There are many levels you go through as a golf rookie. The surface level is probably setting foot on your first-ever golf course. The next is stressing over the basics as a high handicapper. You know you’re on a higher level than where you started when you finally learn that you must regrip golf clubs.
Regripping your golf clubs does a lot for your game. You might think it’s simply removing and applying tapes, but once you experience the difference, you’ll wonder when you can do it again. Having the right equipment in golf is just as important as maintaining it. How do you regrip golf clubs to keep up with your game?
All About the Golf Grip
Let’s start with an overview of your golf grip. You have two “grips” to keep in mind as a high handicapper:
- The part of the golf club you hold
- The way you hold the golf club when you play
Every grip in golf is crucial because you need to maintain a solid connection to control the direction and distance of your shots. How the golf club feels when you hold it affects how you use it, and how you hold the golf club affects your every shot. There are different ways to hold a golf club:
- Interlocking grip: Interlock your right little finger and left index finger
- Overlapping grip: Place your right little finger between your left index and middle fingers
- 10-finger golf grip: Place all your right-hand fingers below your left-hand fingers
Every golfer, high handicapper or not, knows how crucial it is to have a grip that feels right. Even if you try every “proper grip” you learn from different instruction books, the best one is still the one that you feel comfortable with. And once your grip starts to feel odd, you must regrip golf clubs to maintain that comfort.
Why Should You Regrip Golf Clubs?
It’s easier to understand why you must regrip golf clubs when you’ve played for long enough. However, regardless of skill level, regripping golf clubs is essential for every golfer. The grip has the most direct contact with the club, so regripping helps in several ways:
Grip Materials Age and Wear
The materials that make up your golf club grip age and wear over time. Of course, heat, dirt, oil, and other elements cause the grip to lose its luster and eventually become slippery. When regripping golf clubs, you revive their texture, making your grip better to control.
Fresh Grips Provide Better Traction
Do you remember when you first used your golf club? The grip felt firm and stickier, allowing you to control every shot better. Over time, your grip becomes smooth, and it’s harder to hold the club properly. You regrip golf clubs when this happens to restore the traction of your grip and maintain better control of your shots.
Worn Grips Cause Tension
Opposite to regripped golf clubs, worn-out grips cause tension. Your grip should support your shots instead of holding you back. When gripping a club with worn-out materials, you’ll overcompensate by gripping too tight, decreasing distance and accuracy. Give your arms and wrists a break!
Inexpensive Way To Improve
Buying new golf clubs whenever your current clubs give you trouble isn’t a good idea. If you regrip golf clubs, you can improve your performance without spending too much money. Changing your grips might just be the solution you’ve been looking for to maintain a good game!
How Often Should You Regrip Golf Clubs?
The right time to regrip golf clubs depends on various factors, such as your temperature and the materials you use. You can even regrip anytime you feel like you should! But the rule of thumb is to regrip golf clubs once every year. Some also regrip every after 40 rounds.
You don’t really consciously notice that your grip is losing its traction until you feel how hard it is to control your shots. So, whenever you notice it’s affecting your game, regrip your golf clubs and regain control! You can choose a season to regrip or regrip them whenever you feel like it. Just remember to regrip golf clubs at least once a year.
Can You Make Grips Last Longer?
It’s difficult to intentionally make your regripped golf clubs last longer. But you can do a few things to make them stay grippy, such as cleaning and conditioning your grips. Don’t forget to check if you did the regripping job correctly, too! Focusing on making your grips last longer will affect your game less than regripping golf clubs often.
Golf club grips are meant to go through a great deal of wear and tear, so no matter what you do, regripping will still be a part of your golf game. Think about regripping to continuously improve as a high handicapper rather than wanting to avoid regripping as often as possible.
Things To Prepare Before Regripping Golf Clubs
If it’s your first time regripping your golf club, you might think that trusting professional services is the best way to go. It could be, especially if you have no idea how to properly regrip golf clubs! Doing a bad job will only make regripping more costly as you’ll need to regrip again in no time. Moreover, it’ll badly affect your game.
But if you’re determined to regrip golf clubs by yourself, it’s possible to do it properly with the right materials and guidance. Before you start stripping off your golf club grip, here are some of the things you must prepare:
Grip Size
The size of your grip determines the regripping process and materials. You must match the size of your regripping materials with the size of your club’s grip! You can choose three sizes: standard, midsize, and jumbo. Jumbo is best for golfers with big hands.
