The grooves on a golf club play a crucial role. They will give you more grip on the ball, allowing you to make a more precise shot. But, over time, these groves can become blunt. So, do groove sharpeners work on golf clubs?
A groove sharpener can be an effective tool. It will allow you to deepen grooves that have started to become blunt. This will give you more control over the amount of spin that you are putting on the ball.
There are a few things that you need to do to keep your golf clubs in good condition. One of these tasks is the cleaning and sharpening of the grooves. Keep reading to learn how to do this properly.
Why Sharpening the Grooves in Your Golf Club is Important
Let’s start by looking at why players will want to keep the grooves in their golf clubs sharp. The grooves on your club serve a very important purpose. They are designed to help you deal with debris and moisture. These indentations channel these away from the ball. This effect is especially important when you are making a shot from the rough or a sand trap.
As a result, you will be able to get a better grip on the ball. This will increase your accuracy, giving you a better chance of hitting the target.
How to Know When You Need to Sharpen the Grooves
If the grooves are clogged with dirt and sand, it can have a big impact on the way that the ball moves. This will make it easy for you to identify when it’s time to think about cleaning or sharpening the grooves on your club.
If you consistently hit a flier with the club, it means that you aren’t getting enough grip on the ball. This often stems from an issue with the grooves. The next step is to visually inspect them. It should be easy to see when they have become clogged up with dirt.
Can you Sharpen Grooves on Golf Clubs?
The good news is that you can sharpen a blunt groove. The most common way of doing this is using a tool known as a groove sharpener. This is fairly easy to use, sticking to the following procedure;
- Clean the club, removing any dirt from the grooves. We’ll discuss how to do this later.
- Put tape around the front and back of the club. Only the grooves should be exposed. This ensures that you aren’t accidentally elongating them.
- Decide what type of grooves you have and pick the right sharpening tool
- Insert the groove sharpener.
- Lightly spray the club with WD-40. This will remove friction.
- Keeping it straight, move it back and forth within the indentation.
- You might need to apply some pressure. Don’t worry about any small flecks of metal that are coming out of the club head. This is normal.
- Use a paper towel to remove any shavings that are coming off.
- Remove the tape and have a few practice swings.
Avoiding Damaging Your Clubs
While sharpening the grooves on your club can be a good idea, there is also the potential that they will do more harm than good. This will be a permanent alteration to the club, so there is no way to reverse any damage that you have done. You must consider this before you decide to use it.
To avoid damaging your club, there are a few things that you should know before you put this tool to use. First, it’s vital to make sure that you know what type of groove you have. There are two main varieties. A ‘V’ shape and a ‘U’ shape. You should be able to tell the difference with the naked eye. Though you may need to use a magnifying glass.
The next thing to consider is the way that you are using the tool. You must be moving up and down in a straight line. If you move at an angle, there is a chance that you will scratch the head of the club. This, in turn, will affect the way that it performs.
You also want to make sure that the club is dry before you start sharpening the grooves. This reduces the chances that you will cause rusting. If you do cause the club to start rusting, you will need to apply some WD-40. This will help you dislodge the rust and help it shine again.
How Often to Resharpen Your Golf Clubs
How often you resharpen your clubs will be based on how often you play. Some people recommend you give your grooves a touch-up every 20 rounds. The best option is to look at the condition of the club.
When it is starting to impact your game, it’s best to step in and sharpen them. If it’s not, you should hold off. This ensures that you aren’t unnecessarily losing weight from the head of your club. It should also be noted that while resharpening can lengthen your clubs life, you will eventually need to replace it. Most clubs will last every three to 10 years.
Is a Groove Sharpener Legal in Golf
Golf sharpeners are within the rules of golf. However, because it changes the way that a club performs, there are some rules that you need to keep in mind. First, there are rules about how deep the grooves can be and the way that they will be spaced on the club. If you are entering a competition with grooves that don’t meet the standards, there is a risk that you will be disqualified. The regulation depth is 0.02 inches.
Because of this, most new clubs won’t need to be sharpened. They have been designed to stick as closely to these regulations as possible. However, if you have an older club, using a groove sharpener can be a good option for you to explore.
How to Clean the Grooves in Your Golf Clubs
Once you have sharpened your grooves, you’ll need to keep them from getting clogged up with dirt and sand. This is a simple process you just need to use the following steps;
- Put mildly warm water into a bucket. Remember, you don’t want to make it too hot. Add a few drops of dishwashing detergent. Put the head of the club into the bucket and give it some time to soak.
- Remove and use a soft rag to dry the club.
- If there is still dirt in the groove, you will need to use a soft-bristled brush to get into the groove.
- If there is rust in the grooves, you can use some WD-40 to remove them.
- Make sure that it is dry before you put it away. This ensures that it won’t rust.
If you have hit a lot of balls from the rough or the sand, you might want to clean the club after the game. The more frequently you are cleaning the club, the easier it will be for you to dislodge the dirt.
Final Thoughts
The grooves on your golf club serve a vital purpose. They give you a grip on the ball. This will allow you to make a more accurate shot. Over time, though, they will go blunt. A groove sharpener is an ideal way to fix this problem, extending the life of your club. It’s an easy solution that you can implement at home. You just need to make sure that you are following the regulations, avoiding scratching too deep or putting the grooves at an angle. As long as you do this, it will be legal for you to use the club in a competition.
