Are you the type of golfer who blames every aspect of the game down to your swing, posture, balance, tempo, etc? If you are then you may have probably missed one vital aspect of the golf equation. You could very easily be spending hours upon hours practicing parts of your game that, in fact, may not require practice at all. Have you thought that maybe you are using equipment not suited to either yourself or your style of play?

Simple, isn’t it? I you are using unsuitable equipment, your game will be on the losing end right from the word go. Check out the following tips to ensure you are using the right tools for the job.

If you are a beginner/junior and have chosen to play this game using a set of pre-owned clubs, you must make sure that you fully check your “new” golf tools prior to purchase with a very keen eye. Every aspect of the clubs needs to be checked. The shafts, clubheads, grips are the initial parts that must pass inspection. Grips can easily be changed, but check the price first. If there is damage to the shaft or clubhead, this is a potential hazard, and you should seriously consider leaving the clubs alone.

Prior to purchasing a set of pre-owned golf clubs, always check how much they are to buy new — you will be surprised that some pre-owned sets are not much cheaper than a new set, especially if you have to regrip them or have some other defects rectified prior to being able to play them.

If you choose to purchase a set of pre-owned clubs or have a set of golf clubs that requires regripping, you need to be careful. The grip on a golf club is the only contact that you have with the club, therefore you need to be sure that they are gripped correctly. You can purchase kits that let you install new grips yourself; if you decide to do this, you’ll need to make sure that you align the grips correctly. If you are not comfortable with this work, your local golf shop should be able to accommodate you (for a price, of coures). When choosing a grip, ensure that your hand size is taken into consideration; having big grips with small hands or vice-versa can be disastrous to your game.

Always clean and change your grips regularly. You will shave shots off your round with this one tip alone.

Using golf clubs not fitted to you can and will lead to wayward shots. Every golfer is different; off-the-shelf golf clubs are designed for the average person of average size and stature. Are you sure that you are that “average” person? If not, get your golf clubs checked; measurements will be taken and the fitter should watch you take a few swings, normally with impact tape applied to the clubheads and a swing plate on the floor. At impact, the tape indicates where the club hits the floor, and the fitter would then be able to determine what lie angle is optimal for you.

The shaft will also be checked to ensure that it is the correct length for you. Having a set of custom fit golf clubs is like having a brand new set of golf clubs and is probably one of the best investments you can make in this game. At the end of the process, you will have a set of golf clubs that have been professionally modified for your individual requirements.

One thing that you need to look at is that all the golf clubs you play with — all your irons, wedges, woods and putters —must match your skill level. Of the wide variety of golf club models available on the marketplace, some are designed for low handicappers, some are designed for mid/high handicappers and some are designed for all skill levels. If you are a high handicapper, playing with a set of clubs designed for low handicaps probably won’t help your game.

One last, big point is that you must feel comfortable with the clubs you have chosen to use. If you feel comfortable with the clubs you are using, you won’t worry or think about it during play and will generally exedcute better swings. And it should go without saying, the better the swing the more enjoyable the game.

Peter Cunningham manages the Golf Review Center, where you can read and submit golf equipment and service reviews.

To learn more about top sources of pre-owned golf equipment, read Pre-Owned Golf Equipment: A Real Option »

Visit GigaGolf, Pinemeadow Golf and Hireko Golf for low-cost brand new golf clubs custom-built to your exact needs and abilities.

Selecting the proper equipment is a big step towards playing better golf. This phase of golf is so often overlooked that I feel impelled to point out how important it is to have clubs that fit you and your swing.

There is a Difference in Clubs

To the layman, a golf club is a golf club. They all look alike to him. This is true to a point, but don’t let this similarity of appearance fool you. As any experienced golfer will tell you, there is a difference in golf clubs, just as there is a physical difference in the individuals who swing them.

Since no two golfers swing alike, it might seem that almost all players would require clubs made to order, to compensate for these individual differences. This, of course, is not true. What is necessary is a good, balanced set of clubs that have been selected by the golfer with the help and counsel of an experienced professional.

Always remember, it is entirely possible to have good equipment and still not have a correctly-fitted set of clubs. You must fit the golf clubs to you and your swing, not yourself to the clubs.

So many golfer, in their haste to get out and play, make a hasty purchase and then, upon learning more about the game and the importance of having properly fitted clubs, find they must buy another set.

Find a Set That Fits You

Measuring Up: Today’s golf clubs are far different from what they were some 30 years ago. The transition from wooden shafts to steel and graphite shafts, and improved club design that have given clubs better balance and feel, are among the major reasons for the improved play of all golfers today, particularly the professsionals.

