Do Golf Clubs Scratch?

There’s nothing quite like unpacking a new set of golf clubs. Their shiny and smooth finish makes this extremely satisfying. 

However, it doesn’t take long for the shine to wear off and for the use on your golf clubs to begin to show. If you’re playing golf and using your golf clubs as intended, you’re sure to see a few scratches and nicks.

Anytime sand or dirt gets between the ball and the club, it can cause small scratches. This is the price of using your golf clubs. 

Sky marks and scuff marks are simply a sign of your golf clubs being well-loved and used. While some marks are inevitable, it can be jarring to see your investment looking so worn. 

Read on to discover how to get rid of scratches on golf clubs and how to take care of your golf clubs to extend their lifespan.

How To Get Rid Of Scratches On Golf Clubs

Scratches are a natural part of using golf clubs and while some golfers embrace them, others want to learn how to get rid of these unsightly marks. Light scratches are unavoidable and are usually caused by sand, dirt, and rocks. 

On the other hand, deep scratches can be because of neglect or because you’ve hit lake banks or big rocks.

While you can’t remove deep scratches, there are ways you can tackle the light ones. Here are some of our tried-and-tested methods.

Magic Eraser

If you see light scratches and scuff marks on your clubhead, you can use a magic eraser to get rid of these.

1. Wipe your golf club with a damp microfiber cloth and dry it.

2. Once it’s completely dry, rub the white magic eraser on it.

3. If this isn’t effective, you can also use a little bit of water on the magic eraser.

Car Wax/Rubbing Compound

If you have light sky marks on your golf clubs and want them to be less visible, you can always use car wax/rubbing compound for this purpose.

1. Clean and wipe your golf club with a damp microfiber cloth.

2. Dry it completely.

3. Put some rubbing compound on a clean microfiber cloth.

4. Rub this in a circular motion over the affected area to remove the light sky marks.

5. Use car wax on a clean cloth to polish your golf club.

In some cases, sky marks are deeper and actually go below the surface of the paint. 

You can’t fix the problem with a magic eraser or by simply cleaning the golf club when this happens. You’ll need to use golf paint or have your golf club repaired by a professional to remedy this.

How To Increase The Lifespan Of Your Golf Clubs

Scratches and nicks are a normal part of golfing. Your golf clubs are sure to get some wear and tear when they’re in regular use. However, there are steps you can take to avoid long-term damage and extend the lifespan of your golf clubs. 

Since they’re an investment, keep the following tips in mind to make your golf clubs last as long as possible.

Regular Cleaning

As with any other equipment, maintenance is the key to preventing long-term damage. One of the most important things you can do is clean your golf clubs after every use. 

Many golfers carry a golf towel to wipe off their clubs after every shot so that dirt and debris don’t stay on the club and cause scratches. In addition to preventing scratches, this also ensures that your shots are more accurate.

After every couple of rounds, thoroughly clean your golf clubs with a mixture of mild dish soap and lukewarm water. It’s important to remember that you shouldn’t use dish soap or other harsh solvents on graphite shafts since they can scratch easily. 

Simply use water and a soft cloth to wipe the shaft down.

Use A Golf Bag And Headcovers

Protection is key. Whether you’ve tossed your golf clubs in your trunk and are driving on rough terrain or your clubs are banging into each other as you’re carrying them, they’re sure to get scratches without proper protection. 

That’s why I recommend using a hard carrying case or putting a towel on top of the clubs to keep them in place.

You can also use headcovers to prevent scratches. 

While these aren’t considered necessary by all golfers, they’re especially important to protect expensive golf clubs like putters.

Prevent Water Exposure and Rust

While it’s fine to use mild dish soap and water to clean heads, it’s not recommended to expose your golf clubs to long-term water exposure. This can cause rusting and can shorten the lifespan of your golf clubs. 

It’s normal for clubs to get wet when you’re using them in the rain or on a course covered in dew, but it’s essential to wipe your clubs down and dry them before placing them back in the bag. 

You can also use a rain cover to protect your golf clubs.

Ensure Proper Storage

It may be tempting to do so because of the convenience, but don’t store your golf clubs in the car trunk. This may make for easy access, but it also causes unnecessary scratches and damage to your golf clubs. 

In the summer months, the car trunk can magnify hot weather and can cause the epoxy in your golf clubs to break down. Instead of risking this, store your golf clubs indoors in a safe and climate-controlled environment such as a closet.

Final Thoughts

It’s completely normal for golf clubs to get scratches and scuffs as you use them. Fortunately, these don’t affect the performance of your golf clubs and are only a sign of use. 

However, if you were concerned about damage or scratches that impacted the look of your clubs, I hope the above tips on how to get rid of scratches on golf clubs helped.

I also hope that you keep the tips about taking care of your golf clubs in mind so you can prevent unnecessary scratches and extend the lifespan of your golfing equipment.