So, it’s the off season. You probably haven’t played as much golf in the last few months as you would have liked and the season is fast approaching. One of the best ways to motivate yourself to practice again is to upgrade your equipment. Everyone loves a new putter or the hottest driver at the golf shop, but there are other ways to upgrade without breaking the bank. Re-gripping is my favorite! Grips cost anywhere from $4-$12 each and the equipment you need is cheap and easy to find. If you are inexperienced the re-gripping process takes about 10-15 minutes per club. Here’s how I prepare for the start of golf season:
You will need a few tools: Hook Knife or Utility Blade, Grip Tape (2″ x 9″), New Grips (check what size grips you need before you order your new ones), Grip Tape Activator or Solvent (Optional C-Clamp and Rubber Shaft Vice Grip). Also make sure you have a bucket or trash can nearby to catch the solvent that drips out of the end of the grip.
You can purchase grip tape or activator solution at any major golf retailer or online (I got mine at GolfTech Warehouse).
Step 1: Remove Old Grip
Begin by using your hook knife or utility blade to slice open the old grip.
Peel the old grip back to expose the golf club shaft and existing grip tape.
Remove old grip and use utility knife or putty knife to scrape away old grip tape.
Step 2: Apply New Grip Tape
Begin this step by removing one side of your double-sided adhesive grip tape and wrapping it around the butt-end of the shaft. Make sure you leave about 1/4″ of tape hanging off the end of the shaft. Use a hard flat surface like a pencil to remove as many air bubbles as possible. Remove the second side of the grip tape so that tape becomes sticky then fold the extra 1/4″ of grip tape over the butt-end of the shaft to seal the hole.
Steps 3 and 4: Installing and Aligning New Grips
Apply a generous amount of activator fluid or solvent to the grip tape and the inside of the grip.
Quickly slide the new grip over the grip tape. This must be done quickly!!! If you wait too long to slide the new grip on, it will stick to the adhesive tape before the grip is correctly aligned.
Immediately after the new grip is installed, align the logo on the grip with the leading edge of the golf club. Most grips have a small notch or white line near the center of the logo that indicates the top of the grip.
Once the grip is aligned correctly, gently tap the butt-end of the club on the ground and wipe off excess solvent from the grip and shaft of the golf club. Allow to dry for 24 hours.
