Golf Club Maintenance

[RussianCarl]

What is the proper way to maintain your golf clubs? I want to make sure my set lasts a good amount of time so I've been washing my irons with a toothbrush and warm water after each use. Is this necessary?

Also, do all irons scratch really easily? I bought a cheap set of clones for $60ish that have a mirror finish and are supposed to be made of 431 stainless steel. I've noticed that the bottoms of all of them have become scratched just from normal use - not like I am hitting rocks or anything just the dirt. I was under the impression that 431 was a pretty hard metal so I am curious how I can stop my clubs from scratching so much or if it is just a function of the mirror finish.

The clone clubs have performed well for me so far... they were pretty inexpensive so I thought I would give them a try. I am using the cheaper commercial grade True Temper shafts with Golf Pride grips so I think they are good for a beginner. Just now, however, I notice that there is a chip on the bottom toe of the 3 iron already perhaps from a mishit. How can it chip so easily after only one use? Is this the norm with irons or just mine?

[golf_junkie27]

Soap and water after every round works for me. I also clean the grooves and remove any dirt from the bottom of the club. If dirty balls don't travel well and don't putt well, what's to say dirty clubs perform well?

I also do this for another reason. To see where I'm hitting the ball on the club. This is an old baseball trick. In addition to having clubs that give me feedback, being able to see where I hit it, helps, too.

Am I anal or does anyone else consider golf club maintenance to include charting distance of the club?

[Shindig]

I keep a brush with my clubs and I clean before and after each round, plus any chance I get during the round, especially after hitting a shot that makes me need to clean it.

Am I anal or does anyone else consider golf club maintenance to include charting distance of the club?

I'm not sure if I consider that to be part of club maintenance, but it's certainly crucial!

My own problem: I need to get better about cleaning my grips. They're also almost a year and a half old; perhaps I should replace them.

[Divot Tool]

I usually give the club a quick wipe after a shot on the course....not so at the range unless it's just clogged with mud.

Post Range/Round

1. warm water & dish soap + nylon brush
2. wipe dry with cotton towel
3. spray grooves with a bit of wd-40 & wipe down
4. put headcovers on and stow away

I sleep well knowing the clubs have been taken care of.

[moby clarke]

I clean my clubs after every round as well.

[gogolfing]

My club had club storage for $110 per year. The backshop is air conditioned in summer and heated in winter, which I find helps from having the grips dry out. They clean them after every round and do the grips a couple times a year. It is also very convenient; head to the club and I don't have to worry about having them in the car etc...

[tm22721]

Has anybody found an ultrasonic cleaner ? I understand that they are much more thorough in scouring out the grooves.

[ks8829]

If I had a new set of irons I would buy light weight club covers to protect the irons from banging and scratching each other while I carry my bag. My clubs are broken in and I don't worry about them.

When I clean the grooves I use water and a tooth pick.

I heard Phil Mickelson used a groove tool to sharpen his wedges to help the ball bite out of the rough during a skins game at Big Horn the announcer overheard Phil talk about that to the other players. I never tried it but sounds interesting.

[N.V.M.]

Has anybody found an ultrasonic cleaner ? I understand that they are much more thorough in scouring out the grooves.

no, but an electric toothbrush works great. you might not want to keep it in the bathroom though.

[powerfade]

I give them a good bath with Dawn ant hot water. Just as important, if not more, to keeping the clubheads clean is to clean your grips!

Again, I use Dawn and a nylon scrub brush. It's always nice to see the dirt rinsing away. I know I'll have a clean tacky grip.

[follyforhire]

3. spray grooves with a bit of wd-40 & wipe down

I have never heard of this. Why do you do it? Anyone else use wd-40?

[MPS67]

I usually give the club a quick wipe after a shot on the course....not so at the range unless it's just clogged with mud.

Is WD-40 oil based? I don't know if I'd want to lubricate the face of my irons as that would reduce the back spin.

[N.V.M.]

whatever its made of i think its overkill for mud/grass etc.

[Terrier]

I'm absolutely fanatical about cleaning my clubs; cannot stand even looking at a dirty club face or a number on an iron in a bag that is soiled/has dirt on/in it.

I'll hit a few iron shots at the range (3 hits maybe), then wipe that iron down.

Can't even stand those clean, (sweep-like) tee marks on the bottom of my driver after a few rips.