How often should golfers REALLY get their clubs re-gripped?

36 Professionals Contributed |
How often do you actually re-grip your clubs? Never? Well shame on you... Here are are some helpful tips on when you should actually be re-gripping your golf clubs.

Ben Hogan said that a good grip is the most important element of a golf swing.

Ben Hogan said that a good grip is the most important element of a golf swing. Getting golf clubs re-gripped is essential to peak performance. If the grip on the golf club is old and too slick, the golfer will try and compensate by tightening up their grip and their forearm muscles. This will decrease performance and power in the golf swing, and possible hand injuries.

When should grips be re-gripped? A good rule-of-thumb is to change out your grips when they get slick, brittle, or get grip’s rubber starts to become smooth. However, a wire brush could lengthen the life of the grip. A wire brush will rough up the rubber and extend the life of the grip by a few more rounds.

If you’d like to learn how to grip your club, see the video link below. Also, please send in a video of your golf swing for a free golf swing analysis at SwingEssentials.com

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PGA Golf Pro
"Ben Hogan said that a good grip is the most important element of a golf swing." @SwingEssentials Click to Tweet

I recommend the avid golfer replace their grips every six months.

As a golf professional that has re-gripped tens of thousands of clubs and who has worked in both arid and maritime climates, I recommend the avid golfer replace their grips every six months. If budget does not allow and the player uses golf pride rubber grips or something similar then at least once a month, wash the grips with warm water and Dawn dish washing soap and then re-wipe the grips with a wet towel with clean water followed by a wipe down with a dry towel. This will get a lot of the oils from human hands off of the grips and make them a little tackier like when new. It will extend the life of the grips.

Fircrest Golf Club
"I recommend the avid golfer replace their grips every six months." Click to Tweet

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Avid golfers know how important brand new grips are, when it comes to successful performance on the links.

Avid golfers know how important brand new grips are, when it comes to successful performance on the links. When you are playing a lot and practicing regularly, your golf grips naturally collect sweat and dirt. Having a PGA golf professional install brand new golf grips on your clubs at the beginning of every golf season is a great idea! I recommend using Golf Pride Grips, installed by a qualified professional. Invest at the start of each and every golf season!

The Country Club of Virginia
"Avid golfers know how important brand new grips are, when it comes to successful performance on the links." Click to Tweet

What you want to pay attention to is if you are getting wear marks or if your grips are becoming slick.

In regard to how often you change your grips depends on how often you play and practice. If you are a very active player your grips will wear out faster. What you want to pay attention to is if you are getting wear marks or if your grips are becoming slick. The first thing I tell people is to wash your grips with hot soapy water. If they are relatively new this should bring the tackiness back. If they are still slick after cleaning, then you should replace your grips.

I believe in having light grip pressure on the club. If your grips are slick you will have to squeeze harder to keep them in your hands and in my opinion this will hamper your swing.

What I have told people to do in the past is to find a popular grip that you like and put them on all of your clubs. If the grip is popular the manufactures will tend to leave them in the lineup for a long time. Because of this you can then just replace the grips on your favorite clubs that you use the most which will wear out faster.

This will help keep your cost down since you don’t have to have every club re-gripped at the same time.

Flagler Golf Academy
"What you want to pay attention to is if you are getting wear marks or if your grips are becoming slick." Click to Tweet

Grips should be changed whenever they start feeling hard or slightly slick.

Grips should be changed whenever they start feeling hard or slightly slick. Normally the driver and wedges are the first ones that show these characteristics. How long a grip lasts varies a good deal. Type of grip, how often the clubs are used, how often the grips are cleaned, weather, if clubs are kept in trunk of car, etc. all effect grip life. Iā€™ve seen players who have to change grips every 6-8 months, others have grips last 2-3 years. Most players have no idea they need to wash their grips and how much this helps them feel better and last longer.

"Grips should be changed whenever they start feeling hard or slightly slick." Click to Tweet

In general, only the player themselves can determine when it's time to change grips.

I’m sure everyone has heard how often tour pros get their clubs re-gripped? Some tour pros do it as often as every new event. This is a bit of overkill, but they do appreciate the feeling of fresh grips at the start of every event. Unfortunately, most of us do not have the resources to get our clubs re-gripped that often, so we need to know when the time is right. That time is specific to each player. With the cost of a full set re-grip costing upwards of $150-$200 (depending on grip) we want to get the most out of our grips. Some grips will last longer than others depending of the type of material they are made out of. This factor plays a major role is determining when to re-grip.

