Star Grips and Pure Grips are two American rubber grip brands with the same pitch: tacky, durable grips at a fair price, built for tape-free air installation. On paper they look like near twins, and that is why golfers keep asking which one to buy.
There is a twist most comparison pages skip. Pure Grips went out of business in 2023, and its status today is murky. This guide compares the two on specs, feel, durability, value and models, and it tells you what to check before you spend money on either.
Table of Contents
Quick Answer: Star Grips vs Pure Grips
Star Grips is the safer buy today. It is an operating company with a three-year warranty, a clear model range and a price of about $8–$10 per grip. Pure Grips made very similar grips, but the company shut down in July 2023, and its website only reappeared in 2026 with unclear fulfilment.
| Choose Star Grips if you… | Choose Pure Grips if you… |
|---|---|
| Want a brand you can reliably reorder from | Already have leftover Pure stock or a trusted seller |
| Want the longest warranty in grips (three years) | Specifically want the Pure DTX or Pure Combo feel |
| Like a firm, velvet-style grip (Sidewinder) | Like a firm, velvet-style grip (Pure Pro) |
| Want a no-logo grip that installs any way up | Are comfortable checking whether the seller is legitimate |
Star Grips vs Pure Grips Specs Side by Side
| Spec | Star Grips | Pure Grips |
|---|---|---|
| Company status | Operating | Closed July 2023; site reappeared in 2026, fulfilment unclear |
| Made in | USA | USA (Arizona-based) |
| Material | Proprietary rubber (StarTack), described as EPDM rubber | EPDM rubber (PURE Tack compound) |
| Firm, velvet-style grip | Sidewinder / Sidewinder 360° | Pure Pro |
| Soft, tacky wrap | Classic Wrap, Tour Star, Smoothee Wrap | Pure Wrap |
| Most aggressive texture | STX | Pure DTX |
| Standard-size weight | Sidewinder 360°: 50g (48g undersize, 67g midsize) | See maker’s weight table |
| Warranty | Three years | 12 months, when the company operated |
| Typical price | About $8–$10.39 per grip | Listed at $9.99 (Pro) and $10.99 (DTX) |
| Install method | Built for air; tape and solvent also work | Popularised air install; tape and solvent also work |
The Star specs come from Diamond Tour’s Sidewinder 360 listing and retailer pages. Star also lists a weight variance of only about one gram from grip to grip.
Check Pure’s status before buying. Forum members reported the shutdown in July 2023. In March 2026, a GolfWRX thread noted the Pure website looked live again, but members could not tell who was behind it and warned against entering card details on a site that might not be genuine.
At the time of writing, the site also carried a notice that it was not fulfilling orders directly. Buy from an established retailer, not an unverified storefront.
The Key Differences Explained
Company stability. This is the biggest difference. Star has been making grips for years and stays in business. Pure’s closure means no dependable support, and any warranty it once offered may not be honoured.
Warranty. Plugged In Golf’s Star Grip review highlights the three-year guarantee: Star replaces grips that become hard, dry, slick or lose their tackiness. Pure’s guarantee was 12 months when it operated, and the same review’s comments note the reviewer could not find a warranty mention on Pure’s site in January 2024.
Materials. Both brands market high rubber content, which is why their grips are said to hold tack and resist stretching or tearing during air installation. Both claim tight weight consistency from grip to grip.
Branding and look. Star keeps branding minimal, with solid colours and no logo to line up, so a grip goes on in any orientation. Pure leaned more on bright colours and neon options.
Origins. Several forum members say Pure was started by people who previously worked at Star, which explains why the two share an approach. That history is anecdotal, so treat it as background rather than fact.
How They Feel and Perform
Match the models by feel rather than by brand name:
| Feel | Star | Pure |
|---|---|---|
| Firm, velvet-style | Sidewinder, with a symmetrical “S” texture similar to Tour Velvet | Pure Pro, a no-frills rubber grip that feels like a classic rubber grip |
| Soft and tacky | Classic Wrap (Tour Star is the same without the taper) | Pure Wrap |
| Softest | Smoothee Wrap, with no perforations for more hand contact | Pure Wrap, soft and tacky |
| Most aggressive | STX, for extra traction | Pure DTX, a dual-texture, cord-like feel |
Star. The Plugged In Golf reviewer picked the Sidewinder as his favourite, praising its texture and firm feel, and called the Classic Wrap and Tour Star cushioned without being squishy. His one complaint: they are not ideal in wet conditions and needed drying before he had a firm hold.
