on Callaway wedges years ago. At one point they were my grip of choice, and I really liked them.
Then,and I definitely agree, they just didn’t feel the same anymore. That combination of grippiness from the cord, and tack from the material, it just fell short from what I wanted.
Just threw one of my original UTX grips on a weighted trainer club I have, and man it feels good.
Definitely great to hear they are coming back cloaer to the original iteration! The real question is, are they good enough to put on an entire Grandaddy bag next month?
Nice write up [USER=1579]@Jman[/USER] , I remember going with the UTX for my 2019 Morgan Cup clubs and being a bit upset that they lacked any cord. Glad this release is going back to its roots, and they look fantastic.
[QUOTE=”BuckNasty, post: 11888049, member: 48132″]
Nice write up [USER=1579]@Jman[/USER] , I remember going with the UTX for my 2019 Morgan Cup clubs and being a bit upset that they lacked any cord. Glad this release is going back to its roots, and they look fantastic.
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Well, along that time they did also release a non-corded version for companies. But, that was also the realm where the corded version was neutered, and that was indeed a sad time.
These, these are the way UTX once was and should be forevermore. So so so good. Though I do wish they’d brought back the original red/blue and blue/red combos.
I have played the utx snd enjoyed them. This grip is one I like.
I’ve got these new UTX on my clubs currently, love love love them.
[QUOTE=”Templet0n, post: 11888067, member: 53139″]
I have played the utx snd enjoyed them. This grip is one I like.
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I told you, it was UTX.
[QUOTE=”Jman, post: 11888071, member: 1579″]
I told you, it was UTX.
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Will probably get some of the blue mid size in the fear’ish future.
I love the UTx grips. I recently regripped a set of irons with them. These will be my go-to grips again.
One of my favorite grips, I still have a few in my closet from one of the original lines that I’ve been hoarding. Awesome to hear that the quality is back.
These have become my favorite grips. Love the feel
These were my grip of choice when they first came out, then they changed to a firmer feel and lost me.
If they are now back to the original feel, which I though was a great combo of rubber tacky and cord feel, I’ll check the out again.
The last set I had got slick fast and were too firm.
Going to add a set of these in green mid-sized to the Christmas list.
I absolutely LOVE that that UTx is back! I completely agree with your assessment. They were so good initially then something changed and they were not. I will be getting my hands on some blue ones in the future.
[QUOTE=”jdtox, post: 11888687, member: 5944″]
I absolutely LOVE that that UTx is back! I completely agree with your assessment. They were so good initially then something changed and they were not. I will be getting my hands on some blue ones in the future.
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These are straight up as good as the original, thank goodness.
I appreciate both the article as well as the price point. The 2014’s were the closest to make the fulltime switch from MCC’s, but man did they drop off quality wise.
I’m glad for the fact they went back to what made these really damn good.
I’ve been using the grey in midsize for years now. I am not sure what changed as I never really noticed much difference in anything new I bought….but maybe it was still the old version I kept getting? I can’t tell. But I am very glad if there was a negative difference, that they have resolved it.
Do we know about the timeframe that it seemed to change before?
I used the UTX for a long time, but went away from them a while back too. I have some of the new Greens in the bag now, on my wedges, driver, and 5-wood, and enough Blues to go on my irons when its time to regrip. I definitely agree that they seem to be back like they used to be, that tackiness is back.
[QUOTE=”CBaker, post: 11888752, member: 25261″]
I’ve been using the grey in midsize for years now. I am not sure what changed as I never really noticed much difference in anything new I bought….but maybe it was still the old version I kept getting? I can’t tell. But I am very glad if there was a negative difference, that they have resolved it.
Do we know about the timeframe that it seemed to change before?
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They lost their bite. Cord exposure dipped and the material formula had to have been altered as they got slick with little tactile feedback for about a 5-6 year period.
[QUOTE=”OldeDude, post: 11888784, member: 49557″]
I used the UTX for a long time, but went away from them a while back too. I have some of the new Greens in the bag now, on my wedges, driver, and 5-wood, and enough Blues to go on my irons when its time to regrip. I definitely agree that they seem to be back like they used to be, that tackiness is back.
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The new greens look SO good too. Just the right amount of cord.
I think this will be an obvious choice for me when I decide to regrip my clubs.
I’m pretty smitten, it’s making the reality of the upcoming year for me likely UTX in driver, FW, and wedges, then ST+2 in irons.
[QUOTE=”Jman, post: 11888742, member: 1579″]
These are straight up as good as the original, thank goodness.
