So, you’ve got a golf grip you absolutely love - maybe it’s a pricey SuperStroke putter grip, a sentimental favorite, or one that’s just perfectly broken in - but it’s on the wrong club. The standard advice is to take a hook blade and slice it right off. But can you remove a golf grip without cutting it? Absolutely. It takes a bit more patience and the right tools, but it’s entirely possible to save a grip so you can use it again. This guide will walk you through exactly how it’s done, covering the two most effective methods so you can get that favorite grip onto a new shaft without destroying it.
Why Bother Saving a Golf Grip?
Before we get our hands dirty, let’s talk about why you’d go through this effort. For most golfers doing a standard regrip on their entire set, cutting the old grips off is the fastest and most efficient way to go. There’s little point in saving a set of worn-out, stock grips. However, there are a few very good reasons to perform the more delicate, non-destructive removal:
- High-Value Grips:Putter grips, especially brands like SuperStroke, or premium leather grips can cost a pretty penny. Tossing a $30-$40 grip in the trash just because you're swapping putters feels wasteful.
- Testing and Fitting: You might be experimenting with a new driver or iron shaft but want to keep the same grip feel for a true comparison. Saving the grip allows you to move it from shaft to shaft a few times while you dial in your equipment.
- Sentimental Value: Sometimes a grip is tied to a memory - a special round, a gift, or just a club that’s been with you for years. Saving it can feel more important than convenience.
- It's Brand New: You just installed a new grip, played one round, and realized the club isn't for you. There's no reason to sacrifice a perfectly new grip if you don't have to.
If your situation falls into one of these categories, then learning how to remove a grip without cutting it is a valuable skill to have in your golfer’s toolkit.
What You’ll Need: The Grip-Saving Toolkit
Before you start, gathering the right supplies will make the process much smoother and increase your chances of success. A failed attempt often happens from trying to improvise without the proper tools. Here’s what you should have on hand:
- A Bench Vise: This is non-negotiable. Trying to do this while holding the club between your knees is a recipe for frustration and potential injury. A sturdy vise keeps the club secure.
- Rubber Shaft Clamp: Never clamp a graphite or steel shaft directly into a metal vise. A rubber shaft clamp fits around the shaft, protecting it from being crushed or scratched by the vise's pressure.
- Grip Solvent or Mineral Spirits: This is the liquid that breaks down the adhesive on the grip tape. A bottle with a squirt top is helpful, but a simple can will do.
- A Solvent Catch Pan: You'll be using a fair amount of solvent, and this pan sits on the floor underneath your vise to catch the runoff, keeping your workspace clean.
- One of Two Tools (Depending on Your Method):
- Method 1: An Air Compressor with a Blowgun Nozzle. This is the go-to for many club-builders as it's fast and relatively clean.
- Method 2: A V-Groove Grip Remover Tool. This is a long, thin metal rod specifically designed for this task. It slides between the grip and the shaft and has a channel to inject solvent.
- Rags or Paper Towels: For cleanup, because things can get a little messy, especially with the solvent method.
Method 1: The Pressurized Air Compressor Technique
This method has become incredibly popular in club repair shops because it can be lightning-fast once you get the hang of it. It works by forcing high-pressure air between the rubber grip and the shaft, which essentially "inflates" the grip for a moment and breaks the seal of the double-sided tape holding it on.
Warning: Always wear safety glasses for this method. Air and solvent can spray back unexpectedly.
Step-by-Step Instructions:
- Secure the Club: Place the rubber shaft clamp around the shaft a few inches below the grip. Gently but firmly tighten the club in the vise. Make sure the club head isn't resting on anything and has room to move.
- Prepare the Nozzle: Attach a blowgun nozzle to your air compressor hose. You don't need extremely high pressure, 40-50 PSI is usually plenty.
- Create an Entry Point: Apply a small amount of grip solvent around the lip or mouth of the grip where it meets the shaft, and also into the small hole at the butt end of the grip. This helps the air find its way in and lubricates the path for removal.
