How to Restore Golf Clubs

Restoring golf clubs can be a rewarding and cost-effective way to breathe new life into your old clubs. Whether you’ve found a set of vintage clubs at a garage sale or you’re looking to revamp your own equipment, this guide will walk you through the necessary steps to restore your golf clubs to their former glory.

Materials and Tools Needed:

1. Warm water and mild dish soap
2. Soft cloth or sponge
3. Toothbrush
4. Steel wool (grade #0000)
5. Sandpaper (220, 400, and 800 grit)
6. Painters tape
7. Spray paint (color of your choice)
8. Acetone or nail polish remover
9. Shaft cleaner or rubbing alcohol
10. Epoxy
11. Grip solvent or mineral spirits
12. New grips
13. Bench vise with rubber protective caps
14. Hairdryer or heat gun
15. Safety equipment (gloves, goggles, and mask)

Step-by-Step Guide:

1. Cleaning: Begin by cleaning the clubheads with warm soapy water and a soft cloth or sponge. Use a toothbrush to scrub any dirt or debris from grooves and other hard-to-reach areas. Rinse thoroughly and dry with a clean cloth.
2. Removing Rust: For iron clubs with rust spots, use the steel wool to gently remove the rust. Be careful not to scratch the club surface. If the rust is stubborn, soak the clubhead in a mixture of vinegar and water for a few hours, then try again.
3. Sanding and Painting: a. Use painter’s tape to protect the clubface and any areas you don’t want to paint. b. Start sanding the clubhead with 220-grit sandpaper, followed by 400-grit, and finally 800-grit for a smooth finish. Make sure to sand in a consistent direction. c. Wipe the clubhead with acetone or nail polish remover to remove any oils or residue. d. Apply a thin, even coat of spray paint according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Allow the paint to dry, then apply additional coats as needed for full coverage. e. Once the paint is completely dry, carefully remove the painter’s tape.
4. Shaft Cleaning and Replacement (if needed): a. Clean the shaft with a shaft cleaner or rubbing alcohol. b. If the shaft is damaged or you want to replace it, use a heat gun or hairdryer to loosen the epoxy holding the shaft in place. Be careful not to overheat or damage the clubhead. c. Once the epoxy is softened, use a bench vise with rubber protective caps to hold the clubhead and gently twist and pull the shaft to remove it. d. To install a new shaft, mix epoxy according to the instructions, and apply it to the shaft tip and inside the hosel. Insert the new shaft, making sure it’s properly aligned, and let the epoxy cure as directed.
5. Re-Gripping: a. Remove the old grip by cutting it off with a utility knife or by using a grip removal tool. b. Clean the grip area with grip solvent or mineral spirits and remove any remaining tape. c. Apply new double-sided grip tape to the shaft, leaving about 0.5 inches over the end of the shaft. d. Pour grip solvent or mineral spirits into the new grip and shake it to coat the inside. Pour the excess solvent over the grip tape on the shaft. e. Slide the new grip onto the shaft, making sure it’s properly aligned. Press the end cap firmly to ensure a secure fit. f. Allow the grip to dry for several hours or as directed by the grip manufacturer

Tools and Materials for Restoring Golf Clubs

Item	Purpose	Types/Brands	Quantity	Price Range
Clubhead cleaner	Remove dirt and debris from clubheads	CLR, Caddy-Clean	1 bottle	$5 – $15
Groove cleaner	Clean grooves on clubface	GrooveMaster, GrooveSharpener	1 tool	$10 – $30
Sandpaper	Sand and smooth surfaces	220, 400, 800 grit	1 pack	$5 – $15
Paint stripper	Remove old paint from clubhead	Citristrip, Klean Strip	1 can	$10 – $20
Paint	Repaint clubhead and clubface lines	Testors, Rust-Oleum	1 can	$5 – $15

Steps to Clean Clubheads and Grooves

Step	Description	Tools/Materials	Time	Difficulty
1	Soak clubhead in warm soapy water	Bucket, soap, water	10 min	Easy
2	Scrub clubhead with brush	Soft-bristle brush	5 min	Easy
3	Rinse clubhead with water	Hose or bucket	2 min	Easy
4	Use groove cleaner to remove dirt from grooves	Groove cleaner	5 min	Moderate
5	Dry clubhead with clean towel	Clean towel	2 min	Easy

Steps to Remove and Replace Paint

Step	Description	Tools/Materials	Time	Difficulty
1	Apply paint stripper to clubhead	Paint stripper, brush	15 min	Easy
2	Scrape off old paint	Plastic scraper	10 min	Moderate
3	Sand clubhead with sandpaper	Sandpaper	15 min	Moderate
4	Clean clubhead with damp cloth	Damp cloth	5 min	Easy
5	Apply paint to clubhead and clubface lines	Paint, brush	20 min	Moderate

Steps to Restore Golf Club Grips

Step	Description	Tools/Materials	Time	Difficulty
1	Remove old grip	Grip solvent, hook blade	5 min	Moderate
2	Clean grip area with grip solvent	Grip solvent, cloth	5 min	Easy
3	Apply double-sided grip tape	Grip tape	5 min	Easy
4	Apply grip solvent to tape and new grip	Grip solvent	2 min	Easy
5	Slide new grip onto shaft and align	New grip	5 min	Moderate