Is winter the only time your clubs get out of the trunk of your car, and in that case do they only get as far as the garage? Well, depending on where you live in Canada, you might want to give that concept a second thought. You’ve made an investment in your clubs so you want to ensure you’re storing them properly to keep them in tip-top shape.

Here are the dos and don’ts of golf club storage, plus some other handy tips to take note of before putting your clubs away for the winter. 

Where To Store Your Clubs

Should you keep your clubs in the cold garage over the winter? The answer is no! Just like you shouldn’t keep them in the trunk when the weather is warm, a garage that isn’t climate controlled can lead to problems. Cold weather won’t hurt the shafts or clubheads, but there’s some evidence the epoxy that holds the clubs together can dry out, and you don’t want your clubhead to fly further than the golf ball on your next shot, right? For long-term storage, bring those clubs inside your home, in a dry, temperature-controlled location.

Cleaning Your Clubs

Unless you have a caddy following you about, there’s a good chance your clubs are a little on the grimy side, especially if you played into the fall. Mud seems to have the ability to creep into every part of your set.

Take a warm bucket of water, some soap, and a worn out cloth, and clean them up. Make them look like you’re ready to go on tour, even if you’re just a 15-handicap. Make them gleam like they did when they were brand new. A tee can be really handy for cleaning out the grooves on your wedges, and use soap and water on the grips. Make sure they’re completely dry before you put them back in your bag. Trust us—your clubs will benefit in the long run from it.

Empty Your Bag Pockets

Does your bag have a used granola bar from July, the remnants of a banana, 16 broken tees, and scattered coins throughout its various pockets? This is a great time to tidy it all up, so you can start fresh with the new season. Throw out those old golf gloves that were sweat-stained after a July game where the thermometer touched 30. Have one where the thumb is worn through? This isn’t a pair distressed jeans—this is a golf glove. So toss that one and buy three news ones for the upcoming season, allowing you to switch them up when needed.