Factory-made clubs are now fairly standardized and are designed to fit almost every golfer. Unless you are extremely tall or short, a factory set should suit your needs, for clubs don’t vary too much from standard specifications. In any case, don’t purchase a new set of clubs haphazardly.

Shaft Flexibility and Swing Weight: The speed of your swing will determine the flexibility of your shaft and the swing weight of the clubhead.

If you are rather strong, the shaft should be on the stiff side with the swing weight a little heavier than medium. Conversely, if you are not so strong, it would be best to use a more flexible shaft with a lighter swing weight. Shafts come in several different flexes and weights.

Generally, the dividing point for swing weight is D-3. Anything under that is getting on the light side, and anything over D-3 becomes correspondingly heavier as the number increases. In other words, a driver that has a swing weight of D-7 would be too heavy for the average golfer. It would be better for that golfer to use a medium-stiff shaft with a swing weight between D-0 and D-4.

Women’s clubs are usually swing-weighted from C-5 to D-0. The shafts in their clubs are more flexible than men’s models, and they are also lighter. The medium swing weight for them would be C-7 to C-8.

Length and Lie of Clubs: Golf clubs are usually made in three different lies: flat, medium, and upright. The standard-length driver is 43 inches, and the 2-Iron, the longest iron club, is 382 inches long. The length and lie of clubs are determined by the distance the hands are from the ground.

This hands-to-ground measurement will usually not vary more than 2 or 3 inches from a tall to a short person. Thus, it is not uncommon to have a golfer of medium height using the same length and lie as a taller player because their hands-to-ground measurements are the same.

Generally speaking, the great majority of golfers can use standard-length clubs with a medium lie. If you are a rather short or tall person, you may require a special set. Here again, it would be wise to consult an experienced professional. You will find it to be time well spent in the long run.

A main consideration for the decision whether to customize or not would be cost. If you can, however, find a good source of customized clubs at little to no additional cost, then the decision on whether to get a custom set would be very clear.

Jimmy Cox writes for Golf Swing Secrets.

Visit GigaGolf, Pinemeadow Golf and Hireko Golf for low-cost golf clubs custom-built to your exact needs and abilities. For no extra cost, have your clubs built with exactly the right shaft flex that fits your game perfectly and maximizes your distance!

Many golfers do not have the swing speed needed for the extra stiff and stiff shafts they have on their current golf clubs. Shafts with an incorrect flex can have a dramatic affect on your game.

Let’s go over the mechanics of why there are different shaft flexes, then we can get into how the shafts can affect your game differently.

Golfers swing clubs at different speeds. When you swing your golf club, the speed and force of your swing gets carried through the shaft to the head. By the time the head makes contact with the golf ball, an average golfer’s club head speed is around 85 mph, and a professional golfer’s head speed is around 100 mph. Hitting a golf ball at 85 mph with a driver will carry the ball about 195 yards. If you have a slower swing, the flexibility of the club can assist you by adding a whipping affect to the club just before it hits the ball.

Remember your high school locker room when you would twist your towel up, swing it back, then quickly whip it forward and give your friend a huge welt on his leg? Well, a flexible club produces a similar affect. Just before contact, the head of the club will give that extra kick to push the ball off the tee faster. If you are not swinging at 85 mph or more, you should be looking at a regular shaft or, if you really want more distance, a senior flex shaft. Yes, yes I know, but if you can put your ego away for a little bit and really want to improve your game, go ahead and try the senior flex shaft.

Here are the different types of shafts:

• Extra stiff (X)
• Stiff (S)
• Regular (R)
• Seniors (A)
• Ladies (L)

If the shaft of your club is too stiff, your ball will most likely not go as far or as high as it should. If your shaft is too soft, your ball may fly much higher than it should and possibly keep going left when you feel you are hitting the ball straight. Pick the right shaft and watch your drives soar!

Al Scillitani is an Internet Marketing Manager for GVC Commerce, Inc. and GlobalGolf.

Visit GigaGolf, Pinemeadow Golf and Hireko Golf for low-cost golf clubs custom-built to your exact needs and abilities. For no extra cost, have your clubs built with exactly the right shaft flex that fits your game perfectly and maximizes your distance!

Custom golf clubs have a lot of advantages over mass-marketed models. Some of these advantages are purely practical, while others are a bit more whimsical and decorative in nature.

