Cork Tree Gimme Putter Grip - First Impressions

[GolfSpy Dave]

The Cork Tree Gimme Putter Grip

 

Cork leather confused me. I don't know a whole lot about textile manufacturing, but I think that I have an OK understanding of how leather is made. Animal skin, tanning chemicals, and a nice finishing stain, or something like that. Again, I don't know a whole lot about this stuff, but I did make a stamped leather bracelet one summer at camp.

 

Tree bark does not equal leather in my brain. Bark is crunchy, not soft, and definitely not stitchable. As such, before I even installed the Cork Tree Gimme putter grip, I had to go do some learnin' on the interweb.

Here is a short blurb I found on cork fabric:

 

Cork fabric, also known as cork leather or cork skin, is a natural product. The cork fabric is produced from thin sheets of natural cork obtained directly from the bark of the cork oak tree. These thin cork sheets are laminated to a fabric support backing using a specialized proprietary technique. The grade of the backing varies depending on the use of the cork fabric.

The durability of the cork fabric is remarkable. To prevent staining, the cork fabric is protected with a fabric protection spray. In terms of durability, cork fabric wears similarity to leather which is another reason this cork fabric is often called Cork Leather. The main difference between cork leather and regular leather is cork leather can get wet - actually it can be washed using hot water in a washing machine (LINK)

 

Now I see how you could use cork like leather. That explains the cork handbags. I seem to even recall a cork leather golf bag. I don't remember who made that bag, but now I understand why cork leather would be a cool golf bag material.

 

Did you know that harvesting the cork doesn't kill the tree? It doesn't! In fact, the cork grows back and can be harvested again in about nine years. It's the sheep of trees!

 

More on the Cork Tree Gimme

For the past couple of weeks I have used the Cork Tree Gimme on my trusty Buzelli test putter. Here is a quick list of my findings:

 

Installation

Nothing special. Tape and solvent as per usual. AKA easy.

 

Shape

 

The Gimme has a generous profile. It's definitely larger than a standard grip, but not huge or cumbersome. The top edge shape promotes a nice, secure fit into the palms.

 

 

The slight taper works for a standard putting grip, as well as some others that I don't usually use, but tried out with the Gimme. Left hand low seemed a bit strange, but the Claw grip and the Gimme meshed nicely. After using the Gimme, I am curious to see how the non-tapered Bandit model would feel.

 

Feel

The Gimme is soft, but not squishy. The cork leather feels a little slick, but not so much that there is an issue of slipping. The cork fragments add a bit of texture to the overall feel. It's smooth, but rough too.

 

It definitely feels more like leather than the Salty cork grip that I used previously. The Salty felt more like the giant cork that I expected. The Cork Tree grip is more like a leather grip.

 

For experiment's sake, I did get the grip wet to see how the traction held up. Soaked it, then wiped it with a towel. It was wet, but fully functional. Sweaty palm putters should take a long look at cork leather.

 

The stitching on the underside is a welcome tactile anchor. I liked having that raised, and rougher spot to plant my fingers.

 

The weight also seems a non-issue with the Gimme. I don't have the actual weight, but I bet it's not far off of a standard weight. The feel during the stroke just didn't alter like it sometimes does when you slap on a larger grip.

 

A Worthy Option

 

Cork Tree putter grips are worth taking a look at when you are looking to regrip. They seem a bit pricy at $29.95 if you compare them to a traditional grip, but that price makes them competitive with other large putter grips, like SuperStroke, and much cheaper than other leather and dead even with other cork grips. With the Cork Tree grip you also get these feel good characteristics:

·      unique cork “fingerprint” pattern

·      renewable material

·      hypoallergenic

·      easy cleaning with non-alcohol baby wipe

 

Here is some more information about the grips and Cork Tree

 

--------------------------

SAO BRAS DE ALPORTEL, PORTUGAL - There's a brand-new golf grip material quickly gaining popularity. The Cork Tree has debuted four new putter grips made of cork leather.

 

Why cork? It's proven to be the perfect complement to leather in a grip. Cork leather putter grips provide an overall user experience that cannot be achieved with any other putter grip material known to man. Cork is 100% natural, feels soft in the hands, and improves its playability well beyond other materials when a golfer's hands are hot or sweaty -- as well as in humid playing conditions. 

