Caring for your golf clubs is just as important as how you swing them. Here are some tips on how to clean, store, and care for your custom-fit golf clubs so they don’t just become decorations for the corner of your garage.

Cleaning your golf clubs

Having clean clubs doesn’t just make them look shiny and brand new; it also helps them continue to perform at their full potential.

Grass, dirt and maybe even a spilt transfusion can build up in the grooves of your clubs, affecting the performance of your shots. Irons and wedges will both have their spin and control negatively affected without a clean face. 

The same substances and scuffs can also affect your putting and driving, too.

It's recommended to tend to your clubs with a proper cleaning every few rounds or after a particularly muddy or damp round.

You’re going to want:

• A bucket of warm water
• Dish soap
• A soft-bristled brush
• Hand towels

Always start cleaning your clubs from the head, and then scrub up.

To clean the clubheads:

• Put a small amount of dish soap into your warm bucket of water.
• Dunk your clubhead into the water for 15 seconds.
• Remove the head and wipe it down thoroughly with a towel.
• Gently scrub the remaining foreign debris from the grooves using the soft-bristled brush.

Not done yet! Natural oils, sweat and those pesky transfusions can cause your grips to deteriorate and become more slippery over time. To clean the shaft and grip:

• Take a new hand towel and run it under water.
• Wipe the grip. DO NOT soak the grip in water or use bristles on your grips.
• Use soap and water to wipe down the shaft.

We’ve always suggested that you regrip once a year at a minimum to maximize your club and grip performance. But if you like the feel of your current grips, just make sure you clean them properly to extend their lifespan.

Before you put your clubs back in your bag, make sure they are completely dry. If you store wet clubs, they can become rusty quicker, and they can even be damaged beyond repair. Only clean your clubs one at a time and dry the club off completely before moving to the next.

Storing your clubs

Whether it’s between rounds or the end of your golf season, storing your clubs is extremely important.

Take it from somebody who once kept his clubs in the trunk of his car for an entire winter, it’s absolutely horrible for the long-term performance of your clubs.

It goes without saying that the trunk of your car is not the best place to keep your clubs long-term. You should always store your clubs in a climate-controlled environment without humidity or moisture. Your garage or the trunk of your car is a bad place to put your clubs because an environment that contains extreme heat or cold can weaken the glue on your club’s components.

Keeping them inside your home or office is the safest bet — just make sure they’re out of the way of your family’s daily routines. The last thing you need is your kids using your clubs as lightsabers – even though it looks cool.

If possible, you should put a rain/travel cover over your bag during extended storage to help prevent scratches and dents. I know there’s a stigma attached to ironhead covers, but in the case of long-term storage or extended periods of travel, it wouldn’t be a bad idea to get headcovers for all your clubs to prevent bumps, bruises and dust buildup.

General upkeep

Outside of cleaning and general storage procedures, your clubs are going to naturally age. There’s going to be one bad swing after a couple dozen rounds and something may come loose. 

Getting your clubs fit through Club Champion is a lifetime investment. Your fitter is determined to ensure that your clubs consistently play their best for you. So, make sure you keep in touch with your fitter to let them know when anything about your clubs may start to feel different and they’ll invite you in to get your set back to tip-top shape.

Proper cleaning, storage, and care will allow you to get the best return on your investment and enjoy your ideal clubs for years to come.