Regripping golf clubs at home: Step-by-step

Many of us are happy to hand our clubs over to a trusty PGA professional when they need a regrip; others enjoy the satisfaction of a bit of DIY, which can also save you a few quid.

Regripping golf clubs is a simple enough procedure to do yourself, but there are a few important dos and don’ts to consider. First, let’s ensure you have all the materials you need to begin regripping your golf clubs at home.

What you need to regrip golf clubs

• White spirit (or similar mineral spirit)
• Small knife, such as a Stanley
• Double-sided tape
• Towel
• Vice

How to regrip golf clubs: Step-by-step

Step 1: Remove the old grip

First comes the removal of the worn grips. Ideally, you need a vice, as this will help keep the club steady and prevent injury. Make an incision at the narrower end with your knife. This should enable you to pull the old grip off easily, although you may need to repeat this process a few times if it's stubborn. It's important that you cut away from your body. The last thing you want to do is rule yourself out of the weekend medal.

Step 2: Remove the old tape

Now, remove the old tape underneath. If you leave it on and put the new tape over it, you will end up with a bigger grip. You can use the Stanley to scrape the old tape off like you're peeling an apple. When it's all removed, dab an old towel or cloth in white spirit and give the shaft a good rub to ensure you've cleaned your golf club properly for the new tape and removed any debris and grime.

Step 3: Install the new tape

Next, you need to install the new double-sided tape. First, lock the shaft into the vice. Using a shaft protector is a good idea at this stage to avoid causing any damage as you tighten it in the vice. It's crucial that you line up the clubface square, and it’s also wise to measure the tape to the correct length by lining up a grip next to it.

Be sure to leave a slight bit of overhang (approximately half an inch), making it easier to slip the new grip on. Finish this step by smoothing out the tape, making sure there are no wrinkles or bubbles. Pinch together the overhanging bit of tape and poke it into the end of the shaft.

Step 4: Coat in white spirit

Once you have the tape in place, you need to apply the white spirit to the tape. Then, take your new grip, cover the little hole at the end, and pour some in. Be generous, as you can't use too much. Use your fingers to cover both ends of the grip and swirl the liquid around to coat the inside.

Step 5: Put on the new grip

Now it’s time to slide the new grip on. You’ll need to put this on quickly and ensure it's seated firmly at the end of the grip – the end cap should not be moving around. The alignment guides, logo, and texture should all be perpendicular to the clubface. You have a limited time to make minor adjustments before it sets firmly. Finish off by tapping the end of the grip on the ground to ensure the cap is seated correctly.

One down, 13 to go.

How do I regrip a golf club? FAQs

What solvent should I use when regripping golf clubs?

White spirit or mineral spirits are frequently used for regripping golf clubs as they're cheap and often sold at your local hardware shop. However, you may want to consider buying grip solvent, which is specially designed for this purpose, with non-toxic and non-flammable versions available.

How much does it cost to get golf clubs regripped?

The cost of regripping your golf clubs can vary widely depending on the type of grip you want, how many clubs you want to regrip, and whether you'll regrip them yourself. This can make the costs range from less than £30 to regrip a whole set yourself with budget grips, to potentially hundreds of pounds to have high-end grips fitted professionally.

Is it worth regripping cheap golf clubs?

Even if you have a cheap set of golf clubs, regripping them instead of buying a whole new set can be more cost-effective, especially if the clubs are generally in good condition and you like the feel of playing with them.

How long does regripping golf clubs take?

Regripping your golf clubs should take between 15-30 minutes for each club. Of course, if this is your first time regripping your own clubs, then it may take longer as you get used to and perfect the process. You'll also want to account for drying time for the adhesive, although this will again vary depending on the type and brand you use, so it's always best to check the instructions.

Is it easy to regrip golf clubs?

Regripping golf clubs can become a quick and easy process with practice. You might want to practice on an old set of golf clubs first to get used to the steps and understand the technique for getting it right before you work on your current clubs.

Can you regrip golf clubs without tape?

Not all golf grips require tape to keep them in place. Some golf brands, such as Pure and Star grips, are designed to be installed using an air compressor, which expands the grip so that you can fix it in place over your club.

Can you use water to regrip golf clubs?

If you don't have any white spirit or grip solvent to hand, it is possible to regrip your golf clubs with water and dish soap, although this will take longer to dry. Some tapes are designed to be water-activated, so they require water and dish soap to get the grip on over the tape, then when the water dries up, the adhesive forms a strong hold between the tape and grip.

Can you use masking tape to regrip golf clubs?

Masking tape can work well for regripping your golf clubs at home to increase the grip size. All you need to do is apply the masking tape until you have the size you want for your grip and apply the double-sided tape over the top.

Specialist golf insurance through Golf Care

Now your golf clubs are regripped and ready to get back out on the course, you may want to protect them with specialist golf insurance.

Specialist golf insurance through Golf Care includes equipment, Public Liability, and personal accident cover, so you can play with peace of mind that you can get some or all of the costs covered should the worst happen.

Learn more about specialist golf insurance through Golf Care, or get a quick online quote today.