What Glue to Use for Golf Grips

Choosing the right glue for your golf grips isn't about finding the strongest adhesive in your garage, it’s about using a specific system designed for performance, feel, and future replacements. This article breaks down exactly what you need, from the industry-standard method using grip tape and solvent to alternative options, and gives you a step-by-step guide to do it right. You'll walk away knowing precisely how to secure your new grips for confident, slip-free swings.

Good Grips Start with the Right Adhesive

Before we get into the products, let's clear up a common misconception. When golfers talk about "glue" for grips, they aren't talking about traditional glue like Krazy Glue or Gorilla Glue. Using an all-purpose adhesive would be a disaster. It would create a permanent, lumpy bond that makes the grip impossible to remove without destroying the shaft and offers no lubrication to install it in the first place.

The correct material is an adhesive system, most commonly double-sided tape activated by a solvent. This system brilliantly solves two problems at once:

1. Temporary Lubrication: The solvent acts as a lubricant, neutralizing the tape's stickiness for a brief window. This allows you to slide the new grip smoothly over the shaft without it getting stuck halfway down.
2. Secure Bond: Once the solvent evaporates (usually within a few hours), the tape's powerful adhesive qualities are restored, locking the grip firmly in place so it won’t twist or slip during your swing.

Your connection to the club starts with your hands. An incorrectly installed grip that slips even a millimeter at the top of your swing can send your shot way off target. Using the proper materials is fundamental to a consistent, reliable feel.

The Pro's Choice: Double-Sided Grip Tape and Solvent

The vast majority of golf professionals, club builders, and experienced amateurs use the tape-and-solvent method. It's the most reliable, consistent, and serviceable way to install a golf grip. Let's break down the two components.

Part 1: The Tape

This isn't your standard office double-sided tape. Golf grip tape is specifically engineered to be incredibly sticky and durable, yet thin enough that it doesn't significantly alter the grip's feel. It’s also designed to react perfectly with grip solvent.

You’ll generally find a few different types:

• Tape Rolls: This is the most economical option. A single roll can handle dozens of clubs. You simply cut off the length you need for each shaft. This is what most shops use.
• Pre-Cut Strips: For convenience, you can buy tape in individual, pre-cut strips that are the perfect length for a standard grip. They have a split backing that makes them a bit easier and faster to apply, which is great if you’re just doing one or two clubs.
• Build-Up Tape: This looks similar to regular grip tape but is slightly thicker. Its purpose isn't just to adhere the grip, it's also used to increase the overall size of the grip. Each layer of build-up tape adds approximately 1/64th of an inch to the diameter. If you have larger hands and find standard grips too small, adding one, two, or even three layers of build-up tape underneath your regular layer of grip tape is the standard way to create a midsize or jumbo grip.

Part 2: The Solvent

The solvent is the activation agent - the liquid that temporarily turns the super-sticky tape into a slippery-smooth surface for installation. Think of it as the magic ingredient that makes the whole process work.

Specialty Golf Grip Solvent

This is the best and safest option. Golf-specific solvents are formulated for the job. Many modern versions are low-odor, non-toxic, and non-flammable, making them perfect for working indoors or in a garage with limited ventilation. They evaporate at a predictable rate, giving you just the right amount of time to make alignment adjustments before the grip begins to set.

Common Alternatives (Use with Caution!)

While industry-specific solvent is recommended, some household chemicals can also work because they have similar properties. These include:

• Mineral Spirits or Paint Thinner: These are the most common substitutes and are very effective. They work almost identically to traditional grip solvents.
• Naptha (Lighter Fluid): This also works well and evaporates quickly.

A big word of caution: These alternatives are highly flammable and have strong, noxious fumes. If you choose to use one, you must work in a well-ventilated area, away from any open flames or heat sources (like a water heater pilot light). Wear nitrile gloves to protect your skin, and consider safety glasses. The convenience isn't worth a safety hazard.

What About Water?

You may see water-activated grip tape available. This is a great eco-friendly option that eliminates the need for chemical solvents. You use regular tap water to activate the adhesive. However, it can have a couple of downsides. The drying time is often much longer - sometimes up to 24 hours - and some people find the bond isn't quite as rock-solid as a solvent-activated tape, especially in wet weather.

Alternative Methods (The "No-Glue" Options)

For some golfers, primarily those who like to experiment and change grips often, there are other methods besides tape and solvent.

