Evening star., 1919-10-16
Leather and Rubber Grips.

1t hardly seems necessary to say
that the fnger-gripper must consider
carefully the size of his own hand
and the thickness of the grip on his
golf club. for there are fat grips and
thin grips, and which is the better
depends on individual lengths of fin
gers.
In my earlier days. when / haunted
the professionals shop, the follow
ing method OF putting grips on clubs
vas used First. with a heavy rasp
nile, the club shaft was roughened
from top downward to a point where
II was guessed the grip would end.
Then strong glue was applied to the
cut places, and tacks were put at each
ehd OF the prepared surface of the
in place. This listing. varying in
thickness and from one-half to an
men in width. came in large balls.
Tnere was also a thin cloth used as
an underlisting. AS soon as the under
wrapping was done more glue was
put on and the leather gripping pre-
pared.
Cut From Sheepskin.
Most professionals cut the leather
out of the whole sheepskin and it
takes quite a knack to do it so that
1T will wind properly around the shaft
of the club. The cutting is done with
chisel and it demands a steady hand
to make the edges even enough to fit
smoothly when wound.
After the cutting the lather is wound
around the shaft as far down as it is
expected to go and there held in place
by a task. the ends cut off and then
tied with whipping in a surprisingly
tight Knot. The top part is cut so that
o%ne-slxteenth % of the shaft shows. and
tne top is rounded with a wood file.
me leather is secured over the nail
with several rounds of whipping.
Then a heavy mallet is taken and
the grip is rolled on a fiat surface
until perfectly smooth. Or course, the
strings are shellacked.
Either side of the leather can be
used, but the smooth side treated
with kind of oil that gives a pleas
ing softness. but does not make it
grip have used for many years. and
any other would feel uncomfortabI Bile
to me. The rough side is also used.
and Is sometimes very good, especial
iy in wet weather. for those who have
difficulty in getting a firm grip.
Many materials besides leather are
used for grips. but rubber stands
next in popularity. 1t is very hard to
put on and wears out easily. but when
new it certainly feels good. Cork
grips have also been used; but the
whole matter of material resolves it,
self into which is easiest for you to
grasp, and which will help your
sense of feeling and touch Care must
be exercised not to use material that
will tear your hands or allow them to
slip Then again one ought not to en-
ploy a grip that is not easily dupli-
Gated. AS to repairing grips 1 suggest
there Is a certain benefit in holding
on to grip. when the fingers have
nodded the leather to suit the hand.
Many Freak Grips.
There are many freak grips. all
with the idea of gaining confidence in
ones grip. Some put knobs on the
ends of their clubs, and some have
even put rings of leather and listing
underneath the leather SO that their
fingers would fit into a perfect grip,
1 remember that Walter J. Travis
once came to a championship with no
grip at all on his shaft He claimed
probably rightfully, too, that the
wood would give him a better sense
Of touch.
There are different lengths of grips.
too. and I have known players who
have had the leather run all the way