Review – JumboMax JMX ZEN LITE Golf Grips

“C’mon… Get A Grip!”

The Address

If you’re a golfer chances are you’ve seen them. Perhaps, it was on a certain channel that covers golf. On that channel they had commercials with a dude in a dress… err maybe it was a tutu. It’s a brand that sees a multiple time Major Champion playing their products. A type of full swing grip where if you see them in-person at your local golf retail store you snicker and mutter to yourself “Yeah…. right.”

JumboMax Grips, it’s hard to believe that they’ve been around for 15 years. It feels just like yesterday that they arrived onto the golf scene. It wasn’t until after five years of development that JumboMax Grips came out with their first grips. Super-oversized grips that were designed so golfers would no longer have to squeeze the daylights out of their grips… as if they were making freshly-squeezed orange juice. Words like “stable”, “comfortable”, and “durable” was the goal.

Since their inception, JumboMax has come out with many iterations of their grips and each one was an improvement over the version prior. The JMX Zen Lite grips are no exception. Key features of the JMX Zen Lite Grips are features like its rubber surface to provide stability and control and in saying that, it’s also a good time to mention their trademarked Twist-Resistant StabilityCore ™. It’s purpose is to offer golfers better performance from the rough.

The JMX Zen Lite grip is also an all-weather grip that has a firm feel but the real genius of its design is its ultralight construction. In fact, the JMX Zen Lite is 10-15% than standard grips. Not too shabby for a super-oversized grip. The JMX Zen Lite weighs in at an airy 65 grams for the “Large”. JMX Zen Lite grips are offered in a whopping 7 sizes. The sizes range from a standard oversize (39 grams) to the Extra Large (70 grams).

So the JMX Zen Lite sound like an intriguing grip, but, how did they fare in testing?

The Transition

In the interest of full-disclosure, I first learned of the JumboMax JMX Zen Lite grips at the 2023 PGA Show. After the show, I was in contact with their PR firm to discuss testing possibilities. Many thanks go out to the JumboMax Grips marketing team and their PR firm Rooted Solutions for the testing opportunity. However, at the same time I also have to offer an apology as well.

Admittedly, I received these grips prior to the 2023 golf season. While I was able to get a few rounds and several range sessions in with the JMX Zen Lite grips I didn’t get sufficient testing in. My golf season was cut short due to having to undergo amputations in June and July of 2023 stemming from diabetic foot ulcers. Fast-forward the clock to 2024. I was healed and back on the range, testing. I planned on getting more on-course time with the JMX Zen Lite’s but again, my season was cut short due to another diabetic foot ulcer. Since then, I suffered my second stroke since 2018.

To everyone involved, I’m deeply sorry for not getting this review out sooner.

When it comes to the testing it was of the extended nature. A positive that came out of it was that I truly got to test these grips in every condition. From the snow and cold temperatures of late winter to the rains of early spring. Not to mention the heat and humidity that summer offers here in the Great Lakes. JMX Zen Lite’s are truly an all-weather golf grip and much of it is in large part due to the rubber texture. If I were to describe the texture I would equate it to something that’s “Tour Velvet” or “Crossline-esque”. Either way, it’s a pretty familiar feel. A proven texture that’s stood the test of time. When wet, the grip security remains in tact just by wiping down with dry towel, however, the use of rain gloves further bolsters the gripping power in these conditions.

One of JumboMax’s claims regarding the JMX Zen Lite grips is their trademarked Twist-Resistant StabilityCore ™ that’s said to provide maximum performance in the rough. To this end, I have to confirm that I observed less twisting when striking the ball from the rough. If the rough is long, lush, and wet you may experience some twisting. All things being equal, I’d say that these grips make the claims true. Is it the size of the grips, the technology, or maybe a little bit of both?

Going back over a decade ago I tried JumboMax Grips for the first time. Whether they were the original grips from 2009 or not, I don’t know. But I really liked them then, but, with an asterisk. In my opinion the grips were just way too heavy. If memory serves me correctly those grips exceeded well above 100 grams per grip. The result was an extreme fluctuation of my swingweight throughout my set. My irons went from D-4 to C-9. My woods ended up at around C-7. I “lost” the clubhead in the impact zone and ultimately reverted back to something more “conventional”.

To me, this is the biggest difference between those grips and these JMX Zen Lite grips. The evolution in this regard is mind-blowing. For the record, I tested the “Large” size. Depending on the size, the change in swingweight going from a “traditional” grip to a JMX Zen Lite wasn’t anything to really stress over. In some cases, with the Standard Jumbo for example, you might notice more feel or headweight in the impact zone. Even better is that the ultralight design allows you to know where the club is throughout the swing (i.e. transition, impact, etc). Club-builders rejoice because you won’t have to use globs of lead tape or tungsten powder to achieve target swingweights for your clients.

***Publisher’s Note: If you do your own grip changes be VERY liberal with the grip solvent/mineral spirits.

If you’re concerned about hanging shots out to the right because of the oversized nature of the JMX Zen Lite grips, allow me to help put your mind at ease. If you hang a shot out to the right it’s likely a swing flaw like a cast or a lack of clubhead release through impact (deceleration). In short, it’s likely you and not the JumboMax grips. Actually, these grips will quiet your hands down and help you avoid the snap hook (unless you “spin out” which again is a YOU problem).

When it comes to their durability and where the amount of traction is concerned, they’ll hold up. Over time they will become slick from the oils in your hands like any other grip. But, regular maintenance with soap suds (I prefer Dawn) while you’re cleaning your clubs will give them that new grip feeling.

Where there might be durability concerns is the surface layer of the grip. I’ve had a couple of them peel. I’m thinking that this has more to do with the combination of size of the grips, the pulling and replacing of clubs, and my 13 clubs in my stand bag. When it comes to general wear they are durable.

One last point before concluding.

Comfort. The JMX Zen Lite grips are perfect in this regard. The first time that I put one in my hand was an “Ahhhh Moment”. I felt like “Goldiilocks” upon finding the right bed. They feel so good that it’s almost “wrong”. If you’re a golfer who suffers from any sort of hand issues like arthritis or diabetic peripheral neuropathy (like I have )you’re likely to categorize Jumbomax JMX Zen Lite grips (or any of their other models for that matter) as a “must have” or “Godsend”. They offer so much relief!

The Finish

JumboMax Grips have come a long way since 2009.

There are so many pros to the JMX Zen Lite grips from JumboMax Grips. They perform, they’re comfortable, and they won’t make your swingweight all wonky. With seven sizes to choose from, there’s a JMX Zen Lite grip for you. Each grip retails for $15.99 USD.

I highly recommend this product and even moreso if you suffer from hand issues. The “pros” are plentiful while the “cons” were more nitpicking than anything else.