I myself re-grip my clubs when the material of the grip has lost its tack. As we play, the oils from our hands cover the grip, as does our sweat and potentially anything else on our hands. Keeping our grips clean helps with their longevity. Sometimes using water and a fine grit sand paper will help bring the grips back to their original feel. Once this trick no longer works, it is time to change them out. Another way to keep your grips lasting longer is to keep them out of prolonged exposure to cold weather. If you live in the north and have to deal with extremely cold temperatures, do not store your clubs where the temperatures are close to those outside. Rubber grips that have been exposed to very cold temperatures will lose their elasticity, thus shortening the grips lifespan.

In general, only the player themselves can determine when it’s time to change grips. Nothing does beat the feel of brand new grips!

PGA Golf Professional
"In general, only the player themselves can determine when it's time to change grips." @RobKrajewski Click to Tweet

Keep an eye out for wear marks from your thumbs, feel if the grip is getting hard, slick, or cracking

It depends on how well you maintain your grips, how often you play or practice, the environment you store your clubs ( A hot garage or car trunk will shorten the life of your grips fast), grip pressure in the swing (Too tight can produce wear marks), and also the brand and type of grip makes a huge difference in the longevity of your grips.

It is possible to go many years without changing your grips. The longest I went was 6 years. I actually wore out the shafts before I wore out the grips!!! This was due to regular cleaning, proper storage, and light grip pressure. For the record, the brand and model were Lamkin Crossline Full Cord grips. I have never experienced another grip that lasts as long as that one did.

Keep an eye out for wear marks from your thumbs, feel if the grip is getting hard, slick, or cracking, and if those conditions exist, change your grips.

"Keep an eye out for wear marks from your thumbs, feel if the grip is getting hard, slick, or cracking" Click to Tweet

Learn to maintain your grips, and change them as needed.

When it comes to managing your grips, the Manufacturers probably won’t like my answer! Learn to maintain your grips, and change them as needed. Frequency of play and practice is the main factor. Get in the habit of washing them regularly with warm soapy water (for conventional composite /and rubber grips) and spray them with Windex glass cleaner to keep them tacky. For soft, and Winn style grips, which show wear and pressure marks faster, wipe them down with a lightly dampened towel.

We tend to use certain clubs more than others, therefore, some become worn slick and show deep pressure marks sooner. In this case, if the rest are well maintained, you only need to replace a few. The bottom line is: take care of them and be aware of their condition. Self- sponsored Golf Pros like me on a budget know the importance of good grips and have learned how to manage them. Even though I get my grips for free now. (thank you Golf Pride and Don Martin Co.) I still do these things.

I’ll let you in on a little secret. I carry a sheet of 80 grit sandpaper in my bag and check my grips during my warm-up. If there is an issue and I don’t like the feel of a club, (usually my 56, my driver or 7 iron, which are frequently used) I sand them lightly, wipe ’em down with my damp golf towel, and they feel like new.!

I am not telling you to be cheap. It’s just that 10 bucks is ten bucks. These tips will keep your grips feeling fresh, save at least one grip set change per season, and good feeling grips will definitely allow you to play better.

If money is not an issue, and you are on tour or a high-level player, disregard everything I said and have someone change them out every other week.

Great feeling grips are a must for great performance!!

Play well, have fun.

Olde School Golf School
"Learn to maintain your grips, and change them as needed." Click to Tweet

Low handicaps and everyday players are now averaging every two years

Over my career. the industry standard had been regrip only when showing wear. But in the last two decades, through commercial awareness of Golf Pride, this has changed. Low handicaps and everyday players are now averaging every two years, as an average. Once a week players or less can go many years, but many of them upgrade their equipment instead.

"Low handicaps and everyday players are now averaging every two years" Click to Tweet

Re-gripping your clubs is extremely important for consistency in your game.

Re-gripping your clubs is extremely important for consistency in your game. How often it should be done will depend on the amount of play and the type of grip you use, as well as weather. The more often you play the more often re-gripping will be advantageous. Obviously some grips wear faster than others.Ā  That being said, I think a minimum of twice a year is a fairly basic schedule to follow.

I would also note that I have an extra wrap at the bottom of my wedge grips, so if I choke down, I still have the same size grip. If you choke down on clubs on a regular basis, you might want to try this technique.

Leader Golf
"Re-gripping your clubs is extremely important for consistency in your game." Click to Tweet

The second you start questioning your hands on the handle, it's time to re-grip.

It’s different amount of time for everyone. The second you start questioning your hands on the handle, it’s time to re-grip. Wedges may be a few times per year. Sounds confusing but if you really think about it’s true. Trust your hands.

