Moldy Grips

[WaterfordBlue]

I went to an estate sale recently and found a bunch of classic golf clubs (The Haig, Wilson Dynapower, Ping Eye 2s, ect) and most of the clubs were in decent shape, but some of the grips looked like this:

Spoiler

 

So my questions are:

 

1. What is this?

2. Can the grips be saved?

3. Is it worth it to get the clubs that dont have this stuff on it?

4. What should be used to clean the clubs that could kill possible mold spores (If it is mold)

 

[Stephen8802]

Cut the grips off, clean the rest of the club with alcohol, regrip, and play. I've found lots of clubs in varying states of decay. Clean them well and they are fine.

 

As for grips, all grips are wear parts. Sure, lots of people like original grips and like leather, but I don't care. I would much rather play with modern grips, they feel a lot better to me. I pay about $2 a grip and buy them by the case of 50.

Edited March 1 by Stephen8802

[SteveNZ]

5 hours ago, Stephen8802 said:

Cut the grips off, clean the rest of the club with alcohol, regrip, and play. I've found lots of clubs in varying states of decay. Clean them well and they are fine.

 

As for grips, all grips are wear parts. Sure, lots of people like original grips and like leather, but I don't care. I would much rather play with modern grips, they feel a lot better to me. I pay about $2 a grip and buy them by the case of 50.

What grips do you buy?

[Stephen8802]

https://mintgrip.com/
 

I like the original grip, black with texture. You can buy a set’s worth, but I go through about 70 a year, so I buy them by the box. They go on really well with air too, I haven’t used tape in 5 years. 
 

I love the feel and play without a glove, so it’s not just the price, I like the grips. The only flaw is that the collar can rip putting them on, so I have some 3/4 inch 3:1 heat shrink tube, cut collars for each club, and then it isn’t a problem if the collar gets a tear. If you order, call the number, don’t use the web site. You will get the factory manager in California and he will put through the order.

Edited March 2 by Stephen8802

[Socrates]

These are just rubber grips.  Not original and nothing special.  Cut them off and put on something good.

[AZBandit]

Forgive me if you already know this:

Check out a big golf shop if you have one nearby. They usually have examples of an assortment of grips on hand. It gives you a chance to try them and see what feels and looks right to you.

 

They'll usually charge you a fee to re-grip your clubs, but it's quick and easy. Look into learning to re-grip and buying in bulk if you're planning to do this often.

[Jiggered]

The picture looks like a leather grip to me.

If it is leather I'd try and retain it.

 

Use a proprietary leather conditioner such as Fiebings 4 Way Care Leather Conditioner which should clean and restore.

[Maine Golfer]

I'd cut em off, put your favorite grips on them and move forward. 

[st1800e]

3 hours ago, Jiggered said:

The picture looks like a leather grip to me.

 

Could be a rubber grip, made to look like a leather grip. 
 

See Golf Pride Tour Wrap and others.  

[The Aspidistra in the Hall]

1 hour ago, st1800e said:

Could be a rubber grip, made to look like a leather grip. 
 

See Golf Pride Tour Wrap and others.  

I see a leather wrap grip not a slip-on Tour Wrap, of which I have many including Golf Pride and Lamkin.

The grip shown has regular perforations typical of leather grips of the day. You don't get those on synthetic slip-ons.

[bcstones]

3 hours ago, Jiggered said:

The picture looks like a leather grip to me.

If it is leather I'd try and retain it.

 

Use a proprietary leather conditioner such as Fiebings 4 Way Care Leather Conditioner which should clean and restore.

agree with @Jiggered....if they are actually leather, try to remove them, clean them & replace. I'd use simple saddle soap &, since I do some leatherwork, Tandy has some excellent conditioners...good luck & have fun

[st1800e]

5 minutes ago, The Aspidistra in the Hall said:

The grip shown has regular perforations typical of leather grips of the day. You don't get those on synthetic slip-ons.

There’s been a number of rubber grips over the years to look like leather with perforations.   Here’s a current iteration.  Could be either?, a view of the end cap would be helpful.  
 

[WaterfordBlue]

Thanks for all the replies, I just skipped the grimy ones if replacing the grip is best, The grip in the picture is a rubber Royal Grip. https://golfworks.ca/royal-grip-perf-wrap-golf-grips/p/rg0007/

Edited March 2 by WaterfordBlue

[bcstones]

1 hour ago, WaterfordBlue said:

Thanks for all the replies, I just skipped the grimy ones if replacing the grip is best, The grip in the picture is a rubber Royal Grip. https://golfworks.ca/royal-grip-perf-wrap-golf-grips/p/rg0007/

ya know, if you stated that from the beginning - it would have helped.

[Socrates]

2 hours ago, bcstones said:

ya know, if you stated that from the beginning - it would have helped.

It was obvious in the picture and I stated as such in the 5th post.  I don't know why so many kept on with the whole leather thing?

[SnowbirdTom]

3 hours ago, Socrates said:

It was obvious in the picture and I stated as such in the 5th post.  I don't know why so many kept on with the whole leather thing?

You gots better eyes than me, as that picture is real blurry.  I had a suspicion, but it was just as possible they were real leather too.

[Shallowface]

7 hours ago, WaterfordBlue said:

Thanks for all the replies, I just skipped the grimy ones if replacing the grip is best, The grip in the picture is a rubber Royal Grip. https://golfworks.ca/royal-grip-perf-wrap-golf-grips/p/rg0007/

Probably an older version than the one The Golfworks sells, which to me is reminiscent of the old Lamkin Perma Wrap.  The one pictured looks more like the original Danny Edwards Royal grips.

