Vinegar or soap? What’s the best way to disinfect golf equipment?

While golfers have been observing social distancing on the course at UK clubs in the last few days, some have asked what is the best way to keep their clubs and other golfing equipment clean.

Here, the GolfSupport website has provided its list of what golfers can do:

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:

1. Add two to three 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.
2. Submerge dirty club heads into the water for five to 10 minutes to loosen any dirt.
3. 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.
4. Run the cleaned club heads under water to wash away any remnants, avoiding getting the shaft and grips wet.
5. Dry with a towel. Ensure nothing is left damp as this is when rust can develop.
6. 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!

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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 afterwards.

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 utilise 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 to 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

Whilst 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:

1. Remove all contents from the bag / clubs from their covers.
2. Depending on the material, lightly spray water all over the surfaces.
3. 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.
4. Use a hose to rinse / run them under clean water and assess for any further stains.
5. Remove any stubborn stains by spraying with a stain remover, then allow them to rest. Gently scrub it if required.
6. Once clean, allow the bag / covers to dry overnight – avoid leaving them to dry in the sun as this can discolour 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 odours 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 deodorises and softens clothes.