Are you ready to learn how to regrip golf clubs on your own?
Regripping your golf clubs is a great way to save money and make sure your grips are as effective as ever to play better golf.
If you’re like most golfers, you’re always trying to save money where you can as this game isn’t cheap. The more money you save means more to spend on new equipment, a new golf coach, or maybe saving away for a bucket list golf trip.
In one of our recent posts, we discussed the importance of grip size and the massive impact it can have on your scoring average. If you’re playing the wrong size grips, whether too big or too small, it could really hurt your game.
Depending on which study you read, the wrong golf grip can hurt your score by 2-5 strokes per round! Plus, most golfers wait until the grips are supremely worn down before replacing.
We’re here to help because this is an easy way to play better golf. Learning how to regrip your own clubs isn’t that hard and it can save you a ton of money in the long run. Keep reading to learn the step-by-step instructions on how to replace golf grips.
Regripping 101: Why You Should Learn How To Regrip Your Clubs
When it comes to playing golf, so much is out of our control; the weather, course conditions, and even your swing on any given day. But there are aspects you can control that can make a dramatic impact on your game including playing the right equipment, course management skills, and simple things like playing fresh golf grips.
I play and practice a lot (perks of being a golf writer) but it’s astonishing to me how many average players are using golf grips that look like a dog chewed them up. For so many people, it looks like they should have been replaced months, if not years ago. When I call out my friends for this grip mistake, they laugh but in reality it’s one of the easiest ways to play better golf. Don’t make the game harder on yourself by playing inferior equipment.
So, what are the next steps to getting new golf grips?
You have two options when it comes to getting some tacky new awesome grips for your golf clubs.
- Option 1: You can do it at home which we will cover in-depth in this post.
- Option 2: You can pay someone else (i.e. a golf professional or certified club fitter) to do it for you. If you don’t have a ton of space or aren’t the handiest of golfers, I’d probably pay the $2-$4 per club and let the professionals take care of it.
Before you get started, make sure you have the supplies needed and 60-120 minutes to get the full set regripped. If you only need to replace a few shafts, plan for about 5-10 minutes per golf club.
If you’re a handyman type of golfer and want to save some money, doing it yourself is very manageable. Now that you’re ready to replace your old grips, here is the step-by-step process.
Buy New Golf Grips
Obviously, the most important thing you need are the new grips you’re installing so step number one is acquiring your new grips. Not all grips are created equal though and should not just go buy any old grip.
Here are some things to consider:
Size of Grip
The first thing to consider is the size of the grip. Most manufacturers (like Golf Pride), have three sizes; standard (.580), midsize, and jumbo grips.
Most players should use a standard or midsize – jumbo is usually reserved for players with very large hands. For context, I actually ran into Charles Barkley at the PGA Superstore one time and he was getting massive, jumbo sized grips for his entire set of clubs. So unless you’re a very big guy, standard or midsize is the way to go.
If you still aren’t sure what size to get, make sure to measure your hand or use your glove size with the Golf Pride grip selector tool. This process makes it so much easier to find the right size grips and ensure your performance is optimal on the golf course.
Type of Grip
The second thing to consider is the type of grip as the material used for each type of grip is very different. Some are softer grips (like Winn) which are ideal for senior golfers and players who might have trouble gripping the club. While other grips are firmer and have more cords (or fully-corded) that enhance your feel but aren’t easy on your hands.
The conditions you play in regularly should also impact your decision too. If you play in a lot of wet conditions, you should avoid soft grips or ones that are made of polymer. These are hard to grip in rain and will likely impact your swing.
The grip should feel good in your hands and allow you to grip it with consistent pressure.
Buy an Extra Golf Grip (or Two)
If you’re going to re grip your own clubs and haven’t done this in the past, I always recommend buying a few extra grips too. This will act as insurance in case something goes wrong and you have to cut off a grip because you didn’t get it on the shaft correctly.
The last thing you want is to have a few clubs not have matching grips because something went wrong during the installation process. Spend the extra money for a few more grips and remember you can always use them in the future if they aren’t needed.
