Getting to grips with no grip

The revolution continues, at least in terms of ways to enable the poor old golfer to hit the ball greater distances than ever before - and the latest development to grip the industry (forgive the pun) is the "gripless" shaft.

Apparently, when Tiger Woods used one of the clubs - on the range, not on the course - he hit the ball 50 yards further than his normal drive. Well, that's according to eye witnesses (with binoculars?) and coach Butch Harmon.

Anyway, the Arnold Palmer PHD Gripless Titanium Driver - retailing in the region of £400 - is the club generally perceived to be to the forefront of this latest development and comes in lofts ranging from six (things really have changed) upwards. No grip, though. Is that tasking things too far? Not according to the Arnold Palmer Golf Company. Although many of the club models new to the market this year, from all manufacturers, incorporate the use of lighter shafts with fatter butt ends to allow for thinner lighter grips (reducing the club's overall weight but maintaining heavier swingweights), some have taken things a step further by taking the grip out of the equation altogether.

The result is a lighter club. Palmer technicians estimate that the overall weight of the club has been reduced by some 50 grams, moving the balance point significantly nearer the head and increasing clubhead speed. Their research shows that players using the club are hitting the ball an extra 20 to 30 yards. Traditionalists may balk at using a club with no grip, however. Indeed, a certain mental adjustments has to take place before anyone even steps on to the range with such a club.

For starters, anyone purchasing such a club will be issued with two "anti-slip" gloves to use, although manufacturers claim any golf glove will suffice.

The difference doesn't end there. Palmer's gripless driver uses a PHD Titanium clubhead which, using the company's Power Wedge sole design, improves forgiveness, increases loft and helps close the face at impact. The club also has a weighted hosel to increase the heel and toe weighting as much as possible and to help rotate the head to square at impact.

Also, the head has a four-rib internal face reinforcement design to reduce vibration and generate more impact off the clubface.

In Irish terms (especially given our weather) it remains to be seen if the clubs will jump off the shelves to the same extent as the sales currently being achieved in the United States. However, the gripless revolution is yet another sign that the development of golf clubs knows no bounds - and one wonders just when the Royal and Ancient and the USGA, the guardians of the sport, will step in and say, "enough is enough." Not just yet, it seems.