Your Golf Pride Tour Wrap grips feel amazing when they're new, but after a few rounds, that signature tackiness can disappear under a layer of dirt, sweat, and oil. Restoring that fresh-from-the-factory feel is simple, and it has a direct impact on your control and confidence over the ball. This guide will walk you through, step-by-step, the best way to clean your Tour Wrap grips to bring back their performance and extend their life.
Why a Clean Grip Is Your Secret Weapon on the Course
As a coach, one of the first things I check when a student is struggling with consistency is their grips. It might sound overly simple, but the condition of your grips directly affects how you hold and swing the club. The Golf Pride Tour Wrap, in particular, is designed for its high-tack surface. It’s that stickiness that gives you a secure hold without having to apply excessive pressure.
When that tackiness is gone, covered by a film of grime, your brain subconsciously knows it needs to hold on tighter. This leads to what we call "death grip" tension. You start strangling the club, which restricts the natural movement of your hands and wrists, slows your clubhead speed, and destroys your feel for the shot. Shots start going offline, you lose distance, and you can’t figure out why. Often, the root cause isn't a major swing flaw - it’s just dirty, slick grips.
Think of it like this: cleaning your grips isn’t just a maintenance chore, it’s a quick-fix swing adjustment. It allows you to lighten your grip pressure, which frees up your swing and brings back the effortless power and control you're looking for. A clean grip promotes a relaxed, confident swing.
The Unique Nature of Tour Wrap Grips
Unlike a Tour Velvet or a full-cord grip, the Tour Wrap has a very specific construction that demands a little bit of care. It's a soft, one-piece grip designed to simulate the look and feel of a classic leather wrap. Notice the spiral seam and the small perforations? These wonderful texture points are also perfect little hiding spots for dirt, sunscreen, and the natural oils from your hands.
A standard, aggressive scrub-down might be fine for a tougher corded grip, but with the Tour Wrap, we want to be effective without being abrasive. Our goal is to lift the grime out of those tiny crevices without damaging the soft, tacky material. The method below is designed specifically to do just that, rejuvenating the material so it feels tacky and responsive once again.
Gather Your Simple Cleaning Supplies
The good news is you don’t need any expensive, specialized golf grip cleaners. Everything you need is probably already in your house. Here’s your toolkit:
- A sink or a bucket
- Warm water (not hot)
- A few drops of mild dish soap (like Dawn, which is excellent at cutting through oil and grease)
- A soft-bristle brush (a soft-bristle toothbrush, a nail brush, or a vegetable brush works perfectly)
- At least two clean, dry towels (microfiber or cotton are both fine)
The Definitive Step-by-Step Guide to Cleaning Your Tour Wrap Grips_
Alright, let's get those grips feeling brand new. Follow these steps carefully for the best results. I suggest cleaning your clubs one at a time or in small batches to get into a good rhythm.
Step 1: Prep Your Cleaning Station
Fill your sink or bucket with a couple of inches of warm water. You want it comfortably warm to the touch, not steaming hot. Add a few drops of your mild dish soap and swish it around to create a gentle, sudsy solution.
Step 2: Wet the Grip (The Right Way)
This is really important. Never submerge your club in water. Water can seep down the shaft (even through the tiny vent hole at the end of the grip) and cause rust from the inside out. It can also break down the adhesive on the grip tape, causing your grip to twist during your swing.
Here’s how to do it safely: Hold the club with the clubhead pointing up and the grip pointing down towards the sink. This uses gravity to your advantage, ensuring water runs off the grip and away from the shaft. Dip your soft-bristle brush into the soapy water, or use a wet cloth to apply the water directly to the grip surface.
Step 3: Scrub with Gentle Precision
Now, take your wet, soft-bristle brush and begin to scrub the grip. Use a moderate pressure - enough to dislodge the dirt, but not so much that you are tearing at the material. Here’s a pro tip: scrub with the grain of the wrap. Follow the spiral pattern as you work your way down the grip. Scrubbing against the seam can potentially lift it or cause premature wear.
Focus your attention on the crevices and the little simulated perforations. You should see the suds turn a little murky - that’s a good sign! It means you’re lifting all that performance-robbing gunk off the surface.
Step 4: A Thorough Rinse
Once you’ve scrubbed the entire grip, you need to rinse it completely. Soap residue will leave the grip feeling slick and sticky in a bad way. Again, holding the club with the head up, you can either run the grip under a gentle stream of warm water from the faucet or use a clean cloth soaked in plain water to wipe away all the suds. Rinse until the grip no longer feels soapy to the touch.
Step 5: The Two-Towel Drying Method
Drying is just as important as washing. Grab your first towel and thoroughly pat the grip dry, removing the bulk of the water. Now, take your second, completely dry towel and give the grip another forceful wipe-down. This final buffing helps remove any last trace of moisture and, most importantly, helps to "reactivate" the grip's surface, restoring that satisfying tackiness.
Step 6: Air Dry for Mission Success
Even after towel drying, the grips will still be slightly damp. Stand your clubs up against a wall in a well-ventilated area indoors or in your garage. Avoid putting them in direct sunlight or using any external heat source like a hairdryer, as extreme heat can degrade the rubber compound. Let them air dry for at least 4-6 hours, or preferably overnight, before putting them back in your bag or playing a round. This ensures they are 100% dry and ready for action.
How Often Should You Repeat This Process?
The ideal cleaning frequency depends on how much you play and in what conditions. Here’s a simple rule of thumb:
- Frequent Golfers (2-4 times a week): Give your grips a good cleaning every 6-8 rounds. This regular maintenance prevents significant buildup and keeps them feeling their best.
- Weekend Golfers (1-2 times a month): A monthly cleaning should be sufficient to keep your grips in prime condition.
- After Certain Rounds: Always try to clean your grips after playing in the rain or on an incredibly hot and sweaty day. Rainwater and excessive sweat can accelerate the decline of your grips' tackiness.
What NOT to Do: Common Cleaning Mistakes
Just as important as knowing what to do is knowing what to avoid. Steer clear of these common errors:
- Avoid Harsh Chemicals: Never use solvents, mineral spirits, acetone, or heavy degreasers. These will dry out the soft rubber of the Tour Wrap, making it hard, cracked, and completely useless. Stick to mild dish soap.
- No Stiff or Wire Brushes: A wire brush will shred the soft surface of your grips in seconds. Always use a soft-bristle brush.
- No Soaking: Never leave your clubs submerged in a bucket of water. This is the fastest way to ruin both your grips and the shafts themselves.
Final Thoughts
Bringing your Golf Pride Tour Wrap grips back to life is one of the easiest and most impactful pieces of equipment maintenance you can perform. By following this simple process regularly, you ensure your primary connection to the club remains strong, tacky, and inspires a soft, pressure-free grip for ultimate control.
Keeping your gear in top shape removes doubt and helps you focus on your shot - and the same is true for your on-course strategy. For those moments when you need a clear plan, tools like Caddie AI are a game-changer. Just like cleaning your grips restores your physical connection to the club, having an expert opinion in your pocket for club selection or strategy can restore your mental confidence, helping you make smarter, more committed swings on every hole.