When should you replace the grips on your golf clubs?

If you’ve been playing golf regularly, or if you recently acquired some pre-loved golf clubs: here’s how to clean your grips, how to tell if they should be replaced, and how to go about replacing them.

Why are grips important?

It might be obvious, but your hands are your only connection to your golf club. Over time, the repeated pressure of your hands on the grips will fatigue the material and it just wears out. Dirt, heat and oil from your hands also cause wear and breakdown of the grip material over time. When you play with worn out grips, you risk squeezing the club too hard to maintain control, and this can be disastrous for your golf swing.

When should grips be replaced?

How often you replace your grips depends on how often you play golf.

If you are playing 40 or more 18-hole rounds a year, then you probably need to replace your grips at least every year if not sooner.

I bought my golf clubs brand new in 2022, and playing 9 holes of golf 1-2 times a week during golf season, my grips have held up pretty well. I have cleaned them once a season at least but not more often than that. It’s hard to tell in the photo but my 9 iron grip is on the left and my 7 iron grip is on the right - up close, my 7 iron grip is kinda gross and my 9 iron grip looks almost brand new.

In order to evaluate if your grips need replacing, clean and inspect them first. Here’s how:

First, clean and inspect your grips

Get in the practice of cleaning your golf clubs and grips regularly.

Clean your golf clubs and grips by using a bucket with warm water mixed with a few drops of a mild dish soap.

Use a soft cloth or gentle sponge on the club heads and shafts. You can use a rougher sponge on your grips to remove dirt, oil and other buildup from inside the grooves of the grip. Rinse the grips thoroughly with clean water so that no soap remains.

If the grooves are worn or the grip is slick to the touch even after washing, you need to go ahead and replace the grips.

Replacing your grips

Once you’re ready to replace your grips, you have some choices: color, material, and size.

Grab your clubs and head to your local golf equipment store. They likely will have many options for you to choose from. You can replace like-for-like and make it super simple, especially if the shop stocks the same grips you already have and you like them.

It can be overwhelming but it’s important to take time to select the grip that feels best for you. Have them replace one grip first and then swing the club to make sure the grip’s size and texture feels right to you before having them change all the grips.

Material choices:

• Rubber - very durable

• Corded - if you don’t use a glove, you might consider this material as it offers more control in your grip

• Synthetic - consider this shock absorbing material if you suffer from arthritis

The golf shop should measure your hand (from the tip of the middle finger to the base of the palm) to help determine which golf grip size is right for you. Use this information as a staring point. You need to try out the grips because you might prefer a slightly larger or slightly smaller size.

Don’t forget your putter. My putter is desperately in need of a new grip - the film covering the grip has peeled all the way off. Putter grips often much fatter and may have a flat side to them for better stability throughout the putting stroke. You might explore a fatter putter grip for extra control on the greens.

Should all my clubs have the same grips?

Yes, all your golf clubs should have the same exact grip with exception of the putter which typically has a much larger grip size for extra control on the greens. Having your grips all the same eliminates a variable for you in your golf swing. You want your connection to the golf club to be consistent no matter which club you are holding.

Be prepared to spend $6 to $12 or more per club on replacing your grips. You can do it yourself at home, but I have not tried this.

The most common mistake

The number 1 mistake golfers make is not changing their golf grips often enough. Don’t let this be you! Take the time at the start of each golf season to evaluate your grips and get them replaced if needed.

Now you’re armed with the knowledge you need to go ahead and get those grips replaced. When you get your grips replaced, drop a comment: I’d love to know what type of grip (material, size, color) you chose and I hope you’re enjoying that fresh grip feeling!