Golf Grips degrade over time due to sweat, dirt, ozone, suntan lotion, heat/cold and just pulling them out and putting them back in your golf bag. With prices for grips on the rise, getting a few more rounds out of them just makes sense and that's where cleaning them regularly can help extend their life.
Reading a number of the golf message boards, there is a ton of misinformation when it comes to proper grip cleaning techniques. The golf bro telling you he's been using GoJo to clean his grips with 500 grit sandpaper for years and "it works great for me" is probably not your best resource!
Below we have collected the general cleaning methods for the different types of golf grips along with specific recommendations from some of the top grip manufacturers.
SYNTHETIC GRIPS
Synthetic grips provide the softest feel, but they also wear faster than grips made from other materials and care needs to be exercised when cleaning them.
SuperStroke recommends cleaning their grips with warm water and dish soap, scrubbing with a non-abrasive surface like a wash cloth or soft brush. Rinse, then dry with a bath or kitchen towel.
Winn Golf Grips recommends applying a small amount of water to a soft towel and gently rub the grips. Do not saturate the towel. Never use a brush and soapy water to clean a Winn grip because it may damage the top surface and destroy the tackiness and slip-resistance of the grip. Do NOT immerse Winn grips in water to clean them. This will saturate the underlying layer and may ruin the grip.
JumboMax recommends using a grip cleaning product called Geko for their grips. Alternatively, a little mineral spirits or alcohol on a rag can be used to remove hand oils and return the tackiness. JumboMax does not recommend submerging their grips in water.
RUBBER GRIPS
Golf Pride recommends using mild dish soap such as Dawn, water, a soft scrub brush and a towel. Mix the soap in a bowl of warm water. Dip the scrub brush in the soapy water and scrub the grip on all sides. Rinse soap off grip, pat dry with towel and let grips dry completely before use.
NO1 Grips suggests using warm water and mild soap to clean their grips. Then pat down the grips with a soft towel after cleaning.
StarGrip recommends using a mild soap and water to clean their grips and then rinsing with fresh water, which will bring back their natural tacky feeling.
CORD GRIPS
Cord grips are by far the most hardy grips and can take a lot of punishment. However, some of the new cord grips have added a tacky layer of material and care should be taken with them.
Lamkin Golf recommends washing your grips with warm water and soap, then rinse them, or wipe them down with pre-moistened disposable wipes made specifically for grip cleaning.
LEATHER GRIPS
Leather Grips are a totally different animal when it comes to maintenance, and with their excessive cost, proper care for these grips is essential.
The GripMaster is the #1 selling leather grip on the market. TGM recommends never using any type of solvents or detergents on their grips. To clean their tactified grips, simply dip the grip in a bucket of water or hold it under a running tap and towel dry.
Best Grips uses multiple types of leathers and exotic animal skins for their grips and strongly recommends referring to their website for specific instructions for cleaning each style of grip.
In summary, cleaning your grips, according to the manufacturers instructions, not only improves performance, but can extend their life. Most grip manufacturers recommend replacing your grips when visible wear begins to appear or once a year, whichever comes first.