Protecting Your Investment: The Ultimate Guide To Storing Golf Clubs During The Winter

Winter is in full force, especially back east.  Hopefully, you’re warm and cozy somewhere, but where are your golf clubs being stored until that next trip or until the weather begins to warm?  Clubs are an expensive investment so before you store them away, it’s important to take a few specific steps to ensure they remain in good condition during your hiatus from play.  Here’s a checklist of 10 things to do:

1.  Clean Your Clubs

You do this regularly (right?!) but make sure to thoroughly clean all your clubs, including the clubheads, shafts, and grips.  Remove dirt, grass, and focus on getting all grooves clean.   An old toothbrush or club brush works great with warm soapy water (dish soap works great) and a damp cloth for a complete cleaning.  Make sure to dry thoroughly as well.

2.  Inspect for Damage

Carefully look at each club for any signs of wear and damage.  Check for loose ferrules (that’s the tapered plastic piece above the clubhead on the shaft), cracked clubheads, bent shafts, or any other issues that need attention. Ferrules can be made to slip back down tight against the clubhead by emersing them in hot water.

3.  Regrip If Necessary

If your grips are worn, slippery, or damaged, this is a great time to consider regripping.  Fresh grips will ensure a better hold on the club when you return to the course.   Local golf stores or your pro shop can handle this for you for a nominal fee.

4.  Protect Clubheads

Most of us use them, but make sure to have headcovers for your woods/hybrids and putter to prevent dings and scratches during storage.   This is especially important for valuable or custom clubs.

5.  Store in a Cool, Dry Place

Choose a storage location that is cool and dry, with stable temperatures and low humidity.  Avoid areas prone to extreme temperature fluctuations.  In colder climates, the garage isn’t always the best idea.

6.  Elevate the Bag

Store your golf bag with the clubs off the ground to prevent moisture from seeping into the bag.  You can use a rack, hooks, or simply hang it.

7.  Rotate the Clubs

Periodically rotate the clubs in your bag to prevent pressure points on the grips and shafts from forming over an extended storage period.

8.  Label or Document

Consider making a list of your clubs or taking photos of your bag’s contents with your phone.  This is a great idea any time of the year and can be helpful in case of theft or if you travel and the airline loses your clubs.  I also have an air tag in my golf bag for tracking purposes.  The battery will last around 2 years.

9.  Protect Against Pests

If you’re storing your clubs in a garage or shed, take precautions against pests like rodents.  Remove any food items like power bars, nuts, etc. that pests will seek out over time, i.e., clean out your bag!  Use rodent repellent or traps if necessary and try to hang or elevate your bag if possible.

10.  Check Again Before Spring

Before the golf season starts again, or you make a trip, give your clubs another inspection.  Look for any new damage or in humid climates, signs of rust.  Clean them once more, and you’ll be ready to hit the course.

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