Introduction: Re-grip Your Golf Clubs.
Did you know that golf stores want $3 each just for the labor of replacing the grips on your golf clubs? A pretty hefty price to pay for 10 minutes of time from a 17 year old.
After regaining consciousness, I bought a self regrip kit for $14 and a set of grips and set off on my own. Without much effort I think just about anyone could do this, probably in an hour or two.
After regaining consciousness, I bought a self regrip kit for $14 and a set of grips and set off on my own. Without much effort I think just about anyone could do this, probably in an hour or two.
Step 1: Gather Your Materials
Regrip kit contains the following but they can be bought separately as well.
Adhesive moistener
15 strips of double stick tape
Rubber grip for holding shaft
Instructions
Utility knives with sharp blades
A blunt scraper can be helpful
Grips (not pictured) These can run from $2.50 to $10.00
A clean work surface
Your old clubs.
Adhesive moistener
15 strips of double stick tape
Rubber grip for holding shaft
Instructions
Utility knives with sharp blades
A blunt scraper can be helpful
Grips (not pictured) These can run from $2.50 to $10.00
A clean work surface
Your old clubs.
Step 2: Remove the Old Grips
I have graphite shafts, so I had to be extra careful not to gouge them when cutting off the old grips.
If you have steel shafts you can pretty much go wild.
Here are the two techniques I tried.
1. Cut two slits the length of the grips, about half an inch apart, and try to peel back the piece in between. Then open the remaining piece like a book.
2. Cut the end off, and work down from the top with the same technique.
The biggest frustration is that older grips tend to tear easily, this is where the blunt scraper comes in, helping to ease the grip off of the old adhesive without tearing it.
You could try to use Goof Off, or a similar solvent to help, but make sure that it is completely cleaned off before attempting to put the new ones on.
If you have steel shafts you can pretty much go wild.
Here are the two techniques I tried.
1. Cut two slits the length of the grips, about half an inch apart, and try to peel back the piece in between. Then open the remaining piece like a book.
2. Cut the end off, and work down from the top with the same technique.
The biggest frustration is that older grips tend to tear easily, this is where the blunt scraper comes in, helping to ease the grip off of the old adhesive without tearing it.
You could try to use Goof Off, or a similar solvent to help, but make sure that it is completely cleaned off before attempting to put the new ones on.
Step 3: Make Sure That Your Shafts Are Clean of Debris
Just rubbing with your thumb will take off any tape residue, until it is clean.
Step 4: Prepare the Tape
The tape is essentially like two sided masking tape.
There were two different types of removable backing, one stiffer, just like you would see on bumper stickers, etc, and one that was more pliable.
I didn't figure this out until the last club, but it is best to remove the stiff backing first, and then the softer one once it is on the club. It can be difficult to remove the stiff backing once it is wrapped around the club.
There were two different types of removable backing, one stiffer, just like you would see on bumper stickers, etc, and one that was more pliable.
I didn't figure this out until the last club, but it is best to remove the stiff backing first, and then the softer one once it is on the club. It can be difficult to remove the stiff backing once it is wrapped around the club.
Step 5: Apply the Tape
1: Remove the stiff backing, and stick it to the shaft with about a quarter inch extending beyond the club.
2: Make sure that the tape runs parallel to the shaft before you start to wrap it around.
3: Wrap one half of it around the shaft.
4: Then start to remove the backing from the side that is stuck.
5: Without removing the backing from the other side, wrap it around so that it overlaps with the first side.
6: Once all the tape is stuck, roll the backing back around, and iron out any wrinkles with your hand.
7: Finally, remove the backing and fold the end over the tip of the shaft.
At this point it is very important to keep the tape clean of both debris, and any oils that might damage the adhesive.
2: Make sure that the tape runs parallel to the shaft before you start to wrap it around.
3: Wrap one half of it around the shaft.
4: Then start to remove the backing from the side that is stuck.
5: Without removing the backing from the other side, wrap it around so that it overlaps with the first side.
6: Once all the tape is stuck, roll the backing back around, and iron out any wrinkles with your hand.
7: Finally, remove the backing and fold the end over the tip of the shaft.
At this point it is very important to keep the tape clean of both debris, and any oils that might damage the adhesive.
Step 6: Apply the Glue Solvent.
The spray smells like mineral spirits or something, but it basically liquefies the adhesive temporarily so you can slide the grip on. Then evaporates, leaving the grip permanently stuck.
The instructions are vague about how much to use, they just warn that over spraying could result in extended curing time.
I found that if I sprayed two squirts on one side of the shaft, flipped it over and gave two squirts on the other, and finally three squirts inside the grip, I only had about a minute of working time, which was just barely enough.
The instructions are vague about how much to use, they just warn that over spraying could result in extended curing time.
I found that if I sprayed two squirts on one side of the shaft, flipped it over and gave two squirts on the other, and finally three squirts inside the grip, I only had about a minute of working time, which was just barely enough.
Step 7: Slide on the Grip
First think about which way you want the grips to face, as you may not have the time to change that once the grip is all the way on.
I found the logo distracting, when looking at my grip, so I aligned it with the heel of the club.
In order to get the grip started, you need to lean it at a steep angle
I felt the best way to describe this was in video, I hope I don't get sued by The Fugees for the background music (or Roberta Flack for that matter.)
After getting it started, it can take quite a bit of force to push it down. If you hold the grip from just and inch or so above the end of the shaft, it will cause it to expand a bit like a Chinese handcuff, and slide on a little easier. I had the head of the club pressed in to my stomach while I did this.
Once you feel the top of the grip bottom out on the shaft, rub your hands down the grip to smooth out any parts that are still expanded.
Finally, make any fine tuning to the grip, straighten the pattern, wiggle the logo to the right place, etc.
No go play some golf!
Well, maybe wait overnight for the tape to be totally dry.
I found the logo distracting, when looking at my grip, so I aligned it with the heel of the club.
In order to get the grip started, you need to lean it at a steep angle
I felt the best way to describe this was in video, I hope I don't get sued by The Fugees for the background music (or Roberta Flack for that matter.)
After getting it started, it can take quite a bit of force to push it down. If you hold the grip from just and inch or so above the end of the shaft, it will cause it to expand a bit like a Chinese handcuff, and slide on a little easier. I had the head of the club pressed in to my stomach while I did this.
Once you feel the top of the grip bottom out on the shaft, rub your hands down the grip to smooth out any parts that are still expanded.
Finally, make any fine tuning to the grip, straighten the pattern, wiggle the logo to the right place, etc.
No go play some golf!
Well, maybe wait overnight for the tape to be totally dry.
