GolfPride Align grips

[Cstobaugh]

Does anybody use these grips? I’ve tried numerous times but every time the align gets crooked. I use Golfworks tape. Let it sit overnight. It’s dead straight. Then I start swinging and the align wiggles a little under my bottom hand 

[Tree Levino]

https://www.golfpride.com/blog/tips-and-tricks-for-installing-your-align-technology-grips/

[Cstobaugh]

Just now, Tree Levino said:

https://www.golfpride.com/blog/tips-and-tricks-for-installing-your-align-technology-grips/

Thanks. I do all that. Like I said it goes on dead straight. I give it 24 hours and after a few swings it ever-so-slightly moves. Don't know how to stop it, was just wondering if others had the same experiene?

[Tree Levino]

1 minute ago, Cstobaugh said:

Thanks. I do all that. Like I said it goes on dead straight. I give it 24 hours and after a few swings it ever-so-slightly moves. Don't know how to stop it, was just wondering if others had the same experiene?

Very odd. I use them on woods. What solvent are you using? I've had them go on a little crooked and had to mess with them but not move after they're dry. 

[Cstobaugh]

27 minutes ago, Tree Levino said:

Very odd. I use them on woods. What solvent are you using? I've had them go on a little crooked and had to mess with them but not move after they're dry. 

Mineral spirits. What do you use? 

[ad_l1b]

I love these cause its like laces on a football, gives you a physical reminder of where to put your hands on the club.

[Rbert831]

I have been using Align grips for a very long time and I started to put a extra like half inch wide piece of tape under the shaft where the align would be it has helped. Also make sure there are no air bubble after putting on the tape. 

[Ger21]

13 hours ago, Cstobaugh said:

Mineral spirits.

Mineral spirits can be a bit oily, and doesn't dry very fast. I'd probably wait another day or two before swinging them.

[Golfrnut]

Can sometimes be as simple as the taper rate of the shaft also and not creating a tight enough fit

[Socrates]

New grips put on with 2-way tape should be nearly unmovable after a couple of hours.

 

You must be doing something weird / odd to get movement after that.  Describe what your procedure is (in detail) putting on the grips so we might know where you are going wrong.

 

Common things:

- wrong tape (or crappy tape)

- excessive lubrication of tape combined with too much time between lubrication and grip installation

- not taking off the tape backing (you'd think that would be impossible, but it happens)

- Wrong grip ID (putting a .600 on .580 shaft)

 

Edited February 12, 2024 by Socrates

[st1800e]

1 hour ago, Ger21 said:

Mineral spirits can be a bit oily, and doesn't dry very fast. I'd probably wait another day or two before swinging them.

Agreed, why I use Naptha, AKA - Coleman/campstove fuel, white gas.  
Evaporates much more quickly.  Just be careful around any ignition sources, it’s more volatile.  

[Greenie]

I have been using those grips on all my clubs for the last three years. I love them once I got used to them.

 

I have never had a problem with the reminder not being straight or slipping and I blow on all my grips. I use extra solvent so they glide on. It helps out and aligns the reminder much easier on its own. I allow several days after a grip install before playing my clubs even though waiting that long is overkill. I have blown on grips the night before and played the club the next morning without any problems.

[Valtiel]

1 hour ago, Socrates said:

New grips put on with 2-way tape should be nearly unmovable after a couple of hours.

 

You must be doing something weird / odd to get movement after that.  Describe what your procedure is (in detail) putting on the grips so we might know where you are going wrong.

 

Common things:

- wrong tape (or crappy tape)

- excessive lubrication of tape combined with too much time between lubrication and grip installation

- not taking off the tape backing (you'd think that would be impossible, but it happens)

- Wrong grip ID (putting a .600 on .580 shaft)

 

Yeah this. Bottom line is that a grip moving at all is indicative of one of the above. I've been using align grips for ages and never have problems with moving/shifting.  

[Cstobaugh]

1 hour ago, Valtiel said:

Yeah this. Bottom line is that a grip moving at all is indicative of one of the above. I've been using align grips for ages and never have problems with moving/shifting.  

What is your process? Do you blow them on? 

[Cstobaugh]

3 hours ago, Socrates said:

New grips put on with 2-way tape should be nearly unmovable after a couple of hours.

 

You must be doing something weird / odd to get movement after that.  Describe what your procedure is (in detail) putting on the grips so we might know where you are going wrong.