Grip Type
There are four general types of grip for golfers with different preferences. Choose from wrapped, rubber, corded, or hybrid. The most popular grip type is the genuine leather-wrapped grips, but many golfers find rubber more economical. If you’re most concerned about how the weather affects your grip, choose the corded type. And if you want to cater to all the grip benefits, hybrid is a good option!
Regripping Supplies
Lastly, you need all the grip tape and supplies to regrip golf clubs correctly. Head out to find the following materials for your project:
- Box cutter, knife, or blade
- Grip solvent (water, paint thinner, mineral spirits, WD-40, or hairspray)
- Grip tape (double-sided)
- Vise grip
Steps To Regrip Golf Clubs
Perhaps you’ve already noticed that your grip has started to feel different. Or, maybe you’re just here to learn more about golf as a high handicapper. Either way, you’ll inevitably have to regrip golf clubs. Is it possible to do it at home? Yes! Here’s how to regrip golf clubs in seven steps:
Step 1: Prepare Your Workstation
You can make the regripping process more manageable by setting up a small workstation. Prepare a flat surface and line it with old newspapers or towels. This step protects the regripping area from accidental spills. Also, secure your golf club shaft in the vise grip and adjust it to a comfortable angle.
Step 2: Remove Your Worn Grip
Cut through the old grip with a blade or knife. Always cut away from yourself! And make sure to remove all grips before moving on to the next regripping step. Peel the grip off and discard it.
Step 3: Remove Old Grip Tape
Scraping off the old grip tape is the most time-consuming regripping process. It helps to have a small putty knife to easily scrape off all residue. If the grip tape still sticks to the golf club, use a solvent like WD-40 or paint thinner to soften it.
Step 4: Measure and Apply New Grip Tape
You’ll now need to measure the correct length of double-sided grip tape. Wrap it around the regripping area until you reach your desired length. Make sure to apply the grip tape evenly in one piece and press it firmly onto the regripping area.
Step 5: Clean With Grip Solvent
You’ll use the grip solvent to clean off all dirt and residue. Cover the vent hole and pour your grip solvent inside your new grip. Shake it around the regripping area and allow it to settle. Once you’re done, pour out the solvent. Remember: Too much solvent is better than too little. Solvents are there to make sliding and securing your new grip easier.
Step 6: Apply New Grip
Now, the most crucial regripping step: apply your new grip. This step might shake your hands if you’re too scared to make a mistake. After all, you have to slide your new grip fast and straight! You’ll still have time to adjust it after sliding it on, but generally, it’ll be harder to manipulate the new grip once it’s in place.
Step 7: Clean and Let It Dry
Once you’re confident that you’ve regripped your golf clubs correctly, the regripping process is complete. Clean off any leftover grip solvent and let your regripped clubs dry for several hours.
Tips To Regrip Golf Clubs
Regripping your golf club can be nerve-wracking, especially if you’re a beginner. And if you make a mistake, you’ll have no choice but to do it all over again. Here are some tips to make your regripping journey a little less daunting:
- Do your research. Having as much knowledge as possible can help you regrip golf clubs properly. Check out online tutorials and regripping guides to get an idea of what to expect.
- Ask for help from an experienced player. There’s no shame in asking for help. Ask an experienced player about their regripping process, or watch them do it. It’s a great way to learn regripping techniques and tricks.
- Start with a cheaper golf club to practice. Don’t regrip your favorite golf clubs first! Start regripping with a cheaper club or one you don’t mind re-doing if something goes wrong. This helps you get familiar with regripping and will save you from any costly mistakes.
- Take your time. Regripping golf clubs can take time and patience. Be careful when regripping, and take your time. The more you rush it, the more mistakes you’ll make.
- Go for professional regripping services. If you know that you just don’t have what it takes to regrip golf clubs, go for professional regripping services. It costs a bit more but guarantees the best regripping results.
Keep a Tight Grip, High Handicapper!
Do you really have to go through the nail-biting steps to regrip golf clubs? Well, if you’re determined to improve your performance as a high handicapper, you must let go of worn grips that no longer offer the right kind of feedback or support.
When you regrip golf clubs, you can eliminate any golfing mishaps and have a better experience on the course. Take your game to the next level with your new grip. Good luck, high handicapper!