Custom golf clubs can especially be beneficial to golfers who are shorter or taller than the average person. If you use golf clubs that were designed for people that are not close to your height, you will have to make an adjustment to your swing, and this will not be beneficial to your golf game.

Custom golf clubs may be the answer for the golfer looking to improve his or her game — at a reasonable price. Custom golf clubs are not just for the professional or highly skilled player. All golfers can benefit greatly from clubs that are fit precisely to the correct specifications of the individual golfer. But, custom golf clubs are an investment, both financially and in your game. You will want to make sure the fitting is correct.

When customizing a set of golf clubs, be sure to check around your local golf stores and perform price comparisons. It is also important that the staff takes correct measurements so that your clubs are designed exactly the way you need them to be, and according to your body type.

When having a set of clubs fitted for customization, there are three major areas which goes into a fitting. They are your height, your arm length, and your swing speed. Let’s briefly touch on each below:

The Height

Taller men and women generally have more of an upright swing. If you are tall then the manufacturer will need to adjust the lie of your clubs.

The lie is determined from the angle that the clubhead extends from its shaft, which is connected like a hinge. This hinge will be closed slightly for taller people, and shortened a bit for golfers that may be on the short side.

Your Arm Length

Your arm length is an important factor that will determine the length of your shafts. When you are playing golf, you never want to have to crouch down unnaturally when gripping the club, nor is it desirable to choke up on the club either.

The fitting of your grip must feel perfectly natural. The customization process will include measuring the length of your arms, similar to that of a suit tailor. The measurement will be made by your arms against your sides, and the shaft length will be determined by the distance from the tip of your middle finger to the ground.

Your Swing Speed

The kind of shafts your clubs will have will depend on your swing speed. Of course everyone has a different swing speed, which can depend on size, age, strength, etc.

Most professional golfers have steel shafts that are specifically designed stiff. They are extremely rigid and have very little flexibility when swung. On the other hand, average golfers with slower swing speeds are also well suited to graphite shafts, which have a wider range of flex options, including regular, women’s and senior flexes.

Once you’ve mastered the basics of the game, custom golf clubs are a great tool to help you improve your performance.

Verlyn Ross owns and operates the Golf Strategy site dedicated specifically to the enjoyment of golfing. It includes a wealth of free articles and answers.

Visit GigaGolf, Pinemeadow Golf and Hireko Golf for low-cost golf clubs custom-built to your exact needs and abilities! 

An increasing number of women are now playing golf and manufacturers are beginning to realize this and target women golfers specifically in their advertising campaigns. This previously untapped market has mushroomed in recent years, and the market is no longer dominated by men golfers. Suddenly, it is extremely lucrative for sellers to focus on selling womens golf apparel and even golf club sets for women.

Male golf enthusiasts have always known that their games can be highly improved by using the proper golf club set, but what should women look for when choosing their own sets?

See a Professional Golf Club Fitter

A professional golf club fitter will be able to steer you towards the right set for you. S/he will guide and can advise you on what to look for.

There are several areas which should be taken into consideration when choosing golf club sets.

The cheapest thing in a woman’s golf club set is the grip. This is determined by the size of your hands. Grips have a tendency to harden, get slick, oxidize, and lose their hold as time goes by. Therefore, the safest option is to buy the highest quality grip available with a greater than normal longevity. This way, even if you do not change your grip regularly, you will still have decent grips.

Golf club sets need to be maintained just like a car needs regular oil changes. It is recommended to change your grip every six months. This will have a positive effect on your game.

The shaft lengths of your golf clubs is also an important consideration. Ladies clubs are usually slightly shorter than men’s clubs. Beginners (every golfer for that matter) should find the right club lengths proportionate to their height and the distance from their wrist to the ground.

Finally look at the flex of the shafts. Stiffer shafts are usually better for stronger hitting golfers. The professional golf fitter will need to assess the strength of your swing.

Do bear in mind that some fitters will be motivated by commission rather than what is best for you. Trust your judgment and instinct when meeting with a fitter.

Do not be fooled into paying for very expensive golf club set. Expensive equipment does not equal better playing. Consult an expert fitter and be reassured of leaving with the perfect golf club set for you.

Nazima Golamaully writes for The Golf Clubs Website.

Visit GigaGolf and Pinemeadow Golf for low-cost woods or irons custom-built to your exact needs and abilities (ladies too)! 

