Every good golfer needs a great set of clubs to play with. Even if you are just starting out, clubs are probably going to be one of the first things you invest in when beginning to play. That being said, it is also important to keep your equipment in good working condition. This means keeping them clean.
So what is the best way to clean your golf clubs? Specifically, how can you clean the grip on your golf clubs? If you want to maintain your golf clubs and keep them in good working condition, then you must keep them clean. It will also save you money in the long run on having to change your grip every so often.
Also, one of the greatly kept secrets of professional golfers is their clean grips. Yes, that’s right, cleaning the grips on your golf clubs can help you get the most out of your game. It can help ensure accuracy in your shot and, of course, every golfer wants that. A regular grip cleaning can remove any dirt and residue from the sweat and oils from your hands, the sunscreen you wear while playing, spilled beer or beverages, or any other foreign substance that does not need to be on the golf club grip.
In this article, we will go over the proper way to clean and care for your golf club grips, as well as what can happen if you do not clean them on a regular basis. Let’s take a look.
How to Clean the Grip on Your Golf Clubs
Just as there are different ways of cleaning the head of your golf clubs, the same holds true of your grips. You can, of course, simply wipe them down with a wet cloth and then dry with another cloth. You can also use a mild cleaning spray like Windex and then wipe it clean. It should be noted that if your grips are genuine leather, you should not use detergents.
You can find golf club cleaning kits at pro shops or online retailers which will include directions for cleaning your grips, and also some kits include special grip cleaners (be sure to read the instructions first). However, you don’t have to go out and spend money on a special golf club cleaner kit to keep your clubs clean and in good shape. You can use things that you have at your house and they work just as well. Let’s take a look at how to clean your golf club grips with things that you probably have lying around already.
- Either fill a bucket or put a stopper in your sink and fill it with warm water and a mild dishwashing detergent creating suds.
- Using either a scrub brush or a small dish towel, or even a sponge, grab some suds and scrub them into the grip. Be sure to get the suds into all of the crevices for a nice, deep clean. Clean out any and all residue on the grip.
- Rinse the grips either with running water or with another moist towel that does not contain soap. Make sure to get all of the detergent off of the grips. Also, make sure not to use water that is very hot when rinsing because you don’t want to melt the grips and have them be misshapen.
- Once all of the soap has been removed, dry the grips with a clean, dry towel. Be sure to check and make sure that no water has gotten into the shafts and, if it has, be sure to dry them well also.
It’s as simple as that! Cleaning your golf club grips is important, but simple. You don’t even have to spend a lot of money on a special cleaner for them. Now, if you have genuine leather grips, then they will need to be treated differently. Here is the quick and easy way to clean leather grips:
- Use a towel that has been wet with warm water and wipe the leather down once every week.
- Make sure you do not use any detergents or soaps as this can damage the grips.
When Should I Clean My Golf Club Grips?
Now you know how to clean your grips, let’s take a look at when you should clean them.
- If you are a casual golfer and don’t golf very regularly, then you should clean your golf club grips once or twice a year.
- If you are an avid golfer and go regularly, then your grips should be cleaned at least once a month.
The oils and sweat, not to mention sunscreen and other foreign substances, can cause your grips to change. Not to mention, any extreme weather or even changes in weather can cause them to change shapes and wear down over time.
What Happens if You Don’t Clean Your Grips?
Over time, grips that are not cleaned will begin to wear down and as a result, they will lose their tackiness. This will increase the grip pressure, making it difficult for the player to find the right wrist release (Golf Storage Guide). Also, grips with little tackiness will likely have an impact on squaring the club head, affecting the performance of the player.
There are ways to make your grips tacky again, like using a golf grip tacky spray, but the easiest way to do this is to regularly clean your grips and keep them in good working condition. Of course, you can also replace your grips if they have become worn down, but it costs a lot less to simply keep them clean.
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