More people getting out to play also means more golfers are dusting off clubs that haven’t used in a while. In other cases, a lot of new golfers are getting into the game by buying used equipment, since it offers the best value to get premium gear at less-than-premium prices.

The one thing to pay close attention to when getting out those clubs for the first time or when buying used clubs, especially irons, is their condition to make sure they are in “game shape.” The first thing most golfers are going to notice are grips because they are the single connection between you and your clubs—and comfortable grips can make the difference between an enjoyable experience or hours of discomfort if they are old, dry, and worn.

If you are a DIY’er you can change grips at home with a few simple tools. Here is a quick guide video to changing grips: How to re-grip a golf club.

One of the most important things to pay attention to from a safety perspective is if the clubs are actually still safely assembled. One of the easiest ways to figure this out is by looking at the ferrules. An older set with loose ferrules (see the title image) needs a full inspection to make sure they are safe for use.

Now, just because the ferrules aren’t seated directly against the top of the club heads doesn’t mean the clubs are a danger. They can shift over time for several reasons.

• Hitting off mats creates a lot of extra vibration being transferred through the club that can cause ferrules to break loose from their epoxy and slowly creep up the shaft.
• Drastic temperature changes cause expansion and contraction. Over time, this back-and-forth can also cause ferrules to come loose and move up the shaft.

A telltale sign that it’s only the ferrules coming loose and not the clubhead is the grips are still properly aligned with the heads, and (although this may seem a bit obvious) if you can twist the head and hear squeaking than 100% you should have those club heads reglued, even if it still feels like a snug fit – do you really want a trust a “snug” fit when you are swinging around a quarter-pound piece of metal on the end of a shaft traveling 90mph? I didn’t think so!

If it is only loose ferrules, they can be refit into place with either a small drop of epoxy or super glue once the ferrules are warmed up with a standard run of the mill hair drier and pushed back into place—it’s just that simple.

For more topics like this, and to discuss all things club repair, be sure to check out the GolfWRX Club Building Forum