Your Winn Dri-Tac grips felt amazing when they were new, but now they feel more like dull, grimy plastic. That perfect tackiness that gave you so much confidence is gone, replaced by a slippery film of dirt and oil. You’re not alone - this is the most common issue with these high-performance polymer grips. The good news is that bringing them back to that factory-fresh feel is simple. You just have to know the right way to do it. This article will show you the exact step-by-step process to deep clean your Winn Dri-Tac grips, restoring their tackiness and extending their life.
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Why Your Winn Dri-Tac Grips Get So Grimy
Unlike traditional rubber or cord grips, Winn Dri-Tac grips are made from a unique polymer material. This polymer is engineered to be incredibly comfortable, shock-absorbent, and sticky. That tackiness is fantastic for giving you a secure, light-pressure hold on the club, which is what every golf coach preaches for a tension-free swing.
However, the very properties that make them feel so good also make them a magnet for everything they come into contact with. Think about it: during a single round, your hands come into contact with sweat, natural body oils, sunscreen, pollen, dirt from the ground, and residue from golf gloves. The porous, tacky surface of a Dri-Tac grip grabs onto all of it.
Over time, this cocktail of grime builds up into a thin, slick layer that clogs the pores of the polymer. This layer acts as a barrier, completely neutralizing the tacky properties of the grip. What you’re left with is a slippery surface that forces you to squeeze the club tighter to maintain control. This extra tension is a swing-killer. It restricts your wrists, tightens your forearms, and ruins your rhythm. Cleaning your grips isn't just about making them look better, it's a critical piece of equipment maintenance that directly impacts your performance and confidence on the course.
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Before you get started, make sure you have the right tools for the job. Using the wrong products can permanently damage the sensitive polymer of the grips, so it pays to get this right. The good news is, you probably have most of what you need at home already.
A bucket or a clean sink: You’ll need a basin for your warm, soapy water.
Mild dish soap: A simple, grease-cutting dish soap like Dawn is perfect. It's gentle on the polymer but effective at breaking down the oils and sunscreen caked onto your grips.
Warm water: Not hot, just warm. Hot water can potentially weaken the grip tape adhesive underneath.
A soft-bristled brush: This is a non-negotiable. An old toothbrush, a dish brush with soft bristles, or a dedicated grip-cleaning brush are all great options. The key is soft - anything too stiff will scratch and shred the grip’s surface.
Several clean microfiber towels: You’ll need at least one for washing/wiping off soap and another one for drying. Microfiber is ideal because it's highly absorbent and won't leave lint behind.
70% Isopropyl Alcohol (Optional but Recommended): This is the secret weapon for restoring that "brand new" tackiness.
Lint-free paper towels or an additional microfiber cloth: This will be for the final alcohol wipe.
The Big Mistakes to Avoid (What NOT To Do)
As a coach, I've seen more grips ruined by well-intentioned but improper cleaning than by actual on-course wear. Before we get into the "how-to," let’s cover the "how-not-to." Please avoid these common mistakes:
Don't Use Harsh Chemicals or Solvents
Never, ever use products like Windex, Formula 409, bleach, acetone, paint thinner, or any other industrial cleaner on your grips. These cleaners contain harsh chemicals that will strip the essential plasticizers from the polymer. It might seem clean for a moment, but within days, the grip will become hard, slick, and brittle. You’ll have permanently ruined the feel and texture.
Don't Use Abrasive Brushes or Pads
The surface of a Dri-Tac grip is delicate. A wire brush, a stiff-bristled scrub brush, Brillo pads, or steel wool will tear it to shreds. You'll literally be scraping away the tacky outer layer of the grip. Always stick with a soft brush that can get into the pattern of the grip without causing any physical damage.
Don't Ever Soak Your Grips
Submerging your grips in a bucket of water for an extended period is a bad idea. Water can seep underneath the grip cap at the butt end, travel down inside the shaft, and more importantly, get between the grip and the double-sided tape that holds it on. This will break down the adhesive, and the next thing you know, your grips will start to twist on the shaft during your swing - a very unwelcome feeling, especially on a tee shot.
