Admittedly, I don’t know a birdie from a bogey. But my son, Philip, plays golf. And I have interviewed top golfers on my radio show, my favorite being the amazing Jason Day. So I, of course, consider myself an expert on the subject.
Given the fact that as lock down measures ease, more and more golfers, from pros to weekend warriors, will be preparing to take a swing out on the course, it is essential that care still be taken while teeing off.
To that end, not only should we continue to observe social distancing but making sure golf clubs and equipment are cleaned to prevent the spreading of germs is vital.
Eager to help prevent spreading of the Covid-19 virus, I sought advice from the experts at GolfSupport.com who have provided tips on the best ways to clean golf equipment. The following are their tips and tools:
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-by-one 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 afterward.
If your club becomes rusty: according to a study by End of Tenancy London, 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.
5. Golf bags and club head covers
While unconfirmed and still a matter of debate, the coronavirus could live on clothing and canvas materials for up to two days. Remove this risk by cleaning your golf bags and club head covers as follows:
Remove all contents from the bag/clubs from their covers.
Depending on the material, lightly spray water all over the surfaces.
Using a soap and warm water solution, scrub the bag and covers clean with a cloth. Be careful not to scrub too hard – you may damage the material.
Use a hose to rinse/run them under clean water and assess for any further stains.
Remove any stubborn stains by spraying with a stain remover, then allow them to rest. Gently scrub it if required.
Once clean, allow the bag/covers to dry overnight – avoid leaving them to dry in the sun as this can discolor them.
6. Golf clothing
To clean dirty golf clothing, simply run them through the washing machine after each session. However, for clothes that smell or are particularly dirty, consider:
Avoiding using fabric softeners – they stop the odors and sweat from being washed out, in fact locking in the smell for your next practice.
Adding baking soda to laundry – one cup per wash deodorizes and softens clothes.So there you have my pro tips, courtesy again GolfSupport.com . I should probably do a little on site training on the nearest course so I can learn to play golf myself. That’s something that would be hard to do on Zoom, alas.
