Lamkin Deep Etched Putter Grip: Versions, Feel & Fit
I’ve replaced a worn putter grip and discovered that a familiar putter suddenly felt different. The putter itself hadn’t changed, but the way it felt in my hands had.
That experience is worth remembering when you shop for a Lamkin Deep Etched. Finding the right name on the label is only the beginning. The version, texture and weight can matter when you’re trying to preserve a feel you already trust.
Our take: start with the standard etched version if you already enjoy a smaller grip. Try the cord version if you want more surface texture. If your priority is a fuller lower-hand area or a cushioned feel, compare other shapes before ordering.
This is a research-based buying guide, not a hands-on test. We checked manufacturer catalogs and product information to separate the versions and explain what to look for when replacing an existing grip.
What makes the Deep Etched different?
The standard Deep Etched combines a traditional paddle shape with a horizontal etched pattern. Lamkin’s catalogs also describe its upper section as a pistol shape. These terms describe different features: the paddle is the flatter front surface, while the pistol contour shapes the area beneath the upper hand.
That front surface gives your thumbs a repeatable reference. The etched texture provides a distinct contact surface for your fingers. A smaller profile may appeal if you dislike the bulk of oversized grips, but it does not tell us whether you will aim better or control distance more consistently.
Bettinardi’s Deep Etched standard grip is one example of a putter-maker-branded version. Do not assume an OEM grip with familiar lettering or a similar shape has the same weight and dimensions as every aftermarket Deep Etched.
Which Lamkin Deep Etched version do you have?
Match the full name, surface and part number where available. The word “Lamkin,” the grip color or “SINK FIT” by itself is not enough.
Standard Deep Etched Paddle
Lamkin’s 2024 weight sheet lists the black Genesis version, part 101401B, at 79 g with a .58-inch core. Red, blue and gray versions in that sheet also weigh 79 g. This is the starting point for shoppers seeking the familiar etched surface without cord.
Deep Etched Paddle Full Cord
The same sheet lists Full Cord, part 101407, at 82 g with a .58-inch core and proprietary EPDM material. Cord adds another element to the contact surface. Handle a sample if possible: the extra texture you want for traction may feel too pronounced to someone who prefers a smoother grip.
Deep Etched SINK FIT
This was a real Lamkin variant. The 2024 sheet lists blue 101549 and green 101550 at 75 g, with Genesis material and a .58-inch core. They are separate entries from SINK FIT Rubber Straight, Rubber Pistol and Skinny Pistol. Match the complete name when buying a replacement.
Why do some listings say 79 g, 81 g, 82 g or 85 g?
Lamkin’s own published specifications differ. Its 2021 catalog lists the standard Deep Etched at 81 g and Full Cord at 85 g. The later 2024 weight sheet lists 79 g and 82 g, respectively.
That difference does not establish why the figures changed, or prove that a seller has a counterfeit. Older descriptions can remain online, and putter-maker editions may have their own specifications. Ask which version is actually being supplied rather than averaging the numbers or treating every listing as interchangeable.
If you are trying to preserve the feel of an existing setup, have a clubmaker weigh the replacement and, if practical, the removed grip. Account for tape and any separate counterweight. Grip weight is part of the putter’s overall weight distribution; a familiar shape alone does not guarantee a familiar feel.
Lamkin or SuperStroke: what should you search for now?
SuperStroke announced its purchase of Lamkin in 2024. You may encounter both names while shopping for Deep Etched grips. JS Golf Brands’ SuperStroke listing describes three offerings: Deep Etched, Deep Etched Cord and Deep Etched Smooth.
The Smooth option is described as having a softer, less pronounced texture. Treat it as a separate choice, especially if the etched pattern is the reason you like your current grip. Do not assume a newer SuperStroke-branded listing is an exact specification match for an older Lamkin grip.
Availability varies by version and seller. For example, TaylorMade’s Lamkin Deep Etched Pistol product page was marked sold out when checked. A sold-out listing does not establish that the entire Deep Etched family has been discontinued.
View Lamkin Deep Etched Full Cord (black) on Amazon
View SuperStroke Deep Etched Cord on Amazon
These links open the cord versions shown in their labels. Confirm the exact version, seller and package contents before ordering.
How to decide whether it suits your hands
Use the following checks as a practical fitting exercise. They are our suggested comparison method, not a promise that a particular grip will improve your score.
Start with your normal hand position
Hold a sample using your usual putting grip. Notice where your thumbs sit, whether your fingertips crowd the opposite hand, and whether you have to squeeze to feel secure. Repeat with any alternative hand position you actually use, such as left-hand-low or claw.