 

Common things:

- wrong tape (or crappy tape)

- excessive lubrication of tape combined with too much time between lubrication and grip installation

- not taking off the tape backing (you'd think that would be impossible, but it happens)

- Wrong grip ID (putting a .600 on .580 shaft)

 

Using .600 project x LZ shafts

1) strip the shaft with previous tape

2)cut the tape. Remove double-side paper

3) place tape on shaft

4 poor mineral spirits on tape and inside grip

5) shake grip

6) poor excess along tape

7) install grip

😎 make sure it’s straight by turning upside down in vice and align perfectly

9) wait 24 hours

 

 

[Pepperturbo]

I am not a club builder, and been using MCC Align +2 for a number of years, never encountered an alignment problem. Errors result from less than the best techniques and materials used for installation.  Hence, I rely on professionals who understand the importance of proper grip installation.

[Valtiel]

1 hour ago, Cstobaugh said:

What is your process? Do you blow them on? 

 

1 hour ago, Cstobaugh said:

Using .600 project x LZ shafts

1) strip the shaft with previous tape

2)cut the tape. Remove double-side paper

3) place tape on shaft

4 poor mineral spirits on tape and inside grip

5) shake grip

6) poor excess along tape

7) install grip

😎 make sure it’s straight by turning upside down in vice and align perfectly

9) wait 24 hours

 

 

Exactly what you described here, except I remove the paper after the tape has been applied (not important here though). 

Whats likely happening is an issue with the mineral spirits and the tape adhesive and how they are reacting. Whatever you can swap for something else most easily is what I would try first, either get a different solvent or different tape. 

During the pandemic something changed with my local PGASS' solvent/tape supplier and the two were no longer compatible. The solvent would turn the adhesive into a gel and separate it from the tape, so when the grip was pushed on it literally squeegee'd all the now gel'd adhesive off leaving dry tape underneath causing grips to get stuck and/or not adhere properly. Not saying that is happening in your case, but adhesive and solvent formulations don't always play well together and a version of that likely *is* the case. 

[Cstobaugh]

25 minutes ago, Valtiel said:

 

Exactly what you described here, except I remove the paper after the tape has been applied (not important here though). 

Whats likely happening is an issue with the mineral spirits and the tape adhesive and how they are reacting. Whatever you can swap for something else most easily is what I would try first, either get a different solvent or different tape. 

During the pandemic something changed with my local PGASS' solvent/tape supplier and the two were no longer compatible. The solvent would turn the adhesive into a gel and separate it from the tape, so when the grip was pushed on it literally squeegee'd all the now gel'd adhesive off leaving dry tape underneath causing grips to get stuck and/or not adhere properly. Not saying that is happening in your case, but adhesive and solvent formulations don't always play well together and a version of that likely *is* the case. 

I’m using GolfWorks tape so I’m pretty sure it’s not the tape. Maybe it’s the mineral spirits. What solvent do you use? 

[Valtiel]

36 minutes ago, Cstobaugh said:

I’m using GolfWorks tape so I’m pretty sure it’s not the tape. Maybe it’s the mineral spirits. What solvent do you use? 

Since whatever happened to the tape over the pandemic has been "corrected", i've been using the Moxie Sports stuff that PGASS carries. 

https://www.pgatoursuperstore.com/grip-tape-solution/1011318.html

[Socrates]

1 hour ago, Valtiel said:

 

Whats likely happening is an issue with the mineral spirits and the tape adhesive and how they are reacting. Whatever you can swap for something else most easily is what I would try first, either get a different solvent or different tape. 

During the pandemic something changed with my local PGASS' solvent/tape supplier and the two were no longer compatible. The solvent would turn the adhesive into a gel and separate it from the tape, so when the grip was pushed on it literally squeegee'd all the now gel'd adhesive off leaving dry tape underneath causing grips to get stuck and/or not adhere properly. Not saying that is happening in your case, but adhesive and solvent formulations don't always play well together and a version of that likely *is* the case. 

 

I'm voting for this happening. ^^^

 

 

38 minutes ago, Cstobaugh said:

I’m using GolfWorks tape so I’m pretty sure it’s not the tape. Maybe it’s the mineral spirits. What solvent do you use? 

I use odorless paint thinner.  It evaporates reasonably fast (not as fast as gas or lighter fluid) but I've never had an issue.  I have always found that spending a little bit more and getting better tape is worth the money.  I have never gone wrong using this tape.

 

 

Intertape 591 Premium Double Sided Golf Grip Tape (2 Inch x 36 Yards)

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$19.99

[SUMM1T]

It's most likely not caused from solvent issues. I see this when the grip isn't stretched out properly when installed. A lot of times I see this issue when the grip is installed at a length shorter than itself (before installed). When you install the grip, the grip will want to pull back a little from its original length because of the diameter of the shaft. Stretch the grip out 1/4" or so and this probably won't happen. 

