How to clean golf clubs

There are two types of golfer: the one who enjoys cleaning their clubs and goes about doing so quite enthusiastically after each and every round, versus the one who throws their sticks into the boot of the car without giving their equipment a moment’s more thought. 

Well, if you’re the latter, shame on you.

Whether you find it a chore or not, cleaning your golf clubs is essential. Not only do you want your clubs to stay looking like new for as long as possible, not to mention shining beautifully in your golf bag, but presumably you want them to give you the very best performance, too?

Put simply, if your grooves are clogged up with sand and dirt, and your grips are filthy, you’re making the game more difficult than it already is.

So, here’s our guide on how to clean golf clubs.

What you need to clean your golf clubs

Much like you’d organise your kitchen worktop before preparing a meal, get everything in place first. Here’s what you need:

• Bucket or a sink
• Lukewarm water
• Washing up liquid
• Towel (two if possible)
• Nylon brush
• Cloth

Step 1

First thing’s first – this crucial operation is best performed outside!

You want enough lukewarm water to cover the heads of your irons without the water coming up over the ferrules (the part that joins the shafts to the heads).

The water shouldn’t be scorching hot, as this risks loosening the ferrules – so make sure you use a little cold water to take the edge off the heat. Apply a little squirt of washing up liquid and give it a splash to create some bubbles.  

Step 2

Start with the irons. Let the clubheads soak for a few minutes, and watch that dirt come loose. You’ll be surprised how quickly the water turns brown, especially given you’re bound to have some grime behind the clubheads, too, which can get lodged in pretty firmly on cavity back heads.

Step 3

Now for the satisfying bit – the part where a bit of elbow grease may well be required.

Get your nylon brush or a brush with plastic bristles – even an old toothbrush can be effective – and get to work on those individual grooves. Remember, it’s the grooves that help impart spin on the golf ball, so removing debris to increase the surface area contact with your ball at impact is going to help you control your shots.

Step 4

Maybe your irons are so clogged up with dirt you can’t even see what number you have in your hand, so run the brush across the sole of the iron and around the back of the head.

Step 5

Give them a good rinse under the tap. If you’re cleaning them outside, make sure you put another towel down instead of resting them on a hard surface – you don’t want to cause any little chinks on the soles. Use a cloth to wipe the shaft down and, crucially, use a towel to dry each club thoroughly before placing it back in your bag.

Cleaning your woods and putter

Unless you’ve been catching the ball extremely heavy, your woods/metals shouldn’t need too much of a clean! However, you don’t want to forget to wipe them.

The most important thing to remember is to not submerge these in water – just give them a dip and wipe over them with a wet cloth. Again, make sure you dry them thoroughly before returning to your golf bag.

Cleaning your grips

It might be an obvious point to make, but this is the part of the club you’re in contact with on every shot – and grips get filthy, even if you can’t necessarily see it. If you lose your grip on the club… well, you know what’s going to happen.

So, make sure you wipe each one down with a moist cloth and then dry them with a towel. You should get into the habit of doing this regularly to get rid of dirt, grime, and even sun cream.

For a more thorough wash – perhaps you haven’t given them a clean for half a dozen rounds or so – you’ll need some lukewarm water and a few bubbles. A splash of washing up soap will do it; then, get a few bubbles on a wet cloth and rub them into the grip. Rinse clean under warm water and pat down and dry thoroughly with a towel. Again, make sure the water isn’t really hot, as you’ll risk causing the glue underneath the grips to loosen.

There, good as new… well, almost. If they have a shiny appearance, you may want to consider them re-gripped.

Get into the habit of cleaning your golf clubs regularly, and not only will your equipment stay looking shiny, but you’ll get the most out of them.   

Specialist golf insurance from Golf Care

Now that your golf clubs are nice and clean, you’d be daft not to take out some insurance on them, too. After all, they can cost a lot of money and they’re often at high risk of damage.

At Golf Care, golf insurance includes Equipment cover up to £7,500, Public Liability up to £10m, and much more. Not only that – it’s also underpinned by our ‘Ripe Guarantee’, which promises you great cover and exceptional service for the right price. Get a quote online today.