I genuinely believe that knowing the best way to clean golf clubs is an essential part of my investment and performance in golf. It is an expensive and elite sport, but it isn’t exclusive to the rich.

It hurts my pocket sometimes; that is why I consider measures to avoid unnecessary costs while making sure my performance is at optimum.
Golf equipment is not cost-friendly. I see to it that I clean mine now and then to make sure I can use it on a long-term basis.
Of course, it needs care too. I experience better control when my golf clubs are clean.
Dirt-free grooves allow higher surface area contact with the golf ball at impact; thus, giving a better spin.
What is the best way to clean golf clubs
The best way to clean golf clubs may vary depending on its type. Golf club heads may be iron, metal wood, or wooden. Shafts and grips should also be considered.
Materials needed to clean your golf clubs:
- Warm water
- Bucket
- Dishwashing liquid or soap
- Soft-bristle brush/ old toothbrush
- Towel
- Chrome or steel polish
- Cloth
How to clean golf clubs with an iron head
When using an iron head golf club, we must avoid using hot water. It can potentially ruin the ferrule.
We should mix warm water and mild dishwashing liquid or soap in a bucket instead.
Fill it with enough water to cover the clubheads. The amount of time we submerge our clubs to water may differ.
Clubheads with little to moderate amounts of dirt can be immersed in just five minutes.
However, ten minutes or more is required for clubs that are particularly dirty or have vexing stains. The best way to clean golf clubs also relies on the brush we use.
A Soft-bristle brush or an old toothbrush is an excellent choice.
Whenever I clean my golf clubs, I follow the same strokes. I brush its face first then back. Of course, I make sure to also run the brush from top to bottom.
I don’t use wire-bristle brushes, no matter how filthy the surface of my golf club is. It can damage the face of the clubhead and affect my performance.
In cases where the club gets rusty, we should consider using fine steel wool. Steel wool with grades 000 and 0000 might be the best option in the market since they are much more delicate.
After all the brushing, we should rinse the clubhead with water to remove extra dirt. If there’s still dirt left, scrubbing it one more time won’t hurt.
We should not forget to dry the golf clubs. It is essential to make sure our clubs don’t get rusty after. I usually give my clubs a nice touch after cleaning using chrome or steel polish.
How to clean metal wood or wooden golf club
What is the best way to clean golf clubs when they are metal wood or wooden? Knowing the difference between these types is the first step we should take.
The metal wood club has metal plates on it while the wooden club is just wood. The wooden type is rarely seen in modern clubs. Regardless of the type, it should not be soaked in water.
-
Cleaning a metal wood clubhead
We should mix warm water and a small amount of dishwashing liquid or soap (preferably two teaspoons) in a bucket.
I prefer dipping the soft-bristle brush, but washing the clubhead directly works too as long as it is lifted out immediately.
Scrubbing is the most crucial part of cleaning, so we might as well do it properly.
We should brush the grooves only and not any other part of the head. Woods get damaged when wet because of the moisture it absorbs. Drying the club after washing is a ritual.
-
Cleaning a wooden clubhead
What we should do first if we own this type of clubhead is to get a bucket with warm water, and then dip a cloth to make it damp.
Wooden heads are more fragile than the other types, which is why we cannot submerge it directly in water. We should use the damp cloth to wipe down all the dirt on our clubs carefully.
The golden rule in cleaning clubs is to make sure it’s fully dry after. We should always keep in mind how moisture damages our equipment.
How to clean the shaft and the grip
These parts are cleaned similarly. However, we should only use a brush in cleaning the grip and not the shaft.
-
Cleaning the shaft
The procedure also depends on what type of shaft we have. Steel shafts are the easiest to clean. We only have to use a cloth to wipe down all the dirt, and there’s no need for water.
Conversely, we need to dampen a cloth with water and carefully wipe the dirt when dealing with graphite shafts.
Since they are made of polyurethane coating, any other solvents and brushes are not recommended because they may ruin the layer and eventually lead to snapping.
Drying is also a no-skip step. I prefer using high-quality furniture wax after to polish my golf shafts.
We should also remember to replace the graphite shaft when we see any dents or nicks in it since the outer coating somehow holds the shaft together.
-
Cleaning the grip
The practice is almost the same when cleaning a grip. We need water, soap, and of course, a brush. We should rinse the grip with water and then apply a little hand soap.
Afterwhich, we scrub it using a bristle brush to make sure even nooks and crannies are cleaned. We should lift the grip out of the water immediately, albeit we can wet it a little.
Drying is always in our rules. This is to avoid rusting.
Cleaning our golf clubs may primarily contribute to how long they last, but how we arrange them in a bag and how we handle them when we’re going places are also essential.
The Relevance of Knowing How to Set Golf Clubs in Bag
As golfers, we must know how to set up a golf bag with clubs properly. We may not notice right away, but improper placement somehow damages our equipment.
Consider being in a rush and needing the tall golf clubs, but we placed it at the back and not in front.
If that’s how we arranged it, chances are our clubs would get scratches when we pull them out.
What is the best way to ship golf clubs?
Preparing our golf clubs properly before shipping can be extra work, but it is a measure to guarantee they remain in good condition even after we’ve traveled places.
We should know the best way to ship golf clubs. Well, don’t fret because I’ve got a few techniques up my sleeves.
-
Steps to follow before shipping
How much does a full set of golf clubs weigh?
On average, they weigh more or less 30 pounds, so we have to ensure we use a sturdy box when shipping.
-
- If our shipment is at 40 pounds, we must select 275 burst strength boxes.
- We should wrap each of our golf clubs individually with two bubble wraps to avoid any scratch.
- After that, we should place it in a golf bag for easier transport.
- Placing them in a golf bag isn’t enough to ensure they don’t get damaged.
- We must place them in a shipping box and fill the spaces with more bubble wraps.
- Using paper or other filler material won’t provide enough cushioning because of the clubs’ weight.
- We should ensure that the cushioning is at least two inches so that the items do not shift inside the box while it’s getting shipped.
- Of course, we should secure the box and packaging tape is our best bet. Using other tapes don’t provide the same strength of adhesion.
- If our shipment is at 40 pounds, we must select 275 burst strength boxes.
Final Thoughts
The best way to clean golf clubs depends on the type of equipment we use. Cleaning methods are different, so applying the wrong procedure can potentially ruin our golf clubs.
Moreover, cleaning alone doesn’t guarantee they will last long.
Knowing the best way to ship golf clubs and how to arrange them in a bag before shipping can also be handy. I don’t like it when my clubs get scrapes, and I think every golfer would agree.
It’s only a matter of knowing what we own and what cleaning and organizing procedures are the best fit for it.
Imagine if we both have advanced skills and properly maintained clubs. We’re certainly going to make new records in the golf course.
Nothing beats a player who knows how to take care of his or her equipment.
Last Updated on March 2, 2023 by Paul Roger Steinberg