Our History

Rocket Science + Tennis = The Best Grips in Golf.

Founded in 1973 by Dr. Ben Huang, Winn began as a tennis ball manufacturer. An aerospace engineer by training, Dr. Huang had, in the 1960s, worked under Dr. Wernher Von Braun to develop the Saturn V rocket which eventually took Armstrong to the moon. The Georgia Institute of Technology, impressed by Dr. Huang's work, subsequently invited him to establish the university's Graduate School of Aerospace Engineering. A successful ten year professorship ensued, but Dr. Huang felt restless and eager for new challenges.

Dr. Huang's leap into the business world allowed him to act upon his long held passion for tennis. From the manufacturing of tennis balls to tennis racquet string to tennis grips, Dr. Huang honed his ever increasing expertise in polymer materials, the key component that now distinguishes Winn golf grips.

But it took a frustrating week at golf camp to inspire Dr. Huang's shift from tennis accessory development to golf grip innovation. At the Golf Digest Academy in Silverado, California, professionals Jim Flick and Paul Ryan put Dr. Huang's golf game through the wringer. Throughout the rigorous training, Dr. Huang found himself struggling with his grip. "My grips were so slippery and uncomfortable," he remembers, "that I had to overcompensate by squeezing my grips so hard that I was practically strangling them. Of course, the tension in my hands and arms made it impossible for me to make a smooth swing. I knew I could design a better grip-not just for me, but for all golfers."

Hence the birth of Winn Grips… golf grips that provide superior shock absorption, excellent slip-resistance and unparalleled feel. At Winn we've always understood that a better grip means a better game.

Timeline

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.

1964

Dr. Huang pioneers the Graduate Aerospace Engineering PhD program at The Georgia Institute of Technology. Produces 16 PhD graduates.

1973

Dr. Huang leaves teaching. Develops Winn tennis balls.

1976

Winn synthetic tennis strings. Gutex, Gutite.

1977

Incorporation of Winn.

1980

Winn synthetic polymer tennis grips revolutionize the sport, marking a shift from leather to synthetic. SuperTech. Absorb-Mor. Anti-Shok.

1996

Winn's first golf grip: The Classic. Elastom ETM technology.

1999

Excel golf grip. ETX15 material.

2000

Famed former Tiger Woods coach, Butch Harmon, becomes Winn spokesperson.

2001

Winn opens its third factory that includes state-of-the-art material production, quality control and R & D facilities.

2001

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.

2002

Winn putter grips played by 23 winners on the Tour, including 3 Majors champions.

2004

V17-AVS polymer with Advanced Vertical Seam technology.

2006

Natalie Gulbis becomes Winn LPGA Player Advisor. Captures Evian Masters title in 2007 using Winn grips. Advanced Integration (AI) technology.

2006

Winn creates the first of its pink ribbon grips to help raise money for breast cancer research.

2007

Dura-Soft V17 material.

2008

Polymer Cord Integration (PCi) Technology. The feel of polymer; the control of cord.

2009

The PCi Triple Line was designed with the tour player in mind. The TL embossing texture offers a firm yet comfortable feel for an unmatched response and control for ultimate shot making

2009

Winn became the Official Grip Partner of the American Junior Golf Association ("AJGA")

2009

Fishing tackle grip, American Rodsmith; Tooling handle grip, Mastertcraft, Craftsman, Autoloader; Bike handle grip, Lizard Skin.

2010

Winn inaugurated AJGA Winn Junior Cup Challenge with Butch Harmon and Natalie Gulbis in Las Vegas.

2010

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.

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.

2012

WinnDry polymer is created for ultimate all-weather playability, providing tacky, non-slip performance in all weather conditions. Dri-Tac and WinnPro Series are introduced using WinnDry Technology.

2013

Multi-Material Hybrid Grip Technology: Elastom ETX rubber compound and WinnDry XT polymer material are formulated, resulting in the first ever polymer/rubber hybrid grip. This highly durable, slip-resistant, all-weather performance grip is named DuraTech.