GOLF CLUB REGRIPPING & CARE TIPS
HOW TO CLEAN YOUR GOLF GRIP
Tourmark grips are composed of two layers. The inner core is known as the underlisting and it is made entirely of rubber. The outer layer is a polyurethane material. Polyurethane (PU) is a foam material so it must be cared for differently than solid rubber grips. PU material is somewhat porous and therefore over time oils or sweat from the hands and fine debris from natural use outdoors will penetrate the surface. In order to clean the grips, use a soft, damp cloth, and very gently wipe the grip surface. Never immerse the grip in water. Too much pressure, soap, or abrasive cleaning materials such as a scrub brush can break down the tacky coating that has been applied to the grip.
PLAYING IN THE RAIN OR MOIST CONDITIONS
Avid golfers will play golf rain or shine. Sometimes we get caught on the farthest hole from the clubhouse when it begins to rain. If you choose to play in these wet conditions you can optimize you grip performance by using a clean, dry towel to dry the surface of your grip. Do not rub the grip, just wrap the towel on the grip and squeeze gently to avoid inadvertent damage to the tacky grip coating.
WHY YOU SHOULD REGRIP YOUR GOLF CLUBS
Golf grips take a lot of abuse. The get squeezed, twisted, sweated on, tossed on the ground, and abraded each time they go in and out of the bag! The tackiness of a grip fades slowly over time and sometimes it goes unnoticed until compared to a brand new grip. For this reason, the industry standard states that you should regrip after about 25-30 rounds. After this amount of time, your grip's performance will be dwindling and you may find yourself needing more grip pressure to maintain control of your club. More grip pressure = lower performance and less optimal swing technique.
More advanced players will prefer more optimal grip quality and therefore typically regrip much more often than the standard would dictate. Your level of play should dictate the frequency in which you replace your grips.
People often say they don't need to regrip their putter because the grip doesn't wear out. WRONG. The putter is the most used club in the bag and therefore spends more time in your hands and more time laying on the ground than any other club.
Our putter grips come in two sizes: standard and oversize. You should select the grip that is right for the size of your hand. Choosing the right size grip is imperative to achieve peak performance. Not only will a new grip look better, often times new equipment will boost a player's confidence.
HOW TO REGRIP YOUR CLUBS
If you have never regripped a club, we would recommend that you take your grip(s) to an experienced installer. Regripping is technique sensitive and it is common to ruin a grip or two during your first attempts at this process. If you have not regripped a club before, but feel you are up to the challenge, please follow the steps below.
Place a rubber sleeve on the upper third of the shaft. Orient your club face to be at ninety degrees to the floor, then gently tighten the vise. Attempt to twist or move the shaft to ensure it will not slip loose.
Using a utility knife (a hooked blade works best) cut from the bottom of the grip to the top end of the club. Always ensure you are cutting away from yourself to avoid injury. Remove the grip and use a razor blade or the utility knife to peel the tape away. Do not leave tape on the shaft. Removal of the remaining adhesive can facilitated by using grip solvent.
Gently dry the shaft and using your grip as a guide, measure out a piece of 2" double-sided grip tape approximately 1/2" shorter than the length of the grip. Place the tape on the shaft with a 1/4" overhang at the top of the shaft. Remove the tape backing, then gently wrap the edges around the shaft being careful not to leave any creases or bubbles. If you prefer a thicker grip, you may apply a second wrap of tape at this time.
Remove the ball marker from your putter grip, but leave the plastic wrap on the grip. Place a liberal amount of solvent into the grip, plug the hole at either end with a finger, then shake it to coat the inside of the grip Lack of adequate solvent is a main cause of failure when installing grips, so don't be afraid to use lots. Take your finger off the large hole and allow the solvent to pour over the surface of the tape. Ensure copious solvent and good wetting of the tape surface. We advise that you place a drip tray underneath the shaft to catch the excess solvent.
Hold the grip parallel to the shaft and in one smooth motion slide the grip onto the shaft. Any tilting or angular pressure on the grip while installing can tear the underlisting and undermine the integrity of the grip.
Release the shaft from the vise and hold the club as if you were addressing a ball. Make sure the writing on the grip is lined up straight with the shaft and the grip is square to the club face.
Allow 24 hours with the ball marker off to allow for the solvent to evaporate and the adhesive to take hold on the grip.