Putter grips are like everything else, the more you use it the more worn it can become. Over time your putter grip may lose its sticky feel, become discolored due to dirt or look considerably worn and damaged.
The more this happens, the less effective a putter grip becomes, costing you shots on the green and this is when you should start to consider changing your putter grip. A study has suggested that anyone that plays at least 18 holes of golf a week should change their putter grip at least once a season.
So how can you change a putter grip? You can take it in to your local pro shop or change it yourself. To change the putter grip yourself follow these steps: remove the old putter grip and then clean the area where old putter grip was located, wind the tape around the putter shaft, then slide on the new putter grip and properly align the putter grip with the putter and then let it set.
In the rest of this post we are going to explore what tools you need to change and re-grip a putter grip yourself and how you can change and re-grip a putter grip yourself with a step by step guide.
What you need to change and re-grip a putter grip
- A utility knife or stanley knife
- Mineral spirits or paint thinner
- Masking tape
- Double sided tape
- A Ruler
- 1 Bucket
- 1 Cloth
- 1 New Putter Grip
A Step by step guide to how to change and re-grip a putter grip
Step 1: Set the putter so it can’t move
Place the shaft of the putter in the vice with some protectors either side of the putter shaft and the vice so you don’t damage the shaft.
You’ll want 2 to 3 inches of clearance between the vise and the end of the putter grip. The putter should sit vertically in the vise so that the putter head is pointing up.
Step 2: Remove the old putter grip
With the knife, start cutting from the bottom in a straight direction towards the top of the putter grip.
While doing this, make sure that the knife is at a safe distance from your body and you are not cutting towards any part of your hands that you have placed on the putter grip. Cut away from any part of your body.
If your putter has a steel shaft you can be relatively firm with the knife when removing the putter grip.
If your putter has a graphite shaft, it’s best to be very careful at this stage to avoid damaging the shaft when removing the putter grip.
Step 3: Clean the shaft
Pull away and scrape the old tape left on the shaft from the old putter grip with a knife. Do the same for removing any large parts of glue left on the putter left behind from the old putter grip.
Then apply mineral solvent or paint thinner to a cloth and wipe the putter shaft to remove any adhesive and tape residue left over from the older putter grip.
Make sure the putter shaft is completely clean and dry before moving on to the next step to install the new putter grip.
Step 4: Prepare the putter shaft for the new putter grip
Place the new putter grip next to the shaft to determine how far down the shaft you want the tape to go. Now starting at the position you marked which will be the bottom of the new putter grip, wrap the masking tape around in spirals.
Then wrap the double sided tape around the putter shaft working downwards making sure you allow sufficient space for the tape not to start overlapping as you move down the putter shaft.
Push the remaining tape at the top of the putter shaft into the hole at the end of the putter shaft.
Apply liberal amounts of mineral spirits or paint thinner to both the inside of the new putter grip and the retaped shaft of the putter. Put your finger over the hole in the end of the new putter grip to keep the mineral spirits from running out. Now empty the excess spirits left over inside the new putter grip into the bucket.
Step 5: Put the new grip on
With the putter firmly in the vice, align the putter grip before you slide it on as close to the final alignment position as you can. This will make for less work once the new putter grip is on the putter shaft.
Place the end of the new putter grip just over the putter shaft and, with a very swift movement, slide the putter grip on to the shaft.
Now check your putter grip is aligned. You may have to twist the putter grip to get it aligned properly on the putter shaft.
Firmly press the end of the putter grip with the palm of your hand to make sure the new putter grip is firmly in place.
Step 6: Let the new grip on
Allow the new putter grip two to four hours to dry and stick to the putter shaft before using your new putter grip.grip is firmly in place.
Why change or regrip your putter grip?
If you are starting to think your putter just isn’t working as well for you anymore and it might be time to replace it with a newer model there is a more cost-effective option, which is changing or regripping your putter grip.
If you think you need to change and re-grip a putter grip you should be sure to check out our other blog posts on how a bigger putter grip can improve your putting or even how a thick putter grip can improve your putting.
More importantly, regripping your putter grip will ensure it’s sticky feel is restored, ensuring your not dropping shots due to a damaged and worn putter grip.
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Thanks for reading.
Enda McLoughlin
