How to Refinish a Putter
Putters have long been the most intimate club in any golfer's bag. When you find a putter you like, hold on as long as you can. Next time on the course peak into your partners' bags and take note of the age of their putters compared with the other clubs. A driver more than 10 years old is rare, but effective putters might outlive their owners. To keep your putter looking and feeling like it did the day you holed your first birdie follow these steps.
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Things You'll Need
- Soft cloth
- Baby oil
- Light soap
- Small paintbrush (size 00-2)
- Golf refinishing paint
Instructions
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Clean Your Putter
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Clean your putter thoroughly. Using a soft cloth and a light soap, wipe the putter head gently. Use only a soft cloth, because the club face is easily scratched.
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Let the club dry and reexamine the condition of the club. Often, putters do not require repainting, just a thorough cleaning.
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Apply a small amount of baby oil to another soft cloth and polish the face. The baby oil will polish and protect the club head.
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Examine the condition. If the club face has oxidized, has nicks or scratches or appears to be altered, you'll need to refinish it carefully.
Refinish Your Putter
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Remove rust. Mix a white wine vinegar solution of half vinegar and half water, and allow the club head to soak in the solution for several minutes. Once the head has soaked and the rust appears to be coming off the head, remove the head from the solution and gently wipe off the rust. Clean the head thoroughly with a soft cloth, or an oil cloth included with many high-end putters.
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Repair scratches. Identify the problem areas and wet a soft cloth with a gentle dish soap. Using the cloth, rub with the grain of the steel as much as possible. If the scratch runs across the grain, break it into several sections and keep a consistent motion across those sections. Keep the club head under slowly running water while you are repairing the scratch.
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Retouch the paint. High-end and custom putters often have intricate designs and any refinishing should include a touch-up. Using your small paint brush and repair paint, delicately apply small amounts of paint into the previous design. Make sure to fully cover the area without letting the paint leak onto the club head. Remove any spilled paint slowly with a soft cloth.
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Allow the club to dry for three or more days, while storing the club in a cool, dry place. The club face and painted areas will be more susceptible to staining in the first few days, so give your club time to settle.
Turn to the Professionals
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If the process seems overwhelming, or if you just prefer to have a professional handle your putter, many companies will completely refinish and retouch your flat stick for you.
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Contact a refinishing company and they will instruct you on how to package, where to send and how long they'll need your putter. Expect to be without your putter for several weeks, potentially months, so wait for the winter months when you won't be playing.
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Be specific with your repair needs. If you're looking for a basic refinishing job, they'll know what to do. If you want a custom finish, they'll create something just for you.
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Tips & Warnings
Ask around for a good club fitter or club maker who can help guide you through the refinishing process. Be sure to dry the club head completely after every round to avoid oxidation.
Never use steel wool on the club head; it will scratch the face.
