That slick, shiny look on your golf grips isn't a sign of quality, it's a a sign they're suffocating under a layer of dirt, oil, and sweat. Before you spend a ton of money replacing them, you should know that most grips can be brought back to life with a little bit of care. This guide will walk you through a simple, effective process to restore the tackiness to your grips, making them feel almost brand new and giving you a more secure connection to the club.
Think about everything your golf grips are exposed to during a round. You've got sunscreen, the natural oils from your hands, sweat, dirt, pollen, and even remnants of that hot dog you had at the turn. Over time, these substances build up, creating a hard, smooth surface on the an once-tacky rubber. This isn't just a cosmetic problem - it's a performance killer.
When a grip is slick, your natural reaction is to hold on an ever tighter. This creates tension in your hands, wrists, and forearms, which is the absolute enemy of a smooth, powerful golf swing. It restricts your ability to release the club properly, robbing you of speed and making it harder to square the clubface at impact. A secure connection to the club allows you to hold it with lighter pressure, freeing up your hands and arms to do their job. Simply put, clean grips lead to less tension and better swings.
You don't need a professional workshop to get this done. Everything you need is likely already in your kitchen or garage. Consistency is more important than having fancy tools.
If your grips are particularly old and hardened, you might need one more tool for a deeper restoration, but we'll get to that later.
This process takes about 15-20 minutes for a full set of clubs, and it's some of the most productive maintenance you can do for your game. Find a spot outside or work over a sink to contain any mess.
Fill your bucket or sink with a few inches of warm water. Not hot, just comfortably warm to the touch. Add a generous squirt of dish soap and swish it around to create a sudsy solution. You want plenty of soap to break down all the grime that’s built up on the grips.
Dip one of your towels into the soapy water. Take your first club and give the grip a thorough wipe-down with the wet towel. This initial pass helps to soften the surface grime. Be sure not to submerge the club head or shaft in water, just focus on the grip itself. Next, dip your soft-bristle brush into the soapy water and start scrubbing the grip from top to bottom. Apply firm but not excessive pressure, working in circular motions. Pay extra attention to the areas where your hands and thumbs sit, as these are often the dirtiest. You should start to see the suds get a little grimy - that's a good sign! It means the gunk is coming off.
Once you've scrubbed the entire grip, it's very important to rinse away all the soap residue. You can do this by running the grip under a gentle stream of plain water from a tap or by using right into the bucket with non soapy water. Again, keep the water pointed down and away from the shaft to prevent it from getting inside. Run your hand over the grip as you rinse. You're looking for that "squeaky clean" sound and feel, which tells you all the soap and grime are gone. Soap left behind will become slick once it dries, defeating the whole purpose of the exercise.
Use your clean, dry towel to give the grip a vigorous pat-down, removing as much surface water as possible. Once you've towel-dried it, stand the club up (grip-side up) in a well-ventilated area to air dry completely. Don't lean it against a wall in a damp corner of the garage. It's best to give them at least a few hours - or preferably overnight - to dry out 100% before you put your headcovers back on or stick them back in the bag. A slightly damp grip can feel worse than a slick one.
Have a favorite putter grip or an old set of irons with grips that feel more like plastic than rubber? This is where the fine-grit sandpaper comes in. This method is best for standard rubber grips (like Golf Pride Tour Velvet or Lamkin Crossline) and should not be used on softer, wrap-style grips made of leather or synthetic polymers,as it can tear them up
After you’ve washed and completely dried the grip, take a small piece of 220-grit or finer sandpaper and lightly buff the surface. Use a gentle, circular motion. The goal is not to remove a lot of material, but simply to abrade the oxidized, hardened outer layer of rubber. You will physically remove the shininess and expose the "fresher," more receptive rubber underneath. After a light buffing, wipe the grip down with a damp cloth to remove any dust and let it dry one last time. You'll be amazed at the tackiness this can restore to a seemingly hopeless grip.
Bringing grips back from the brink is great, but preventing them from getting there in the first place is even better. Make it a habit to:
Even with great care, all grips have a lifespan. No amount of cleaning can fix a grip that is physically worn out. Here are the signs that it's time to visit your local shop for a full replacement:
Following this simple guide will improve your connection to the club, lighten up your grip pressure, and build your confidence over every shot, not to mention save you a good amount of money each season.
Consistent grip maintenance is one of the easiest and most overlooked ways to improve your performance on the course. A simple 20-minute wash can restore the secure, tacky feeling that allows for a tension-free swing, helping you hit more confident and powerful shots.
Just like taking the guesswork out of equipment care, we believe in taking the guesswork out of the game itself so you can play with more confidence. For those tricky moments on the course - like reading a tough lie, choosing between clubs, or creating a strategy for a new hole - you can take full advantage of our own tool at Caddie AI. It provides instant analysis and pro-level advice, so you'll have an expert opinion right in your pocket that helps you make a smarter choice before every swing.
Thinking about hosting a golf tournament fundraiser is the first swing, executing it successfully is what gets the ball in the hole. This guide will walk you through the entire process, step-by-step, from laying the initial groundwork months in advance to watching your happy golfers tee off. We’ll cover everything from securing sponsors and setting your budget to planning the on-course fun that makes an event unforgettable.
A golf handicap does more than just give you bragging rights (or a reason to demand strokes from your friends) - it’s the game’s great equalizer and the single best way to track your improvement. This guide breaks down what a handicap is, how the supportive math behind a handicap index a is, and exactly how you can get one for yourself. We’ll look at everything from Course Rating to Adjusted Gross Score, helping you feel confident both on the course and in the clubhouse.
The compression of a Pinnacle Rush golf ball is one of its most defining features, engineered specifically to help a huge swath of golfers get more distance and enjoyment from their game. We'll break down exactly what its low compression means, who it's for, and how you can use that knowledge to shoot lower scores.
Figuring out which spikes go into your new (or old) pair of Puma golf shoes can feel like a puzzle, but it’s much simpler than you think. The key isn't the brand of the shoe, but the type of receptacle system they use. This guide will walk you through exactly how to identify your Puma's spike system, choose the perfect replacements for your game, and change them out like a pro.
The Golf Genius app is one of the best tools for managing and participating in competitive golf events, but figuring it out for the first time can feel like reading a new set of greens. This guide cuts through the confusion and shows you exactly how to use the app as a player. We’ll cover everything from logging into your tournament and entering scores to checking the live leaderboard so you can enjoy the competition without any tech headaches.
Walking onto the first tee with sweaty palms, worried you’ll be a good partner to paly wtih...or even asked back again ...We’ve all been there - trust me! The real trick of feeling confortable... is about how you handle you’re ready to plsy. THIS guide explains the simple rules of the rode to show you hnow t play golf while staying calm relaxed and focused... an having much morse fun while you,',re aat it? You'll also play with confidence a dn make fiendsa while you're at i
Just ask a question or share a photo and Caddie gives personalized guidance for every shot - anytime, anywhere.