Coyote Springs Golf Club
"The second you start questioning your hands on the handle, it's time to re-grip." Click to Tweet

If your grips are getting slick it is going to cause you to squeeze tighter leading to mishits.

Simple answer would be the more you play the more you have to change your grips. If your grips are getting slick it is going to cause you to squeeze tighter leading to mishits. You want to keep your grip pressure light as much as possible, and fresh grips certainly help that. For the Avid golfer, once a year.

Fairways Golf Course
"If your grips are getting slick it is going to cause you to squeeze tighter leading to mishits." Click to Tweet

Golfer are notoriously bad at storing there clubs in a proper place.

Every 6 months. Golfer are notoriously bad at storing there clubs in a proper place. Do not keep your clubs in your trunk.

KPI Golf Management
"Golfer are notoriously bad at storing there clubs in a proper place." Click to Tweet

When the grips have lost that tackiness and/or are moving in your hands when you swing.

Thereā€™s no real timeline for how often you should get your clubs regripped. It just depends on how much you use your clubs and how tacky or torn up the grips are. You really want to regrip your clubs when the grips have lost that tackiness and/or are moving in your hands when you swing.

"When the grips have lost that tackiness and/or are moving in your hands when you swing." Click to Tweet

If you are an avid golfer then I would recommend that you change your grips every year.

It really depends if you are a avid golfer or not. To me an avid golfer plays regularly, at least once a week and practices a couple times a week. If you are an avid golfer then I would recommend that you change your grips every year. I would also recommend that if you practice a lot that you routinely clean your grips at least once a week. Simply take a damp towel and wipe all the grips. This will remove dirt, dust etc. Then after you wipe the grips down take a dry towel and remove the excess moisture. You will be amazed how new and tacky the grips feel. This process will keep your grips feeling like new for a very long time.

"If you are an avid golfer then I would recommend that you change your grips every year." Click to Tweet

You want a new set of clubs? Get them re-gripped you will have the new club feel!

When the grips start getting slick and your shots are less consistent…Lastly, you want a new set of clubs? Get them re-gripped you will have the new club feel!

"You want a new set of clubs? Get them re-gripped you will have the new club feel!" Click to Tweet

The amount of golf you play, the weather, and other factors like sunscreen all contribute to the need to change them.

Lamkin suggests changing your grips every 40 rounds or once a year. The amount of golf you play, the weather, and other factors like sunscreen all contribute to the need to change them. Getting in the habit of changing them once a year before your season starts helps.

Nick Duffy Golf
"The amount of golf you play, the weather, and other factors like sunscreen all contribute to the need to change them." Click to Tweet

Take care of your equipment and it will take care of you!

It really depends on a few factors: How often you play, where you store your clubs when not in use and how much effort do you put into keeping the grips clean. If you play and practice 3 times a week or more, keep your clubs in the trunk of your car and never use soap and water to clean your grips I would recommend changing out your grips on a yearly basis. If you don’t play that often, keep them the clubs in a climate controlled area when not playing and you are not afraid to clean your grips every once in a while, I bet you could get three or four seasons out of them! Take care of your equipment and it will take care of you!

Sun City West Golf
"Take care of your equipment and it will take care of you!" Click to Tweet

Depends on how often you play.

How often you should change your grips honestly depends on how often you play. If you play or practice more than three times a week I recommend changing your grips twice a year if you only play once a week or once every month I recommend changing your grips every two years because over time theyā€™ll get hard but grips are important so take care of them. Youā€™d be surprised how a warm bucket with Dawn detergent and a scrub brush will rejuvenate slick grips.

PGA Golf Professional
"Depends on how often you play." Click to Tweet

I recommend at least once per year - or immediately if you see signs of wear.

It depends on how much you play, what kind of grips are used, how much you sweat and whether your hand position and grip pressure are correct.
All of these issues aside, I recommend at least once per year – or immediately if you see signs of wear.

Balbi Golf
"I recommend at least once per year - or immediately if you see signs of wear." Click to Tweet

Grip pressure is the most important.

Depending on the type of grip and how often you play. You should change grips before every season. If you donā€™t play as often due to location , change every other season. Grip pressure is the most important. You should hold your golf club similar to the way you hold your steering wheel on your car.

Delray Dunes Golf & Country Club
"Grip pressure is the most important." Click to Tweet

Smart to use your old wedges as practice wedges and save the good grips and grooves for the gaming.Ā 

I have had the same grips for over a year. But thinking about getting a new one on the 58 and 54 wedges Ā  Ā Smart to use your old wedges as practice wedges and save the good grips and grooves for the gaming.

