Can You Leave Golf Clubs in the Heat or Cold? (Everything To Know)
I love golfing, but I don’t always have time for it. So I need to keep my clubs ready at all times just in case I find myself with enough time to do a round. What is most annoying is when I find myself with a few extra hours to blow but my clubs are at home.
So, I keep my clubs in my trunk at all times. But leaving my clubs in the extreme heat or cold cannot be good for my clubs.
As a general rule, leaving your clubs in temperatures greater than 70 degrees Fahrenheit or less than 40 degree Fahrenheit can negatively affect the longevity of golf clubs.
To safely store your clubs for maximum usage and convenience, I did a bit of research and found out a few key things to remember.
Should You Leave Golf Clubs in a Hot Car?
I unfortunately learned this the hard way, but yes, it’s a bad thing, a very bad thing.
When it is hot outside, the temperature inside your car can reach as high as 130 degrees Fahrenheit or even beyond. That high temperature will weaken the epoxy and glue, causing the clubhead to loosen and come off.
With time, the grip around the shaft will deteriorate, making your club useless and need to be re-griped and re-shafted.
What if it is necessary to leave them in the car?
If you have to leave the clubs in the car, do not park them directly in the sun. Find a shaded area and lower the windows slightly to allow the warm air to escape. Besides, the heat and humidity of such an environment will corrode the clubs, and the metal will weaken and break down with time.
Treat your clubs like you would any other equipment and they will last a long time.
of Callaway ERC Triple
Track Golf Balls for
yourself or your buddy!
Is it OK to Leave Golf Clubs in Trunk?
Where you enjoy mixing and matching clubs, I leave mine in the trunk all the time, but I would still advise against it.
I enjoy playing golf twice a week, on Wednesdays and Saturdays. After hitting a Par 3 course near my home on Wednesdays, I always remove my golf clubs from the trunk and pack them again on Saturday before heading to the course.
Here is why I do that…
Between Wednesday and Saturday, I have other errands with my car. If I do not unpack the clubs, then I’m exposing them to damage. While driving around, the clubs in the trunk will be clanging about and even get some nicks, scratches, or dents.
When you have invested heavily in a quality set of clubs, you are not going to want that. Clubs can last 20+ years if they are taken care of properly.
Another reason is because of heat. On sunny days, the temperature inside a car trunk can rise extremely high. But in some instances may be safer than the back seat. I recommend the same caution be used with the trunk as with keeping the clubs in the car on excruciatingly hot day.
How Hot is Too Hot for Golf Clubs?
Anything above 68 degrees Fahrenheit can be problematic for your golf clubs.
One of the major benefits of storing your golf club at an ideal temperature is that it will last a long time. If golfing is your favorite pastime, then you want to get the most out of your clubs. Store them properly, and they will serve you for a long time.
Is Cold Temperature Bad for Golf Clubs?
So let’s look at the flip side. Cold temperatures are not ideal for your golf club either.
During cold weather like the winter season, hardly anyone plays golf, meaning you have to store your golf clubs and not leave them in the trunk all winter. However, if you have a garage, this process is so much easier.
However, when golf clubs are exposed to extreme cold or moisture, the shafts can become brittle, the grip can get damaged, and the epoxy securing the club head can break down.
Different areas experience varying weather conditions, which will dictate the measures you take to protect your golf clubs. If you are in a city with high annual rainfall or harsh winter, it may be worth investing in a cover that will block out any moisture. However, if you are in an area with a mild winter and low rainfall levels, there is no need to invest in cover. As long your clubs are in an area where they will not be exposed to moisture or dirt, they will be fine.
and apparel.
gear, accessories and apparel. (affiliate link)
Tips on Storing Your Clubs During The Cold Season
Before storage, first, ensure that the clubs are clean. Storing all the year’s grass and dirt is not a good idea as that will affect how your golf club strikes a golf ball. Do not assume that the cleaning buckets offered at the course are enough to clean the clubs. They might have been contaminated with fertilizer, which can cause your clubs to rust. Here are some tips on cleaning your golf clubs.
- Fill a bucket with some warm soapy water and soak your clubs. The usual dish soap will do just fine. Put the iron in water but ensure that the water only covers the head by around 2 inches. This will help loosen any dirt. Do not soak wood; instead, use a wet soapy rag to clean it.
- Use a soft brush to scrub the club heads. A toothbrush will do.
- Use a soap rag to wipe down the grips and shafts
- Finish off with a garden hose to rinse them out
- Do not forget to dry out the clubs completely before putting them back in the bag.
Ensure that the clubs are stored in a temperature-controlled room.
How To Tell That Your Golf Clubs Were Damaged by Cold Weather
There are three ways to tell that your clubs have been damaged by cold weather.
- Cracked head or head cover
- The color of the grip looks lighter or faint
- There is rust on the blades and shafts.
If the grips are white, that means they have absorbed moisture. If you notice rusty metal edges, it could indicate that your clubs have been left outside during cold temperatures or exposed to rainwater.
When inspecting the head covers and you notice a crack, this could also be a sign of water damage.
What Temperature Should Clubs Be Stored at?
A temperature ranging between 40 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit is ideal.
I store my golf clubs in the garage because it is temperature-controlled. This ensures that the clubs are not exposed to too much heat or cold.
If your garage does not have AC, you can store the clubs in the house where the temperature is optimum.
What you should do with your clubs…
Regardless of how well we take care of our clubs, at the end of the day, good technique, practice and consistency is helpful to a good golf game.
I use this training to help add distance to each one of my clubs.