If you need some help selecting the right grips, check out our review of the best golf grips. Some of the top names in the grip market include Golf Pride, Lamkin, Winn, Superstroke, and more.
Buy Grip Tape and Supplies
Once you purchase fresh grips, the next step is buying the supplies to make it a seamless process. Here is what you need to get started.
Box Cutter or Hook Blade
First, you need to have something to cut the old grip off. A traditional straight blade box cutter or utility knife works well.
Or, I recommend buying a golf club grip remover to make it super easy. Don’t try to use any old kitchen knife or other tool in your garage as you could damage graphite shafts.
Grip Solvent
The second thing is solvent which will make it easy to slide the grips on butt end of the club and up the shaft. As you’ll learn, there are tons of solvents when it comes to re gripping your clubs. Some of the options include WD-40, water, hairspray, and more.
Grip Tape
Another piece of equipment you will need is new double-sided tape. As you remove your old grips, the original tape will be removed from the entire grip so you will need to replace it.
The tape you need depends on the solvent you’re using. If you’re using water, you need to have water absorbent tape. If you’re using paint thinner, WD-40 or traditional solvent, you need to buy double-sided adhesive tape.
Vise Grip
Once you have all the supplies, you will need to make sure you have a vise grip as well. This will help you lock in the grip so it’s easy to slide the grip on the butt end of the shaft. If you choose to not use one of these to regrip golf clubs, it’s going to make things 10x harder and isn’t recommended.
This GolfWorks Quick Shaft clamp is a perfect tool as it’s easy to mount on a flat surface. It comes with a bench mount bracket that you move, rotate, and reinstall if you move.
The vise tool is even more important if you play aftermarket graphite shafts which can be really expensive! The last thing you want to do is damage them and pay even more money to replace them.
Golf Club Regripping Kit
If you don’t have all the supplies lying around the house, just buy this golf club regripping kit to make your life easier. It comes with almost everything you need to get started and is very cost-effective. It includes grip solvent, 15 tape strips, and a rubber vise clamp.
The only thing not included is a knife, box cutter or grip remover tool so make sure to pick one up. Now…the fun part!
How to Regrip Golf Clubs: 6 Simple Steps
Alright, now that you have all the supplies, it’s time to get to work. Make sure you aren’t in a rush so you don’t accidentally get a grip stuck and have to use one of your replacements.
Step 1: Set Up Your Workstation
First, make sure you have plenty of room to do this process at home. Regripping your clubs can get a little messy so make sure that you have adequate space and good ventilation for the chemicals. You don’t want to do this in a tiny apartment or small space without a fan.
It’s not a bad idea to have a bucket underneath the vice to catch excess solvent as you get to step number four. Or, put some old towels down on the ground to avoid making a mess. Also, make sure you wear some old clothes as excess solvent can shoot out of the grip or wear an apron like a true fitting professional.
Step 2: Remove Your Old Grips
Once your station is set up, you need to remove the original grips. The easiest way to do this is to cut the grip off with one of the tools mentioned above.
When removing grips, please make sure that you always cut away from you, never toward you. This ensures that you won’t cut yourself if the tool slips off the grip and helps you avoid injury.
I say this with personal experience as I once cut my hand badly by cutting toward me and ended up having to go to urgent care to get stitches. Thanks to the injury I couldn’t play golf for a few weeks and definitely wasn’t a cheap urgent care visit.
Furthermore, I recommend removing all grips first before moving on to the next steps. Batching the process will make it easier and much more time effective.
Step 3: Scrape Away Old Grip Tape
Once the grips are gone, you need to scrape away the old tape, so the shaft butt is exposed and the end of the shaft has no tape left. This step is kind of a pain but it’s necessary to make sure each grip is the same thickness.
Do not simply add a new strip of tape on top of the old tape. This will make your grip thickness vary club to club and could really affect your grip and swing.
