Quick answer: wash grips with warm water, a drop of dish soap and a soft brush, rinse, then towel-dry and let them air out. That is the whole method. Done monthly (or every couple of weeks in summer), it strips the film of sweat, sunscreen and skin oil that makes grips feel slick — and it roughly doubles the time between regrips.
What you need
- Warm water — not hot
- A drop of dish soap
- A soft nylon brush (an old toothbrush works; nothing wire)
- Two towels: one wet, one dry
The routine
- Wet and soap. Dip the brush in soapy water and scrub the grip all around for 15–20 seconds. On corded grips, brush along the weave so the bristles clear the fiber ends.
- Rinse. Wipe with the clean wet towel, or rinse under a gentle tap — keep water away from the butt end vent hole; you do not want water inside the shaft.
- Dry. Towel-dry firmly, then stand the clubs up to air-dry before they go back in the bag. A damp grip in a closed bag grows the exact slick film you just removed.
Two minutes a club, less with practice. Do the whole set while watching something.
What not to use
- Harsh solvents (acetone, gasoline, strong degreasers) — they dry out rubber and craze the surface.
- Alcohol wipes as a habit — fine for a mid-round emergency wipe, but regular alcohol use ages soft compounds faster.
- Pressure washers and stiff brushes — they tear soft rubber texture and pull cord fibers.
- Armor All-type shine products — anything that makes rubber shiny makes it slippery. Shine is the enemy.
Cord vs rubber: small differences
Corded grips like our STORM series tolerate a firmer scrub and benefit most from it — clean fiber ends are what make cord work. Soft rubber and TPE grips (FEEL series) want the gentle version: light brush, more soap, less force. Putter grips (ROLL) get dirty slowest but are worth including — clean PU restores its non-slip feel almost completely.
When cleaning won't save it
Cleaning removes what is on the grip. It cannot restore what is gone from it. If the surface is glossy where your thumbs sit, if texture has visibly flattened, or if the grip stays slick even freshly washed — the rubber itself is worn, and it is time to regrip. The once-a-year / 40-rounds rule assumes you clean; skip cleaning and it arrives sooner.
FAQ
How often should I clean golf grips?
Monthly for the average player; every two weeks in hot, humid months or if you play without a glove. It is easier to keep grips clean than to rescue them.
Can I use alcohol or Clorox wipes?
Occasionally, yes — they are useful mid-round. As a routine they dry rubber out. Soap and water do the same job without the aging.
Does cleaning restore tackiness?
It restores most of it, because what you feel as "lost tack" is usually an oil film, not dead rubber. If a freshly washed grip is still slick, the surface is worn and cleaning has done all it can.
Should I clean brand-new grips?
A quick wipe removes factory release residue and mold dust. Not essential, but a 30-second head start.
Clean grips are free distance in the rain and free comfort in July. When cleaning stops working, a fresh 13-piece set ships with the tape included. Pay for the feel, not for the logo.