Golf has had a solid uptick over the last five years, with 5.5 million people joining the sport. With all those newbie golfers out there, they might have questions about maintaining their clubs, especially when rust sets in.
Let’s talk about the cause of rust in golf clubs and how you can keep them from getting worse.
Why Do Golf Clubs Rust
Given how expensive golf clubs can be, it might be surprising to some folks that these expensive sports equipment can rust. Plenty of other gear for the game doesn’t rust, so why are some golf clubs susceptible to rust?
The answer is the material used in many golf clubs. In general, golf clubs use carbon steel for their heads and shafts. This steel can oxidize over time, turning the iron and carbon inside the steel to rust with exposure to things like salt, moisture, and sand. This steel is partly why swinging irons now feel so different compared to older ones.
Some golf club manufacturers solve this problem by adding an external layer of chrome to the outside of the club. Chrome does not react with water and oxygen the way iron and steel do. Thus, chrome creates a barrier around the metal parts of the club that protect it from rusting.
Why Would a Golfer Want a Rusty Golf Club
Believe it or not, some golfers prefer their clubs to have rust on them. For whatever reason, these players believe that the rusty club improves their gameplay.
For the most part, rusty wedges are the most common rusty golf club in a golfer’s bag. Rusty irons can break or snap due to the speed and force behind many iron shots. Wedges, which only use a fraction of the power for the short game shots they provide, don’t run the same risk.
Some golfers have a favourite wedge with years or decades of experience hitting shots. Despite the rusty finish, these golfers know their club and how to hold it despite the defects, letting them hit consistent shots from the sand and fringe.
Others believe a rusty finish on the wedge gives better spin control. Since spin is a big factor in a golfer’s short game, it’s easy to see why some golfers want any spin advantage they can get.
Still, not all golfers like their clubs this way. Let’s instead look at how to get the rust off golf clubs for the golfers out there looking to keep their clubs in peak condition.
How To Remove Rust From Golf Clubs
Removing rust from golf clubs is not difficult. Many golfers will be able to take the steps needed to clean up even decades-old clubs with the right tools and know-how.
Speaking of tools, here’s what we recommend to get you started with the removing rust from golf clubs:
- Warm water and soap
- A toothbrush or other small brush
- Coca-Cola or a similar soft drink
- Vinegar and lemon juice
- Steel wool or wire brushes
You most likely won’t need all of these materials. But, each one has a benefit when it comes to clearing out rust.
Most surface rust can be scrubbed away with warm water and soap. The soap lifts the fine layer of rust off the surface of the club, which the water then washes away. You can always use a toothbrush or similar tool to clear away tough spots.
If the rust is deeply set, you will need something acidic to break up the rust. A combo of vinegar and lemon juice, or a cola soft drink, has enough acid. To use these, soak the head of the club in the liquid for a few minutes, using steel wool or a wire brush to scrape what starts to lift off from the club face.
For the savvy golfers out there, these steps will look similar to what it takes to clean your irons.
How To Polish Golf Clubs
Once the rust is cleared from the club, a good polish will return the shiny exterior from when you first bought it.
First, ensure that the outside of the club is clean and free of dirt and rust. Any spots you missed while cleaning the club will be trapped by the polish and leave exposed spots on your club face.
From there, dry off the club with a towel or rag. Polishes are water-resistant, meaning that any wet spots on the club will not take the polish.
Apply a metal polish or car wheel polish to a clean and dry club. Most of these polishes protect against the same stuff and are cheaper than dedicated club polish tends to be.
Some polishes leave a protecting finish on the club that helps prevent rust and other damage over time. If you do not have one of these polishes, there are other ways to prevent the need for golf iron refurbishment later on.
How To Prevent Golf Club Rusting
Outside of polishing your clubs, there are other ways to protect your golf clubs from rust.
For example, many golf pro shops offer professional club refinishing. These services revamp your club, including rust removal, polishing, groove sharpening, and shaft regripping. These services can be expensive, especially for a bag full of clubs.
For a more DIY option, a wax finish can prevent rust as well. Wax does not create a lot of friction, so you will not want to put it anywhere you need that friction, like a wedge face. Still, it is a solid choice to prevent rust on things like club heads and shafts.
Finally, keep your clubs in a place that doesn’t get a lot of sun and water when you store them. Both of these things can make it easier for rust to form on the club.
Summary
While some golfers like rusty wedges, rust on most golf clubs is not a good thing. Thankfully, rust is easy to remove from a golf club with a couple of tools and elbow grease. Just make sure that once you have your club restored, you do not make the mistakes that led to the rest in the first place!