Pure. In its Pure Pro review, Plugged In Golf described a rubber grip that does not turn slick after a handful of rounds, and the reviewer said he never cut a Pure grip off because it was worn out. The Pure DTX was a favourite for golfers who wanted cord-style traction without the rough feel on the hands.
Wet weather. Both brands are rubber, and users of both report the best traction when dry. If you play in the rain, keep a towel and rain glove handy, or consider a cord grip.
Winner by Category, Plus Pros and Cons
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Availability and support | Star | Operating company, clear ordering |
| Warranty | Star | Three years vs 12 months |
| Value | Star | About $8–$10 with the longer warranty |
| Aggressive texture | Pure DTX (if you can find it) | Dual-texture, cord-like feel |
| Firm velvet feel | Tie | Sidewinder and Pure Pro are close |
| Soft feel | Tie | Classic Wrap and Pure Wrap are close |
| Installation | Tie | Both are designed around tape-free air install |
Star Grips
- Pros: operating company, three-year warranty, clear model range, no-logo 360° install, low price, made in the USA
- Cons: not ideal in wet conditions, fewer bright colours than Pure’s neon range
Pure Grips
- Pros: DTX and Combo options, bold colour range, well-regarded durability from long-term users
- Cons: company closed in 2023, current status unclear, warranty may not be honoured, risk of unverified sellers
Which Golfer Suits Each Brand?
Star Grips suits you if you:
- Want to buy once and be able to reorder the same grip later
- Like a firm, textured grip and want the Sidewinder
- Value a long warranty and low price
- Plan to install grips yourself with an air tool
Pure Grips may suit you if you:
- Already game Pure grips and have stock left
- Want the DTX feel enough to buy from a trusted retailer’s remaining inventory
- Are happy to take on some risk with availability and no warranty backup
For most golfers, Star is the practical choice, and the Sidewinder is the model that fills the slot Pure Pro and DTX users are looking for.
How to Choose Between Star and Pure Grips
- Decide your feel. Firm and velvet-like (Sidewinder or Pure Pro), soft and tacky (Classic Wrap or Pure Wrap), or aggressive (STX or DTX).
- Confirm the seller. Buy from an established golf retailer or the brand’s own store, and avoid unverified sites that suddenly appear.
- Pick the size. Check your glove size and hand fit. Star lists standard, undersize and midsize options.
- Plan the install. Air installation is fast and mess-free, but it needs a compressor and a grip tool (Star’s air guns retail around $30–$50 according to Plugged In Golf). Tape and solvent still work.
- Test one grip first. Regrip a single club before doing the whole set.
Mistakes to avoid:
- Assuming Pure is still fully operating. Check the seller and the stock before you order.
- Skipping size checks. A grip that is too thin or thick changes your grip pressure.
- Ignoring wet weather. Rubber grips need drying in the rain.
- Mixing grip feels across a set. Consistent feel helps muscle memory.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Star Grips and Pure Grips the same thing? No. They are separate companies that made similar rubber grips. Forum members say Pure was founded by former Star staff, but that is anecdotal.
Is Pure Grips still in business? Pure Grips shut down in July 2023. Its website appeared active again in 2026, but the situation was unclear and fulfilment was not confirmed. Check with a trusted retailer before ordering.
Which is better, Star or Pure? Star is the better buy today because it is operating, has a three-year warranty and costs about the same. Pure’s DTX had a loyal following, but availability is uncertain.
What is the Star equivalent of the Pure DTX? The closest options are the Star STX for aggressive traction and the Sidewinder for a firm, textured feel.
How much do Star Grips cost? About $8–$10.39 per grip at retailers, with some models such as the Classic Wrap listed lower.
Do Star Grips need tape to install? No. They are built for air installation, though tape and solvent still work.
Final Verdict
Star Grips and Pure Grips are nearly interchangeable in concept, but only one of them is a dependable purchase right now. Star Grips wins on stability, warranty and value, and its Sidewinder, Classic Wrap and STX cover the same feel range that Pure Pro, Pure Wrap and Pure DTX did. Pure Grips earned a loyal following, but its 2023 closure and unclear return make it a gamble.
If you want a firm, textured grip that lasts, start with the Star Sidewinder. If you are chasing a Pure DTX, buy only from a retailer you trust and treat any warranty as uncertain.
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