- Insert and Blow: Firmly press the nozzle of the blowgun against the hole at the butt end of the grip to create a seal. Give it a short burst of air. You should feel the grip expand or "puff up" in your other hand.
- Twist and Pull: While applying short, controlled bursts of air, use your other hand to begin twisting and pulling the grip away from the clubhead. The goal is to work the air down the entire length of the grip. You might need to rotate the club in the vise or work the nozzle around to get air flowing everywhere.
- Slide it Off: Once the adhesive seal is fully broken, the grip should slide off the end of the shaft with a final pull. It may come off suddenly, so be prepared!
This technique might take a little practice. The key is coordinating the air bursts with the twisting-and-pulling motion. If you apply constant air without moving the grip, it can sometimes cause old or thin grips to bubble or even burst.
Method 2: The Solvent and Grip Remover Tool Technique
This is the more traditional, low-tech way to save a grip. It relies entirely on grip solvent to dissolve the sticky tape underneath. It’s slower than the air compressor method but is just as effective and doesn't require any specialty power tools. The V-Groove Grip Remover is the hero of this process.
Heads-Up: This method is messier. Make sure your catch pan is in place and you have rags handy.
Step-by-Step Instructions:
- Secure the Club: Just like with the first method, secure the club shaft in your vise using a rubber shaft clamp. Position the club so it's horizontal or tilted slightly downwards towards the club head to encourage solvent to flow down the shaft. Place your catch pan below.
- Inject Solvent at the Lip: Start by squeezing a generous amount of solvent under the mouth of the grip. Work the lip open with your fingers to let the liquid seep in as much as possible.
- Insert the Grip Remover Tool: This is the most delicate part. Gently guide the pointed, protected end of the V-groove tool between the grip and the shaft. Go slowly and try to avoid digging into the rubber. Push it in a few inches to start.
- Dispense More Solvent: Once the tool is partially inserted, turn the club so the tool's v-groove channel is facing up. Now, pour solvent into that channel. The tool will distribute the liquid deep under the grip, right where it’s needed.
- Work the Tool Down an In: Continue pouring solvent down the channel as you slowly and carefully work the tool further down the shaft. As you push it in, also rotate it around the circumference of the shaft. You should feel the tool breaking the bond of the grip tape as the solvent dissolves the glue. Be patient here.
- Twist, Liberate, and Pull: Once the tool has been worked all the way down and around, the grip should be completely free. Remove the tool. The grip will be full of solvent, so it should be easy to twist and slide it right off the shaft.
When Is Cutting Still the Better Option?
While saving a grip is a great skill, it's not always the right call. It's important to know when to let go and grab the hook blade. You should probably just cut the grip if:
- The Grip is Old and Brittle: Older rubber gets hard and cracked. Trying to save it often results in the grip tearing or shattering anyway, wasting your time.
- It's a Standard, Inexpensive Grip: If the grip costs $5, is the 20 minutes of effort and mess worth saving it? For most, the answer is no.
- Time is a Factor: If you're regripping your whole set, cutting is exponentially faster. You can have a grip cut and the old tape removed in under a minute. Saving one can take 5-10 minutes or more.
- You Don’t Have the Right Tools: Trying to pry a grip off without a proper remover tool or an air supply can easily damage the grip or, even worse, scratch and weaken a graphite shaft. If you can't do it safely, it's better to cut.
Final Thoughts
Knowing you can remove a golf grip without reaching for the blade is a fantastic bit of club-making knowledge for any dedicated golfer to possess. Whether you're using pressurized air or the trusted solvent-and-tool method, the key ingredients are always patience and the right equipment. It’s the perfect way to hang onto those high-end, comfortable, or meaningful grips when changing clubs or shafts.
Just as getting hands-on with your gear is part of the game, so is understanding why those equipment choices matter. Having instant access to reliable golf knowledge is a game-changer when you're faced with questions, big or small. If you're stumped on anything - from the type of grip that might fight a slice to course management strategy for your next round - we built Caddie AI to serve as your on-demand golf expert. You can ask it anything, anytime, and get clear, simple advice in seconds, so you can spend less time guessing and more time playing with confidence.