To remove the old grip tape, scrape across the entire shaft until all the tape is removed. To make it easier, you can also add some solvent, WD-40 or water which makes removing it less of a hassle. Also, if you’re regripping a graphite shaft, make sure that you are much more careful than steel to avoid damaging the shaft.
Once all the tape is removed, dry each shaft off, so the new tape will stick.
Step 4: Add New Grip Tape
Now that your old grip and tape is removed, it’s time to add new tape. This is an important step as the amount of tape you use determines the size of the grip. The standard is to use one piece but if you prefer it thicker, can add two or three wraps.
Measure the amount of tape by putting your grip next to the shaft and marking a line. So many golfers skip this step and don’t get enough to secure their grip.
Also, for the majority of amateur golfers, you don’t need to worry about adding a bunch of extra tape or applying more to one side or the other like pros. When applying the tape, make sure you have an inch to half-inch past the grip. This will get tucked into the end of the grip.
Make sure all excess material is folded into the end of the grip, so the grip will slide on easily.
Step 5: Install New Grip
Alright, it’s the moment of truth.
This is the part where things can go wrong so make sure to read it a few times.
When it comes to adding new grips, you don’t have much room for error and if it goes on crooked or you can’t get it on all the way, you might have to cut it off entirely. Luckily, some grips don’t have a logo on them, so there’s no pressure to line them up perfectly with the face of the club.
You can do this step with or without a vise. Personally, I think a vise makes it a lot easier and having a grip adapter from the kit mentioned above will also help you out.
Start by applying the solvent inside the grip; make sure to use plenty as the last thing you want is not enough. Shake the solvent and cover the open end of the grip to not splash chemicals all over the place.
Then, pour some of the solvent on the tape itself or feel free to add extra as needed.
Important Tip: It’s better to have more solvent than not enough!
Lastly, slide the grip on fast and straight. It’s very hard to manipulate afterward so make sure you commit and get the grip all the way down the shaft. You still have a little time to adjust but make it quick.
Don’t forget to cover the hole at the end of the grip to prevent solvent from leaking on your clothes. If you aren’t using a vise, you will need to wedge the shaft between two objects so it won’t move. Again, if you’re a beginner, I highly recommend using a vise to make it much easier and save you a lot of frustration.
Step 6: Clean Up and Let the Grips Dry
At this point, once the grips are on make sure to use a dry towel and remove any excess liquids. Lastly, let the grips dry entirely (usually several hours) before you swing them on the course or at the driving range.
FAQs On How to Regrip Golf Clubs
Got more questions about re gripping your golf clubs at home? Make sure to check some of the most commonly asked questions below to learn more.
What kind of solvent do you use to grip the golf clubs?
There are tons of different substances you can use to regrip your golf clubs other than traditional grip solvent. Some of them include water, WD-40, air compressors, paint thinner, and rubber cement.
Here are the three most common solvents that you probably have around the house in case you run out of a traditional grip solvent.
1. Water
You can use water as long as you are using water-soluble tape. Simply pour water on it and inside the grip to make it adhesive.
2. Paint Thinner and Mineral Spirits
Paint thinner or mineral spirits are much more cost friendly solutions than traditional grip solvent that you would purchase at a golf store.
Mineral spirits usually take longer to dry (roughly 2-3 hours) so make sure to not grip the clubs immediately after.
Also, it’s important to mention that these solutions are highly flammable and toxic if inhaled. Make sure you regrip your clubs in a ventilated area and never near an open flame.
3. WD-40
Almost every household has a can of WD-40 lying around. This all-purpose lubricant works with double-sided tape or standard grip tape. Make sure to spray the tape and push the grip onto the shaft and adjust as needed.
Similarly to paint thinner, this takes a few hours to dry and is very flammable. If you get any of it on the outside of the grip, make sure to dry it off with a towel.
4. Hairspray
Other golfers have reported that hairspray does work as well. Since it makes the grip sticky, it can work as an adhesive but I can see some problems here so I would use this as a last resort.
FAQs
Do you have more questions about updating your grips at home? If so, we have answers below to make the process as simple as possible.
Is it easy to regrip my golf clubs at home?
