Regripping Golf Clubs

There are many reasons you may have to regrip your golf clubs. Maybe you bought a used set and the grips are old or don’t fit you. Perhaps you have been fortunate to get in quite a few rounds of golf this year and your grips are becoming worn. It might be that you finally figured out your club is slipping in your hands and you need to get grips that fit properly. Whatever the reason, there are several things to consider when regripping golf clubs.

Are Your Grips Worn?
The first question to ask is do your clubs need it. If they are cracked or shiny, the pattern is worn off in places, or the grip no longer has that slightly sticky feeling, then it is time to regrip the clubs. Bad grips can come apart in your hands while you’re playing causing injury to self or others. They can also make it uncomfortable to hold the club. If the grips don’t fit properly, that is another reason for regripping golf clubs. Experts say that if there is a gap between your fingers and your palm when you hold the club for swinging, or if your fingers dig in to your palm, you should fit the club with new grips.

Do Your Grips Fit Right?
Some people buy used clubs with grips that are worn or don’t fit well. You can expect to add $5-$15 to each club depending on whether you are experienced with regripping golf clubs and will be doing it yourself or if you will be hiring someone else do the work. In many cases, you will find that when you add an additional $150 to the cost of the clubs, they no longer look like such a good deal.

Are You Playing Regularly?
Many golfers chose to replace their grips at the beginning of every season. It helps to ensure good contact and makes the clubs feel like new again. And if you are golfing several times a month, changes are the grips need replacing anyway. If you don’t want to spend the time and money to regrip you clubs, you can often bring back some of the tackiness or texture by scuffing them lightly with a stiff brush or sandpaper.

Should You Replace Grips Yourself?
The question of regripping golf clubs yourself is another issue to consider. Many people feel that the task is too difficult to do well, and since grip is such an important aspect of club fit, they want a pro to handle it to be sure it’s done right. A good pro will take time to ask questions about your playing habits and style. He or she will have you try different grips to see which fit best. Many people at least start out with a pro the first time to be certain they have the correct grips and to learn more about the process. Then they take if from there and regrip their clubs themselves.

Depending on how often you play, grips may need to be replaced every season, especially if you live in an area where you can golf year-round. If you feel you want to give it a try on your own, you will need a vise to hold the club, a clap to protect the metal of the club, a utility knife, special “grip tape” and grip solvent, and of course the grips themselves.