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I saw them in store a few weeks ago and was going to purchase but they only had 7 🙁
[QUOTE=”jdtox, post: 11889084, member: 5944″]
I saw them in store a few weeks ago and was going to purchase but they only had 7 🙁
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That’s a definite bummer
I actually put one of these on my UW and echo everything from the review. I was also super bummed when they neutered the previous offering. These will be going on my irons and wedges when I regrip for the season. Heck, I may do it as soon as this week.
really really cool to see the UTx come back like this. UTx was one of the first grips that made me pay attention to grips. I wish Callaway offered them in their custom club configuration options
[QUOTE=”shanewu, post: 11889447, member: 38120″]
really really cool to see the UTx come back like this. UTx was one of the first grips that made me pay attention to grips. I wish Callaway offered them in their custom club configuration options
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I’d imagine they will as we roll into the 24 release season. They usually stay pretty on top of their offerings.
[QUOTE=”Jman, post: 11889925, member: 1579″]
I’d imagine they will as we roll into the 24 release season. They usually stay pretty on top of their offerings.
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there seems to be a mix of lagging behind on some things and staying on top of others. hopefully we see the UTx in the mix in 2024.
One of my all-time favorite grips was a green Lamkin and I was talking to [USER=53632]@mtbloco[/USER] about it yesterday but couldn’t remember what it was. I forgot that I still had the grip on an old Hawkeye 2i and pulled it out to see that it was the Crossline. I remember it being tackier, but of course this grip has been on the club a long time.
I might need to try these soon if they are tackier than the current Crossline. Thanks for the review!
[QUOTE=”shanewu, post: 11889958, member: 38120″]
there seems to be a mix of lagging behind on some things and staying on top of others. hopefully we see the UTx in the mix in 2024.
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They’ve always been on top of the Lamkin offerings
Great review here! I am a longtime user of UTx but I mass bought a bunch of 2014 era red/gray mottled grips because of the drop off haha. Have the new gray on my irons and fairway though and happy to report and agree that they feel like the old UTx.
My favorite grip on the market BY FAR. I need to re grip wedges and driver with them soon.
Next time I’m in Golftown I will have to take a look at these. I recall years ago hearing so much about the UTX grips and then I bought a set of shafts that had them on but I couldn’t believe how awful they were so they came off in a matter of a couple weeks. Sounds like they’ve got back to where they used to be but with even more improvements.
Putting these on the rest of my woods today, the blend of these into the ST+2 in the irons might be perfect for me.
I saw these in store. I need new grips on woods and I think I will put the greens on.
The Zcirds gave me the “grip” I wanted but after the round my hands hurt. I think uTX is the way to go as I loved the originals and if these fixed the “slickness” of prior iterations then I’ll put them on the full set
I think I need to refresh some grips soon.
Utx in the long clubs. :unsure:
[QUOTE=”baylrballa, post: 12141438, member: 52381″]
I think I need to refresh some grips soon.
Utx in the long clubs. :unsure:
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I really liked these at one time. A quick trial from [USER=19092]@xThor[/USER] last year made me want to try them again. Multi color should be fun..
While I personally love these grips, I have run into some quality control issues with them. They don’t seem to quite have the same quality control as Golf Pride grips typically do or even as other grips in the Lamkin line.
I’ve noticed the thickness of the rubber can vary, especially at the opening of the grip can vary from grip to grip and some have super thin walls and some are much thicker. I also had one recently completely split open on both sides at the seam as I installed it on a shaft. The shaft only had 2 wraps of tape on it and it wasn’t a crazy large build up or anything.
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[QUOTE=”03trdblack, post: 12143635, member: 1157″]
While I personally love these grips, I have run into some quality control issues with them. They don’t seem to quite have the same quality control as Golf Pride grips typically do or even as other grips in the Lamkin line.
I’ve noticed the thickness of the rubber can vary, especially at the opening of the grip can vary from grip to grip and some have super thin walls and some are much thicker. I also had one recently completely split open on both sides at the seam as I installed it on a shaft. The shaft only had 2 wraps of tape on it and it wasn’t a crazy large build up or anything.
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Ohhh, that’s too bad. Hopefully you can get free replacements
[QUOTE=”03trdblack, post: 12143635, member: 1157″]
While I personally love these grips, I have run into some quality control issues with them. They don’t seem to quite have the same quality control as Golf Pride grips typically do or even as other grips in the Lamkin line.
I’ve noticed the thickness of the rubber can vary, especially at the opening of the grip can vary from grip to grip and some have super thin walls and some are much thicker. I also had one recently completely split open on both sides at the seam as I installed it on a shaft. The shaft only had 2 wraps of tape on it and it wasn’t a crazy large build up or anything.
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Oof, that’s rough. I was planning on re-gripping my irons alternating blue and green. My old stand by GolfPride MCCs have been great, but I have been getting the itch to try something new.
I have a full set of these. I just put one on the other day.. I am wondering if I will use the rest.. I have gotten super grip picky..