Equipment
Spotted: Lamkin Z5 Tour Taper grips
At the 2017 AT&T Byron Nelson, we spotted new “Z5 Tour Taper” grips from Lamkin, which are designed to encourage lighter grip pressure to ultimately create more distance, control and consistency, according to the company.
To accomplish this, the grips are built with a larger diameter at the bottom of the grips, helping to stabilize your lower hand. You’ll notice in the photo below that the bottom of the grip has a more built-up look than a standard grip.

Also, like its Z5 grips, the Z5 Tour Taper grips use five different grip sections to maximize feel and performance. They have a soft cord in the upper sections, “high-traction finger locks” in the middle section, and a micro texture in the lower sections that’s relatively smoother. For golfers who want a more consistent feel from the top of the grip to the bottom, Lamkin suggests installing them “logo down,” or in other words, flipping the grip 180 degrees.
For a tacky feel and shock absorption at impact, the grips are made with Lamkin’s familiar ACE material. The Z5 Tour Taper grips will be available for $8.99 starting on May 26.
See what GolfWRX members are saying about Lamkin’s new grips in our forums.
Equipment
Neal Shipley, AKA, the “Big Fridge’s,” custom stamping
Neal Shipley was the first to admit that he enjoyed his food while in college. But since his days at Ohio State, he’s slimmed down and earned a PGA Tour Card.
That hasn’t stopped him from having fun with his wedge stampings, though it’s led to some misunderstandings.
On the 54 (degree), we have ‘Big Fudge,'” Shipley told GolfWRX. “It was supposed to be ‘Big Fridge,’ so this happened a little while ago. ‘Big Fridge’ was a nickname between my college teammates and I, with ‘fridge’ meaning stomach, a big stomach.

“We told the Ping guys to put … ‘Big Fridge’ on it, and I think maybe some bad cell service or something, and they thought I said ‘fudge,’ so they put fudge on it.”
On Shipley’s 50-degree he also continues the food theme, this time with his go-to order at the “Golden Arches,” and his stamping “DONS 7.”
“The number 7 meal, the two cheeseburger meal, that was my McDonald’s order, back when I would have McDonald’s frequently,” Shipley shared.
Equipment
From the GolfWRX Classifieds: L.A.B. Purple DF3 with Masters cover
At GolfWRX, we are a community of like-minded individuals who all experience and express our enjoyment of the game in many ways.
It’s that sense of community that drives day-to-day interactions in the forums on topics that range from best driver to what marker you use to mark your ball. It even allows us to share another thing we all love – buying and selling equipment.
Currently, in our GolfWRX buy/sell/trade (BST) forum, @raw10628 has a L.A.B. DF3 putter and Masters putter cover up for grabs.

From the listing: “Some great items here today, time to thin out and make room for next set of gear. All prices include shipping.
LAB DF3 Purple 33.5” 68° lie with TPT – $725. LAB Masters release DF3 cover – $150.”
To check out the full listing in our BST forum, head through the link. If you are curious about the rules to participate in the BST Forum, you can learn more here: GolfWRX BST Rules
Whats in the Bag
Maria Torres WITB 2026 (June)
Driver: Ping G440 LST (9 degrees)
Shaft: Accra TourZ Green 5-M4

3-wood: Ping G440 Max (15 degrees)
Shaft: Accra TourZ Green 6-M4

5-wood: Ping G440 Max (19 degrees @18)
Shaft: Accra TourZ Green 6-M4

Hybrid: Ping G440 (23 degrees)
Shaft: Oban Isawa Red Hybrid Shaft 04 Flex 70 Gms

Irons: Srixon ZXi7 (5-P)
Shafts: Aerotech SteelFiber Private Reserve i80

Wedges: Cleveland RTZ (50-MID, 54-FULL, 58-MID)
Shafts: Aerotech SteelFiber Private Reserve i105

Putter: L.A.B. Golf OZ.1i
Shaft: ACCRA Putter Shaft

Grips: Golf Pride Tour Velvet

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Jim
May 18, 2017 at 10:22 am
I like these quite a bit. Currently trying the Z5 grip as an alternative to my NDMC and liking them (although I think they need more prominent cord). I use the Plus 4 grips on my wedges for improved feel so these might be a good option as well. Really like the color scheme too. And the best part is they’re $2 less than the NDMC version.
Plee
May 17, 2017 at 5:14 pm
Riding Golf Pride’s coattails on this concept… Besides, if these are so ugly why wouldn’t I just get a grip I like the looks and feel of and then just add 4-5 layers of tape to bottom hand?
Eric B
May 17, 2017 at 10:17 am
needs better colors tho