In any sport, taking good care of your equipment and ensuring it is well maintained is vital, especially because the state of the equipment is very likely to directly affect your performance.

The better maintained your equipment is, the better your odds of success.

In golf, it’s no different. In fact, any professional golfer will confirm that taking care of the equipment and making sure it is well-maintained and clean, is of the utmost importance.

And you should do the same. Not only so that you perform better, but also so that the equipment itself lasts longer! (And with how pricey some golfing equipment can be, you really do want it to last as long as possible!) 

Why it’s important to clean your golf grips

Before we get into the cleaning methods for golf grips, we thought it would be helpful to clarify exactly what the golf grip is and why it’s important to clean them! 

The golf grip is one of the most essential parts of golf equipment.

The golf grip is the part of the golf club that you grip. So it is the upper end of the golf club, and the place in which you hold it with your hands, in order to swing the club and hit the golf ball.

Golf grips play a huge role in the golf swing, because they are the only point of contact between you and the golf club. They are naturally a little “tacky” to help grip the club easier, however over time the grips will wear down from the exposure to the elements.

Keeping you grips clean so they can do their job is very important, and it’s key that you clean them often and properly to help with the below:

1. Grip pressure – The ideal way to hold a golf club is with a light pressured grip. This helps keep your shoulders, arms and upper body relaxed, which is the foundation to a good golf swing. Subconsciously, you’ll grip your clubs tighter if the grips aren’t in good condition which can lead to swing faults.
2. Increase performance – The smallest slip of the club in your hands can have a great impact on the clubface at impact. When your grips lose tackiness, you run the risk of the club slipping and ball going in a different direction other than where intended!
3. Extend the grip’s life – Regularly cleaning your golf grips will help prolong the life of the grip and will mean they need replacing less frequently.

So now you know why it’s important, but how do you clean golf grips? We’ve got you covered!

Methods for cleaning golf grips

Okay, back to the main point: cleaning the golf grip. 

There are a couple of different ways in which you can clean your golf grips, depending if you’re on or off the course. Ideally you’ll give your grips a deep clean at home before a round and wipe them down regularly whilst out on the course.

You don’t need much equipment to keep your grips in pristine condition, so there’s really no excuse!

Method 1 – Warm soap and water (The best method)

Whilst you can get hold of specific golf grip cleaning products, there’s really no need to spend that extra money because the most effective method to clean your grips is the old trusted one that most players use: warm soap and water. Simple, yet effective. 

You will need

• A bucket or bowl of warm water
• A mild detergent or soap
• A soft bristle brush
• A washcloth
• A dry towel

Step-by-step Instructions

1. Start by inspecting the golf grip. It’s important to check whether there’s any damage to your grips because damage can’t be repaired by cleaning! If any of your grips are damaged, you may want to consider regripping your clubs instead.
2. Mix a few drops of the soap or mild detergent into the warm water. (Make sure that it is a mild detergent, or else it might be too aggressive and abrasive).
3. Dip the soft bristle brush or washcloth into the soapy warm water, and use it to scrub the golf grip clean. Go over it a few times, to make sure it is a thorough clean on all side.
4. Rinse the soft brush or washcloth in clean warm water, and use that to clean the soap residue off the golf grip.
5. Once all of the soap residues are rinsed off, take the dry towel and dry the golf grip. It is important to dry it thoroughly, and as soon as you finish cleaning it, in order to help it last longer. 

Method 2 – Using A Specialty Product (best out on course)

If you’re not able to clean your golf club grips at home, then using a specialty product is your next best option, as the products are specifically designed to clean the grip of a golf club, and therefore they’re 100% apt and effective.

In fact, special cleaning wipes for golf grips are designed to not only thoroughly clean the equipment but also restore it so that it feels brand new! 

You may be able to pick some up in the pro shop before your round, if not, we recommend these cleaning wipes. Simply take out the cleaning wipes and go up and down the golf grip, applying some force, so that it is thoroughly cleaned. As a general rule, two wipes should suffice to do a full clean. 

How often should you clean your golf grips?

Golf grips will wear down naturally due to the exposure to the elements during play. However as most golf grips are a darker (mainly black) colour, it’s not always obvious when they are dirty and need a good clean.

Golf grips should be cleaned regularly, about once a month is a good guide if you’re playing golf each week. This will ensure they are well maintained and taken care of.

But the exact answer as to how often you should you be cleaning your golf grips depends on a few factors:

The usage

No surprises here, but the more you play golf, the more you should clean your golf grips. If cleaning your grips once a month is a guide for playing each week, adjust this accordingly so you’re keeping your grips in decent shape.

The weather

In hot or humid weather, the golf grip gets tackier, and as your hands sweat, your grips will become dirtier at a faster pace. This means that you should be cleaning them more regularly. On the contrary, in the winter, you won’t have to clean them as often. 

The amount of dirt

Your cleaning schedule should be flexible. For example, if one day you drop your golf club in the mud, then you’re going to have to clean it instead of waiting for the next “scheduled clean”. It’s common sense really!

As a general rule, you should be cleaning your golf grip at least several times every season, taking into account the different factors.