About Us
Our Philosophy
Mission Statement
Winn is the first manufacturer to bring premium polymer golf grips to golfers. Its pursuit of the most technologically advanced golf grips mirrors Winn's pioneering efforts in fishing rods, tennis, and bicycle grips and wraps. Winn grips facilitate the learning, enjoyment and performance level of participants at every level - in every field it enters!
We start with polymer grip technology. Our multiple polymer compounds are tackier and more comfortable than traditional rubber. Each polymer is uniquely formulated to achieve a different firmness, texture and weight to satisfy the individual needs of the sports participants it serves.
By creating extremely comfortable, slip-resistant grips that reduce stress on hands and body, we enable participants to lighten grip pressure, increase control, enhance accuracy, distance, sensitivity and performance over extended periods of participation. For golfers, the end result is increased sensitivity, reduced fatigue, heightened swing accuracy and, above all, increased hours of enjoyment and high-performance golfing!
Our History
From a Lunar Landing to The Best Grips in Sports!
Winn Inc. has revolutionized the sports world with highly functional, elegantly designed sports grips made from patented technologies.
Winn’s patented polymer and design technologies have brought superior shock absorption, all-weather slip resistance, and feel to golf, bicycling, tennis and, now, to fishermen as well!
The company is the brainchild of Dr. Ben Huang who began his professional career as an aerospace engineer in the 1960s working under Dr. Wernher Von Braun to develop the Saturn V rocket that would eventually take astronaut Neil Armstrong to the moon. Impressed by his work, the Georgia Institute of Technology invited Dr. Huang to establish a Graduate School of Aerospace Engineering that would produce 16 Ph.D.s during his tenure.
But a yearning for new challenges and love of sports led him to business. His passion for tennis turned his attention to polymer materials and the opportunity they presented to improve tennis balls, racket strings and grips.
That was just the beginning.
A frustrating week at the Golf Digest Academy in Silverado, California, directed Dr. Huang’s focus to golf grips. Throughout his rigorous training and instruction, Dr. Huang struggled with his grip.
"My grips were so slippery that I had to strangle the club to control it,” he recalls. “The tension in my arms and hands made a smooth swing impossible. I knew immediately that I could design a better grip for golfers!"
For years, the golf world has celebrated Winn grips as the industry’s finest. Winn’s most prominent spokesperson is Butch Harmon, swing coach for countless golf greats including Phil Mickelson and Tiger Woods.
Now Winn grips are the talk of the angling world as well! Winn rod grips and handles provide unprecedented control, comfort and performance even in rain, snow and extreme heat and cold.
Winn understands that, no matter the sport, a better grip means a better game!
Fish on!
Company Timeline
1963 Into The Future
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1963
Dr. Ben Huang assists Dr. Wernher von Braun at NASA in design of Saturn V Rocket which eventually takes man to the moon in 1969.
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1964
Dr. Huang pioneers the Graduate Aerospace Engineering PhD program at The Georgia Institute of Technology. Produces 16 PhD graduates.
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1973
Dr. Huang leaves teaching. Develops Winn tennis balls.
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1976
Winn synthetic tennis strings. Gutex, Gutite.
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1977
Incorporation of Winn.
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1980
Winn synthetic polymer tennis grips revolutionize the sport, marking a shift from leather to synthetic. SuperTech. Absorb-Mor. Anti-Shok.
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1996
Winn's first golf grip: The Classic. Elastom ETM technology.
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1999
Excel golf grip. ETX15 material.
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2000
Famed former Tiger Woods coach, Butch Harmon, becomes Winn spokesperson.
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2001
Winn opens its third factory that includes state-of-the-art material production, quality control and R & D facilities.
Deeply shocked and saddened by the events of 9/11, Winn found a way to harness our grip technology in service of a truly worthy cause. Our red, white and blue Winn USA putter grip helped raise funds for families of the victims of this national tragedy.
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2002
Winn putter grips played by 23 winners on the Tour, including 3 Majors champions.