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Alright, you've got your supplies and you know what to avoid. Let’s bring those grips back to life. I recommend cleaning them outside or over a sink to contain the mess.
Step 1: Get Your Cleaning Station Ready
Fill your bucket or sink with about a gallon of warm water. Add a couple of small squirts of mild dish soap and swish it around to create a sudsy solution. Lay out your brushes and towels so everything is within easy reach.
Step 2: Dry Brush and Initial Wipe
Before introducing water, take your dry, soft-bristled brush and give each grip a quick, gentle brushing. This will loosen and remove any caked-on dry dirt or sand that's clinging to the surface. It just makes the wet cleaning process more effective.
Step 3: Gentle Scrubbing with Soapy Water
Now it's time to wash. Hold your first club with the club head pointing down towards the floor. This is super important - it prevents any water from running down the shaft and getting under the grip. Dip your soft-bristled brush into the soapy water, tap off the excess, and begin to gently scrub the entire length of the grip. Use light, circular motions. You don't need a lot of downward pressure. The soap is doing the work of breaking down the oils for you. Focus on making sure you scrub every part of the grip, including the butt end. You should notice the grime starting to lift off almost immediately.
Step 4: A Thorough Rinse (Without Dunking)
Rinsing properly is just as important as washing. Any leftover soap residue will feel slick and neutralize the grip’s tackiness. Keeping the club head facing down, take a clean microfiber towel, dip it in the warm water (or simply run it under the warm tap), and wring it out so it's damp, not dripping. Carefully wipe down the entire grip, removing all traces of soap suds and dirt. You may need to rinse the towel and repeat this step two or three times to be sure all the soap is gone.
Step 5: The Secret Re-Tacking Step
At this stage, your grip is clean, but here's how you make it feel brand new. After you've wiped away the soap, take one last clean, dry microfiber towel and pat the grip dry. Now, grab your 70% isopropyl alcohol and a lint-free paper towel or cloth. Apply a small amount of alcohol to the cloth and give the entire grip a final, quick wipe-down. The alcohol does two things: it evaporates any remaining water and, most importantly, it removes the last invisible traces of oil that the soap may have missed. This one small action is what really "resets" the polymer and brings out that signature Dri-Tac tackiness.
Step 6: Dry Completely
After the alcohol wipe, the grips will air dry very quickly. However, it's still best practice to let them dry completely before storing them in your golf bag or using them for a round. The safest method is to stand your clubs upside down, leaning against a wall with the heads in the air, for a few hours. This ensures absolutely no moisture is trapped anywhere. Once dry, they are ready to go.
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The ideal frequency for cleaning your grips depends on how often you play and the conditions you play in. Here’s a good general guide:
Avid Golfer (3+ times a week): A quick wipe-down with a damp towel after every round and a full deep clean every 2-3 weeks will keep them in prime condition.
Weekend Warrior (1-2 times a week): A deep clean once a month is generally sufficient.
Occasional Golfer (Once or twice a month): Cleaning them every other month or whenever you notice they feel slick will do the trick.
Final Thoughts
Maintaining your Winn Dri-Tac grips isn’t a difficult chore, it's a simple routine that pays huge dividends in confidence and performance. By following this gentle, step-by-step cleaning process and avoiding harsh chemicals, you can keep your grips feeling sticky and responsive, helping you hold the club with lighter pressure for a smoother, more powerful golf swing.
Just as taking care of your grips removes one variable from your swing, getting a smart, reliable second opinion on the course can remove an even bigger one. When you're making smarter decisions about club selection or course strategy, you can commit to every shot without hesitation. This is exactly what we designed Caddie AI to do, by giving you instant guidance on how to play a tough hole or what shot is best from a tricky lie, letting you swing with full confidence.
Spencer has been playing golf since he was a kid and has spent a lifetime chasing improvement. With over a decade of experience building successful tech products, he combined his love for golf and startups to create Caddie AI - the world's best AI golf app. Giving everyone an expert level coach in your pocket, available 24/7. Caddie's mission is simple: make world-class golf advice accessible to everyone, anytime.
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