 

I thought that was what it was when I saw the picture because I had some of those like that.  A green Scotch Brite pad and some soap and water removes it from the surface, although you'll still see white in the perforations.

 

It never occurred to me that it may be mold.  I just figured it was oxidation of some sort.   

[bcstones]

4 hours ago, Socrates said:

It was obvious in the picture and I stated as such in the 5th post.  I don't know why so many kept on with the whole leather thing?

because from the 1st pic...it looked like leather - all the comments from then until "Waterford Blue" said what they really were...until that time we all were just trying to help when he had the answer all the while to what he should have been asking "are rubber grips worth attempting to keep when they are moldy?"

 

[Socrates]

1 hour ago, bcstones said:

because from the 1st pic...it looked like leather - all the comments from then until "Waterford Blue" said what they really were...until that time we all were just trying to help when he had the answer all the while to what he should have been asking "are rubber grips worth attempting to keep when they are moldy?"

 

I've seen it before (more than once, unfortunately) so I knew what it was.  Once they are moldy, you can clean off the mold, but the grips are already finished.  They get hard and have lost their feel.  Just not worth the effort and cutting off and replacing is the right thing to do.

[SnowbirdTom]

Royal grips are easily replaced with no sentimental or intrinsic value lost.  Cut ‘em off, clean the shafts with mineral spirits and slide some of your favorite replacements on.  A hair dryer or heat gun will soften them up and make the job easier.  It’s really an amazingly easy job with a grip replacement kit containing the rubber shaft holder, hook knife and tape/grip liquid.  All ya need is a cheap clamp on vise.

Edited March 3 by SnowbirdTom

[Shallowface]

The Royal grips I cleaned were still fine after the cleaning and the oxidation/mold/schmutz never returned.  Durability was a hallmark of that product, but that's not the best trait in a business that relies on replacement of worn product and perceived obsolescence.  The current Royal products are a house brand at The Golfworks.

 

No, they have no sentimental value, but my cash does.  I would rather not replace grips if I don't have to.  I can't help but be just a bit amused when someone scores a set of thrift store irons for 8 bucks and then drops $200 for leather grips.  Just not something I would ever do.  I tend to believe frugality is a trait shared by most of the participants on this section of WRX. 

 

I'll admit that I am one of those people that if I were asked at gunpoint "your money or your life" I'd be stuck for an answer.  

[WaterfordBlue]

50 minutes ago, Shallowface said:

The Royal grips I cleaned were still fine after the cleaning and the oxidation/mold/schmutz never returned.  Durability was a hallmark of that product, but that's not the best trait in a business that relies on replacement of worn product and perceived obsolescence.  The current Royal products are a house brand at The Golfworks.

 

No, they have no sentimental value, but my cash does.  I would rather not replace grips if I don't have to.  I can't help but be just a bit amused when someone scores a set of thrift store irons for 8 bucks and then drops $200 for leather grips.  Just not something I would ever do.  I tend to believe frugality is a trait shared by most of the participants on this section of WRX. 

 

I'll admit that I am one of those people that if I were asked at gunpoint "your money or your life" I'd be stuck for an answer.  

What did you use to clean them?

[Shallowface]

19 hours ago, WaterfordBlue said:

What did you use to clean them?

As mentioned above, a green Scotch Brite pad and some soap and water seemed to do the trick.

 

As I have suggested in other posts, I have no problem whatsoever with changing grips.  Most old grips are beyond refurbishing.  Part of the fun of this hobby for me is taking a shot at making existing things better, so that's the reason I'll often try to clean them.

 

But much of the time it's a waste of time to do anything other than change them.  That also applies to cases where you wouldn't use a grip even if it were brand new.  There have been a number of times over the years where I have picked up a brand new club of a given model and thought "the first thing I'd have to do is change this grip."  

 

There are no right or wrong answers in something like this.  Do whatever you think is best.

 

  

[SnowbirdTom]

20 hours ago, Shallowface said:

The Royal grips I cleaned were still fine after the cleaning and the oxidation/mold/schmutz never returned.  Durability was a hallmark of that product, but that's not the best trait in a business that relies on replacement of worn product and perceived obsolescence.  The current Royal products are a house brand at The Golfworks.

 

No, they have no sentimental value, but my cash does.  I would rather not replace grips if I don't have to.  I can't help but be just a bit amused when someone scores a set of thrift store irons for 8 bucks and then drops $200 for leather grips.  Just not something I would ever do.  I tend to believe frugality is a trait shared by most of the participants on this section of WRX. 

 

I'll admit that I am one of those people that if I were asked at gunpoint "your money or your life" I'd be stuck for an answer.  

 

My general philosophy is if they’re my regular players - good grips.  Clubs that will be in the play rotation getting used 1-2 times a month?  Chinese knockoffs @$35 a set.  
 

My Bridgestones and my Srixons have quality grips because they get played very often.  The rest of my collection has their original leather or OEM grips unless they’re toast.  I lost a nine iron because the grip failed. It’s 10’ deep in a pond.  😁

Edited March 4 by SnowbirdTom

[Shallowface]

2 hours ago, SnowbirdTom said:

 

My general philosophy is if they’re my regular players - good grips.  Clubs that will be in the play rotation getting used 1-2 times a month?  Chinese knockoffs @$35 a set.  
 

My Bridgestones and my Srixons have quality grips because they get played very often.  The rest of my collection has their original leather or OEM grips unless they’re toast.  I lost a nine iron because the grip failed. It’s 10’ deep in a pond.  😁

That would be my fear with an adjustable wood or hybrid with a head secured by a screw. 

 

If I had one.