Save money and strokes by cleaning your grips.

[Stacey_E]

If you have noticed my sig over the past month or so you can see I've changed a lot of clubs in my bag....10 to be exact. Well, make that 11 if you count going back to my old putter after having lost a Nike Unitized.

Since I've went kinda retro, all of my “new-for-me” clubs were used. The first thing I used to do when buying a used club was run to the store to get it regripped with my favorite...the venerable Tour Velvet. It is funny how many of the grips were installed already on the clubs I've bought. But in almost every case the grips were shot. You know the hard, slick, "I'll have to grip the hell out of this", type of grip.

On a whim, when buying my irons, I decided to see how clean I could get the grips before replacing them. With a sink of hot as I could get it water and dish detergent I laid into them with a nylon brush. I used the kind of brush that’s about 4" long and a couple inches wide. I only used what I had on hand.

I scrubbed hard while wearing rubber gloves to somewhat protect my hands from the almost scalding hot water. The black gunk just poured off the grips. I rinsed and repeated probably 4 or 5 times until the rinse water came out clean. At that point you could hear the brush squeaking as it passed over the grips.

Now I realize this is no rocket science. But what looked to be absolutely spent grips came out really tacky after drying. They weren't just tackier, but as tacky as new grips in the same model (or at least so close that I couldn't tell the difference). I kept doing this when I bought my driver, 3 wood and 3 hybrid all with the same results.

I'm not one to skimp on grips. But I'm glad I started cleaning the grips on newly acquired clubs. I always clean my grips anyway, but I figure I've saved myself enough cash to play a couple of rounds. Sure I've just postponed the inevitable grip change, but who wouldn’t want to get more life out of their grips?

It amazes me how many used clubs in stores have spent grips that no amount of cleaning could help. I often wonder if some of the golfers thought they had "lost their touch" with those clubs, when in reality they just lost their ability to grip it correctly due to the poor conditions of the grips. As for saving strokes as well as money, I think we all know how fresh grips can help our game. It can mean the difference between holding the club with a death grip or as gentle as a wounded bird. The former introduces tension into the entire swing. The later can help things flow in a proper sequence.

I would never advise not changing the grips on a set of clubs. But I would strongly submit that a simple cleaning can go a long way toward saving money and strokes as well.

[DavidFehertysBike]

That seems a little extreme to me...I would imagine some luke warm water on a damp towel would clean the grips just as well.

[Hidalgo]

I have used Tour Velvet Cords for years. After every 3-4 rounds, I clean them as you did with hot water and a stiff brush. People can't imagine the amount of oil that comes out of their hands. After 5-6 cleanings, the cord looks like a week-long growth of beard.

[cfmgolf]

If you have cord grips, and they seem to be a little slick - try a light weight sand paper on them. It will bring the "cords" right back and make the grips almost new again. Just remember a light touch is best. Good luck.

[beachbreak]

I always clean my sticks, grips and shoes after each round. I like a water/pinesol mix, hot water rinse on the grips. They stay clean and tacky. I just regripped my irons after two full seasons, probably could have gone a little longer.

This quiet, cleaning time is also when I reflect on my round, things I did well and things I need to work on.