Product: Golf Pride Z-Grip Align

Pitch: “The Z-Grip Cord is now available with ALIGN Technology to improve clubface awareness and bring more consistency to your game, is the firmest cord grip available from Golf Pride. Combining a heavy cord texture throughout for moisture management with the revolutionary ALIGN Technology for consistent hand placement. The Z-Grip features a deep “Z”-shaped texture pattern that winds vertically around the grip for control, while a heavy cord texture throughout provides moisture management. This design pattern is enhanced with a red end cap and distinctive white body paint fill.”

Our take on the Golf Pride Z-Grip Align

Golf Pride introduced its Align technology in 2017 as a refreshing change to the reminder grip. Align technology is a raised ridge that runs along the underside of the grip. This “reminder” strip sits in the pads of the fingers to help consistently square the clubface to the target. The Align ridge is textured, and it’s a firmer rubber compound to stand out in your hand.

The Golf Pride Z-Grip Align is the newest in the lineup and offers by far the firmest and roughest feel. Z-Grip Align looks a lot like the tour-proven Z-Grip Cord that has been around and has a cult following. They both share a deep “Z”-shaped texture, firm rubber, and full-length heavy cord.

I have been a fan of the Golf Pride Align grips since they came out and have been known to dabble with the Z-Grip Cord now and then! Older “ribbed” or “reminder” grips never really caught my attention, since I always felt like they changed the shape of the grip to more triangular and didn’t sit comfortably in my hands. I like the Align reminder since it is subtle and doesn’t change the round profile of the grip.

The new Z-Grip Align does have a little more of a tacky feel: the rubber seems to grab more than the standard Z-Grip, while still having the roughness of the cord. I did feel that the Grip Align was a touch thinner then the standard ZGrip when hitting balls side by side. I used my typical two layers of two-sided grip tape and the noticed the smaller feel right away. During play, I didn’t notice it after a few swings, and I don’t think I would add any more buildup to the grip.

While in play, the Align technology really does help comfortably grip the club with the face square to the target. The firm feel of the Z-Grip Align translates all the feel to your hands without being punishing…but the cord will help build some thicker skin!

I would say the only negative to the grip would be if you were a person who needed a ton of vibration dampening, due to injury, you won’t get that with the Z-Grip Align. If you are a “feel” player who wants to sense every vibration, though, you’ll fare much better.

Overall, I really like the Z-Grip Align and feel that if you are looking for a cord grip, it should be on your short list. If you play in rain, sweat a bunch, play in cold or hot climates, or play with no glove, this grip will provide great performance. You won’t be worried about slippage or gripping too tight with the Z-Grip Align…just make sure to put it on straight!

• Discussion about the Golf Pride Z-Grip Align in the forums.