How To Clean Golf Clubs

Maintain golf clubs

As an avid golfer, I can tell you from experience that having clean golf clubs will help you lower your golf scores. There are so many variables in the golf game that, as players, we have no control over; dirt on your golf clubs is something that must not add to this variability. A small spec of dirt that comes between the clubface and the golf ball could cost you yardage or spin.

People still choose to hit golf clubs that are caked in dirt or have grooves full of muck even with this knowledge. Cleaning your golf club is a big part of becoming a great player; knowing how to clean golf clubs is a large part of the battle.

The Importance of Cleaning Golf Clubs

For a golf shot to fly as it is intended, the golf club’s grooves need to make solid contact with the dimples on the golf ball. This is the only way to ensure that you will get the proper ball flight and distance with each shot. If your clubs are dirty and the grooves are filled with mud or sand, you can’t get the spin that you need. What is the point of working so hard on your golf game only to end up hitting a bad shot because of a dirty golf club?

What Parts of A Golf Club Should Be Cleaned

The most important parts of a golf club to clean are going to be the club head and the grip. For the most part, the shaft of the club does not get that dirty. If your golf shafts get some rust on them, you can always use some vinegar to remove it. The grips are another essential part of the golf club to clean from time to time. When you clean golf club grips, you will notice that they are tackier and give you more control over the club. Having a secure connection with the golf club is essential for hitting quality golf shots.

Which Golf Clubs To Clean

Your iron clubs and wedges are going to need the most work when it comes to cleaning. The putter, driver, and wood clubs will just need to be wiped down with a damp microfiber dry cloth from time to time. Avoid scrubbing any clubs that have painted surfaces or special finishes. You should not need to use a brush on your titanium golf clubs like the driver and woods.

Best Way to Clean Golf Clubs

wedge and irons

Step 1: Gather Supplies

To do the proper cleaning of your iron clubs and wedges, you will need the following supplies.

  • Three or five-gallon bucket
  • Warm water
  • Dish soap
  • Soft bristled brush or Microfiber Towel
  • Dry cloth

Step 2: Soak Club heads

The next step is to soak your golf clubs in a bucket of warm soapy water. Allow soaking time for a good twenty minutes before you get to the next step. We do not recommend leaving them in water overnight or for extended periods. You could end up developing rust on the club head.

Step 3: Scrub

Start removing the clubs from the bucket of water one by one. When you take them out, use a soft bristled brush or a microfiber towel to clean off any visible dirt that may still be on the clubs. Most golfers find that once the dirt is loosened up, you should have no issues getting it off the club with just the use of the microfiber towel.

Step 4: Dry

When you are finished scrubbing, dip your club in the bucket one more time to remove any dirt particles. When you remove the club again, use a dry cleaning towel to wipe it clean.

Step 5: Wash Grips

When your club heads are all clean, you will want to wash the grips of the club. You can take a bit of soap and water on a dry cloth and start rubbing it on the grips. We do not recommend soaking the grips entirely in the water, as they will take a very long time to dry out completely. Instead, just scrub them, and you can use a light soft bristled brush to scrub the grips a little.

Check out this video for a quick recap on how to clean your golf equipment:

Step 6: Dry and Store

Leave your golf clubs outside (in the shade) to dry. When they are completely dry, it is time to put them back in the bag. Try not to put them in the bag soaking wet as they could rust or damage the interior of your golf bag.

Here are a few golf club storage tips that you should follow to maintain their condition.

  • Never store them in your car as it can dry the glue on the club head and make it lose
  • Always keep them in a temperature-controlled environment
  • If you are storing clubs for an extended period make sure there is no way that water can drip on them, check them periodically for rusting due to moisture
  • Make sure to clean your golf clubs before putting them away
  • If storing for an extended period put the rain cover on to protect the clubs

Tools To Help You Clean

Golf Club Brush

I would recommend using a good golf club brush, like this one rather than any old toothbrush when you are cleaning your clubs. Ensuring that the bristle of the brush is not going to damage your club’s grooves is very important.

Grip Cleaning Wipes

If you don’t have time to do a full clean on your grips before a round of golf, I find that these grip cleaning wipes do a great job of removing oil and dirt from the club. Grip cleaning wipes help to get the tackiness back to the grip.

Microfiber Cleaning Towel

A microfiber cleaning cloth is vital to have on your bag at all times. It will also help you when you are ready to clean your clubs. The pattern on the microfiber towel will make sure that it gets into the grooves to offer a much deeper clean.

Golf Bag Towel

Keeping your golf equipment clean each time you play helps them to last longer and to perform better. This type of golf towel is dry on the outside and wet on the inside. This allows you to clean the clubs with the towel’s inside and then immediately dry them with the outside of the towel. This is a nice alternative to carrying two towels.

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FAQ

Can You Use Coke To Clean Golf Clubs?

Some people say that Coke gets their clubs to shine with little to no effort. If you have any gunmetal or PVD finishes on your golf clubs, this is not a very good idea. Coke is very sticky if it is not washed off completely, so there is that factor as well. Coke may work, but it’s really not necessary; save it for a drink on the 19th hole!

Can You Use Bleach To Clean Golf Clubs?

Bleach will not damage your golf clubs, but it is unnecessary to use it to clean them. Mild dish soap is the best option for golf club cleaning.

Will Cleaning My Golf Clubs Too Often Damage Them?

Golf clubs need to be cleaned often. Most great players are cleaning their clubs after every shot. In fact, one of the best ways to keep them in great shape is to wipe them down after every shot. This is a simple process, and it will end up saving you time as your clubs will be much cleaner when you do a deep clean.

How Often Should I Clean My Clubs?

Wipe your golf clubs after every shot and do a full clean of the grips and everything at least once a month. Cleaning your grips often is one of the things that will allow them to stay tacky for long periods of time. The longer the grips stay tacky, the less you need to replace them.

Conclusion

Cleaning golf clubs does not need to be complicated; it is just something that you should make sure you complete on a regular schedule. Have the right tools on your golf bag during a round of golf to ensure that you can stay on top of the process and not give yourself a larger project of scrubbing dirt from your clubs. Golf clubs are expensive, but they will last a long time if they are taken care of properly.