I winterize golf gear in 4 steps: clean, dry, inspect, and store indoors. If you’re still playing, remove mud, salt, and moisture after each round to improve your golf game. If you’re storing gear for months, give it a deeper clean first.
My checklist covers the whole setup:
- Clubs: Clean heads, grooves, grips, and shafts; check for rust and loose parts.
- Bag and accessories: Empty pockets, clean balls and practice gear, and dry gloves, shoes, towels, and rainwear. Keep leather away from direct heat.
- Carts: Clean wheels and joints, then follow the manual for lubrication, fuel, and battery care.
- Electronics: Dry devices and follow their battery instructions. Let cold devices warm up and condensation clear before charging.
- Storage and spring checks: Keep gear off damp floors in a dry indoor space. Check for damage before using or charging it again.
<u>Battery care depends on the model.</u> A discharged lead-acid battery can freeze near 20°F, while lithium batteries generally need the partial storage charge listed in their manual.
Winterizing Golf Equipment: 4-Step Checklist
THIS Is How You Should Be Storing Your Clubs In The Winter
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Clean and Dry Your Golf Clubs
Winter dirt and moisture collect fastest on clubfaces, grooves, and grips. Clean, dry, inspect, then store: start with clubheads, move to grips and shafts, and check for damage last.
Clean Clubheads and Grooves
Scrub clubfaces and grooves with warm water and a soft nylon brush, then dry them with a towel. Remove packed dirt before it dries. Use mild soap mixed with water unless the manufacturer recommends a specific cleaner.
Clean Grips and Wipe Down Shafts
Clean the grips and wipe down the shafts. Dry grips, shafts, and hosels completely before putting on headcovers or storing your clubs.
Check for Rust and Use Safe Cleaners
Look for orange spots, pitting, and flaking on steel shafts and clubheads. Raw finishes can develop a patina naturally, but corrosion on plated or carbon steel parts needs prompt cleaning. Deal with rust now so it doesn’t spread during storage.
Check ferrules for gaps or lifting. Use only manufacturer-approved cleaners or protective treatments suited to each component and finish. Once the clubs are clean and dry, move on to the bag and loose gear.
Prepare Your Bag, Balls, and Clothing
Next, tackle the gear that traps moisture and is easy to overlook: your bag, balls, and clothing.
Empty, Clean, and Dry Your Golf Bag
Empty every pocket and vacuum out crumbs, grass, and other debris. Wipe down the exterior with mild soap and water, without soaking the padding. Let the bag air-dry in a ventilated area. Never put it in a dryer.
Store Golf Balls and Practice Accessories
Clean golf balls, tees, markers, and alignment aids, then dry them thoroughly before storing them for winter. Cold temperatures reduce ball performance, particularly distance and compression.
Dry Gloves, Shoes, Towels, and Rain Gear
Store towels only when they’re completely dry to help prevent mold and mildew. Rain gear needs to be fully dry, too.
Keep leather gloves and shoes away from direct heat, which can dry out, shrink, and crack the leather. Avoid fabric softeners on rain gear – they can damage its durable water-repellent finish.
Protect Carts, Electronics, and Batteries
Golf equipment and electronics need extra care when winter brings moisture, cold, and battery storage. Give anything with wheels, wiring, or batteries extra protection before putting it away.
Clean and Store Push Carts
Clean mud, grass, and road salt off the frame and wheels. Dry the hinges, brakes, and folding joints, then store the cart somewhere dry.
Lubricate only the spots listed in your owner’s manual. Use a dry lubricant, such as silicone spray or PTFE, instead of heavy oil or grease.
Powered carts need a few more steps.
Winterize Riding and Electric Push Carts
Follow your owner’s manual for battery or fuel care, storage temperature, and charging instructions. Clean, dry, inspect, then store. Follow the manual’s directions for disconnection, ventilation, and operating temperatures, too. For answers to specific golf questions regarding unique cart models, consult the manufacturer’s support site.
Use approved charging equipment. The right charge level and charging schedule depend on the model.
| Cart type | Storage tasks |
|---|---|
| Lead-acid electric cart | Inspect terminals and store fully charged. A discharged lead-acid battery can freeze near 20°F and crack the case. |
| Lithium electric cart | Store at the partial charge recommended in the manual. |
| Gas-powered riding cart | Complete the prescribed engine and fuel-storage steps. |
Store Rangefinders, GPS Devices, and Watches
Clean lenses with a lens pen or microfiber cloth. Wipe GPS devices and watches with a lightly damp, lint-free cloth, then dry them fully before storage or charging.
Let cold devices reach room temperature and wait for condensation to clear before opening battery compartments or connecting chargers. Follow the manufacturer’s directions for battery removal, storage charge, and storage and charging temperatures.
| Equipment type | Storage action |
|---|---|
| Rangefinder with disposable batteries | Remove batteries, such as CR2 cells, unless instructed otherwise. |
| Rechargeable GPS device | Store at the recommended charge level. |
| Rechargeable golf watch | Check charging contacts for trapped moisture before storage. |
Once the carts and electronics are dry and stored, turn to your winter storage space and spring checklist.
Plan Winter Storage and Prepare for Reuse
Once everything is clean and dry, store your clubs, bag, balls, clothing, carts, and electronics indoors in a dry space with stable conditions. Keep gear off damp floors and away from direct heat. Follow the manufacturer’s battery storage instructions.
Before your first spring round, give your gear a brief check so it’s ready for play:
- Inspect clubs for rust or loose parts, and check bags and clothing for mildew.
- Test cart brakes and folding joints.
- Check electronics and batteries for damage before charging.
Conclusion: Keep Your Equipment Ready for Play
Winter care follows a simple routine: clean, dry, inspect, and store. After winter rounds, remove mud and salt, then wipe your clubs dry.
Take damp gear out promptly, and let all wet accessories dry completely before putting them away. For long-term storage, choose a dry indoor space.
Check your stored gear before your first spring round.
FAQs
Can I store golf clubs in an unheated garage?
Avoid storing golf equipment in an unheated garage during winter. Keep your entire bag in a climate-controlled space – it’s the safest way to protect your clubs and accessories from temperature changes and moisture. Store golf balls indoors at room temperature to help prevent a drop in performance.
Will freezing temperatures permanently damage golf balls?
Freezing temperatures do not permanently damage golf balls [1]. Cold makes the core and cover stiffer, temporarily reducing compression and distance during play [1][2].
Store golf balls indoors at room temperature, not in an unheated car trunk or garage where temperatures change [1]. If they’ve been out in the cold, bring them inside 12 to 24 hours before your round to let the core reach a playable temperature [1].
How often should I check stored golf cart batteries?
The provided search results don’t explain how often to check stored golf cart batteries or how to maintain them.