A slick, grimy golf grip can quietly sabotage your game by forcing you to squeeze the club tighter, creating tension that ruins a smooth, powerful swing. This guide gives you the exact, step-by-step process for cleaning your SuperStroke grips, not just to make them look new, but to restore that tacky, confident feel you need for every shot. We'll cover what to use, what to avoid, and how to do it right so you can stop thinking about your grip and start focusing on your target.
Why Bother Cleaning Your SuperStroke Grips?
As a golf coach, I always start with the only connection you have to the golf club: your hands. If that connection isn't secure, everything else in your swing has to compensate. Over time, your grips accumulate an invisible film of dirt, sweat, sunscreen, and natural oils from your hands. This buildup fills in the microscopic textures on the grip's surface and breaks down the natural tackiness of the polyurethane material that SuperStroke is known for.
When a grip loses its tack, your brain-to-hand connection senses the instability. You subconsciously react by tightening your grip pressure. This isn't a conscious choice, it's a reflex. You just want to hang on to the club. But that extra tension is a swing killer. It radiates from your hands up through your wrists, forearms, and into your shoulders. The result? A shorter, choppier swing instead of a fluid, powerful motion.
Think about a slick grip like a slightly flat tire on your car. You can still drive it, but it doesn't handle correctly, your performance suffers, and you're wearing it out much faster. Regularly cleaning your grips does two fundamental things:
- Restores Tack and Feel: A clean grip allows you to hold the club with light, confident pressure. This frees up your wrists and arms to move naturally, promoting better clubhead speed and a more consistent release through impact.
- Extends Grip Lifespan: Those oils and grime from your hands and the environment don't just make the grip slippery, they gradually degrade the polyurethane material itself. Regular cleaning washes these harmful-to-the-grip substances away, maintaining the integrity and performance of the grip for more rounds.
A simple cleaning routine is one of the easiest and most affordable ways to maintain the performance of your equipment and play better golf. It turns that feeling of uncertainty in your hands back into one of control and confidence.
The Right (and Wrong) Tools for the Job
Before you start scrubbing, let's make sure you have the correct supplies. Using the wrong stuff can do more harm than good, permanently damaging the surface of your SuperStroke grips. The great news is you probably already have everything you need right under your kitchen sink.
What You'll Need:
- Mild Dish Soap: A simple, grease-cutting dish soap like Dawn is perfect. It's gentle enough not to harm the grip's material but strong enough to break down the body oils and sunscreen that make grips slick.
- A Soft-Bristled Brush: A brush designed for cleaning SNEAKERS... oops... for cleaning delicate items or even an old toothbrush with soft bristles is ideal. The goal is to get into the little crevices of the grip's pattern without scratching or abrading the surface.
- A Microfiber Towel (or two): One can be used for scrubbing if you don't have a soft brush, and the other is for drying. Microfiber is excellent because it's highly absorbent and non-abrasive.
- Warm Water: You don't need hot water, which can potentially loosen the grip tape adhesive over time. Lukewarm tap water is perfectly fine.
What to Absolutely Avoid:
- Harsh Solvents or Citrus Cleaners: DO NOT use anything containing acetone, paint thinner, mineral spirits, or aggressive citrus oils. These chemicals will dissolve the surface of the polyurethane, making it permanently slick and brittle.
- Abrasive Pads or Steel Wool: Stay away from "the green scrunchie side" or tough scrubbing pads. They will literally scrape away the textured, tacky layer of the grip you’re trying to restore, like taking sandpaper to it.
- Soaking the Grips: Never submerge your clubs in a bucket of water. Water can seep down between the grip and the shaft, weakening the adhesive tape and eventually causing the grip to slip or twist during your swing.
Your Step-by-Step Guide to a Tacky-New Feel
Alright, let's get those grips feeling factory-fresh. This process only takes a minute or two per club and makes a world of difference. Do it in a utility sink or outside with a bucket and hose to minimize mess.
Step 1: Wet the Grip
Take one club at a time. Run the grip under a gentle stream of warm water. Try to avoid letting excessive water run down the shaft toward the clubhead. Just get the entire surface of the grip wet and ready for soap.
Step 2: Apply a Little Soap
Put a few drops - five or six at most - of your mild dish soap directly onto the wet grip or onto your soft-bristled brush. You don't need a lot, too much soap just means more rinsing later.
Step 3: Scrub Gently and Thoroughly
Using your soft brush or a wet microfiber cloth, gently scrub the entire surface of the grip. Use small, circular motions. Work your way from the top of the grip down to the bottom. Pay close attention to textured patterns, like the "X" shapes on Traxion™ grips or the multi-zone texturing on Zenergy™ models, as these are the spots where oils and dirt get trapped the most.
Step 4: Rinse Completely
This is a big step that many people rush. Once you've scrubbed the entire grip, rinse it thoroughly under the warm water. Turn the club as you rinse to make sure every trace of soap scum is washed away. Any leftover soap residue can feel slippery when it dries, defeating the purpose of cleaning.
Step 5: Dry Down and Air Dry
Using a clean, dry microfiber towel, pat the grip to remove most of the surface water. Squeeze gently as you pat. Once you’ve towel-dried it, the grip will still be slightly damp. Lean the clubs against a wall or set them in a dry spot in your garage or a well-ventilated room to air dry completely. Don’t put them straight back into your golf bag, as the trapped moisture can lead to funky smells. Let them dry for a few hours or overnight before you play.
Special Care for Your SuperStroke Putter Grip
The process for cleaning your putter grip, whether it’s a Zenergy™, Traxion™, or CounterCore™ model, is exactly the same. The polyurethane material is the same as on your swing grips. Be just as gentle, paying attention to the unique embossed patterns and shapes. Because you use your putter on every hole and it’s arguably your most "feel-centric" club, keeping its grip clean is especially important for maintaining consistent feel and pressure on the greens.
How Often Should I Be Doing This?
The frequency of cleaning depends on how often you play and the conditions you play in. Here’s a good rule of thumb:
- For the Avid Golfer (playing 2+ times a week): Give your grips a quick wipe-down with a damp towel after every round. Perform a full soap-and-water cleaning every 4-6 rounds, or about once a month. You'll definitely notice a difference.
- For the Weekend Golfer (playing 1-2 times a month): A deep cleaning once a month or every 6-8 rounds is plenty to keep them in top shape.
- Consider Your Conditions: If you play in hot, humid weather and sweat a lot, or use a lot of sunscreen, you’ll want to clean your grips more often. The same goes for playing in dusty, dry conditions.
When your grips start to look shiny instead of matte, or you feel your hands slipping slightly on a follow-through, that’s your signal. It’s time for a cleaning. And remember, grips are a consumable part of your golf equipment. Even with perfect care, they will eventually wear out. If after a thorough cleaning they still feel hard and slick, it's probably time for a new set.
Final Thoughts
Treating your grips with a simple, regular cleaning isn't just about keeping your clubs looking sharp, it’s about maintaining the fundamental connection point for every single shot. By removing the slick film of oil and grime, you restore the tackiness that allows for a lighter, tension-free hold, unlocking a more confident and fluid swing.
Just as keeping your equipment in top shape helps you perform your best, having reliable information on the course takes the guesswork out of the game. Our goal with Caddie AI is to give you that same sense of confidence in your strategy as you have in your grip. When you’re facing a tricky lie or unsure of the best play on a Par 5, you can get instant, expert advice right from your pocket - helping you make smarter decisions and focus entirely on hitting a great shot.