Sweet Stuff by Terry Ross

Lamkin, the 95-year-old golf grip company in San Diego, has introduced some of the most advanced technology in new materials for the part of the golf club that is most personal.

Having a grip that feels right to each individual touch and helps promote the proper fundamentals and hand action is vital for any player wanting to get the most out of their equipment, and Lamkin has made some remarkable strides in those areas with its new ST (Smooth Tack) and Calibrate Technology.

The pioneering ST line includes the ST+2 Hybrid and ST+2 Hybrid Calibrate grips. Both are loaded with advanced features including Lamkin’s new “Smooth Tack” material, a special formulation of the company’s Genesis Material. The tackiness of this grip is exceptional and allows for a firm but light grip. is expanding on the success of the popular Sonar lines. Calibrate Technology will be available in two Sonar models – Sonar+ Wrap Calibrate, Sonar+ Tour Calibrate.

The Sonar+ Wrap Calibrate is the first Lamkin wrap grip to incorporate reminder technology. It is the perfect solution for players seeking the style and feel of a wrap, but the performance benefits of a reminder grip. In addition to Calibrate, the grip benefits from Lamkin’s Genesis Material and Fingerprint Technology, which adds a consistent micro-texture surface pattern for slip-resistant control and omni-directional traction.

The Sonar+ Tour Calibrate also leverages the Genesis Material and Fingerprint Technology. This grip has been engineered to meet the needs of players with higher swing speeds. Calibrate Technology further enhances Sonar Tour’s reputation as a grip for those who place a premium on shot-making. The plus size taper shape is preferred by most modern players.

“2020 is shaping up to be one of the most exciting in our 95- year history, as we’re introducing breakthroughs both in material and design innovation,” noted Bob Lamkin, CEO of Lamkin Grips. “Genesis Material has been a complete game changer for us, and the addition of Smooth Tack further exemplifies how the materials used in a golf grip can be engineered to impact performance, confidence and the lifespan of the product. With Calibrate we saw an opportunity to vastly improve the reminder / ribbed grip category, and it is without doubt a substantial advancement over what is currently on the market not only in performance but also in ease of installation.”

These grips are available at select golf retailers and on-line at: www.LamkinGrips.com

30 Golf Vacations • April 2020

An excellent all-around grip, with or without Calibrate, both models incorporate two distinct zones. The upper provides enhanced traction for the anchoring hand via infused cord, while the tacky lower section gives control and stability to the guiding hand. The midsizedplus profile (plus 2) has a reduced taper to meet the needs of a wide variety of players. Genesis Material, a patent-pending compound that creates a comfortable surface far tackier and more durable than standard rubber, maintains its characteristics in any temperature and/ or exposure to UV rays.

Calibrate models feature the most prominent reminder spine of any grip ever produced by Lamkin to help optimize hand placement, club face awareness, control and feel for better shot-making and lower scores. In addition to featuring Calibrate in the ST family, Lamkin

www.golfvacationsmag.com F ootJoy has taken its most popular shoe—the Pro/SL™--and made its shoe model worn by more tour players than any other more stable and comfortable with some notable improvements.

Besides additional padding in some key areas to improve comfort, Footjoy has developed an all-new Infinity outsole configuration that provides better traction and grip with 189 traction points that provide a solid foundation for the golf swing. The heel is wider than previous models by more than 11 percent and the forefoot stability has been improved to provide a solid base and keep stability with the ground to a maximum.

The Pro/SL features a Dual-Density (D2) Midsole that offers both stability and cushioning, the advanced design utilizes two densities of proprietary FineTuned Foam (FTF): a firm FTF around the perimeter for support and control, and a softer FTF under the foot for maximum cushioning and comfort.

The soft, waterproof leather feels easy on the feet while the Power Harness hugs your feet and provides outstanding medial/lateral control and support.

“As the industry leader, we didn’t tweak or adjust the new Pro | SL, we innovated and advanced and received Tour approval,” said Richard Fryer, Director of Product Management, FJ Footwear. “As a result, we’ve developed a product that delivers more stability, more traction, more comfort and more choice, setting the standard in performance footwear, again”.

