How to Clean Golf Grips (3 Useful Methods)

As an avid golfer, I know the importance of golf clubs, and how dirty golf clubs can seriously impact your game. Knowing how to clean golf grips is just one important aspect to refining your golf experience.

In all the years that I have spent playing the game, I have seen that people often neglect their golf grips when it comes to cleaning them. 

And, even if they do clean their golf clubs, they tend to overlook the golf grips.

I must tell you that the grips are as important as your nice golf set. Golf grips should be given equal attention because the grip is the only connection you have with your golf club. 

Regular maintenance of the grips is very important to ensure proper hold on your golf club, crucial to the game.

When you go golfing, dirt, grime, sweat, oils, sunscreen, etc., can get into the golf grips. 

And, even if you’re wearing gloves while playing, the sweat can penetrate the fabric and get onto the grips, making them wet and dirty. 

Also, the sun’s UV rays, cold and hot temperatures, can cause the grips to wear and break down.

Further, the grips tend to become firm over time and lose their tackiness.

And, if not cleaned regularly, your nice golf grips can become slick and slippery. Being worn down like this can reduce friction, making it difficult to hold or control your club. 

This, in turn, can affect your game performance.

Having dirty golf grips is similar to having worn-down tires on your car. You simply won’t be able to swing the club like you would if you had clean golf grips.

Your equipment, swing, and score are important to your game. The quality of the grip of your golf clubs is just as important. 

Ideally, the grips of your golf clubs must be replaced after around 30-50 rounds of golf. For most people, this is once a year. 

However, if your grips have worn out considerably or have turned slick, and this is affecting your game, you may need to replace them more often.

Replacing the grips very often can be quite expensive. 

A simple cleaning routine of the golf grips can do the trick in maintaining and keeping them in good condition until the next replacement.

Regular cleaning can reinvigorate the old grips, restore the tackiness of the surface, prevent them from slipping from your hand and keep them feeling brand new.

You may be wondering how to maintain your golf grips and keep them clean. 

So, here is a simple step-by-step guide on how to clean golf grips effectively.

How to Clean Golf Grips

It is a good idea to clean your golf grips after every game by wiping them, using a soft, moist cloth, and then with a dry towel. 

If the grip is porous or made of rubber, you can use rubbing alcohol to clean it. 

This will not take a lot of time and remove the grime and dirt effectively.

However, depending on how often you play the game and the type of conditions, I recommend that you give the golf grips a thorough cleaning every 5 to 10 rounds by following these steps.

Regular Cleaning

As I mentioned earlier, it is a good idea to give your golf club grips a basic cleaning after every use. 

Cleaning the grips after your game will ensure that most of the dirt, sweat, and grime is removed before it dries into the wrapping.

You can use the method described below for any golfing club with rubber, synthetic, or rubber grips.

• Dip a small microfiber cloth into warm water and wring the cloth properly to ensure that most of the water is removed so that the cloth is just damp and not soaking wet.

• Keep the club so that the handle is pointing to the ground. 
• Then, wrap the microfiber cloth around the grip evenly. You can also sit down and keep the golf club balanced between your knees.

• Using light pressure, move the microfiber cloth backward and forward on every side of the handle.

• Rotate the cloth, move it towards the top of the grip, and ensure that every part is covered. 

• If you don’t want to rotate your hand with the cloth, you can rotate the golf club instead while keeping the cloth steady.

• Once you’re done, keep the damp microfiber cloth away and wipe the grips using a clean, dry cloth. 

• Rub the grips from the bottom to the top and remove the water properly. 

• Also, wipe the club’s shaft in case it has any water on it.

Allow them to air-dry for around 12 to 24 hours.

Cleaning Golf Grips Using Soap and Water

I recommend giving your wrapped golf grips a thorough cleaning once in 5 to 10 rounds. 

But if you don’t play that often, you can just restrict the deep cleanings to once a year.

However, even if you don’t play very often, it may be a good idea to clean your wrapped club grips to prevent the wrap from drying out and becoming brittle. 

It is important to remember that this method is not suitable for clubs with leather grips. The soap can wear away the upper layer of the leather grips and damage them.

Things Needed

•  A soft-bristled brush or toothbrush
• A bucket
• Warm water
• Mild dishwashing soap
• Soft towel

Here are the steps of how to clean golf grips with soap and water:

• Firstly, fill a bucket with around 1 to 1.5 liters of warm water and add around 3 to 4 tablespoons of mild dishwashing soap to it. 

*Alternatively, you can add a couple of tablespoons of the dish soap to a towel and run it under warm water in the sink.

• Soak a clean towel in the soapy water until fully submerged and wait for around 15 to 20 seconds.

• Wring the towel to remove all the excess water.

• Sit down and place the golf club’s shaft on your knees or balance it between your legs. Then, wrap the towel around the grips. 

• Rub it around the handle in a circular motion from the bottom of the grips to the top until every part of the handle is covered.

• Dip a toothbrush or soft-bristled brush in the soapy water and brush the grip back and forth. Keep brushing along the entire length of the wrap and turn the club while doing this. 

If you have replaced the grips, then I recommend using a toothbrush because a large-size brush may cause the adhesive under the grips to weaken.

• Rinse the grip with cold water either under a faucet in the sink or using a hosepipe. Point the water at the grip, away from the club’s shaft. 

• Rinse it thoroughly so that all the soap is removed properly.

• Use a clean, dry cloth to wipe the grip by wrapping it with the cloth and rotating it, applying light pressure to absorb all the water. Make sure that you dry all the parts of the grip.

• Allow the grips to air dry for around 12 to 24 hours. 

• If there is any water left in the fiber of the grips, place your golf clubs on a flat surface. With the grips hanging outside the edge, allow them to air dry for a day before using the clubs again.

Cleaning Grips with Rubbing Alcohol

Golf club grips made of porous rubber or synthetic material require deep cleaning only if required. 

These porous grips may be more difficult to clean because the soap and water may penetrate the pores and get trapped, causing the grips to weaken. 

I recommend deep cleaning porous grips only if they are extremely dirty or grimy.

You can clean porous synthetic or rubber grips using rubbing alcohol by following these steps:

• Firstly, using a dry cloth, wipe the grip of your golf club to remove any sweat, dirt, or grime.

• Next, place a towel under warm water and dampen it. Ensure that the cloth should be a little damp to the touch and not very wet. You can remove any excess water by wringing it out properly.

• Pour 1 to 2 teaspoons of rubbing alcohol on the damp towel.

• Rotate the towel around the handle and rub the grip, working your way to the bottom or top. 

• Do this 2 to 3 times until you cover all parts of the handle with the rubbing alcohol. Ensure that no alcohol gets onto the shaft of the golf club.

• Using a clean, dry cloth, soak up any excess water and alcohol from the grip. 

• Then, place the cloth on the handle and run it up and down to dry the grip properly. To ensure that the grip is completely dry, you can repeat the process using a 2nd dry towel.

• Allow the grips to air dry for around 12 to 24 hours. 

Tip: If you feel that there is still some water left in the fiber of the grips, place your golf clubs on a flat surface with the grips hanging outside the edge. Allow them to air dry for a day before using the clubs again.

FAQs

Conclusion

Cleaning your golf clubs and keeping them well maintained can go a long way to ensure that your clubs last for a very long time. 

However, you must pay special attention to the golf club grips and clean them regularly. Doing this can ensure that you have a good grip on your game.