After many months of using your trusted golf club, you’ll notice that the grips are starting to change. The surface will become much smoother with wear and tear.
In order to maintain peak performance, you decide to re-grip your clubs. Then, you start to wonder, how long do golf grips take to dry?
It can take anywhere between 2-24 hours for golf grips to dry fully, depending on the re-gripping process. In general, the longer the grips have to stabilize in position, the better.
Let’s take a look at why you need to re-grip clubs and the drying time it’ll take.
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Why Do You Re-Gripping Golf Clubs?
There’s nothing better than getting a new set of golf clubs. The shaft is incredibly shiny, and the club head is in perfect condition.
Over time, though, all the different sections of the putter will degrade. One of the first parts to go is the grip.
The section starts out with a rough and bumpy texture. This allows you to hold on to the club without it slipping. As friction wears down the area, the grip becomes smooth. When that happens, it’s much more difficult to control your golf club.
This doesn’t mean that you need to go out and buy a new set. Instead, you can opt to re-grip your putters.
How Long Is Re-Grip Drying Time?
The drying time for golf clubs varies greatly. This is because the process depends on a few factors.
The Re-Grip Method
There are a couple of ways to go about re-gripping your golf clubs. The classic method includes using glue and flammable solvents. You use the solvent to thin out and activate the adhesive, so you can apply it to your grip.
As soon as the solvent and glue mix, the curing process begins. This will cause the compound to harden over time. It can take between 4 to 24 hours for that to happen.
The second method involves using double-sided tape. To activate the adhesive, you use water.
This creates a slippery texture that makes the re-gripping process easier. After that, you just have to wait for the water to evaporate.
While this has a shorter drying period, it still takes a while. The whole process may need anywhere between 2 and 6 hours.
Materials You Use
One of the aspects that influence re-grip drying time is the materials you use. There are a few different solvents you can use to re-grip a golf club.
WD-40
Most of us are familiar with the handy WD-40. This universal lubricant has a million and one uses all around the house. One of them is re-gripping golf clubs.
You can use WD-40 to provide the glide you need to position the grips into position. It may be a little pricey, but the spray can give you a lot of control over the application process.
With WD-40, the average drying time is about 3-4 hours.
Paint Thinner
For a more affordable solvent, you can go with paint thinner. It plays a similar role to WD-40 and can get the job done. In addition, it generally only takes 2-3 hours to dry.
However, you need to remember that this is a volatile chemical. Not only is paint thinner flammable, but it can also be toxic. So, if you plan on using it, make sure you do so in a well-ventilated area.
Besides that, wipe any excess off the grip as soon as you’re done putting it in place.
Rubbing Alcohol
Another solvent you can try out is rubbing alcohol. It has one of the shortest dry periods on our list, typically 1-2 hours.
The main issue with this chemical is that it’s hard to work with. Since it evaporates so quickly, you may need to use plenty to activate the glue.
Aside from that, it leaves much less time to fix a mistake. So, you have to perfectly position the grip on your first try.
Professional vs. DIY Re-Gripping
When your clubs need re-gripping, there’s an option to do it yourself or hire a professional.
You can walk into a pro shop and ask to replace your golf club grip. Generally, they’ll offer you next-day delivery.
Then, when you walk in to pick the putters up, they’re ready for use. In some cases, the shop will give specific instructions on how to handle the grip.
The only issue is this can be quite expensive. It can cost north of $100 to get your golf clubs professionally re-gripped.
Your other option is to do it yourself. This will only run you the price of the materials you use. However, that’s when you notice drying time differences.
Depending on how you apply the new grip, the dehydration period will change.
How to Know When Golf Clubs Are Dry?
The trickiest part of the re-gripping process is knowing when the glue is dry. Since you can’t see the moisture level with your eyes, you’ll have to rely on other senses.
To figure this out, you can look for these signs on the grip:
- It doesn’t change shape when you touch it.
- It has no wet or shiny spots around it.
- It doesn’t twist or turn when you handle it.
- It feels firm and solid to the touch.
The best way to handle a golf club before it dries is by using your palms. Gently pick up the putter by the shaft and roll it over your palms.
When you can see all the signs above, then it should be safe for you to use the club.
How to Speed up the Dry Time?
If you’re short on time, don’t panic. There are a few steps you can take to speed up the drying process.
- Choose a solvent with a short drying period.
- Move the golf club to a warm room to help the activation process go faster.
- Use an air blower to increase the evaporation rate.
Wrapping Up
How long do golf club grips take to dry? It can take between 2 to 24 hours, depending on the re-gripping process.
If you opt for water to activate double-sided tape, the wait time can be between 2-6 hours. However, there are solvents you can choose with faster dehydration.
This includes WD-40, paint thinner, and rubbing alcohol. With these, the dry time is between 1-4 hours.
You’ll know the grip is ready for action when it’s firm to the touch and doesn’t budge. Finally, to speed up the dry time, place the putter in a warm room or use an air blower.
