How to maintain your golf clubs: the complete guide 2026

Why maintaining your golf clubs really changes your game

A dirty club is unforgiving. As soon as a groove is clogged with dirt, grass, or sand, contact with the ball becomes inconsistent: spin decreases, the trajectory becomes less predictable, and distances vary from one shot to the next for the same swing. On the multi-level driving range at Golf du Belvédère, this phenomenon is regularly observed, with players attributing inconsistency to their technique when a simple cleaning of the clubfaces would have been enough to correct the problem.

Maintaining your golf clubs isn't just a matter of aesthetics, but a real performance driver. A clean-grooved iron grips the ball better, a dry, unpolished grip provides a better hold, and a clubhead free of moisture resists corrosion longer. It's also a matter of budget: a well-maintained set of clubs can perform for several years longer than neglected equipment, thus delaying the need to invest in new gear.

How often should you maintain your golf clubs?

The frequency depends on the specific action. Here is the recommended schedule for properly maintaining your golf clubs throughout the season:

• After each shot played on soft or wet ground : Quickly wipe the clubhead with the inside of the towel before putting it in the bag.
• After each game or practice session : clean the faces and grooves of all clubs used, especially irons and wedges.
• Each week, in the case of regular practice : wipe the grips with a slightly damp sponge to remove the thin film of dust that accumulates in the bag.
• Once or twice a month : proceed with a more thorough cleaning using warm soapy water, and visually inspect the condition of the heads, grooves and shafts.
• Before the winter rest period : take all the equipment out of the bag, check that it is perfectly dry and store it in a temperate place.

This schedule isn't rigid: a casual golfer who only takes their club out two or three times a month can simply check it after each outing and do a thorough cleaning once a month. A regular golfer, who spends a lot of time at the driving range and on the course on weekends, would be wise to make cleaning clubfaces and grips an automatic habit, just like putting away their balls or counting their tees.

What products and accessories do you need?

You don't need a sophisticated kit to properly maintain your equipment. The essentials fit in a small separate bag: a bucket or basin, a double-sided brush (soft bristles on one side, fine metal pins on the other), a sponge, two microfiber cloths—one for drying clubheads, one for grips—and a golf towel permanently attached to your bag. A little mild dish soap and, as a last resort, white vinegar for light rust are more than enough; there's no need to invest in specialized solutions as long as your equipment remains in decent condition.

On the practice area as well as on the course, a simple damp towel is enough to limit most of the damage: it allows you to wipe your head after each shot played in greasy conditions, before even going home for a more complete cleaning.

How to clean the head and grooves of your clubs

To effectively clean the clubhead and grooves, pour warm water and a little mild dish soap into a bucket. Soak the clubheads for five to ten minutes, then gently brush the grooves with a soft-bristled brush or, if unavailable, a wooden tee to dislodge any ingrained dirt. Rinse with clean water and dry immediately with a dry towel: leaving a wet clubhead exposed to the air promotes the development of moisture stains, and even rust on untreated irons.

For the most stubborn residue, a wire brush can be used sparingly, only on the grooves and never on the chrome or painted parts of the head, which scratch easily. Most golf courses, including Golf du Belvédère, have washing stations with water and compressed air available right on the driving range: this is the perfect opportunity to take care of your clubs between rounds without having to wait until you get home.

How to maintain the grips on your golf clubs

The grips are the part that wears out the fastest, as they are constantly exposed to perspiration, rain, and friction. A dirty or shiny grip slips in the hands, which instinctively leads to a tighter grip on the club—a reflex that directly hinders the fluidity of the swing.

For a rubber or rope grip, cleaning is simple: plug the hole at the top of the grip, use warm water mixed with a little dish soap, gently scrub with a sponge, rinse, and dry with a clean towel. This restores the grip's stickiness and removes the thin layer of dust accumulated in the bag. Leather grips, less common but found on some putters, require more care: they don't tolerate excess water or harsh chemicals well. A soft cloth lightly dampened with cold water and Marseille soap is sufficient, taking care not to cause the leather to swell.

After a round in the rain, remember to take your clubs out of the bag as soon as you get home so the grips can breathe and dry completely. A grip that remains damp in the dark of a closed bag will eventually get moldy, which significantly reduces its lifespan.

How to remove rust and prevent corrosion on iron

Rust appears mainly on untreated irons and wedges, especially if they remain damp after a round. To remove it, soak the affected clubhead in a mixture of warm water and white vinegar for five to ten minutes, then gently scrub with a soft-bristled brush before rinsing and drying immediately. Light stains usually come off with a single application; for more stubborn rust, it's best to repeat the process rather than using an overly aggressive abrasive that could damage the clubhead's finish.

How to store your golf clubs, especially during the winter

Proper storage complements regular maintenance. Between sessions, keep your clubs in a dry place at a stable temperature, away from direct sunlight, which can weaken the rubber grips over time. Avoid leaving the bag in a car trunk for several days: temperature fluctuations and humidity are particularly damaging to the equipment.

In Haute-Savoie, the variations in humidity between the rainy autumn and the first frosts in the Annecy basin particularly accelerate this phenomenon: a bag left unprotected in the garage can absorb ambient moisture in just a few weeks, well before the cold weather truly sets in. Simply moving it to a dry place, even a cupboard in the entryway, is enough to avoid this problem.

As winter approaches and play slows down, it's the perfect time for a thorough cleaning before putting your club away: wash each clubhead, check the grooves and grips, inspect the shafts for cracks, and then store the bag upright in a room with a moderate temperature. Properly maintaining your golf clubs before winter ensures they'll be ready to play as soon as the season resumes, without any unpleasant surprises on your first round.

When should you replace rather than maintain your golf clubs?

Even the best maintenance has its limits. Certain signs should alert you: a face showing visible wear despite regular cleaning, flattened grooves that no longer retain spin, a grip that remains hard despite washing, or a shaft with a crack. In these cases, it's no longer a matter of maintenance but of replacing the equipment.

If you're hesitating between maintaining an old club and investing in new equipment, our guide How to choose the right golf clubs details the criteria to check according to your level and your swing. And if you opt for a change, a golf fitting allows you to choose clubs that are truly suited to your body type rather than reproducing the same settings out of habit.