It’s a pretty simple process once you get the hang of it. It’s a lot easier than removing a shaft or replacing a shaft as there are a lot more technical components and shaft issues should usually be left to the professionals.
As long as you follow the steps outlined above, you should be fine. The biggest thing is making sure you have all the right equipment and enough space to do them on your own.
How often should you regrip your golf clubs?
There is no hard and fast rule on how often you should regrip your clubs as every golfer is different. It depends on a variety of factors including how often you practice, how often you play, style of grip you use, and conditions you play in.
If you’re a frequent golfer, I’d recommend every 3-6 months while weekend warriors should do it every 6-12 months. If you’re only playing a few times a year, you probably don’t need to do it more than every few years.
Also, sometimes you might just need to replace a few grips and not the whole set. For example, I replace my wedges and driver much more than irons as I practice with them more and they wear down faster. As long as you use the same grips on all clubs, you won’t ever notice a difference if you don’t replace the full set every time (plus you will save a lot of money).
One way to make your grips last longer is to use Lamkin grip cleaning wipes every month to keep your grips fresh and oil free. These are especially helpful if you play in hot or humid conditions and sweat during the round.
Or, make sure to clean them with soap, water, and a scrub brush. This will remove the dirt and debris that gets built up over time and bring some stickiness back to your grips. Cleaning golf grips should be on your checklist for regular maintenance of your clubs.
Can you re use grips?
Yes, but only if you have the right equipment.
The only way to repurpose grips is if you have an air compressor and it’s not always a guarantee.
For example, I recently took some clubs into the PGA Superstore and they were able to save the grip as the club was brand new and I wanted to sell them online. Instead of using a box cutter or knife, they used air to pop the grip off.
If you have an air compressor, insert the nozzle into the small hole and release air into the grip. This will separate the grip from the adhesive so you can re use them and install in other clubs. It’s a lot of work so just make sure they are worth saving!
How many wraps of tape should I use?
The standard protocol is to use one wrap of tape but you have the option to add extra wraps too. A little extra tape is a good idea if you’re between grip sizes as you can buy the smaller one and just add a few more layers of tape.
Can you put golf grips on without tape?
You might be able to if you have an air compressor. You can use the air to add the grips securely in place but they will be smaller without the tape. I also don’t know if they would last as long as I’m not sure if the grip would stay secure to the shaft. In general, I would always use tape and follow the process that is outlined above.
How much does it cost to put new grips on golf clubs?
While new grips are awesome, it’s not always cheaper to have it done at your local golf store. The grips themselves can range from $3-$10/piece depending on the brand. Then you need to pay for the supplies.
My local golf store charges a $3 install fee per club. If you’re doing it on your own, it should be cheaper.
Should you use the same grips on all your clubs?
Yes, you want uniformity on all your irons, woods, wedges, and hybrids. The one exception is the putter which is almost always a different grip that is softer and more padded than the rest in your set. Since putting is all about feel and you want light grip pressure, it’s best to have a soft, padded grip.
What do I need to do to regrip my golf clubs?
If you’re regripping your clubs you need:
- Vice grip
- New grips
- Grip solvent or a substitute
- Grip tape or double-sided tape
- Box cutter, utility knife, or grip tool remover
While you can regrip your clubs without a vice grip, this makes it much more complicated. Plus, it is harder to make final adjustments to the grip position.
Final Thoughts on How to Regrip Golf Clubs
At this point, you have everything you need to regrip your own golf clubs.
Remember, this can save you a lot of money in the long run and will only take 1-2 hours to complete (at most) if you do the full set. Most golfers can do it even quicker and it’s always nice to have the ability to slide on a new grip at home so you’re prepared to play your best golf.
Ultimately, it just depends on if you want to spend an extra $2-$4 for each club and have the space or time to make it happen.
If you do decide to regrip your own clubs, make sure to have all the supplies before getting started. Buying extra grips, grip tape, and solvent is always a good idea.
Lastly, please remember to make sure that you have plenty of space and use safety when dealing with flammable solvents.