The only split grip I have is an 8' Tsunami airwave.  Not only is the rear butt long enough but it has an ample foregrip as well, it's not too bad.  Many of the 6'6 and & 7' rods split grips I've handle are not to my liking, the feel awkward.  Fishing last week with one of these with a Van Staal on it's back was terrible experience, I never disliked a rod more.  Not a spilt grip rod but a rod with no rear grip or fore grip..........this rod took uncomfort to a new level.

Last spring, I decided I needed a new spinnerbait rod. I was on my way to Ky. Lake for two weeks. I went to Cabela's and shopped the rod racks. I decided on a split-grip Mojo 7 ft. "spinnerbait" rod. Did not put a reel on it, Just liked the action. Forward: Got to Ky. lake and put on my spinnerbait reel, a Shimano bantam 101 with 10 lb. cxx. One day of fishing and I needed a new rod. There is no way I can fish with a split grip. It doesn't fit my hand/very uncomfortable feel. All of my rods, are full grip cork (don't care about the cork quality) St Croix .I guess I'm just old but I know what I like and split grips are not on my list.

I think I had the same rod.  St. Croix chooses to make such a small hand grip behind the reel seat on their split grips. And they shape them down so abruptly that there is no place for a mans hand to grip.  Not an issue for pitchers or those guys that throw from the palming position maybe.  The new shimano are just as bad, virtually nothing behind the reel seat to hold on to.

The only split grip I have is an 8' Tsunami airwave.  Not only is the rear butt long enough but it has an ample foregrip as well, it's not too bad.  Many of the 6'6 and & 7' rods split grips I've handle are not to my liking, the feel awkward.  Fishing last week with one of these with a Van Staal on it's back was terrible experience, I never disliked a rod more.  Not a spilt grip rod but a rod with no rear grip or fore grip..........this rod took uncomfort to a new level.

You usually see these cord/shrink grips on really large diameter boat rods where a thicker grip material would be too large to grasp well. 

I'll let the scientific, fishing community debate vibrations, sensitivity and feel. All I know is, full length cork grips work for me and I catch fish.

I use to have a couple full cork rods....and then i went and bought a mojo bass a while back and haven't turned back to full cork... i have all split grip now! It is preference but i like it for comfort and confidence ... just feels better and i feel like i can cast much better with it that way.