Hand size is a useful starting point, but it is not a complete fitting rule. Two golfers with similar hands can prefer different shapes and amounts of lower-hand support.
Compare texture without changing everything else
If possible, compare standard etched, cord and smooth samples side by side. Use similar hand pressure. Decide which surface feels secure and comfortable rather than simply choosing the roughest one. For sweaty hands, a practical check is whether your hold stays comfortable after normal practice, with a towel available.
Test short putts and longer putts
On a fitting green, alternate small sets with your current grip and the candidate. Use short putts to observe starting direction and longer putts to observe pace. Note comfort, grip pressure and any tendency to change your hand placement. Repeat the comparison rather than deciding on one holed putt.
Different heads, shafts and lengths make a clean grip comparison harder. If the demo putter differs substantially from yours, treat the result as a feel check and discuss it with the fitter.
Avoid a rigid stroke-type rule
An arcing stroke does not automatically require a Deep Etched, and a straighter stroke does not automatically require an oversized grip. Shape, installation, hand position and personal preference all deserve attention. A grip change alone is not a guaranteed cure for wrist movement, face angle or three-putts.
Deep Etched versus three familiar alternatives
SuperStroke Pistol GT
The older Traxion Pistol GT family combines a pistol-style top with SuperStroke’s No Taper design. It is a useful comparison if you like an upper-hand contour but want to explore a different lower-hand profile. Check the exact generation and size; “Pistol GT” is a family name, not one universal specification.
Search Amazon for SuperStroke Pistol GT grips
Winn Excel Tour Pistol
Winn’s Tour Pistol uses Excel polymer and a traditional shape. Winn describes its surface as tacky. Consider a side-by-side feel check if surface comfort matters more to you than pronounced etching. “Excel” also appears on other Winn shapes, so match the Tour Pistol model rather than buying by material name alone.
Search Amazon for Winn Excel Tour Pistol grips
Golf Pride PRO ONLY
PRO ONLY is another family worth comparing if you want a traditional putter-grip option. Golf Pride lists multiple versions and sizes. Compare the exact shape in your hands; neither the brand name nor the size label makes it a direct Deep Etched substitute.
View Golf Pride PRO ONLY Red Star (pistol) on Amazon
The Golf Pride link opens the Red Star pistol product page. The SuperStroke Pistol GT and Winn links open search results because an exact product destination could not be verified. Older models are included to help owners compare or replace familiar equipment; their mention is not a claim of current stock.
Check these details before regripping
- Confirm the exact model and whether the listing is for one grip or an installation kit.
- Check the specified core against your shaft with the installer. Core size describes the opening, not the finished outside size of the grip.
- Tell the installer about any counterweight or special shaft setup before removing the old grip.
- Agree on the front-face alignment and tape buildup. Compare the finished hand position with your usual address position.
- Follow the installer’s or adhesive manufacturer’s curing instructions before putting the club into play.
If the old grip fits well but has become worn, start by identifying it accurately. Replacing the same specification is a different task from experimenting with a new shape, weight or surface.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Lamkin Deep Etched a pistol grip or a paddle grip?
Both terms appear in manufacturer descriptions. Paddle refers to the flatter front; pistol describes the upper contour. Inspect the complete shape and exact model rather than treating the words as mutually exclusive.
Is the Deep Etched SINK FIT the same as SINK FIT Pistol?
No. Lamkin lists them separately. Use the full product name and part number, where available, to identify the grip.
Is Full Cord automatically better in wet conditions?
Cord is worth trying if you want additional surface texture, but “better” depends on your hands and comfort. We have not conducted a wet-weather comparison of these grips, so we would not rank their performance from specifications alone.
Can I fit a Deep Etched to any putter?
Do not assume universal compatibility. Have the installer check shaft dimensions, grip core, required length and any counterweight or special grip arrangement. A grip advertised for conventional installation may be unsuitable for a different setup.
Will it help me stop three-putting?
A comfortable, well-fitted grip can be part of a setup you trust, but it cannot guarantee better pace or green reading. Identify whether your main problem is starting direction, distance control or read before choosing equipment as the solution.
Who should shortlist it?
Shortlist the Deep Etched if you want a traditional, smaller-profile grip and enjoy a textured surface. Start by identifying the precise version, then compare its shape and weight with what is already on your putter. If you want a fuller grip or a gentler surface, try those alternatives alongside it before paying for installation.
