Have you ever noticed that the grips on your golf club are worn down? As the grips begin to lose their feel, you may not feel the same control on your swing as you once had. Understanding when to replace your golf grips can make a significant difference in your scorecard.
Golf grips are the only point of contact between the club and the player. Most golfers tend to overlook worn grips and learn to tolerate them because they don’t know the importance of their golf grips and how they impact their performance. Worn-down grips may cause some slippage in your hands and will impact your golf swing.
You’ll need to ask yourself whether the grips need to be cleaned or replaced. Sometimes, grips simply need a cleaning to remove some grime, sunscreen, and skin oil that get embedded onto your grips.
However, when cleaning no longer restores the tackiness, it’s time to regrip your golf clubs. In this article, we’ll discuss how to regrip golf clubs, how to choose the right grips for them, and when to regrip them. Let’s get started!
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How to Regrip Golf Clubs
Regripping golf clubs shouldn’t be complicated. Once you know what you’re doing, it may only take you a few minutes. Make sure you follow each step carefully to ensure you grip them properly.
Things you’ll need:
- A clean cloth
- Deactivating grip solvent
- Straight blade or utility knife
- Vise along with rubber vise clamps
- Two-sided grip tape roughly 2″ and 1/64″ build-up tape if necessary
1. Take Off the Old Grip
First, you’ll need to remove the old grip off of your club’s shafts. Most players have clubs with graphite shafts. Therefore you may want to use a hook blade to cut the old grip off easily.
Clamp the club shaft on the lower end and point the clubface towards the ground. Use your utility knife to cut the old grip open and avoid cutting into the shaft. Then peel off the old grip and scrape away any tape leftover. Clean off the residue with a clean cloth and grip solvent.
2. Add Grip Tape
You’ll need to measure the new grip to determine how much taping is required for the shaft. Add about ¾” of grip tape from the top of the shape to the end of the grip. Add some extra tape at the end of the shaft. Add some build-up tape if you’re looking to make the final width of the grip longer and add thickness.
3. Apply Solvent Solution
Plug the hole of the grip by using a golf tee. Pour your grip solvent into the open end of the grip. Then place your hand over the open end and shake the grip to distribute the solvent all around. Take out the golf tee and pour the rest of the solvent onto the grip tape.
It’s important to note that it’s not mandatory to use traditional grip solvents. There are other solvent alternatives, such as using soapy water and compressed air, which are cheaper and more environmentally friendly. The only downside about the alternative is that a water-based approach takes about 24 hours of drying time, while a solvent-based approach only takes about two hours of drying time.
To use this method requires a few tablespoons of dishwashing detergent and a quart of water. Mix the solution and apply it to the grip tape. Slide your grip into place.
You may need to get a specially designed pressure tip from your local golf store. Attach the tip onto the compressed air source and insert the other end into the grip. Blowing compressed air will expand the grip enabling you to slip it over the grip tape easily. When you pull out the tip, the grip will resume its normal size adhering to the tape.
4. Slide Grip into Position
While the grip tape is wet, you can easily align the grip and pull it down over the shaft. Ensure that the shaft end nestles into the end of the grip. The grip and clubface should be square for proper alignment. You’ll need to position and slide the grip quickly because the tape is no longer slippery. Then allow the new grip to dry for a few hours.
How to Choose the Right Golf Grips to Regrip Your Golf Clubs
Besides knowing how to regrip your clubs, it’s also important to know what to look for when choosing golf grips. For example, your grips should be the right size, have the right texture and firmness and be able to withstand all types of weather conditions.
Size
The sizing of the grips will depend on your hand size. Grips typically come in any of the following sizes: midsize, standard, oversized, and undersized grips. You may use build-up tape to get a more precise fitting of your hand.
As you grip the club, your fingertips should only be gently touching your thumb. If your fingers aren’t touching your hands, the grips are too large. If the grip digs into your hand too much, the grip is likely too small. A grip that is the wrong size will negatively affect your performance.
A grip that is too wide may cause a slice or push, while an overly narrow grip may lead to a pull. Also, a grip that is too wide will restrict your wrist action, limiting the distance of your shots. For players who have medical conditions, it may be more comfortable to select wider grips.
Firmness
Typically, the higher a person’s swing speed, the greater torsion control that person will need. A firm grip provides stability even if it’s light grip pressure. A grip that is too soft may lead to excessive torque, especially at higher swing speeds. However, those who have a slow swing speed, they’ll want tackier and softer grip because torsion control is less of a concern.
