Stress-Free Steps to Clean Golf Clubs

Fill a bucket with only a few inches of warm water. Water levels should be just high enough to submerge the heads of the irons but below the ferrule. Ensure that the water is not too hot, as high temperatures can damage clubs.

Add a cleaning solution to the water. An easy at-home solution is two teaspoons of dishwashing liquid mixed with warm water in a bucket. Professional cleaning products are available at golf shops.

Soak only the club heads in the bucket of water. Ensure that the heads of the clubs submerge into the soapy solution. Make sure that the ferrules do not get wet. Allow your clubs to soak in the cleaning solution to assist in breaking down sand, mud, oils, and chemicals on the club heads for about 5-10 minutes if they’re only slightly dirty. However, if they’re filthy, you can leave them in the water for up to 20 minutes.

Do not submerge woods into the bucket. Instead, dampen your soft-bristle brush or toothbrush into the mixture and carefully scrub your clubhead, but make sure it doesn’t get too wet. Once you feel like it’s clean, wipe it down with a clean towel.

If you have wooden clubs, these are not only much more fragile, but they’re a lot older than the ones made from metal. Do not dip these into the water either, and do not scrub them with a brush. Instead, dip a washcloth into the warm water and carefully wipe down your wooden clubhead to remove the dirt and grim. Once you feel like it’s clean, dry it with a towel.

Utilizing a soft-bristled toothbrush or any non-wire cleaning brush, gently scrub each clubhead's grooves, carefully removing any dried debris and dirt. Additionally, brush over the sole of the club and all sides of the head. Be careful not to scratch the shaft. Never use a wire brush for this step.

After you scrub, rinse each individual head of the irons. Once you’re finished scrubbing, rinse the clubhead with warm water. Be careful not to let the shaft and grip get wet.

If your clubs still appear dirty, soak them in the cleaning solution for a few more minutes, then use a medium-to-hard bristled toothbrush to help remove dried dirt.

After carefully inspecting groove and clubhead cleanliness, use a soft rag or towel to dry the shaft, and clubhead.

If you have steel or chrome polish, rub it gently in circular motions and leave for a minute, then make sure you remove all the polish. Don’t leave the polish on it, or it can damage the club and affect its performance.

Don’t forget about cleaning your shafts when you’re doing your golf clubs. Use a damp cloth to clean any grime from the shaft, and then make sure to dry it thoroughly with a towel.

Begin with a fresh bucket of warm water and add a little bit of dishwashing liquid. Once the solution is sudsy, dampen a cloth, clean your golf club grip, and dry it with a dry rag. Inspect the grips during this process and determine if replacement is necessary.

Check that the clubs are thoroughly cleaned and dried before replacing them in your golf bag.

• Consider the investment in high-quality golf club cleaning products to protect the longevity of your clubs.
• Wipe your clubs frequently during play and post-round to maintain cleanliness.
• Use lukewarm water. Do not use hot water for cleaning, as this could damage the club.
• Never submerge woods in water.
• Never use a wire brush to scrub club heads.

Image: Christof Koepsel/Bongarts via Getty Images