Using an Air Compressor

The "blowing on" method has become popular in many high-volume club repair shops. This technique doesn't use any solvent or traditional grip "glue". Instead, it uses a blast of compressed air to expand the grip, allowing it to be forced onto the shaft over a layer of regular masking tape (not double-sided).

• How it works: You apply a single layer of masking tape to the shaft to prevent slippage. Then, you place a special nozzle attached to an air compressor hose into the small hole at the end of the grip. As you press the grip onto the butt end of the shaft, you release a blast of air. The air inflates the grip like a balloon, allowing you to push it all the way down the shaft. When the air is released, the grip instantly deflates and constricts around the masking tape, holding it tight.
• Pros: There's zero mess and zero drying time. The club is ready for play immediately. It also makes grip removal incredibly easy - you just a inject a blast of air to pop it right off.
• Cons: This method requires specific equipment - an air compressor and a special nozzle attachment. It’s also considered by some to be slightly less secure than the solvent method, though many players use it without any issues at all.

What to Absolutely Avoid: Rubber Cement and Contact Adhesives

It can be tempting to reach for a can of rubber cement or another heavy-duty adhesive you have lying around. Please don't.

These types of glues are designed to be permanent or semi-permanent. They don't provide the necessary lubrication for a smooth installation, meaning you’ll risk getting the grip stuck halfway. Worse, when it comes time to regrip your clubs again, removing a grip installed with rubber cement is an absolute nightmare. You'll likely spend hours scraping hardened, gunky residue off the shaft, and you can easily damage a graphite shaft in the process. Stick to the proven methods.

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Regrip Using Tape and Solvent

Ready to give it a try? The process is very straightforward. Here’s how you do it like a pro.

1. Secure the Club: The easiest way to do this is with a bench vise and a rubber shaft clamp. This holds the club steady and frees up both of your hands. If you don't have a vise, you can brace the club against a sturdy workbench or even on the ground, but a vise makes it much easier.
2. Remove the Old Grip: Use a retractable hook blade or a specialized grip knife. Always point the blade away from your body and carefully cut a straight line down the length of the grip. Once cut, you can peel it right off.
3. Scrape Off Old Tape: This is a step many people skip, but it's important for a good result. Use a scraper (a dull blade or plastic scraper works great for graphite shafts) to remove every bit of the old tape and residue. Once the bulk is gone, wipe the shaft down with a rag soaked in a little solvent to get it perfectly clean and dry.
4. Apply New Tape: If using a roll, measure a piece that’s about an inch shorter than the grip. Apply it lengthwise down the shaft, leaving about a half-inch of tape overhanging the butt end. Peel off the backing and carefully spiral the tape around the shaft until it's completely covered. Then, twist the overhanging piece of tape and tuck it into the butt end of the shaft. This creates a smooth cap so solvent can't get down inside the shaft.
5. Apply the Solvent: Place a drip pan under the club head. Cover the small hole in the butt-end of the new grip with your finger and pour a generous amount of solvent inside. Swish it around to coat the entire interior, then pour the excess solvent out over the length of the taped shaft, making sure to a catch it in the drip pan so you can reuse it.
6. Slide on the Grip: This is the moment of truth! Don't hesitate. In one quick, decisive motion, push the mouth of the grip over the butt end of the shaft and slide it all the way down until it seats firmly against the end of the shaft. It will be very slick, so this should not require immense force.
7. Align the Grip: Before the solvent starts to evaporate, you have a short window (about a minute) to get the alignment perfect. Look at the logo or pattern on the grip and line it up so it's perfectly square to the clubface for a nice, straight reference at address.
8. Let It Dry: That’s it! Sit the club upright and let it cure. With most solvent-based systems, it's best to wait at least 3-4 hours before swinging, but leaving them overnight is a surefire way to know they're ready for the course.

Final Thoughts

At the end of the day, the gold standard for regripping clubs is the double-sided tape and solvent method. It provides a secure, reliable bond that lasts, and it's the most serviceable method for future grip changes. Taking the time to do it right with the proper materials will give you more confidence every time you pull a club from your bag.

Feeling more masterful in the workshop is a great step, and you can carry that confidence right onto the course. As an AI-powered coach, we can help you with the on-course side of things, from providing smart strategies on tough holes to helping you analyze a tricky lie. On Caddie AI, you can even snap a photo of your ball's position and get instant advice on how to play the shot, removing guesswork so you can swing with total commitment.