How to Get Rust Off Golf Clubs (5 Proven Methods)

Leaving your club outside or even storing it in locations prone to unfavorable conditions can cause your golf club to rust. Contrary to what many people may think, a little rust does not necessarily mean the end of the world. In fact, some golf clubs like wedges may benefit from rust. Experts recommend that it can increase the friction on the surface of a wedge. However, too much rust can become a problem. This is how to get rust off golf clubs:

Removing rust from a golf club varies based on model and design. However, you’ll need to have a container, a clean fiber, and a scratch-free rubber available for it. Generally speaking, you won’t need any special equipment to clean rust off a golf club. But you’ll need to find a method that best suits your club and personal style. Here are the most common methods for removing rust from golf clubs include:

• Use of steel wool
• Soap and water cleaning
• Coca-Cola
• Use of vinegar and lemon juice
• Rust remover

Each of these cleaning methods involves unique steps. However, they all work to remove rust from golf clubs. Read on to learn how you can use the methods to remove rust from your golf club.

How To Get Rust Off Golf Clubs (Different Methods Explained)

For starters, if you’re looking to purchase the best golf clubs for men, you’ll need to know how golf clubs are built. Once you understand the structure of a golf club, you can use the following methods to clean it.

1. Using a Steel Wool

Most golfers prefer this method because it’s simple and everything you’ll need is within reach. However, it works best for clubs with a light sprinkling of surface rust. Here, all you’ll need is to lightly scrub the affected areas with steel wool to quickly remove the rust and restore the club’s shine. 

However, it’s essential to do this carefully because excessively scratching the surface with the steel wool can cause further damage to it. If it seems to you that the rust is too deep-set for you to remove it with steel wool, you can opt for other methods. 

2. Soap and Water

You’re probably surprised, right? A simple mixture of soap and water can also do the magic for most rust in golf clubs. This method is also relatively simple and doesn’t need any specialized equipment. 

Just fill a bucket with warm (not so hot) water and add some liquid soap or dish soap. Soak your club in the solution for about five minutes. Finally, use a clean, soft cloth to wipe the rust away. If you notice that the rust has burrowed into the club’s groove, you can use a soft toothbrush to scrub. The bristles should reach into the grooves and remove the rust. 

This method works for many people. However, if it fails to work, perhaps it’s time to introduce the big players. 

3. Coca-Cola

You read that rightly – America’s favorite soft drink can also serve as a cleaning agent for removing rust from golf clubs. If you can only access Pepsi at the time of cleaning, don’t worry, it works fine too. 

The process is relatively easy – simply fill a clean container with a few liters of Coke or whatsoever cola you choose to use. Pour enough Coca-Cola to submerge the head of your golf clubs. For maximum effects, we recommend soaking your clubs in it for up to 24 hours. Next, remove the club and dry it with a microfiber cloth. This method works well for removing most of the rust that has eaten into the club. However, if there are still a few remnants left, grab a scratch-free scrubber for it. 

To clean rust from your golf club’s shaft using Coke:

• Soak a soft towel in your Coca-Cola solution and wrap it around the shaft.
• Leave for about 24 hours and wipe them down.
• Rinse off with clean water. 

4. Vinegar and Lemon Juice

This one’s so popular because many people use it to remove rust from other tools. It also works on golf club rust like magic. Fill a small clean container with lemon or vinegar juice. Submerge your clubhead into the solution and leave it for one to two hours. Use a clean cloth or soft brush to scrub the rust away. 

5. Rust Remover

If all the above options do not work, it’s probably time to opt for the almighty industrial rust remover. These removers contain chemicals that can cause you harm or damage the club’s metal, so we typically advise caution. Start by reading the instructions on the product’s label. These instructions are mostly specific to the product, so it won’t make sense to use the instructions on one product for another.

Industrial rust removers would work on most types of rust if used correctly. However, if it doesn’t work, there may be nothing more to do about it. You can visit a specialist golf store to have professionals look at the extent of the damage, but it’s very likely that the rust has eaten so deep that a repair has become impossible.

Prevention is Better Than Cure 

That’s a popular sentence, right? Well, it applies to golf clubs too. It’s always easier to stop rust from happening in the first place than trying to repair the damage after it has been done.

Here, let’s review some pro-tips that you can use to prevent rust from taking over your club. 

• Use cotton to wipe down your clubs after each playing round.
• Use a multipurpose lubricant to wipe your club after every few months. 
• Avoid storing your clubs in a humid location. Locations like your garage or the corner of a storeroom can cause the club to get wet and become prone to rust. 
• Closely monitor the condition of your clubs every once in a while. 
• Occasionally spray rust remover on the heads and shafts of metal clubs. Rust removers are not only designed to remove clubs from your clubs. They’ll also help to prevent rust on the club. However, bear in mind that inappropriate use of rust removers can cause significant damage to your clubs. 
• If your clubs get wet, dry them properly before storing them.

Conclusion: Do This to Remove Rust From Golf Clubs

Like every other type of cleaning, cleaning rust from your golf club can be a very difficult task. It’s even more difficult if you don’t know how to go about it. Fortunately, several cleaning agents exist to ease the process for you.

The use of steel wool may be the easiest and most common method for cleaning rust from golf clubs, but it’s not the most effective method. Other more effective methods exist, although you may need some level of expertise to use them.

Remember that the best way to avoid rust on your club is proper maintenance. Use these steps explained above to prevent rust on your golf club.