Q. Is shaft weight an important factor?

A. Shaft weight is one of the most obvious factors in determining weight of any or all golf clubs.

The club head and grip weights always vary due to every individual golfer’s needs. For instance, if a golfer needs more swing weight (head weight) or a larger grip size (grip weight). These custom weights are available in a lot of different units but the weight measurement units of the shaft are still much more variable.

Currently shafts of weight 130g (4.6oz) down to about 40g (1.4oz) are widely available to purchase. When a player changes from a steel shaft to graphite, the weight change will be at least 50g (1.75oz).

All golfers should be aware that shot distance is related to the speed of the swing (club head speed). The lighter the overall weight of the club, the higher the speed of the swing will be.

Important: Be aware of the fact that the swing weight of any club has to be matched with physique (strength, tempo, experience, etc.) of the golfer using that particular club. If a golfer uses a club of any major weight difference, the golfer will tend to be less accurate at striking the sweet spot, resulting in off-center hits. This will ultimately result in less distance and off-target shots. It is best to change the weight of clubs as minimally as possible; adjust your pre-shot routine accordingly and get familiar with the difference in feeling of the swing.

Roger Fagan is an avid golf enthusiast and he has taught hundreds of beginning golfers how to play better golf. Check out his cutting edge tips and video lessons on his site, golfingvalley.com.

Visit GigaGolf, Hireko Golf or Pinemeadow Golf for low-cost woods or irons custom-built to your needs and abilities!

By John Bolt

Every golfer knows that having proper equipment is essential. Choosing golf clubs has become somewhat of a daunting task because of the enormous market out there. We have come up with 5 simple things to consider when choosing golf clubs.

1. First of all you have to be honest with yourself in deciding what skill level you’re at. Are you a beginner just starting out, an intermediate weekend golfer, or an expert golfer who plays all the time? This is critical because there are different types of equipment designed to help every level of player. Playing with expert equipment if you are just starting out will only hurt your game.

2. Stay within your spending limits. You have to know what type of budget you are working with. Golf can become very expensive if you don’t stay within your means. There are equipment and accessories designed for every budget, you just have to know where to look.

3. Figure out your strengths and weaknesses. Do you hook or slice the ball? Are you a long or short hitter? Do you sink many putts when you have to, etc.? You must know these qualities of your game. When you go to your local shop or golf pro it will be easy for them to get you fitted correctly if you know this information.

4. How often do you play? Are you a weekend golfer or an addict who plays all the time? This will determine what golf clubs and accessories you should purchase. Don’t go out and spend a fortune on complex equipment and other things if you only play the game on the weekend with your buddies. On the other hand, if you travel all over competing and playing, you are going to need the quality equipment that allows that.

5. Finally make sure you do your own research. Read golf magazines, articles, newspapers, and anything else you can get your hands on. Go to demo days at your local club or driving range and any local golf shows. Check online at manufacturer’s websites and other informative golf club websites. You can find anything online. Doing research is the key to getting what you want.

If you follow these 5 simple tips to choosing golf clubs it will be simple for you to get fitted with exactly what you need. So go out and get those brand new clubs you have been thinking about for awhile.

John Bolt is the full time owner of Golf Equipment Source. With years of competitive golf experience under his belt, he understands the importance of having properly fitted golf equipment.

By Susan Dean 

Collecting is a great hobby for many people, from spoons, cards, music memorabilia to collectible golf clubs and putters. Whatever it is that takes your fancy you can be an avid collector.

And now with the use of computers and the Internet, collecting has become easier and much more popular. You can find almost everything online without ever leaving home. Whether you are a collector or a seller the Internet is the perfect tool for you. You will find many other enthusiasts such as yourself that collect all types of items including special release items.

There are groups and societies that have their own websites for you to join or check out. You have the option of eBay to purchase many different types of golfing items that you may want to collect. Not only are there collectible golf clubs and putters but you may be interested in obtaining other items of interest such as balls, books, score cards, medals, trophies, tees, club histories and much, much more.

The sky really is the limit when looking for collectibles for your interest online. You may be more interested in antique golfing items or only more modern ones. The choice is yours. Of course there is much more to think about than just what you want to find and buy. You need to work out how much you can afford to spend before falling in love with something you’ve spotted.

There is of course the added option of swapping. If you are a keen collector and have a large selection of different items then you may be able to swap something from your collection with that special something that another collector has on offer. Whatever you decide is right for you, doing it through the Internet is the most convenient and efficient way.

So, whether you are looking for collectible golf clubs and putters or some other golfing memorabilia why not take a good look around right now and see what is out there for you to find. We have researched and found the best golf merchandising online companies that may also be able to help you out with collectibles as well as up to date new and used golfing equipment and accessories.

