If you’re like most golfers, you love buying new golf clubs. It’s always fun to get the latest and greatest equipment to help your golf game and hopefully shoot lower scores.
But when it comes to buying grips, I tend to cringe a little bit. Would you agree?
Buying golf grips can get expensive, especially if you’re playing ten dollar grips. That’s a lot of Pro V1 golf balls that you could buy instead!
Not to mention the installation fees aren’t cheap either. While you can always learn how to grip your clubs at home, for a lot of golfers this is hassle or they don’t trust themselves to do it right.
At the end of the day, most golfers don’t worry about their golf club grips nearly enough. But think about it, your hands on the grip are the only thing touching the club. If you have old, dirty grips with grime on them, your game could suffer.
Instead of always re-gripping them and spending your hard earned money, you should learn how to clean golf grips so they will last a lot longer. Keep reading to learn the best ways to clean them so you can save your money on new clubs, not new grips.
How to Clean Golf Grips – The Two Best Ways
1. Warm Soap and Water
If you’re looking to keep this cleaning mission as cost-efficient as possible, stick with good old-fashioned warm soap and water. To do this, we suggest cleaning golf grips (and clubs) outdoors or in the garage (as your wife probably doesn’t want your dirty golf clubs in the kitchen sink).
To get started, grab a mid-size bucket and fill it with warm water. Then, add a few drops of dish soap (don’t over do it) and grab a washcloth or a soft cleaning pad. You can also grab your golf scrub brush (or toothbrush) as well if they are very dirty.
If you are using squishy grips (like Winn), you’ll want to clean them with a washcloth, as an abrasive pad could damage them. But if you’re using a firmer grip (like a Lamkin Crossline style), then opt for the cleaning pad as it’s a rougher surface and will remove dirt easier.
Start by dipping a pad or washcloth in the warm water and then scrub your grips with them. Do this for as long as needed (usually a minute for each golf club is perfect). Get all the debris and residue off of them before rinsing down.
Then, grab another bucket or use a hose and rinse it in soap free water to eliminate any remaining soap. Finally, use a dry cloth or towel and wipe them dry.
Don’t let them air dry, as you might not get all the detergent or soap off and could leave some damage. Wait until they are fully dry before returning them to your golf bag.
2. Grip Cleaning Wipes
Another easy way to clean grips without warm soapy water is to buy wipes that are specifically designed to remove excess dirt and sweat. This is the easier method!
Grip cleaning wipes don’t cost much and can extend your grip’s life significantly. Plus, there’s a lot less cleanup and supplies that are needed when using cleaning wipes.
My personal favorite is the Lamkin GRIPS Grip Cleaning Wipes. They are available on Amazon and come in a pack of 15 pre-moistened wipes. They make it easy to keep your golf grips looking and feeling like new.
With only one wipe, you can get all 14 clubs looking brand new. Plus, the package makes it easy to reseal but I do suggest putting them inside a Ziploc bag as well. This way they won’t dry out if you don’t fully seal the packaging.
For the small price tag, this is the fastest and easiest way to clean your golf clubs. Click here to learn more about them on Amazon.
For a cheaper alternative, check out the Karma Wipes as well. Reviews have stated that you should only clean about five clubs, so plan accordingly.
FAQs
How do you rejuvenate golf grips?
While the methods above should work wonders, there are a few other products you can use to rejuvenate your grips as well. One of them is the Stixx Golf Club & Grip Cleaner.
This product not only cleans your clubs but also the grips on your clubs as well. With just a few sprays, it will help restore the natural tackiness of your grip and simply wipe away any oils. The spray easily removes dirt, mud, sand and oil from your hands.
Plus, it comes with a carabiner clip that makes it easy to attach to your bag. You can use it pre-round, during the round, or post-round to keep your grips fresh.
How often should you clean golf grips?
The frequency of cleaning depends on a few factors including your grip style, hand pressure, how often you play, and the conditions you play in. First is grip style; some will need more frequent cleaning depending on the material. For example, squishy grips (like a Winn grip) are very different from a full-cord Lamkin style that stays fresh longer.
Next up is how the grip pressure you have. If you have a death grip on your clubs (which only adds tension and makes it hard to play well consistently), can impact the frequency of cleaning.
Another factor is how often you are teeing it up. The more you are out on the links, the more you need to do it on a regular basis. If you’re out a few times per week, I suggest keeping grip wipes or a spray in your bag so you don’t forget.
Finally, the conditions also matter. If you live somewhere with hot or muggy conditions (like AZ or FL), you’ll likely need to clean them more as you will sweat more.Â
Click here for tips on dealing with sweaty hands in golf.
What is the best thing to clean golf clubs with?
I think the best grip cleaning strategy is to use a combination of wipes or spray and occasionally cleaning with soap, water, and a dry towel. The wipes and spray are easy to carry around in your bag or car so you can do it pretty regularly.
Then, maybe once per month take the clubs in the garage or in the backyard and do a deep clean. Not only can you use soap and water on the grips but you can clean the grooves as well.
Having a clubface without mud or dirt on it will help you get more spin as the ball can use the grooves more effectively. Plus you can get rid of any sky marks or other markings to keep your clubs looking fresh for the long run.
How can I keep my grips newer longer?
I would use the two strategies mentioned in the post and also have an extra towel in your bag to keep them dry. This will help you have more consistent pressure during the round, especially if you get nervous and sweaty on the back nine. Finally, to keep them lasting longer, wear a glove as that can have a big impact as well.
Can I clean my clubs with Windex?
If you want to give them a thorough cleaning, you can opt for certain household products like Windex as well. This will help break up any extra dirt and make it easier to wipe off without a big mess. But don’t use anything with oil that will make them slippery!
Should I use the same grips on each club?
Yes, make sure to have the same type of grip on all of your woods, irons, and wedges. If you notice the best players in the world, they have matching grips with every single club in the bag. Yet, most amateurs have a mix of styles depending on when and where they bought the club.
But having different styles of grips makes it hard to consistently hold the club as some might be worn down, firmer, or softer than others. Find one that works for your hands and conditions and add it to each club. I would skip white grips because even though they look great when you first buy them, they are impossible to keep clean for very long.
Also, there is one grip to keep extra clean in your bag and that is your putter grip. Since you’re using it on every hole every single round, it tends to wear down the fastest and get the most oil on it. Make sure to keep them fresh and replace more often, so you can keep a light touch on the putter and hopefully, drain more putts!
Wrapping Up
Use these two strategies, warm water and soap or golf club cleaners, to keep your prized possessions looking new so you can play better golf. Remember, regularly cleaning your golf grips can make them last a lot longer and help you save money by not having to buy new grips.
But no amount of cleaning can offset a grip with bubbles, tears, rips, or is worn down from too much golf. Make sure to replace those as needed so your game doesn’t suffer.
Also, don’t forget that you don’t always have to regrip every club in the bag at the same. For example, you might use your wedges or putter a lot more often so just re-grip those to save a few extra bucks.
Want to learn more about grips?
Check out this post to learn if a fat putting grip is what your golf game needs!