How to install new golf grips

Replacing your golf club grip is simple and something most people can do for themselves. Read through this guide first and prepare by getting all your equipment ready before starting.

It doesn't matter if the golf club is a carbon fibre or steel shaft, a driver, iron or a putter - the process is the same.

Regularly replacing your golf grips is a good idea - worn, dirty or damaged golf club grips are not good for your game. Installing new golf grips will not only make your club look new again - they will also improve your control of the club and will help you play better.

Optional:

Masking tape and pencil/pen.

Rubber/Latex surgical type gloves or barrier cream also preferable to avoid contact of solvent with skin.

* White Spirits (also known as Stoddard Solvent) is used to thin paints and clean paint brushes.

You can purchase special grip solvent such as Brampton HF-100.

If you are going to regularly change grips and do a lot of them (i.e. a whole set) then you should get a grip tape solvent which has been designed to be less harmful and have less effect on your skin etc. Although you are advised to wear gloves or barrier cream and avoid contact with any solvents.

**Tee peg, Golf shaft clamp and vice are not really essential but preferred to make the job easier.

Read these step-by-step instructions on how to install new golf grips before you get going. Make sure you have all the equipment you need first. You need to leave the grips to dry fully before playing - a good idea is to leave them over night to dry completely.

1. First a tip:  You can put a strip of masking tape around the shaft just below the old grip to help you line up a new grip. Using a pen or pencil, accurately mark the masking tape on it's centre line whilst keeping the club head square. This will help you later when you install a new grip by giving an additional reference point to line a new grip up with.

Set up the club in the golf shaft clamp and in a secure vice. Place a plastic bowl on the floor underneath the grip as shown in the picture to the left.

2. Remove old grip.  Preferably Securing the shaft in a Golf shaft clamp and in a vice. Run a single cut down the golf grip and peel back the golf grip. Try not to cut too far into the grip it will easily tear if you cut more than about 3/4 depth. Remember the grip is thickest nearer to the butt (end of) the shaft. This is especially important if fitting a grip to a carbon fibre shaft. You do not want to damage the shaft by cutting into it.

3. Clean the shaft thoroughly.  First remove the old tape. Then usig an old rag or towel, pour some solvent onto it and rub this on the shaft until you clean off any old tape and glue residue. Use the craft knife to help peel off stubborn pieces of old tape.

4. Install new grip tape.  Grip tape comes in different sizes. Typically 3/4 inch roll which can either be applied in strips. Or in a spiral pattern around the shaft. Alternatively it is available in a 2 inch wide version which may be pre-cut strips.

Take care that any overlap is smooth. Peel backing tape off one side and install the tape. Smooth it down so there are no creases or bumps and leave some excess tape (1/2 of an inch) to cover and seal the end of the shaft. This helps prevent water seeping down the golf shaft in normal operation. When you are ready for the next step then peel off the other side of the backing tape. (Take care to keep the sticky tape clean - you do not want debris stuck to the tape.)

5. Prepare the grip for installation.  Place a tee peg into the small hole at the end of new golf grip. Pour some solvent into the open (narrow) end of the new golf grips. Put your thumb over the end of the grip and shake the grip gently to spread the solvent over the inside surface of the grip. The tee peg will stop the solvent leaking out the other end of the golf grip.

6. Deactivate the grip tape adhesive.  Holding the container under the golf grip end of the shaft with the golf grip tape installed, pour the contents of the golf grip over the grip tape on the shaft. Make sure you soak all of the tape on the shaft. This will temporarily stop the stickiness of the golf grip tape. Pour extra from the bottle if needed.

7. Install new golf grip.  Quickly push the new golf grip onto the shaft and push all the way down. Push from the top rather than pull down - if you pull you may stretch the grip and make the thickness of the installed grip uneven. Make sure you line the grip up very carefully and so it is absolutely square - use the masking tape and pen mark you applied in the first step as a reference point along with the clubface. You will have a few minutes to install and adjust the golf grip. But try to get it right first time and avoid having to pull it off and starting again. Look carefully at the pattern on the Golf grip - check to see if it twisted - if it is then straighten it out by gently turning the grip whilst holding the rest of the grip still in relation to the shaft with your free hand.

8. Clean the grip. Once you are happy the grip is square and correctly installed lightly wipe any excess solvent of the shaft and new golf grip. Remove the tee peg you installed in the end of the grip - you will probably hear a popping sound as the compressed air escapes from the end of the grip.

9. Leave to dry.  Remove club from clamp. Double check you are happy with the alignment and when you are leave to thoroughly dry. The time the new grip takes to dry depends on several factors but try to leave it overnight if you can. You can also remove the masking tape used as an additional reference point at this stage.

Don't forget to check out your putter grip - putter grips need changing as well as your irons, driver and other clubs. Next time you are in a golf shop see how many putter grips are installed square - you'll probably be surprised to find there will be several that are either installed closed or open or twisted. It's worth checking your own putter golf grip to make sure it has been put on squarely.

Golf grips can be adjusted for your hand size by either buying thinner or thicker grips or by varying the amount of tape used under the grip. Check out this page for useful information about choosing new grips.  Including a link to a guide from Lamkin for selecting the right sized grips for your hands.

You can also use a golf grip tape that is deactivated by water instead of solvent. This type of tape works well and of course has the advantage of being less harmful to the environment and safer to install yourself.