Every passionate golfer knows how precious their golfing equipment is to them. Golf clubs are very expensive, and you want to keep them for as long as possible. The investment will only last long enough when you store them right, whether short-term or long-term. If you don’t find suitable storage for your golf clubs, you’ll expose them to damage.
Many people prefer storing their golf clubs in the garage. The garage offers perfect protection from weather elements and theft. Heat and moisture are the biggest enemies of your golf club, and you should keep them away from such. Before storing your precious clubs in the garage, you need to prepare both the equipment and the storage area.
If it’s your first time storing your golf clubs in the garage or you’ve never done it right, this guide is here for you. Here is how to properly store your golf clubs in the garage.
Prepare Your Golf Clubs for Storage
One way to ensure the safety and proper storage of your gold equipment is to prepare them. You can’t just come from the golf course with your clubs and throw them aimlessly in the garage. Here’s how to prepare your golf clubs for storage.
Clean Your Clubs
The first thing to do before storing your clubs is proper cleaning. You have to clean your golf clubs and dry them using a soft and dry towel. If you don’t clean and dry your golf clubs, you’ll expose them to rust in the storage. You don’t want to use your clubs for only one season because they’re damaged by rust.
Make sure you properly clean and wipe the grips and clubheads. You can dip them in warm water and wipe them using a rag. Wipe carefully to remove grime, dust, dirt, and grease. Ensure every part of your golf club is completely dry before you put them back in the bag.
Deep Clean Your Clubs
If your golf clubs aren’t too dirty, wiping them with warm water then drying them can be enough. However, if they’re too dirty after extended use, you need to conduct deep cleaning. You must also understand that some golf clubs need extra care. Basic dish soap and water can never clean them.
If you don’t recall the last time you cleaned your golf clubs, you should use elbow grease and carry out deep cleaning.
Soak your clubs in a bucket with warm soapy water. A gentle dish detergent can work for this. Two or four inches of water will be enough to soak the golf clubs as long as it covers the clubheads. Soaking will help loosen the dirt and make it easy for you to clean without scrubbing too hard.
If your golf clubs have wooden parts, don’t soak the woods. You can use a wet cloth to wipe the wooden parts. For the clubheads, you need a brush with soft bristles to scrub off the dirt. You can also use a toothbrush to do the scrubbing. Wipe the shafts and the grips with a soapy rag. Rinse the clubheads and dry them completely before returning them to your golf bag.
Prevent Rusting
Another vital preparation tip you should never overlook in your golf club is rust prevention. If you have clubs like milled putters, you need to protect them from rust by applying baby oil to the clubheads before storage. You should also do the same for carbon steel wedges.
Never allow even a bit of moisture to get in contact with your golf club. Dry them completely using a soft and dry cloth.
Moisture is the biggest cause of rust in golf clubs. Even after drying and ensuring your clubs are free from water, moisture can still find its way into the storage location. You should prepare the garage for your club’s storage by ensuring it’s moisture-free.
Store your club in an area that’s not humid. Don’t forget to carry out an off-season checkup to identify any signs of moisture and remove them before they cause damage. If you notice any moisture in the storage area, move your club to a different location after drying them.
Take Care of the Golf Bag
The golfing accessories you’re going to store together with your golf club also need extra care before storage. Start with the golf bag that you’re going to use to pack the clubs. Make sure the bag is empty.
Wipe the bag with a warm soapy rag. After wiping, let it dry completely. If it’s taking too long to dry on its own, you can blast it with a dryer to speed up the process. Empty all the pockets and clean them. Don’t allow any clutter accumulated over time to go into your storage because that will mean exposing your clubs to damage.
Consider the Temperature in the Garage
Before storing your precious golf clubs in the garage, ensure the temperature is perfect. Many garages are known to be highly humid, depending on your geographical location. If you suspect that your clubs may be exposed to humidity, consider getting a temperature control function in your garage.
Another thing you should never expose your golf clubs to is excessive heat. Hot and cold temperatures can severely damage your golf clubs. Heat and cold can damage the epoxy of your clubs as well as the grips. Well, a bit of low temperatures may not be as harmful, but excessive heat can cause the grips to dry out.
Your garage is perfect storage for your golf clubs all season but only with a temperature control unit. Ensure the temperature remains between 40 and 80 degrees. Your golf clubs should stay in the dry spots of your garage. With this, you’ll protect them from any rusting or other temperature issues.
Day-to-Day Golf Club Storage
If you’re only storing your golf club for a couple of days, you should still consider indoor storage. Many golfers leave their golf clubs in the car trunk, which is a big mistake. If you drive around with your golf clubs in the trunk, you’ll cause them to bump against each other and bang on the car trunk. Your clubs will end up with scratches and dents.
The trunk of your car is also very hot, and if you leave your clubs there, then you’re exposing them to excess heat. The temperature inside your car can go up to 200 degrees above the recommended storage temperatures of 80 degrees. This temperature can cause the epoxy affixing in the clubhead to break down. The glue used under the grip can also break down, causing a slip around the shaft.
The best place for day-to-day storage of your clubs in the garage. Your clubs will not be exposed to any harm if you store them in the garage for a couple of days. Just make sure the clubs are dry, as well as the interior of the golf bag.
If your garage is exposed to excessive moisture, storing your clubs is no good idea, even for a single night. The high humidity may lead to rust. In this case, you should consider moving your club inside your home.
Long-Term Golf Club Storage
If you’re going to store your golf clubs for long periods, maybe for winter or traveling, ensure their safety. The storage locations to consider in such a situation are the garage or the storage facility. Whenever you choose to store your golf club for the long term, make sure it gets the right temperature. This is also where temperature control has to come in, especially if the temperatures in your area are inconsistent.
If your garage doesn’t have temperature control, don’t store your clubs for the long term or during winter. The garage’s temperature can’t remain consistent over a long period. The cold temperature will dry the grips causing them to crack over time. A storage facility will be perfect for long-term storage.
Alternative Storage for Golf Clubs
If your garage is not in good condition for club storage or you don’t even have a garage, there are still affordable alternatives for storage. You can consider keeping your clubs at home, which is ideal for both day-to-day storage and long-term storage. This will be perfect storage for winter.
Any interior location with temperature control can provide perfect storage for your club. You have to ensure the storage location is not too hot or too cold. You should never want to expose your precious club to rust or mold issues.
If you can afford a storage facility, it can be a perfect alternative to the garage. You can also decide to dig deeper into your pockets by purchasing a golf rack. There are golf clubs available online and in local stores all over. Don’t forget to purchase some covers to protect the clubheads from dust, debris, and dirt that can still find their way into the storage area.
Summary
If you’re considering storing your golf club in the garage, you know what to expect and how to go about it. If you’re convinced that the garage is the best place for your golf club storage, you should ensure you prepare it for both short-term and long-term storage. The main goal is to keep your clubs from harm and ensure maximum security regardless of your chosen storage location.
