When it comes to golf grips, being tacky is a good thing. Slick golf grips impact the entire swing, causing the golfer to grip the club harder; this increases the tension in the arms and wrists. Subsequently, speed and distance suffer due to improper shoulder rotation. Cleaning your golf grips regularly removes body oils, sweat and dirt, reviving them to their former tackiness.
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Fill a bucket with warm water and a few drops of dish soap.
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Wet a brush, scrubbing pad or washcloth with the soapy water. Abrasive tools such as brushes and scrubbing pads work best on buffed rubber grips while a washcloth works best on non-buffed grips.
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Scrub the grips thoroughly on all sides.
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Rinse the grips in clean water and dry well with a clean towel. Allow the grips to dry for several hours or overnight.
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Check the grips to see if the tackiness returned. Sandpaper can be used to roughen up the surface, cutting through the slick coating that develops over time. Check the recommendations for your particular grips to find out if sanding is recommended since it is contraindicated with some brands. If you do sand your grips, wash them with warm soapy water afterward.
Tips
When the cleaning methods fail, it’s time to have the grips replaced entirely.
Clean grips about once a month and replace them every one to two years depending on their frequency of use.