How to Dry Golf Grips

A wet grip can turn a well-struck drive into a terrifying, club-launching disaster in a split second. Maintaining a firm, confident connection to your club is everything, and this guide will walk you through exactly how to dry your golf grips both on the course and after your round to keep them in perfect playing condition. We’ll cover the on-the-spot techniques you need in a downpour and the deep-cleaning methods that will rejuvenate your grips at home.

Why Dry Grips Are a Game Changer

Thinking about dry grips might seem like a small detail, but your connection to the golf club is the only physical link you have to the shot. When that connection is compromised by moisture from rain, sweat, or morning dew, everything falls apart. A wet grip doesn't just feel slippery, it fundamentally changes how you swing the club, almost always for the worse.

The immediate reaction to a slippery grip is to squeeze it tighter. This introduces tension into your hands, wrists, and forearms - the absolute enemy of a fluid, powerful golf swing. This tension prevents your wrists from hinging correctly in the backswing and releasing naturally through impact. The result is a loss of clubhead speed, inconsistent face control, and shots that go anywhere but your target. You’re no longer making a free-flowing athletic motion, you’re simply trying to hang on for dear life.

Furthermore, without a secure hold, you have little to no control over the clubface. A small amount of rotation at impact can send the ball wildly off-line. By keeping your grips dry, you maintain the light but firm pressure that allows for maximum feel and control, giving you the confidence to make the exact same swing you practice on the range, regardless of the weather.

On-Course Techniques: Staying in Control During the Round

When the rain starts to fall or the humidity is high, your success depends on a solid routine. You need a system that becomes second nature, so you're not scrambling to get a dry hold right as you’re about to swing. Here’s how to build a bulletproof on-course drying strategy.

Master Your Arsenal: Towels and Rain Gear

Not all towels are created equal. The most valuable tool for fighting wet grips is a high-quality, absorbent microfiber towel. Forget the small, cotton towel that came with your golf bag, you want a large, tour-style towel that you can dedicate to your grips and hands.

• The Two-Sided Method: The best practice is to hang your microfiber towel from your bag or cart. Keep the top half of the towel wet for cleaning clubfaces and golf balls. The entire bottom half must remain completely dry. This half is strictly for drying your hands and, most importantly, your club grips. Make it a hard rule: dirty clubs and balls never touch the dry half of the towel.
• Your Umbrella is A Drying Rack: When things get really wet, use your umbrella as a portable drying station. Hang your dry towel over the umbrella’s internal struts. This shields it from the rain, keeping it ready for use between every single shot.
• Invest in Rain Gloves: Standard leather gloves become hopelessly slick when wet. A good pair of rain gloves, however, are made from synthetic materials that actually get tackier with moisture. Keep a pair in a sealed plastic bag inside your main golf bag. Even if you start the round in perfect weather, you'll be prepared for a sudden shower. It can be the difference between finishing a round and heading to the clubhouse early.

The Pre-Shot Drying Routine: A Step-by-Step Guide

Consistency is everything. Develop a simple, repeatable routine to perform before every single swing in wet conditions. The moment you pull a club from your bag, this process begins:

1. Grab The Club and The Towel: Before you even think about your shot, bring your dry towel to your golf ball with you. Leave your bag under the protection of your umbrella or cart cover.
2. Thoroughly Wipe The Grip: Take the dedicated dry portion of your towel and vigorously wipe the entire surface of the grip. Spin the club in your hands, ensuring you dry it from top to bottom. Pay special attention to the areas where your palms and fingers will make contact.
3. Dry Your Hands (or Gloves): Next, use the same dry part of the towel to wipe your hands or your rain gloves completely. There’s no point in drying the grip just to transfer moisture back onto it from your hands.
4. Take Your Grip Immediately: With both the grip and your hands dry, take your stance and establish your hold on the club. Try not to let go or re-adjust multiple times, as this just increases the chance of moisture creeping back in.
5. Cover and Go: Keep your grip protected under the umbrella for as long as possible before stepping out to address the ball. Once you're over the ball, trust your preparation and make a committed swing.

By following these steps religiously, you remove doubt. You know the grip is as dry as it can be, which frees you up to focus on the shot itself instead of worrying about the club slipping.

Post-Round Grip Care: Getting Them Back to Perfect

After a wet or humid round, don’t just throw your clubs in the garage. Sweat, dirt, and oils from your hands will have worked their way into the pores of the rubber. A post-round deep clean not only prepares your grips for the next round but also extends their lifespan significantly, maintaining their natural tackiness.

The Deep Clean and Dry Method

This process is simple and requires only a few household items. It’s worth the 15 minutes it takes to ensure your equipment is in top condition.

What You'll Need:

• A sink with warm water
• Mild dish soap
• A soft-bristled brush (a vegetable brush or old toothbrush works well)
• At least two dry, clean towels (microfiber or cotton)

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Initial Wash: Plug the sink and fill it with a few inches of warm water and a couple of drops of mild dish soap. Wet your soft-bristled brush, add another small drop of soap directly to it, and gently scrub one grip at a time. Work in small circles to lift the dirt and oil out of the grip’s texture.
2. Thorough Rinse: Turn on the warm water tap and rinse each grip thoroughly. It's important to wash away all the soap residue, as any left behind can make the grips slick. Take care not to let excessive water run down the shaft toward the clubhead.
3. The First Pat-Down: Use your first clean towel to pat each grip dry. The goal here is to remove the bulk of the surface water. Avoid rubbing aggressively, as you’re just soaking the towel. Gently squeeze and pat your way down the grip.
4. The Air-Drying Finisher: Prop the clubs up against a wall in a room-temperature, well-ventilated area. Make sure they are standing grip-side up. This allows gravity to pull any remaining moisture down and away from the grip. A garage or utility room is perfect for this.
5. Patience is Key: Leave the clubs to air dry for several hours, or preferably overnight. Whatever you do, do not use artificial heat. Pointing a hair dryer, space heater, or an outdoor heat lamp at your grips will dry out the rubber, causing it to crack, harden, and become unusable. Let them dry naturally.

The next morning, your grips will feel tacky, clean, and brand new, giving you that 'just-installed' confidence on your first tee shot.

When is it Time for New Grips?

Proper drying and cleaning can extend the life of your grips, but they are still a consumable item. Even with the best care, the rubber will eventually degrade. Be aware of the signs that it’s time for a replacement:

• Shiny Spots: Look for smooth, shiny patches, especially where your thumbs rest. This is a clear sign that the surface texture has worn away.
• Hardness and Cracking: If your grips feel hard, slick, or brittle to the touch, their ability to provide traction is gone. You might even see small cracks forming.
• Residue: Do you notice black, sandy residue on your glove or hands after a round? That’s the old, decomposing rubber coming off. It's definitely time for a new set.

As a general rule, a regular golfer should regrip their clubs at least once a year. If you can't remember the last time you did, it's probably been too long.

Final Thoughts

Mastering how to dry your golf grips is a non-negotiable skill for any serious golfer. By implementing a disciplined on-course routine and committing to proper post-round care, you ensure that your only connection to the club remains solid, secure, and ready for any challenge the course throws at you.

Controlling your equipment is one part of playing with confidence, the other is having a clear strategy, especially in tough conditions. That's where a tool like Caddie AI comes in. When you’re faced with a tricky lie in the wet rough or unsure if you should go for the green in the rain, Caddie AI can give you an instant, smart recommendation. It takes the guesswork out of the situation, allowing you to commit fully to the smartest play, just like having an expert caddie right there in your pocket.