School time, kids…so take notes, because there’s gonna be a quiz after. If you already know how to do this, please keep quiet and don’t disrupt the class
Today’s lesson: installing new grips on your golf clubs… all by yourself. Let’s face it, times are tough. Not all of us have the extra cash lying around to have the local golf shop replace those chewed-up, worn-out grips you’ve been using since 1992. We’ll the good news is you can do it yourself, save a few bucks, and feel great about your new found talent. Follow these instructions, and you’ll be dialed in with new grips in no time.
Before we get started, here is the list of items you will need to replace your grips:
- New Golf Grips
2. Exacto Knife
3. Double-Sided Grip Tape
4. Grip Solvent
5. Workbench Vise
6. Rubber Shaft Vise Clamp
Now here are the steps. Remember we’re working with some sharp tools here, so safety first… and wear some eye protection if you have it:
1. Insert the club shaft into the rubber shaft clamp & place in the workbench vice and tighten with the grip being fully exposed. Take the Exacto knife and cut the grip from the shaft up to the end of the club, cutting away from your body.
2. Remove the old grip…Sometimes this takes a little elbow grease, but just give it a good tug, and it should come off. There will be some old double-sided tape on the shaft at this point. You should scrape it off with the Exacto blade, but it’s not mandatory. You can put new double-sided tape over the old stuff, but your grip will be a bit thicker.
3. Wrap the double-sided tape down the shaft the length of the grip. Make sure that portion of the shaft is completely covered and remove the backing on the other side of the tape. I like to leave a little extra at the end of the shaft that I can bunch up and tuck into the shaft opening. It keeps solvent from running into the shaft in the next step.
4. Take one of your new grips, and stick a tee in the small hole in the top end. Squirt some grip solvent into the grip and swish it around in there a bit. Now pour the solvent out of the grip and over the double-sided tape on the club shaft. (It’s best if you work over a trash can or bucket so your extra solvent doesn’t get all over your floor)
5. The solvent dries pretty quickly, so pull out the tee, line the grip up with the club, and slip it towards the head of the club. If it seems like it’s not going on easily at first, remove the grip, squirt solvent directly on the double-sided tape, and try to slide the grip on again. Make sure the grip is pushed all the way on, and no double-sided tape is exposed. Remove the club from the vice and place the head on the floor and make the minor alignment adjustments.
5. Let grips dry for a few hours, and you’re ready to take em to the course.
*TIP…buy a couple extra grips than what you need. You’ll probably mess one up the first time you try this. The biggest mistake you can make is not getting the double-sided tape wet enough and having the grip get stuck halfway on. If this happens, you may have to cut it off and try with a new one. Don’t sweat it. It happens to everyone the first time. It’s a good idea to replace your grips every year; unless you play a lot, then twice a year is good.
Be sure to shop around online for the best prices on your supplies. I’ve found great deals on golf grips on eBay and other online stores. After a few re-grip jobs, you’ll have saved enough money for a new club or two. Good luck.