Jim Mclean Golf School
"Smart to use your old wedges as practice wedges and save the good grips and grooves for the gaming.Ā " Click to Tweet

A good indicator to me is when my golf glove is getting dirty from my golf grips.

Golfers should get the clubs regripped when they are showing wear, become slick, or a good indicator to me is when my golf glove is getting dirty from my golf grips.

PGA Golf Professional
"A good indicator to me is when my golf glove is getting dirty from my golf grips." Click to Tweet

Depends on how often you play, and if you keep your clubs in the car.

Depends on how often you play, and if you keep your clubs in the car. Less than 25 rounds once a year. More than 50 rounds a year twice.
I change mine 3 or 4 times a year.

Westerville Golf Center
"Depends on how often you play, and if you keep your clubs in the car." @GolfDrDave Click to Tweet

Your clubs will feel brand new and your connection to the club secure!

Golfers should all re-grip their clubs at least once per year. Your clubs will feel brand new and your connection to the club secure! The different grip options on the market offer some extremely different feels so always ask your professional when making a change.

Jack Nicklaus Academy of Golf
"Your clubs will feel brand new and your connection to the club secure!" Click to Tweet

Anyone playing 4 times a week or so should regrip once a year.

Anyone playing 4 times a week or so should regrip once a year. Tour Pros probably 2-3 times a year

Even if you play only a few times a year, you should regrip every 3 years

DragonRidge Country Club
"Anyone playing 4 times a week or so should regrip once a year." Click to Tweet

If your grips look worn or if they are slippery, you should replace your grips.

Depends on some key factors, how many practice balls have been hit, how many rounds have been played with this set of grips. Heat, dirt, and oils from the skin also wear on the life of a grip. If your grips look worn or if they are slippery, you should replace your grips. I recommend 1-3 time per playing season.

Worn grips cause slippage, off center hits and gripping to tight with a worn grip. Benefits of new grips, fresh grips allow for proper grip pressure, which allow for proper swing mechanics and wrist action. Don’t let worn grips hurt your game.

See your local PGA Professional to find the proper Grip size, and material for you.

Matt Stotler Golf
"If your grips look worn or if they are slippery, you should replace your grips." Click to Tweet

Golfers should wash and clean their grips every 5 to 6 rounds.

Traction between the hands and the grip is a key element to be able to maintain control of the golf club with a light grip tension. Golfers should wash and clean their grips every 5 to 6 rounds. Hot water, any kitchen grease cutting spray (409, Fantastic, etc), and a stiff bristle brush will clean all of the dirt and salt that we grind into the grip off. When cleaning the grips do not make the grips feel tackier, then it is time to change grips. Cleaning a rubber grip regularly will produce more traction and it will make the grip last twice as long.

"Golfers should wash and clean their grips every 5 to 6 rounds." Click to Tweet

About once every 30 to 40 rounds

About once every 30 to 40 rounds.

Frosty Valley Golf Links
"About once every 30 to 40 rounds" Click to Tweet

If they play and practice regularly, probably every 12-16 months.

If they play and practice regularly, probably every 12-16 months.

"If they play and practice regularly, probably every 12-16 months." @augustagolf Click to Tweet

If the grip is noticeably firm, or slick

It depends on many factors, but if the grip is noticeably firm, or slick, then you’re past the time when you should have replaced the grip.

PGA Professional
"If the grip is noticeably firm, or slick" @iacas Click to Tweet

Never go more than a year without changing your grips!

For an active player (3-4 times a week) grips would need to be changed twice a year. For a casual golfer (2 times a month or less) once a year would work fine. Never go more than a year without changing your grips!

"Never go more than a year without changing your grips!" Glf66Grl Click to Tweet

I recommended on a bi-annual basis to my students.

I guess it depends on how often one plays. I recommended on a bi-annual basis to my students.

Oneputt Productions, Inc
"I recommended on a bi-annual basis to my students." Click to Tweet

Whenever the player feels it has become an issue.

Whenever the player feels it has become an issue.

Lake Isle Country Club
"Whenever the player feels it has become an issue." Click to Tweet

Wear them out with practice ! And then change them after you can't hang any more .

Wear them out with practice ! And then change them after you can’t hang any more .

"Wear them out with practice ! And then change them after you can't hang any more ." Click to Tweet

I recommend getting re-gripped at least once every six months.

I recommend getting re-gripped at least once every six months. Fresh grips are proven to improve feel, lower scores and overall make your golf game better. Make sure you get the right size for your hands.

The Links At Teton Peaks
"I recommend getting re-gripped at least once every six months." Click to Tweet

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