How to change your golf grips

So you're convinced you need new grips, you've even found the right ones for you, now what?

Well the easiest and most effective thing is to find your local PGA Professional and have them expertly put your new grips on. Honestly.

But as well all know, sometimes, the timing and the logistics don't allow for that luxury. Sometimes, we buy grips for our next day round and the pro shop is closed and we really want to be ready for our day on the course with a good "handle" (no pun intended) on our game. So what do we do?

PGA Professional and expert club fitter Gordon McIntire of Mystery Valley Golf Club in Lithonia, GA offers some tips on how to change your own golf grips.

[Items you'll need: A vise, a sharp knife or blade (hook style blade would be best), two-sided grip tape, grip solvent and of course, the grips.]

To remove old grips:

1. Place your club in a rubber vise clamp close to the grip
2. Secure the club in a vise, aligning the clubface into a square position and tighten the vise enough to prevent the club from slipping, but not too tight as to cause damage to the shaft
3. Utilizing a sharp razor-type knife, cut the old grip off the club. The knife blade should be a hook blade style blade, so as not to damage the shaft if it is made of graphite material.
   
   Once the old grip is removed, removed all old tape and tape residue from the shaft. Install a smooth layer of two-sided grip tape ¾ the length of new grip to be installed onto the shaft
    
4. Place a small amount of grip solvent into the new grip to moisten the interior walls of the grip. Then pour the solvent over the tape that is on the shaft of the club to activate the grip tape adhesive.
5. Slide the grip over the end of the shaft, sliding the grip into the proper alignment position in relation to the clubface, and insuring that the butt of the grip is seated against the butt of the shaft
6. Make final alignment adjustments and then allow 30-45 minutes for the grip to dry and set-up before playing with the club.

McIntire reiterates that the best practice is still to have an expert have the grips put on for you. But if circumstance dictates that you have to do it yourself, following these guidelines will have you on the course with new grips when you are ready to play.