When to Regrip Your Golf Clubs

Whether before or during the season, knowing when to replace your golf grips can make a difference on your scorecard.

Have you noticed your golf grips are starting to look a little worn? Maybe they just don’t have that same feel you’re used to? Well, chances are it’s time to regrip your clubs.

Your grips are what connect you to every club in your bag. Yet, they often get overlooked. Golf professional Matt Trimbur likens them to tires on a car. You don’t seem to realize how worn they are until you finally replace them. However, installing new grips on your clubs can lead to smoother rounds on the course, just like new tires can lead to a smoother ride.

“By having new grips installed, you’ll have your old clubs feeling like new again,” Trimbur says.

WHEN TO REGRIP GOLF CLUBS

A good rule of thumb is to regrip your golf clubs at least once a year. Some golfers even prefer to regrip their clubs in the spring to start each season fresh. However, Trimbur notes there are several variables to consider, including how often you play.

“The more rounds you play, the quicker your grips are going to wear out,” he says. Trimbur adds that an avid golfer can expect to regrip their clubs three times during the year. This is based off the implied schedule of visiting the course four times per week along with practice rounds.

BONUS PRO TIP: It’s not just about how many rounds of 18 you can get in. If you’re also a frequent visitor to the driving range, Trimbur suggests practicing with different clubs to help preserve your grips.

Other factors to consider when regripping your clubs include if you wear a golf glove and the weather conditions you typically play in.

“Regularly playing in a hot, humid climate can also cause the grip to wear out faster,” Trimbur says.

For example, playing in warm weather will likely cause you to sweat more. As sweat, oil and dirt leave your hands and enter a grip’s pores, the grip begins to clog up and become unplayable, Trimbur explains.

SIGNS YOUR GRIPS NEED TO BE REPLACED

When it comes to wear and tear on your grips, Trimbur says the pressure points under your thumbs are usually the first to go.

Signs you should replace your grips include:

• Noticeable wearing
• Cracks
• Shiny or slick spots
• Smooth or hard surfaces

“But even if your grips pass the eye test, you’ll still want to take [into] consideration how they feel,” Trimbur says. “If your grips begin to get slick, they need to be replaced.”

Ready for new grips but not quite ready to install them yourself? Contact or visit the Golf Services PROS at your local DICK’S Sporting Goods to schedule an appointment for their golf club regripping service. Their certified fitters can also perform a grip fitting and analysis to ensure you’re playing with the correct size and style.

Once your grips are ready to go, test them out with these tips on how to attack a narrow fairway.