Susan Dean is the webmaster and publisher of Discount Golfing Shop. Visit her site for discount golfing supplies.

By Mike Wyman

Have you ever thought about improving your golf game? Most people buy just about any gadget that comes on the market in an attempt to become a better golfer. But how many golfers consider their lie angle as a simple way to improve their game? Here’s why you should think about it.

Your lie angle can be measured quite simply by measuring where the bottom of your golf club strikes the ground when you hit the ball. This can be done by attaching a piece of masking tape to the club bottom and then getting the golfer to hit a few strokes on a black mat. The mat leaves a mark that indicates exactly where the golfer strikes the bottom of the club when swinging.

What this means is simple. Your lie angle determines which direction the ball will fly upon impact of the club. If your angle is off from the clubs you are using, you will have to compensate your aim when you shoot. The bad news is that depending on the clubs you are using, the lie angle can only be adjusted so much. Usually, if the golfer is off by more than 2 degrees, it is difficult to correct the club. A good club fitter can make some changes though so all is not lost. Even if you are off by 3 degrees, a 2 degree correction can still make a major improvement in your golf game.

So, if you are wondering if your lie angle needs adjustment, pay a visit to any custom club fitter and have an inexpensive club fitting analysis. It won’t cost you much and it will be well worth the time spent because it is a great way to improve your game without changing anything about the way you swing the golf club.

Mike Wyman is co-owner of Date A Golfer and Putting for Par.

By Steven Passarell 

Golf clubs today are really an investment. More than just financially, also an investment in your game. Iron sets can cost over $2,000 or more. Wood sets $1,700. Drivers alone can cost in excess of $1,000. At the time of purchase there isn’t much said about how to care for your new clubs. Some stores will tell you to use long neck head covers if your clubs have graphite shafts, but that’s about the total of the advice. A quality set of clubs properly cared for can last a lifetime.

The first rule in keeping your clubs in like new condition is: Don’t take out your frustrations on your clubs! That may sound a little humorous, but, I’ve repaired many more clubs damaged due to temper tantrums than were caused by normal play. For the majority of golfers, care and maintenance starts with a regular inspection of your equipment. What do you check? How long does it take? How often is needed? Total time shouldn’t take more than 5 or 10 minutes.

Ideally, you should inspect your clubs prior to and after each round. But not being able to do that, check them at least once a month, if during your inspection you find problems, get them repaired by a qualified professional golf club repairman before you use the club(s). This can save you money in the end.

Start your inspection by checking your grips for wear and tear. Grips usually wear along the top edge where the thumb rests. Grip material can get hard and glossy with age; they also would be slippery. Sometimes this can be repaired, as I’ll explain more fully later. Next, check the shafts for rust, creases, or bends. Check for loose heads. Look at the ferrules (the plastic piece that the shaft goes into before the club head). If they are unseated from the hosel it could be an indication of other problems. Check the heads for gouges, cracks, rust, etc. For graphite shafts check for scratches, wear marks, and fibers peeling away. If you are one of the select few that still use “wood” woods, inspect the finish. Chips in the finish, loose whipping, damaged or loose inserts or soleplates can drastically reduce the life of your clubs. Again, if you see any problems see your professional golf club repairman.

Regular cleaning goes a long way toward keeping your clubs new. There are courses that offer cleaning services whenever you play. Unfortunately, most of us don’t play at a facility that has this service, so we have to clean our own clubs. I know golfers who clean their clubs after every round. I also know golfers whose clubs only see water when they play in the rain. Cleaning club heads is the part of club care and maintenance with which golfers are most familiar. Start with a bucket of water (I find that lukewarm is the most comfortable to work with). Let the clubs soak, heads down, for a few minutes. Then take a medium stiff nylon bristle brush. A vegetable brush; a fingernail brush; or you can get a synthetic paintbrush and cut the bristles to about a half inch in length. Scrub the grooves and stampings and generally scrub the whole head. Scrubbing with the lines of the grooves makes it easier to clean ouy all the dirt. If you have stubborn dirt or stains, you can use a mild abrasive such as soft scrub or barkeeper’s friend. When done, rinse the head with clean water and towel dry. If the head has any minor surface rust, you can lightly rub it out with a fine grade steel wool. Use at least 000, but preferably 0000. Using a coarser grade can cause scratches in the finish of the head. Household steel wool is usually 00 grade and too coarse to use on your clubs.