[Cstobaugh]

27 minutes ago, SUMM1T said:

It's most likely not caused from solvent issues. I see this when the grip isn't stretched out properly when installed. A lot of times I see this issue when the grip is installed at a length shorter than itself (before installed). When you install the grip, the grip will want to pull back a little from its original length because of the diameter of the shaft. Stretch the grip out 1/4" or so and this probably won't happen. 

Thanks I’ll try that. I usually compare it to an uninstalled grip to make sure it’s the same size. 

[SUMM1T]

Just now, Cstobaugh said:

Thanks I’ll try that. I usually compare it to an uninstalled grip to make sure it’s the same size. 

 

Yeah. Outside of normal housekeeping routine of letting the clubs sit grip down so the solvent can drain out, letting them sit in room temperature to ensure proper drying and using quality tape, that's the only thing I can see causing the issue. You can always try adding a layer of tape underneath to see if that helps. 

 

I do have a couple high speed players that use these grips and they have moved a little over time, but not that much.

[Greenie]

IMO it has to be the tape or solvent and the combination of the two not allowing the tape to set up correctly. I blow on my grips over masking tape. I am not using grip tape and mine are not twisting. 

 

Good points mentioned above. I always stretch my grips and pay attention if they back up. Extra solvent helps out installing this type of grip.

 

I recently ordered a club from an OEM and requested extra wraps of tape. After I received the club I noticed the grip twisting a little bit. When I changed out the grip for my align grip I noticed the tape appeared gooey. I have never run across gooey tape before.

[Cstobaugh]

46 minutes ago, Greenie said:

IMO it has to be the tape or solvent and the combination of the two not allowing the tape to set up correctly. I blow on my grips over masking tape. I am not using grip tape and mine are not twisting. 

 

Good points mentioned above. I always stretch my grips and pay attention if they back up. Extra solvent helps out installing this type of grip.

 

I recently ordered a club from an OEM and requested extra wraps of tape. After I received the club I noticed the grip twisting a little bit. When I changed out the grip for my align grip I noticed the tape appeared gooey. I have never run across gooey tape before.

I have a small air compressor. Is that strong enough to blow them on? 

[Greenie]

10 minutes ago, Cstobaugh said:

I have a small air compressor. Is that strong enough to blow them on? 

 

I use a tire compressor. Mine is 30 years old. It is not all that much and it works for me. For blowing taped grips off there is a learning curve. Blowing grips on is very easy. I would try what you have and see if it works. I have a cone adapter I stick in the grip hole. 

[Socrates]

12 hours ago, Greenie said:

Good points mentioned above. I always stretch my grips and pay attention if they back up. Extra solvent helps out installing this type of grip.

 

I recently ordered a club from an OEM and requested extra wraps of tape. After I received the club I noticed the grip twisting a little bit. When I changed out the grip for my align grip I noticed the tape appeared gooey. I have never run across gooey tape before.

Gooey tape under a grip is caused by Using too much solvent and waiting too long before installing the grip.  What happens is that extra time allows the solvent to eat into the tape and essentially liquifies it right down to the backing material.  It is more prevalent on cheaper tape that uses a plastic backer.

 

Using 2-way tape, one needs to use some sort of liquid to allow the adhesive to become slippery for a short period of time.  If you apply solvent and then apply more solvent (sometimes over and over again) and take too much time, the adhesive on the tape turns to goo.  One of two things happen.  Either all the adhesive gets 'scraped' off as you install the grip (like with SuperStroke putter grips) or the adhesive is now gooey and under the grip and will never become solid.

 

It can also happen when people make a mistake and realize that they needed an extra wrap or two and they've already applied solvent to the 1st layer of tape.  They trap softened adhesive under the new layers and that will never evaporate either.  When you screw up in that situation, the only remedy is to strip off all the tape and start again.

[Socrates]

16 hours ago, SUMM1T said:

It's most likely not caused from solvent issues. I see this when the grip isn't stretched out properly when installed. A lot of times I see this issue when the grip is installed at a length shorter than itself (before installed). When you install the grip, the grip will want to pull back a little from its original length because of the diameter of the shaft. Stretch the grip out 1/4" or so and this probably won't happen. 

 

15 hours ago, Cstobaugh said:

Thanks I’ll try that. I usually compare it to an uninstalled grip to make sure it’s the same size. 

A .600 ID grip on a .600 butt should always finish up at the same length as an uninstalled grip.  If you add extra wraps, the installed grip will become slightly shorter depending on how many wraps.   A grip that is not fully seated after install will have gaps underneath the grip and it is possible that the grip will move or feel loose.  Just looking at the overall length isn't good enough with many grips (esp. MCC's) because it is easy to stretch out the last 1/2 of the grip and get it to full length and have the 1st 1/2 not seated.  I always run my thumbs down the full length to make sure there are no gaps underneath the grip and the grip isn't abnormally stretched out in one area.