In addition to the new features in the improved Pro/SL, FootJoy also introduced a complete additional option for this line with the new Pro/SL™ Carbon that integrates a full-length carbon fiber insert into the midsole of the shoe for even more stability and motion control. Carbon fiber flexes and elastically snaps back to its molded position with each step recovering more of the energy generated while walking and allowing the body to work less. This will result in less leg and foot fatigue at the end of the round noted FJ officials.

This shoe provides even more padding in a classy looking design that offers enhanced wrap-around comfort and no-slip fit with a soft, molded collar and conforming underfoot cushioning with an OrthoLite® Impressions FitBed®. All of this in a shoe that is even lighter and more comfortable featuring Chromoskin™ leather by Pittards™.

The shoe is already getting the attention of some top Tour players who are wearing it:

“I’m someone who loves to be comfortable, and the new Pro/SL is the most comfortable golf shoe I’ve ever put on my feet,” said Louis Oosthuizen.

“When I tried Carbon for the first time, I wanted to put them in play immediately,” added Charley Hoffman. “The comfort and stability are incredible”.

Footjoy is also introducing a new version of the hottest shoe in golf in the Women’s performance footwear lineup. The all-new Women’s Pro/SL has already been worn to victory on the LPGA by Sei Young Kim, winner of the 2019 CME Group Tour Championship.

All the lines of the Pro/SL come in a variety of color combinations. The Pro/SL for men comes in: White/Royal/Grey Laced; White/Charcoal/Grey Laced; White/Grey/ Lime Laced; Navy/Royal/Grey Laced; Black/ Charcoal/Lime Laced; Grey/White Laced and White/Grey/Charcoal BOA®.

The Pro/SL Carbon is offered in: Black/ Charcoal/Grey Laced and White/Charcoal/ Grey Laced. The Women’s Pro/SL is available in: White/Silver/Grey Laced; Grey/ Light Blue Laced; White/Aqua Laced and White/Silver/ Rose BOA®.

For more information: www.FootJoy.com The Back Thing Support I f anyone knows about back pain, it is golfers. It is the most common injury related to the sport because of the repetitive twisting motion required and the modern lifestyle that requires hours of sitting (usually at a computer) with little or no movement. A long week of sitting follow by 18 holes of golf is not the healthiest thing for the back.

A new product that is simple yet effective in countering the effects of sitting called The Back Thing™ has been introduced to the golf market to offset the impact of sitting while working, traveling, driving and of course in a golf cart.

This foldable, light-weight support couldn’t be simpler to use. Designed by a neurosurgeon, The Back Thing supports the lower (lumbar) area of the back by giving support with different technology than other seat cushions. Instead of horizontal cushioning that pushes the lower back to overarch, The Back Thing uses vertical pine slats beneath its padded cushion to promote better posture and lumbar support and relaxes back muscles. The slim design makes it foldable and easy to carry for travel and work.

This ingenious support comes in several sizes—Recreational (great for golf), Traveler and the Original. It is light (15 oz.) and offers the feeling of a back support without having to wear anything—and promotes circulation.

It was designed originally to help anyone suffering from lower back pain-- the second leading cause of doctor’s visits--beaten out only by the common cold. It also accounts for the most job-related injuries and time off from work. According to The Hidden Impact of Musculoskeletal Disorders on Americans report, there were 264 million lost workdays in one year due to back pain. That’s two workdays for every full-time worker in the country. People in the U.S. spend more than $100 billion on treatment for lower back pain, according to the The Journal of American Osteopathic Association.

Back pain can come on abruptly after lifting a heavy object or as the result of an accident, but most back pain is caused by sedentary lifestyles. In general, Americans spend much of their time sitting. They sit for work, for travel, to eat and to watch TV. They’re sitting so much it’s become detrimental to their health, leading scientists to say that sitting is the new smoking. Combine this with a sport like golf that involves twisting and bending, and you have even more need to protect the back!

The Back Thing is available online at www.TheBackThing.com by Terry Ross SWEETSTUFF