After drying, you can apply a stainless or chrome polish. If you use a polish of any type, be sure to follow the manufacturer’s directions fully. These cleaning procedures are applicable to both metal woods and irons. It is not recommended to soak wooden club heads. Any heads made from wood should be washed with water and immediately towel dried. After the heads are dry, you can apply one or more coats of a good furniture wax such as Johnson’s Paste Wax. While we are talking about wooden heads, it should be noted that if you play on rainy or wet days, extra care should be taken with your wooden club heads. They will need to be kept dry. Towel dry after every shot, and never put wooden clubs into head covers! Water and humidity can ruin wooden heads quickly if there are any spots where the finish is bare (this is easily spotted during your routine inspection). Any damage should be immediately repaired by your golf equipment professional.

Cleaning your clubs is simple. It not only can make your clubs look better, it can help your game. Dirty clubs can cause “flier” lies so your shots are harder to control. Clean grooves will put more spin on the ball thereby helping to hold more greens.

Next, let’s talk about shafts. First, we will discuss steel shafts. Steel shafts are far and above the easiest and least time consuming pieces of golf equipment to maintain with regular care. Most of the time a quick wipe with a towel will keep them clean. If there is light surface rust, rub with 000 or 0000 steel wool. Again, anything coarser will cause scratches. If there is any heavy rusting or pitting, contact your golf equipment professional. After cleaning, it is a good idea to apply a good chrome polish or even a car wax.

Graphite shafts need more care than any other piece of your golf equipment. Graphite by nature has a dull appearance. Manufacturers paint each shaft and put a silkscreen logo or name on them. The next step is to put a coat of polyurethane over the paint to seal them. Normal usage of your equipment, bags being moved, clubs taken and returned, clubs banging around during a round, and even rattling around in your trunk, can wear through the polyurethane layer. After the polyurethane layer is gone, the paint will go quickly. After the paint is gone, it will not be long before the graphite fibers themselves will be damaged. If the fibers are worn and cut, the chances increase greatly that the shaft will break. This can also void any warranty that the manufacturer offers. If that’s not reason enough, graphite is very expensive to be replacing unnecessarily. Besides the longneck head covers, what can be done to prolong the life of your graphite shafts? While you may not need to clean and polish your steel shafts very often, graphite should have regular cleaning and sealing. I recommend that you clean your graphite shafts with water only. Using solvents can break down the polyurethane layer, Abrasives can scratch and wear through to the graphite, and may contain harmful solvents. Before you use any product on your equipment be sure of what it will do. After cleaning and drying apply one or more coats of a good furniture wax (i.e., Johnson’s), or a specialty product (Shaft Wax). This should be done at least once a month. With regular cleaning and maintenance, your clubs can last for many years to come.

Grips are the final area of club care that we will cover. Grip care may be the most neglected aspect of golf club maintenance. The majority of golf shops that offer regripping will tell you as a matter of course that you need to regrip at least once a year. If you want to change every year that’s all right. For the cost of a set a grips (about $40-$50), you just might want grip every year. But for the average golfer once a year is not necessarily needed. For the once a week golfer, you most likely can get away with every year and a half to two years. Grips should be changed when they are cracked, slippery, or worn. There are ways that you can extend the life of your grips. Cleaning is the number one way in keeping a grip in like new condition. Clean your grips no less than once a month. The only tools you need to clean grips are your stiff bristle brush (from club cleaning), liquid dish soap, and a towel.

Never put your clubs into a bucket of water grip first! Doing this will cause the accumulation of moisture around the butt end of the shaft, and will cause the shaft butt to rust. The rest of your club can look brand new, and be well taken care of, but will be ruined if the shaft is eaten away by rust. To clean grips dip your brush into water. Put a little dish soap on the brush and scrub the grip. Rinse with clean water, and towel dry. If the grip is hard with a crusty type covering, you may be able to bring them back to life. Take medium coarse sandpaper, or other abrasive, and “sand” the grip lengthwise. After the sanding step, you need to clean the grip as previously described. If the sanding step doesn’t work, you need to regrip. This can be time consuming, so you should decide if it’s worth the effort.

Whether you spend $200 or $2,000 for your new clubs, if you follow these simple steps you can extend the life of your clubs for years. You’ll also increase your enjoyment of the game.

Steve Passarell is the owner of Custom Club Creations, a golf club fitting and building facility. He has over 15 years of experience and has had extensive training by some of the industry’s best experts. His philosophy on custom clubs is to offer the best quality products at prices that all golfers can afford.

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