STOP! This is NOT a “how to regrip” article. Read on to see what I mean.
What is the condition of your golf grips? Are you starting to see some shiny spots and find yourself thinking about tightening your grip during your swing? Has it been a while since your last regrip?
All of us golfers know that our golf grips deteriorate over time. Besides getting worn and slick by the friction from our hands, the rubber and other compounds get crusty and hard. If we wait long enough, they will start cracking and falling apart.
Falling Apart? You mean some golfers wait that long before they regrip? Sadly, the answer is yes! Even after the need for new grips is painfully obvious, for some reason, a lot of us put off this necessary club upgrade for weeks, no months. Why? I don’t get it. It’s one of the mysteries of golf!
If you are one of those procrastinating golfers, shame on you! If you only knew how easy it is to regrip clubs, you could keep your clubs in A-1 shape in a timely manner. This really is a simple operation. There is no reason to play with worn, slick grips that cause you to lose strokes all over the course. We covered that subject in a previous article “Golf Grips: Are they Costing You Strokes?” Check it out.
Now listen up! To repeat, the following IS NOT A LESSON ON HOW TO REGRIP GOLF CLUBS. A good explanation of the regripping process is not possible in a short article like this one. All I want to do here is describe the basic steps that would be necessary in the typical regripping process. I hope to kindle an interest in you or any golfer to get their clubs regripped and point out how easy it is to do it yourself.
Even though the process of regripping is not difficult, I have to admit it is very helpful if you can get some help getting started. At first, I hesitated to outline the basic steps as I have done below. Why? Then I would be just like everybody else out there. Others write down a few steps and then give you a sentence or two on each. If you haven’t done a lot of regripping, it is totally unfair to represent the regripping process in a few brief sentences. Trying to learn regripping without further explanation is going to be frustrating.
You will likely make some mistakes, get irritated and maybe forget about regripping altogether. That would be counterproductive. I am trying to get you interested in doing your own regripping, not run you off. It would be unfair (and a huge disservice on my part) to try to lead you through the process in a forum like this.
The best I can do here is to briefly spell out the steps so you can start to see that it is not nuclear science. I think it might be worth the effort to give you a primer to build on later.
Then you can start to think about learning more about how each step is performed. So, while you are reading the brief summary steps below, don’t try to get too deep into a step. Just relax, take it all in and resolve to yourself to get more details later.
I am going to use SIX STEPS to describe the regripping process. That is not a magic number. There could be five, seven, or maybe even nine steps depending on how you slice up or combine the various parts. Remember, this is not a “how to” article. This is a “think about” article. You can find more information on websites like the one noted below.
Step One: Gather Tools and Materials.
A few simple tools and supplies will be needed. The list will include a vice (or alternate clamping device), a utility knife, new double sided grip adhesive tape, shaft clamp, grip tape solvent, and, of course, new grips.
The grip tape and shaft clamp are sort of specialty items you can get where you get your new grips. The other items can be found at the local hardware store.
Step Two: Remove The Old Grip.
You are going to slice the grip open down its full length, then pull it loose from the shaft. Before you start removing the grip, it is best to put a shaft clamp on the shaft for protection and then place the shaft in a vice. Once the club is secured, use the utility knife (with a hooked blade) to slice open the grip. Start at the small end and slice it down its entire length down to the old grip tape underneath.
Step Three: Remove Old Grip Tape.
Peel off all the old tape down to the bare shaft. If the tape is old and crusty, you may have to scrape it off with a utility knife (steel shaft) or an old kitchen knife with a stout blade. Be careful with graphite shafts. The graphite fibers can be damaged.
Step Four: Put New Grip Tape on Shaft.
Cut a length of new grip tape a little shorter than the new grip. Place it on the shaft with about ½ inch overhang on the butt end of the shaft. Peel off the backing. Form the tape around the shaft and tuck in the part overhanging the butt end. Avoid wrinkles and air bubbles as you wrap the tape around the shaft.
Step Five: Slide on New Grip.
To slide the new grip on the shaft, you need to make the adhesive on the tape very slippery. Do this by pouring a small amount of solvent over the tape. A small amount should be swirled around the inside of the grip also. The idea is to get all surfaces coated and slippery. The type solvent used depends on the type of tape you have purchased for the job.
When all the surfaces are slick, slide the new grip over the tape until the grip is fully on the shaft. This is the step where beginners have problems. You should plan on practicing this step or get some help understanding what is involved. The club will be playable with a brand new feel in a few hours depending on the temperature.
Step Six: Clean Up
During the regripping process you will have worked with adhesives, solvents, old rubber and general dirt and grime. Not only do you need to clean yourself up, the club will need some clean up too.
THAT’S IT! A quick, down and dirty, very brief summary of the regripping steps. It will not take much imagination to realize that this process is doable by most golfers who can put forth any effort to learn the details. Once you learn the process you can save yourself money, time, and the hassle of dropping off clubs somewhere and do it on your own schedule.
I’m sorry not to give you all the details of regripping here. I hope you can find some inspiration to get involved for yourself. Please, don’t rely on this incomplete information to start out putting new grips on your clubs. Do a little research first. You can find more information about regripping and grips in general from several online sources one of which is mentioned below. Check it out. Do yourself a favor. Pick a source that has lots of details so you can get started on the right foot..
Don’t play golf with worn grips. That is like playing tennis with broken strings in your racket. It doesn’t have to be that way. There is no reason for grips to cost you strokes out on the course. At the very least, find the time to take them out to a clubmaker or your local professional. However, regripping clubs for yourself will be much more satisfying and convenient.
Take control of your clubs. Paying attention to your grips is a cheap and easy way to customize your clubs to your game. New grips will make your clubs feel brand new without the new club price tag.
Steve Westfall is a retired Certified Clubmaker. He now passes on his golf equipment expertise in articles and E-books. He has created a website all about golf grips. all golfers should know the why and how their grips affect their golf game. Learn more about how to regrip your clubs. Get a FREE REPORT. Visit http://www.easygolfgrips.com