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2004
V17-AVS polymer with Advanced Vertical Seam technology.
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2006
Natalie Gulbis becomes Winn LPGA Player Advisor. Captures Evian Masters title in 2007 using Winn grips. Advanced Integration (AI) technology.
Winn creates the first of its pink ribbon grips to help raise money for breast cancer research.
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2007
Dura-Soft V17 material.
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2008
Polymer Cord Integration (PCi) Technology. The feel of polymer; the control of cord.
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2009
Winn designs first grip for fishing rods, American Rodsmith; Tooling handle grip, Master Craftsman, Autoloader; Bike handle grip, Lizard Skin.
Winn became the Official Grip Partner of the American Junior Golf Association ("AJGA")
Fishing tackle grip, American Rodsmith; Tooling handle grip, Mastertcraft, Craftsman, Autoloader; Bike handle grip, Lizard Skin.
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2010
Winn inaugurated AJGA Winn Junior Cup Challenge with Butch Harmon and Natalie Gulbis in Las Vegas.
WinnLite Grip Technology was developed for golfers who are looking for longer distance, more accurate shots, and higher ball flight. Go Lighter, Go Faster, Go Farther.
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2011
To honor the sacrifice of our brave men and women in uniform, a special camouflaged WinnLite grip was created called the Winn Hero. A portion of the proceeds of every Winn Hero grip sold is donated to the Troops First Foundation.
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2012
Winn creates Vapen Red fly rod grip for Redington Fly Rods; introduces golf and fishing rod grips made from WinnDry polymer, providing tacky, non-slip performance in all weather conditions. Introduces Dri-Tac and WInnPro Series using WinnDry Technology to golfers.
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2013
Cabela’s adds Winn fishing rod grips to select rods. Multi-Material Hybrid Grip Technology: Combines Elastom ETX rubber compound and WInnDry XT polymer material to create the first ever polymer/rubber hybrid grips. Names the highly durable, slip-resistant, all-weather performance grip "DuraTech."
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2014
Winn Fishing Grips were created based on WINN DRY and WINN LIGHT TECHNOLOGY to realize GREAT FEEL and PERFORMANCE fishing grips – Fashion along with Function
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2015
Winn introduces Superior Rod Wrap with “Non-Slip Polymer Technology”. Can be used as an Overwrap or as the Sole Grip on a Fishing Rod.
The Winn Grip & Reelseat Removal Machine is created and Winn began to open up multiple Service Centers featuring this innovative new machine that takes the hassle out of removing both old grips as well as Reel Seats.
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2016
Winn introduces the Winn Rod Handle System for both Spinning and Casting. Taking the guess work out of configuring your rod handle, you can now simply remove the existing handle and reel seat, then slide on the Winn Rod Handle System.
Winn Grips celebrates 20th Anniversary as a premium golf grip manufacturer.
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2018
The new Dri-Tac Lite grips represent the ultimate in Winn Technology. The WinnDry polymer delivers tacky, all-weather playability. WinnLite reduces grip weight to improve club head feel, swing tempo and solid contact.
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2019
Winn introduced the NTP putter grip which has a consistent no-taper unique pistol profile. The NTP is designed to promote light and even grip pressure to eliminate added movement during the putting stroke. The 1.10” diameter midsize+ provides added stability, textures designed for optimum traction and performance, combined with Winn’s proven Excel polymer material for best results on the green.
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2020
Winn introduced the Dri•Tac LT designed with a less tapered profile that offers a larger lower hand. This feature offers better control and lighter grip pressure. For golfers suffering from arthritis or hand injuries, the larger lower profile provides easier gripping for less pain and fatigue. Dri•Tac material provides the shock absorption, non-slip comfort, and performance found in all Dri•Tac grips.
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2021
After years of research and development, Winn is excited to introduce the next generation Dri-Tac grip model. With improved feel and durability, the new Dri-Tac 2.0 represents the best of what Winn polymer technology has to offer.