With the wetter weather coming in and the rain falling down across the country, you may be wondering whether golf irons are affected by rust. In this article, we will look at whether your golf clubs can be damaged by rust and ways you can prevent rusting from happening to your clubs!
The short answer to your question is yes, golf clubs can suffer from rusting, and this will affect the performance of the golf club itself. If a golf club gets too rusty, particularly at the shaft, it will be much weaker and may not have the same flexibility that it should have, meaning it could break or at the very least provide a poor swing.
Golf clubs rust like any other metal when wet and exposed to air for a long enough period of time. If your golf clubs are rusting, it is likely because of the environment they are being stored in; for best protection against rust, see below!
How can I prevent my golf clubs from rusting?
The best way to protect your clubs from rusting would be to keep them dry and well covered in wet weather and dry them completely before storing them for long periods, particularly if they are stored outdoors in a shed or garage! Whilst minor rusting can often be cleaned off, and if the rust is too deep, you may need to seek the advice of a professional in case they need to be repaired or replaced.
How can I clean my golf clubs?
The basic method to cleaning rust off your clubs is as follows:
Step 1
Fill up a bucket with some warm soapy water, use dish soap for the best results. Allow the golf clubs to soak in the solution and wipe with a cloth. In cases where the rust is not so bad, this will likely clean them and won’t cause any damage to the golf clubs. If this does not remove all of the rust, go to step 2.
Step 2
Fill up a bucket with some cola and a few liters of warm water. Allow the clubs to soak in the solution for 5 minutes or so but do not let them soak for any longer than that as it may damage the clubs further. After soaking, wipe with a cloth and the solution. If the rust is on the shaft of the golf clubs, then soak a few towels in the cola solution and wrap them around the clubs overnight for soaking before repeating step 1. If this does not remove all of the rust, go to step 3.
Step 3
You will need to purchase an acetone mixture or rust removal product from a hardware store. Apply the mixture to any affected areas and brush into the rust with a soft-bristled brush or toothbrush. Avoid using steel wool products as these can worsen the damage or cause additional damage to the golf clubs. If these steps did not work, see step 4.
Step 4
As only a last resort after trying all other steps with no success, apply the rust removal product to the affected areas and very lightly rub the area with fine steel wool or super fine-grit sandpaper. Do not press too hard or rub non-rusted areas as this will cause extra damage to your golf clubs and could result in them being permanently damaged or broken and in need of replacement.
Step 5
After all the rust has been removed, polish the clubs with a nice metal polish and a dry cloth to the desired shine. Make sure you pay close attention to buff the shaft of the club at this stage!
What products can be used to remove rust?
If you were wondering what rust removal product would be the best for removing rust from your golf clubs, we compiled a shortlist of a few products that golfers recommend for cleaning their clubs!
1- WD-40.
The famous go-to when removing rust and oiling metals! Simply spray onto the affected areas, leave for 5 minutes, and buff off with a dry cloth.
2 – Impact Cleaner.
A popular choice amongst golfers, simply spray onto the clubhead and use the built-in bristle device to remove dirt and rust from groves. The portability of this product means it can also be used easily on the golf course.
3 – Loctite Rust Remover
Another household name when it comes to hardware products. Simply brush onto the affected area and leave to set for 5 mins or so before buffing off.