 

"That means the grip won't slip in your hands -- regardless of how moist your hands are," says company co-founder Marc Boggia, a British PGA member. "That lets you confidently putt away without any tension in your hands and arms, promoting a more fluid stroke. Once you try it, I know you'll agree that it feels amazing. Plus, it cleans very easily -- dirt wipes away with a wet cloth." 

 

Cork Tree putter grips are designed and used by Championship winning Tour professionals who make their living from playing golf. There are currently more than twenty PGA Tour players using Cork Treecork leather putter grips including the winner of the recent Nedbank Golf Challenge in South Africa.  A multiple major winner on the PGA Tour is also using the Cork Tree putter grip.  

 

Cork's honeycomb cell structure is key. Each cell is a 14-sided polyhedron filled with air, making it an extremely strong and flexible membrane that's waterproof and airtight. Cork bark is about 89% air, giving it a low density. But when it's compressed, air isn't squeezed out, because the cell membranes won't release it. So it returns to its original shape when the compression is removed. 

 

The four initial putter grips include the Slim Jim ($39.95), Bandit ($39.95), Gimme ($39.95) and Stumpy ($39.95) models. They're all extremely durable, absorb impact vibration and are impermeable to water, which means they are perfect when your hands are hot and sweaty.

 

About Cork Tree

The Cork Tree -- the world's first company to produce golf products in cork leather -- was co-founded by Nuno Nascimento and Marc Boggia. From an early age, Nascimento went with his grandfather to the Portuguese family cork oak forest learning all the tricks that nature presents. He studied and tested trees to find the best cork bark, and then transformed it into cork products suitable for commercialization. 

 

The Cork Tree mission is to maximize performance, increase confidence and ultimately improve putting statistics for every golfer using the Cork Tree putter grip.  Cork Tree also strives to be a contributor to a more eco-friendly world and cork leather offers this while adding functionality, durability and quality. 

 

Today, the Nascimento family continues to sell cork bark to the cork stopper industry from its own 500 hectares cork plantation. Conscious of its hereditary property, The Cork Tree family continues to invest hundreds of thousands of dollars in developing, protecting and maintenance of the properties. Beyond cleaning and fertilizing the cork oak forest, the plantation continues to grow with some 40,000 new cork trees being planted in the past eight years. 

 

Boggia, an Englishman, has been a member of the British PGA since 1981. He's a golf course owner, partner and creator of Asia's largest indoor golf teaching facilities, managing director of a made-for-TV golf tournament, distributor of golf product and head instructor of the John Jacobs' Golf Schools. As a youngster, he practiced, played and competed near the very cork forest that's now become the source of raw material that fuels his business venture. 

 

The Cork Tree's golf bag was awarded the first place award at the Golf Europe 2013 show in the golf bag category and lead to the launch of the cork putter grips.

 

See all products from The Cork Tree at www.corkputtergrips.com

 

 

[TCT]

The Cork Tree was the first company in the world to produce golf bags and headcovers in cork leather. They were awarded in Golf Europe 2013 in the golf bags categorie because of their inovation.

You can check more at www.thecorktree.net

 

In 2014 they develop and produce the first cork leather putter grips. Currently there are around 80 tour players using it. Danny Willet won his first European Tour event in November. For more info ou can check at www.corkputtergrips.com

 

https://www.facebook.com/thecorktree

[GolfSpy Dave]

Thanks for the info on the bags. I loved the look of the stand bag:

https://www.facebook.com/thecorktree/photos/pb.334668886570581.-2207520000.1433101447./788784244492374/?type=3&theater

[apprenti23]

Saw a couple of these last month when I was visiting LaMont at Hot Stix and we both agreed that they are apples and oranges compared to the Salty cork grips. TCT grips feel fantastic and scream high quality. I even saw some custom logo pieces that had gorgeous embroidery! Much better than other custom cork logo jobs I've seen. Only reason I haven't put one in play is that I am content with what I've been using the last two seasons.

[Undershooter]

Saw these a while back and was waiting for a review, thanks Dave! A few pros have started using these.