New Haven Register (Sunday) (New Haven, CT)
How to sanitize golf gear
GolfSupport.com recently shared tips on how to sanitize golf clubs and equipment:
1. Golf club heads After a long day at the course, your golf clubs are bound to collect dirt and debris. Follow these simple steps to keep them sparkling and germ-free:
Add 2-3 teaspoons of dishwasher liquid or soap to a bucket of warm water (enough to cover the club heads). Ensure it isn’t hot, as this may loosen the club head from the shaft.
Submerge dirty club heads into the water for 5-10 minutes to loosen any dirt.
Remove each club one-byone and use an old toothbrush or soft-bristle brush to scrub away any stubborn dirt, ensuring you catch the back, front, bottom and each individual groove.
Run the cleaned club heads under water to wash away any remnants, avoiding getting the shaft and grips wet.
Dry with a towel. Ensure nothing is left damp as this is when rust can develop.
To give club heads an extra shine, gently rub in steel or chrome polish in circular motions and leave for a minute. Then ensure you remove all the polish – any remaining grease could negatively affect your game!
2. Golf club shafts
Golf club shafts can also be prone to dirt. To remove dirt, use a damp cloth and clear any grime from the shaft, drying it thoroughly with a towel afterwards.
If your club becomes rusty: according to a study by EOT Cleaning, vinegar comes out on top for the best multi-use disinfectant. So why not utilize it for your golf clubs too? Apply a little vinegar on the shaft with a cloth and gently remove any residue, ensuring you don’t scratch it. Finish by drying thoroughly.
3. Golf club grips
Golf grips are the most touched area of the club and can easily get dirty/worn from sweat, so they require regular cleaning.
Clean golf club grips after each session by using a damp cloth to wipe the entire grip’s surface, ensuring it isn’t too hot as this could damage it.
4. Golf balls
During a typical 18-hole round, golf balls are battered, beaten and subjected to all the elements. Not to mention the hundreds of tiny dimples that are experts at finding dirt.
Dirty golf balls can affect your game more than you’d think! Add soap, dishwasher liquid or our trusty friend vinegar (for a deeper clean) to a bucket of warm water and soak the balls for 15-20 minutes. If necessary, use a sponge and/or toothbrush to remove dirt that won’t budge. Don’t forget to dry them fully with a towel.