A worn-out grip is secretly sabotaging your golf game, forcing you to strangle the club and killing your feel and speed. Changing your grips is one of the most satisfying and impactful DIY jobs you can do, giving you an immediate boost in confidence and a better connection to the club. This guide will walk you through every step of how to put a new grip on a golf club, making the process straightforward and easy to tackle right in your own garage.
Before we get our hands dirty, let's talk about *why* this is so important. Your grip is your only point of contact with the club. When it’s old, slick, and hard, your subconscious brain knows it can’t hold on securely. What do you do? You squeeze it tighter. That tension shoots up your arms and into your shoulders, destroying your ability to swing freely and release the club properly.
Here’s what that bad grip is costing you:
Think of it like tires on a car. You can have the best engine in the world, but if your tires have no tread, you can't put that power down on the road. New grips give you the "tread" you need to perform.
Getting the right tools makes this job a breeze. You can buy complete regripping kits online, or gather the items individually. Here’s your shopping list:
Alright, let's get down to business. We’ll break this down into three main phases: removal, prep, and installation. Take your time, especially on your first club.
This is where the transformation begins. Clearing away the old, worn-out material is the first step to a better feeling club.
Step 1: Secure the Club
Place the rubber shaft clamp around the shaft about six inches below where the old grip ends. Now, position the club in your bench vise with the clubface pointing up, perpendicular to the floor. Tighten the vise just enough so the club is secure and won't rotate. Don't go crazy here, you just need it to be stable. If you don't have a vise, you can brace the club against the corner of a sturdy workbench or even on the ground between your feet, but be careful.
Step 2: Cut Off the Old Grip
This is the moment for caution. Take your hook blade (or utility knife) and place the hook at the bottom edge of the grip. Hold the blade parallel to the shaft and pull it up towards the butt end of the club, away from your body. The grip should split open easily. Always, always cut away from yourself. One smooth, controlled motion is all it takes.
Step 3: Peel and Scrape
Once the grip is slit open, simply peel it off the shaft. What’s left behind is the old grip tape. This is probably the most tedious part of the job. You need to get all of this old tape off. A plastic scraper or even an old credit card can help. If it’s really stubborn, you can apply a bit of heat with a heat gun or hair dryer to soften the adhesive, or dribble on some solvent and let it soak for a minute. Patience is your friend here, a clean shaft is necessary for the new grip to adhere properly.
With a clean shaft gleaming back at you, it’s time to prepare it for its new partner.
Step 1: Apply the Double-Sided Tape
Take a strip of double-sided grip tape. You need it to be just about as long as the new grip. Peel the backing off one side and apply it to the shaft, running it lengthwise from the top edge of the butt end down. Let about a half-inch of tape hang over the butt end. Smooth the tape down firmly all around the shaft, avoiding any wrinkles or air bubbles.
Step 2: Cover the Butt End
Now, take that half-inch of tape overhanging the butt end, twist it together, and tuck it neatly into the hole at the end of the shaft. This creates a seal that prevents solvent from pouring down into your shaft.
Step 3: Peel the Backing
Go ahead and peel the waxy top layer off the tape, exposing the sticky adhesive surface.
This is the moment of truth. The key here is to work quickly and with confidence. The whole process uses solvent to make things slippery, but it starts drying fast.
Step 1: Activate with Solvent
Position your drip pan or tray underneath the club. Place a finger over the small vent hole on the butt end of your new grip. Now, pour a generous amount of solvent into the opening of the grip. Fill it about halfway. Place your other thumb or finger over the main opening and swish the solvent around vigorously to coat the entire inside of the grip.
Step 2: Lubricate the Tape
This is the clever part. Pour the solvent from inside the grip all over the entire length of the double-sided tape you just applied. Let the excess run off into your tray. The tape is now activated and super slick.
Step 3: Slide the Grip On
Don’t hesitate! Pick up the new grip, eye the alignment of the butt end with the shaft, and in one smooth, continuous motion, push it onto the shaft. You may need to give it a firm push to get it started over the butt of the shaft, but once it starts, it should slide on easily. Push it all the way on until the butt end of the grip is snug against the end of the shaft.
Step 4: Align The Grip
You have about a minute before the solvent starts to set. Quickly rotate the grip so that any logos or alignment markings are perfectly square with your clubface. An easy way to check this is to take the club out of the vise, set it down in the address position on the floor, and look down. Does it look right to your eye? If not, adjust it until it does.
Step 5: Let It Cure
Wipe off any excess solvent with a rag, and you're done! Now for the hardest part: waiting. You should let the grip cure for at least a few hours, but it’s best to leave it overnight before you even think about swinging it. This ensures the adhesive forms a permanent bond. Repeat the process for the rest of your clubs, and by the next day, you’ll have a full set that feels brand new.
Getting hands-on with your equipment by regripping your clubs is a a rewarding skill that gives you a deeper connection to your gear and saves you money. With a little patience, you gain full control over the feel of your clubs, unlocking more confidence every time you pull one from the bag.
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