A composition for use in grips is disclosed. The composition may be used, for example, in making a golf club grip. The disclosed grip provides for improved shock absorption and other beneficial properties. In one embodiment the comprises a cross-linked composition of from about 40% by weight to about 80% by weight of one or a combination of a first material selected from the group consisting of butyl rubber, nitrile rubber, ethylene propylene rubber and chloroprene rubber, and from about 10% by weight to about 50% by weight of one or a combination of a second material selected from the group consisting of ethylene-propylene-diene copolymer (EPDM), polyurethane, ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer, polypropylene and cork.