Statistics from 2022 show that 25.6 million people in the US played on a golf course. That is a total of 8% of the US population.
Golfing activities have been very popular for a long time. This is a sport that many people enjoy doing as a hobby or professionally.
If you golf, you need to know how to clean golf clubs. After all, even the best golf clubs will become very dirty and need maintenance.
Keep reading to find out how to clean golf clubs the right way.
Cleaning Irons
Golf club maintenance often starts with your irons. This is the area of the golf club that gets the dirtiest as it is making contact with the ground.
Golf club maintenance is important because this can impact your game. A very dirty golf iron is not going to offer as much control and power.
It is very simple to clean golf clubs by hand. All you are going to need is a soft bristle brush for cleaning with some dishwashing liquid or gentle soap.
Fill a bucket with warm water and allow it to become frothy with the soap. Put the club heads into the bucket and allow them to soak for 5 to 10 minutes.
Start cleaning golf clubs one at a time with the soft bristle brush. If they are very dirty, you may want to add more soap to each golf club as you go.
You can also use a toothbrush to get into the grooves of the golf club. This is where mud and dirt may have caked and dried.
Once you have cleaned all of the irons, dry them off with a towel. Make sure you use the towel to also get into those hard-to-reach grooves.
You can also spread the golf clubs out in the sun for 10 to 20 minutes. On a warm day with plenty of sunlight, this is a great way to quickly dry them off.
Cleaning Grips
Are you wondering how to clean golf clubs? Part of your golfing gear that you need to clean is the grip.
A lot of golfers overlook this step as the irons are more important. But the grips are also very important and can become very dirty.
If you do not maintain these grips, they can also start to wear faster. Cleaning your grip is very simple to do, as you only need a damp cloth.
Use some warm water and a little soap to wipe the grips down do you remove any grime. You could also use a toothbrush to get around the edges if there are hard-to-reach places.
Make sure the water you are using is not hot, as this could damage the grip. You will want to use a towel to wipe away any excess water before setting it aside.
Cleaning Woods and Putters
Another thing you need to focus on cleaning is the woods and putters. Drivers and fairway woods can be cleaned very similarly to your irons.
But they shouldn’t always be submerged in the water since the heads could contain different metals. Different metals may be more likely to rust if exposed to large amounts of water.
Instead, use a cloth dipped in warm and soapy water to clean the woods and putters. Wipe down the crown and sole, as well as all those hard-to-reach grooves.
Clean off the putters in the same way by simply wiping them down to remove any buildup. Maintaining your golf gear in this way is important in prolonging its lifespan.
Allowing your woods and putters to become very dirty can result in greater wear and tear. It will also become harder to clean them the dirtier they are.
Rust Removal
If you have neglected your golf clubs, they may have started to develop rust. This is a serious issue that you want to address as soon as possible.
The good news is that not all hope is lost if you notice rust. There are a few ways that you can attempt to remove rust from your golf clubs to restore them.
There are rust removal products on the market designed for golf clubs. This can be a good option if you have several clubs with rust that need cleaning.
But there is also a homemade remedy that involves vinegar that is good at removing rust. Dilute vinegar in a small amount of water and dip a cloth in the solution.
Gently rub at the rusted spot to remove the rust residue. Work away at this spot slowly without applying too much pressure or scratching the surface.
The rust may have already caused some damage, so you don’t want to create more. This could take up to 30 minutes, or you may need to do this several times to remove the rust.
Very rusted golf clubs may need to be submerged in vinegar and water solution. But keep in mind that the more rust there is, the less chance there is every store in the golf clubs.
Polishing Irons
Another cleaning step you could take that is optional is polishing the irons. This is not a necessary step since polishing is just for appearances.
But it could be a good option if you want your golf clubs to look like new. If you plan on reselling them, this is also a great way to improve their desirability.
There are different chrome and steel polishing products that you can buy to do this. You will need to apply the product and leave it for a minute or two after rubbing it in.
Every product may be a bit different, so you will want to check the instructions. A homemade solution for polishing includes using toothpaste.
Toothpaste is something that has been used to clean silver for a very long time. Because of this, toothpaste also works wonders when used to polish irons.
Toothpaste is a bit abrasive, so it also helps to remove small paint scratches. Keep in mind that you don’t want to use toothpaste too often or scrub it in too much.
What Not to Do When Cleaning Golf Gear
Now that you know how to clean golf clubs, what mistakes should you avoid? This is a good question to ask since there are a few things that could potentially cause damage.
Golfing gear is quite costly, and you don’t want to be too rough on it. Even though maintenance is important, some things are too harsh for this gear.
Leave Them Wet
You should never leave your golf clubs wet, as this promotes rust. This is especially important if your golf clubs are stored in your golf bag.
They will not be able to dry in the bag, creating a very wet environment. This is why you need to dry off your golf clubs after playing if they become wet.
You also need to make sure you completely dry them off after cleaning them. They should be completely dry to the touch before you put them back in your golf bag to store away.
Use Abrasive Cleaning Products
When you go to clean your golf clubs, make sure you use the best products. Don’t reach for any cleaning products that are going to be too abrasive.
If you damage your golf clubs, you could be leaving them vulnerable to rust. Things like scratches are especially prone to causing rust when the golf club becomes wet.
This is also why you should not power wash your golf clubs. Doing this may seem like a good idea, but the force of the water could cause damage to the clubs.
It is also unnecessary since washing them by hand is usually more effective.
Leave Them Outside
You should never leave your golf clubs outside as this promotes rust. The outdoor environment may be wet, collecting moisture in your golf bag.
Having golf clubs sitting out in the elements also exposes them to dew and rain. The only time you should leave them outside is if you are leaving them to dry.
Allowing them to dry in the sun for a little while won’t cause any damage. You just have to make sure you remember to put them back where they belong indoors.
How to Clean Golf Clubs 101
If you enjoy golfing, you may have forgotten about the maintenance part. You need to know how to clean golf clubs so that they stay in good condition for longer.
