How to Clean Golf Clubs: Scrub Away The Bogies

Let me be clear…you must clean your golf clubs, especially your irons and wedges.

Not only is it inattentive not to, but having clean golf clubs plays a significant role in maintaining their performance.

In this article, I am going to illustrate how to clean golf clubs the best way, as there are subtle differences depending on the club.

A clean clubface ensures proper contact between the ball and the club, improving shot quality. Regular club cleaning can also help preserve your clubs' paint, finish, and alignment.

What Do I Use To Clean My Golf Clubs?

Basic Materials

These are a good place to start:

• Warm water in a sink or bucket.

• Dishwashing liquid.

• Toothbrush.

• Dry/old towel because you don’t want to leave them wet (could cause moisture damage)

Advanced Materials

For a more thorough job:

• Specially formulated cleaning solution. 

• Golf specific cleaning brush.

• Toothpaste (that’s right, better than dish soap).

Can I Clean All Golf Clubs The Same Way?

No! You have to take different approaches to the different golf club types because of the different materials.

Irons and Wedges

Put your iron or wedge club heads into warm water (in the bucket) and let them soak for 5-10 minutes so that the dirt and residue in the grooves can loosen. As an aside, it doesn't matter if you have blades or cavity back irons, they can both be cleaned the same way.

After that, I use a cleaning brush to scrub the clubface to get all the annoying dirt and debris from the grooves. 

Once I have them all sparkly I rinse under running water and dry them off with an old tower or microfiber cloth to make sure there is no possibility of moisture damage. 

Drivers, Fairway Woods, and Hybrids

The approach I take for cleaning the longer clubs (drivers, fairway woods, and hybrids)is a bit more careful since I generally start by wiping off any surface dirt or mud with a dry towel.

Then I do a similar warm water/dish soap combo but instead of putting the club heads in I wet the soft-bristle brush or toothbrush in the soapy water and gently brush the clubs instead.

I make sure I do it gently so I don’t damage the paint, and I will even use a toothpick or tee to remove any leftover stubborn dirt from the grooves. 

After scrubbing, I rinse the club heads under running water, removing any soapy residue and dry them off.

I really make sure not to submerge them just because the way they are design with thicker heads (often with carbon now) I don’t want water to get inside the heads and cause moisture problems.

Putters

I use a pretty similar method to clean all types of putters as I would for the drivers and fairway woods, not submerging them in the bucket but instead using a bristle-brush or toothbrush, rinse, then use a towel to pat them dry and air dry.

For putters with an insert, avoid using abrasive brushes or submerging them in water to prevent potential damage. Instead, use a damp cloth to wipe the insert and clubface.

How Should I Store My Golf Clubs?

I keep my clubs in a cool/dry place and away from any sunshine. The last thing I want is damaged or slippery grips due to storing the clubs in areas of higher temperatures and humidity.

I also do my very best (although it is hard sometimes and I can be lazy) not to store my golf clubs in the trunk of your car. That is because in the summer heat and moving while driving can make them smash around and cause dents and wear down over time. 

How Can I Maintain My Golf Clubs on The Golf Course?

I always have a towel attached to my bag and sometimes carry an extra towel in the cart if I am not walking that day. You have to get in the habit of cleaning them between shots. 

I know I spend a lot of money on my clubs, so I want to keep them clean. 

How to Clean Rust Off of Golf Clubs?

I have heard some people say they have used WD-40 to clean rust off of golf clubs.

This is a fantastic product and also really useful for removing rust and dirt, but PLEASE DON’T USE WD-40 FOR CLEANING GOLF CLUBS!

Use the methods I listed in this article and please don’t go off the beaten path; you don’t want to ruin your stuff with oily residue and other harmful factors.

Back to more Tips and Guides

Related Posts

1. How to Putt Better: Know Your Roll

2. Golf Slice vs Hook: Understanding the Difference for Better Shots

3. Golf Tips for Beginners: Tee Off with Confidence