Weather Conditions
Players that golf in humid or wet weather frequently may prefer grips with corded grips because of their texture. Wet conditions can cause extra movement during the swing, which will sabotage the shot.
However, corded grips may feel too hard on some players’ hands. Therefore they may prefer something with a softer texture. Some polymer and plastic grips may get slippery in the rain. To combat this, you may want to apply some tack spray-on smoother grips for less slippage.
Texture
Texture can often be a matter of preference. It’s about finding the right balance between club security and feel. If you notice any lateral movement of the grip in your hands while you’re swinging the club, this is often a red flag. However, you don’t want to use excessive grip pressure to strangle the club as well. The texture may vary from person to person. A retiree with a slower swing will have a different grip from a hard-swinging advanced golfer.
An individual’s gloving habits will also affect the choice of textures. For example, most golfers wear a glove on their lead hand. However, some players use their bare hands when swinging the club, while others use gloves on both hands for extra grip.
Types of Golf Grips
Manufacturers use many types of synthetic and natural materials to fabricate grips. As a golfer, you should look for a good balance between tackiness, durability, feel, vibration damping, and torsion resistance. There are four types of golf grips: wrapped, corded, rubber, and hybrid.
Wrapped
The most popular grips are genuine wrapped leather grips. Manufacturers typically use synthetic materials that are molded into a wrapped design. These synthetic materials, along with the wrapped design, ensure that the grip is less vulnerable to extreme humidity and temperature.
Corded
Corded grips feel very coarse and offer excellent traction control for all types of weather conditions. In between the cords, they easily keep moisture at bay. For players who play in humid, hot, or wet conditions, the corded grip can be very advantageous. Golfers who have high swing speeds typically go with the corded grips.
Rubber
Rubber grips are easily the most affordable option compared to the other types of grips. These grips are sold as the standard grip for many clubs for everyday golfers. These grips may provide great stability on your swings.
Hybrid
The hybrid grip aims to solve the need for comfort and control. That’s because the hand and the fingers have different needs. The hybrid golf grips have a soft rubber lower for enhanced comfort, while the firm cord upper adds stability and control.
Cleaning Golf Grips
Cleaning your grips is another important aspect of the maintenance of the grips. Regular cleaning will extend its service life and improve your performance. Grips can easily attract grime and dirt and therefore need cleaning. You can simply use grip cleaning wipes or even some warm water. For rubber or corded grips, you can use a soft-bristled brush. For softer grips, use a washcloth to keep it clean. Once the grips are cleaned with soap, rinse them with water and dry them with a towel.
When to Regrip Golf Clubs
Now that you know how to regrip golf clubs and how to choose the right ones, you may be wondering, “how often should you regrip golf clubs?” This all depends on how frequently you play and what type of conditions you typically play under. Here are some general guidelines you can follow to know when to regrip your clubs:
- If you play two or three times per week in mild climates, we recommend regripping every 18 months.
- If you play four or more times per week in mild climates, we recommend regripping every 12 months.
- If you play three times a week or less in extremely humid or warm climates, we advise regripping every nine months.
- If you’re playing four times or more per week in high humidity or heat, you should regrip every six months.
- Regardless of the condition, if you don’t play more than twice a week, you can regrip your club once every two years.
Signs Your Club Grips Need to Be Replaced
Although we’ve mentioned some general guidelines for when to regrip your clubs, there are some signs that you may want to look out for to replace your grips. Typically pressure points under your thumbs are the earliest signs of the grips beginning to wear down.
Here are a few indicators of when to replace your grips:
- Cracks
- Slick or shiny spots
- Noticeable wearing
- Hard or smooth surfaces
Even if the grip passes the eye test, you want to feel the grip and look for slicks.
Final Thoughts
Golf grips play an important role in how you swing the club and the power that you’ll have behind your swing. By regripping your club, you’ll be able to hold the club using minimal pressure allowing you to swing the club with full acceleration. Worn grips can cause slippage, which leads to off-center strikes and mishits. In addition, the responsiveness and comfort of the club change making your swing feel different than usual. Good grips also provide traction for wet or humid weather days.
Knowing when to regrip, what grips to choose based on your needs, and how to regrip is essential to maximizing your performance on the golf course.
