How to Clean Golf Clubs (Easy Guide)
So you’ve had your golf clubs for a while now and you can start to see sand and mud building up in the grooves. Well, now it’s time to clean your golf clubs to look like new again!
Not only will cleaning your golf clubs help you look the part, but it’ll also help you play the part as well. Dirt in the grooves and on the club head can affect the control you have over the ball which may be the reason you’re ending up in the bunker in the first place.
So I’ve put together this easy guide so you can get back to playing your best golf.
What you need to clean your golf clubs
- A bucket
- Warm water
- Dishwashing liquid or soap
- Soft bristle brush
- Towel
- Cloth
How to Clean Irons
When it comes to cleaning your golf clubs, the irons are the most important to keep clean. This is because it is very easy for dirt to get stuck in the grooves on the club head.
The grooves are what cause the golf ball to spin and if they are not clean this can affect the control you have over the ball.
So let’s get onto cleaning your irons:
1. Grab a bucket and fill it with some warm water. Make sure the water isn’t too hot otherwise this can damage your clubs.
2. Add around 3 teaspoons of dishwashing liquid to the water.
3. Put the club heads in the water and leave for about 5 minutes.
4. After 5 minutes, remove the club heads from the water and using the soft bristle brush, remove the dirt from the grooves.
5. Once you have removed the dirt, submerge the club heads back into the water for another 2 minutes to remove any more dirt.
6. Take the clubs out of the water and dry them down with a towel. It is important to dry the clubs otherwise this could lead to rusting.
7. Congratulations your clubs should look like new!
How to Clean Woods
When talking about woods, this is referring to your drivers, fairway woods and hybrids. Whether your clubs are made out of wood or metal, the process is the same in cleaning them.
The grooves on your woods are a lot smaller compared to those on irons however it is still a good idea to clean your woods and keep them looking fresh. One thing to note is that it is important not to submerge your woods in the water as this can damage the club head. Instead, you’ll want to use a damp cloth.
Let’s get into it:
1. Grab a bucket of warm water and add around 3 teaspoons of dishwashing liquid.
2. Dip a cloth into the bucket of water so it is damp. You can use a soft bristle brush if you would prefer.
3. With the damp cloth, carefully wipe down the club head and remove any dirt.
4. Grab your towel and dry the club head.
5. Now you have shiny new woods!
How to Clean Putters
Putting can be the most frustrating shot of golf so you would hate for your round to be ruined by a piece of dirt on your putter causing your ball to miss the hole.
To clean your putters you follow the same process as cleaning your woods. Once again make sure you don’t submerge your putter in the water and instead use a cloth or soft bristle brush.
How to Clean Club Shafts
It is important to clean your club shafts as well as the club heads as these can get dirty as well. If they are not maintained properly then they can start to rust which could damage the golf clubs.
To clean your club shaft follow these simple steps:
1. Grab a bucket of lukewarm water and add a few teaspoons of dishwashing liquid.
2. Dip a small cloth into the water so that it becomes moist.
3. Wipe down and remove any dirt on the club shaft.
4. Grab your dry towel and dry off the club shaft. This is important as if there is any water on the shaft this can lead to rusting.
5. You’re done!
How to Clean Club Grips
It is very easy to overlook the grips on your golf clubs but they also should be cleaned regularly. The grips can be prone to collecting dirt and sweat, leading to them wearing down over time, making it more difficult for you to get a good grip on your club.
So here’s how to clean them:
1. Grab a cloth and run it under some water (make sure it’s not hot water as this could damage the grip).
2. Wipe down your grip and remove the dirt and sweat.
3. Grab your towel and dry off the grip.
4. Set your clubs to the side and let them air dry.
5. All done!
How to Clean Golf Clubs During the Round
When on the golf course I’d recommend attaching a small towel to the side of your bag so you can give your clubs a wipe-down after each shot. This can reduce the amount of dirt building up on your club head so that every shot can be your best.
Why Should You Clean Your Golf Clubs?
It is very easy for dirt to collect on your clubs (especially on those wet days) which will have a negative effect on how you play. Over time, it can also damage your clubs which will have an effect on how you play as well as an effect on their value.
With irons and wedges, it is especially important to clean them as dirt build-up will affect the spin and control which is vital when using these clubs.
How Often Should You Clean Your Golf Clubs?
As I mentioned earlier, it is a good idea to carry a towel with you when you play so you can clean your clubs after every shot. However, I would also recommend giving them a deep clean once a week to keep them looking fresh and new.
This is all depending on how much you play, if you play every day then maybe you’d prefer to give them a deep clean every couple of days so you can keep playing your best golf.