Should you clean your golf grips?
Golfers are well aware of the significance of equipment maintenance and how it can impact their game. While much attention is given to clubheads, shafts, and overall club performance, golf club grips are often overlooked. However, maintaining clean and well-maintained grips can have a profound effect on your golfing experience. In this article, we will delve into why it is crucial to clean your golf club grips and explore the steps to ensure their longevity and performance.
The importance of clean grips:
1.) Improved Grip Performance
Clean grips offer better traction, enabling golfers to maintain a consistent hold on the club throughout their swing. Over time, dirt, oil, sweat, and other debris accumulate on the grips, leading to a loss of grip and potentially affecting shot accuracy. Regular cleaning restores the tackiness of the grips, enhancing your control over the club, and increasing the life of your grips.
2.) Hygiene and Health
Golfers often overlook the fact that grips can harbor bacteria, germs, and fungi due to exposure to sweat and dirt. These microbes can lead to skin infections, unpleasant odors, and deterioration of the grip material. By keeping your grips clean, you create a healthier environment for your hands and reduce the risk of infection.
When to clean your golf grips
It is recommended to clean your golf club grips at least once a month, or more frequently if you play in humid or dusty conditions. Regular maintenance ensures that the grips maintain their original performance and longevity. If you notice visible signs of wear, such as a shiny or sticky surface, cracks, or a loss of texture, it is a clear indication that your grips require cleaning. Pay attention to any discomfort or slipping during your swing, as it might be an indication of dirty grips.
Additional Tips and Guidelines:
1.) Avoid Extreme Temperatures
Extreme heat or cold can deteriorate the materials that your grips are made out of. The rubber will start to crack or the synthetic cover material could start to fade out and wear down very quickly. Leaving your clubs in the car? Not great for your grips.
2.) Regular Inspection
Keep an eye on your grips. If you play a rubber compound grip like the S-Tech you’ll start to see a more shiny surface when the grips are getting worn down. Likewise, you’ll start to see more wear and tear on your glove as well.
3.) Proper Storage
In general, how you store your golf clubs can have a large impact on the life of those clubs. Make sure to store your bag in a cool dry place without extreme heat or extreme cold to make sure that you are holding the integrity of the materials in not only your grips but the entire bag as well. For the sake of your grips its also not a bad idea to take them out of your golf bag and let them breathe leaned up against a table or wall when you take an extended break away from the course.
Maintaining clean and well-maintained golf club grips is essential for optimizing your performance on the course. By regularly cleaning your grips and following the recommended maintenance steps, you can enhance your grip, prolong the lifespan of your grips, and improve your overall golfing experience. Remember, clean grips not only promote better control and shot accuracy but also contribute to a hygienic and enjoyable golfing environment. So, take the time to care for your grips, and you'll reap the rewards on every swing.
Thanks to our sponsors at SuperStroke USA for providing us with the grips you saw in today’s demonstrations. For more information about the entire lineup of SuperStroke products visit their website at superstrokeusa.com