Can Golf Clubs Get Wet?

Playing golf on a sunny, windy, or dusty day is one thing. However, playing with the rain or snow pouring down is an entirely different beast. 

Think of every round of golf as the rain comes down as a battle against the elements. And the longer you play, the harder it gets.

The difficulty level doesn’t just increase for you but also for your equipment, especially your clubs. The mud, grass blades, and the downpour itself can make your golf clubs a mess to deal with.

Although getting your golf clubs wet won’t destroy them, you should clean and maintain them properly after getting them wet to ensure that that don’t get damaged or rust. 

Golf clubs can get wet and even slip from your hand during the rain. The biggest problem you will have to face with wet clubs is a misaligned shot off the tee, as you may not be able to maintain your grip as firmly as you are used to.

Let’s take a closer look at what happens when your golf clubs get wet and what you can do about it.

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Can Golf Clubs Get Wet?

Golf clubs, especially metal ones, can retain moisture underneath its head. If not dried properly, these clubs can develop rust. 

In this case, the first thing that breaks is the head. A rusty club head can be dangerous as it can break mid-shot and hit you or someone else present nearby.

However, clubs made out of wood, carbon fiber, or other coated/non-corrosive material fare relatively better on the course. For example, a 3-wood or 5-wood club will be fine as long as you wipe it off. 

You don’t have to spend much time drying them the way you have to with stainless steel or irons.

Carbon fiber golf clubs, on the other hand, can fare just fine even in the rain. They don’t soak up any water, there is no risk of rust, nor do you have to worry about the shot getting misaligned because of poor weight distribution.

It is important to note that although carbon fiber golf clubs won’t be affected when wet, the grip will most likely suffer. You may find yourself struggling to find the right position, such that you can hit the ball off the tee and keep the club in hand after you are done as well.

It is usually a good idea to either have padded gloves for a better grip during the rain or a golf umbrella. If there is a lot of wind with the rain, avoid pulling the umbrella out to avoid injury.

Similarly, avoid leaving your iron or steel clubs out in the open if there is a thunderstorm. Either cover them with something or leave them in the cart, as they can attract lightning as soon as you hit the ball (static electricity may get generated, depending on the environment).

However, if you are walking and there’s a sudden burst of rain, the umbrella can be a lifesaver not just for you but for your clubs as well. Of course, personal preferences are also a major consideration. 

For example, it is okay to use golf umbrellas in the US, but in Scotland or Ireland, you get called a coward (and not in a very polite way) for being afraid of the rain.

Playing Well During Wet Golf Rounds

You can’t play without holding the club, which is frankly the first thing that the rain will target. However, if you are wondering whether it is okay to play a ball that’s slightly submerged in water, you should be fine. 

The golf club head can take being submerged for a while without getting damaged, so long as you keep the head joint dry.

These joints are known as the weakest link in a club – and for a good reason. Do you see the little seam where the head is welded onto the shaft? As long as that bit remains dry, your golf club can bear getting wet.

If you play wet golf rounds regularly, either because you are in the rain or the sprinkler chose to shoot water right at you, rain gloves can help you play properly. Their grip improves as they get wetter. 

Combine that with a rain-proof hat, and you will be able to see in the rain as well!

Whether you’re riding in a cart or walking, you must keep your clubs covered until it’s time to play. If you have a ball boy or girl with you, you can task them with the relatively tedious task of wiping the club dry and storing it.

Remember, without the proper grip, you aren’t just putting your club at risk but others as well. The club may slip out of your hand and may hit anything or anyone. 

If it hits a hard surface, the shaft may bend, or the welded spot may break as well.

If possible, I would recommend not making a divot when it’s raining. Water on your clubface will adversely affect your shot, impacting the total distance that the ball flies. 

Furthermore, the mud stuck on the clubface may also change the angle you hit the ball. I recommend making shallow swings that don’t take a large divot underneath.

Will Rain Ruin Your Golf Club?

Golf clubs can get wet and still take a beating, but you must follow the below guidelines to ensure your clubs remain rust-free and usable.

1. Keep the clubhead covered. Use a towel or waterproof cloth for that.

2. When closing the golf umbrella, make sure you dry it before closing it or close it away from your clubs – especially the bag. If the bag gets wet from the inside, you should dry it out before storing more clubs in it.

3. Wipe down your club after every shot

4. Make sure you dry out the connecting point of your club shaft and head.

5. Cover the golf bag with a trash bag to keep out as much rainwater as possible.

6. Store each club in its protective sleeve after drying it.

The best thing you can do to protect your clubs is wipe them down. You can increase their life by quite a bit with just that. 

The other steps are the icing on top of your golf cake!