Slick, shiny golf grips are costing you shots, but they don't always need to be replaced. For a fraction of the cost - and in less time than it takes to play a few holes - you can often restore them to a like-new, tacky feel. This guide will walk you through exactly how to deep clean and revive your grips, explaining my simple method for different materials and helping you identify when it’s genuinely time for a replacement.
As a coach, I can tell you that your only connection to the golf club is through your hands. When a grip loses its tackiness, it becomes slippery. Your hands, sensing this instability, will automatically clench the club tighter. It's a subconscious reaction you probably don't even notice. This extra tension is a silent swing killer. It restricts your wrists, shortens your backswing, and completely ruins your ability to release the club and generate speed freely. It's the difference between a fluid, powerful swing and a jerky, powerless chop.
Think about it: have you ever stepped up to a shot and felt doubt because your club felt slippery in your hand? That moment of hesitation is enough to derail the entire shot. A confident grip leads to a confident swing. By restoring the natural tackiness of your grips, you eliminate that variable. You can hold the club with lighter pressure, allowing your body to rotate properly and deliver the clubhead with speed and precision, just like you practice on the range.
Modern grips are designed to withstand a lot of use, but they collect a surprising amount of gunk. Skin oils, sweat, sunscreen, dirt from the ground, and residue from your glove all build up over time. This layer of grime fills in the texture and masks the grip’s natural tackiness. A good cleaning removes this buildup and brings that original surface back to life.
You don't need any fancy equipment for this. Everything you need is probably already under your kitchen sink. This process shouldn't feel like a major project. It’s simple maintenance, much like cleaning your grooves or polishing your golf shoes.
A quick warning: Avoid using any soaps that have lotions or moisturizers in them. These will leave a slick film on the grip, which is the exact opposite of what you’re trying to achieve. Also, stay away from harsh degreasers, automotive cleaners, or solvents like paint thinner or acetone - they can dry out the rubber or synthetic material, causing it to crack and become permanently ruined.
Most golfers use standard rubber or corded grips, so we’ll start there. The process is straightforward, but taking your time and being thorough makes all the difference.
Fill your bucket or sink with a few inches of warm water. A little bit of mild dish soap goes a long way. Dip the club head-first into the water so the entire grip is submerged. Let it sit for a minute to loosen up the surface dirt. You can do one club at a time or do the full set at once, laying them out on a towel.
Take one club out of the water. Apply a small bead of dish soap directly to your soft-bristled brush. Holding the club firmly, begin scrubbing the grip from top to bottom. Use a circular motion, applying moderate pressure. You're not trying to scrub the paint off a house, you're just working the soap into every crevice and pattern of the grip. Pay extra attention to the areas where your hands sit, especially under the thumbs, as that’s where the most oil and dirt accumulates. You should see a dirty lather forming - that’s a good sign! It means you're lifting all that packed-in grime.
This is probably the most important step. Once you’ve scrubbed the entire grip, you need to rinse it completely. You can either use a hose on a gentle setting or hold the grip under a running faucet. Make sure you wash away every trace of soap and suds. If you leave any soap residue, it will feel slick when it dries. As you rinse, run your hand over the grip. You should already feel a noticeable difference. The slimy, slick feeling should be replaced by a “squeaky clean” friction.
Using one of your dry towels, give the grip a thorough first-pass drying. Rub it vigorously to get the majority of the water off the surface. Then, stand the club up somewhere secure - leaning against a wall works fine - to let it air dry for about 15-20 minutes. It’s absolutely essential that the grip is 100% dry before you use it or put it back in your bag.
After letting it air dry, I like to take a second, completely dry towel and give each grip one final, firm wipe-down. This removes any final trace of moisture and is your final check. The grip should now feel incredibly tacky to the touch. It may even feel better than you remember it being when It was new.
Large putter grips, like those from SuperStroke or other polymer-based models, require a gentler approach. The material is less porous than rubber and can be damaged by aggressive scrubbing.
For these, skip the bucket soak. Simply wet a towel, wring it out so it’s just damp, and apply a tiny drop of dish soap. Wipe the grip down firmly, but don't scrub it with a brush. Rinse with another clean, damp cloth (no soap), and then dry it thoroughly. The goal is the same - remove the surface oils and sunscreen - but with a much less abrasive method.
Cleaning can perform wonders, but it can’t bring a dead grip back to life. Eventually, the material itself wears down and no amount of scrubbing will help. Learning to spot the difference will save you time and frustration.
Here’s how to tell if your grips are past the point of no return:
A good rule of thumb for avid golfers is to re-grip your clubs once a year, or every 40 rounds. If you play less frequently, a thorough cleaning every few months is usually all it takes to keep them in top shape.
Maintaining your equipment is a simple yet impactful part of playing better golf. Taking fifteen minutes to restore your grips doesn't just give you a better physical connection to the club, it gives you the confidence to make a free swing knowing your hands won't slip.
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