Well, the season has come to an end and you have just played that last round.  You know it is the last round because it is snowing and they are predicting 20 inches by morning.  You realize yesterday was the last time you will see green grass for five or more months.  What do you do with your clubs?  The thing you don’t do is throw them in the corner of the garage and wait until spring.

 Club heads can be made of many different metals or alloys, but the majority by far are stainless steel. Most people don’t realize it, but stainless steel will rust.  It is called stainless because it will stain or rust less, but it will rust.  Even if the heads are titanium or aluminum alloy, they will tarnish and stain.  The worst place to keep your clubs is in a cold damp area whether it be a garage or basement.

 Here is a check list of what to do with your clubs and other equipment after that last round.

• Clean the heads of the clubs with a brush, soap and water.  Get the dirt out of the grooves and the cavities in the back of the head.

• Wash the shafts and grips with the same soap solution.  Scrub the grips with the brush making sure you get all the dirt and oil off.

• Let the clubs dry thoroughly.  Make sure there is no moisture left on them especially where the shaft and head meet.

• Check the bottom groove of the irons.  Many clubs have this groove painted white or gold so it is easier to square the club face at address.  If the paint is gone or broken up this is a good time to have the groove repainted.  Many shops can do this at a nominal charge

• If you want to dress up your clubs have the lettering on the heads repainted, and the heads buffed up.

• Place a small amount of WD40 or vegetable oil on an old rag, and wipe the heads and shafts with the rag.  Do not use a large amount.  Only a small amount is necessary to protect the clubs.

• Clean out your bag.  Get rid of all the old score cards, half full bags of candy, broken tees, dirty balls, etc.  You may find a fortune in change at the bottom of the pockets.  Doing this now will prevent your bag from being stained by these materials setting in it all winter.

• Take off all the old bag tags.  This a good time to call the USGA and become a member so you will have a new USGA bag tag in the spring.  Call 800-223-0041.

• Clean and polish your shoes, then insert shoe trees in them.  This will keep the shoes from being deformed and not fitting well in the spring.  It would also be a good idea to remove the spikes and spray each hole with a small amount of WD40.

• Come to Pat Ryan Golf and have your irons lie angle and lofts checked then adjusted to you.  If you have never had this done it is very important to the accuracy of your shots.

• If your clubs did not perform as you would have liked over the last season, this is a perfect time to go through a complete club fitting.

Maybe you can think of some other things that should be done to your equipment before next season.  The key is take time now to done them.

 There are many locations in the metro area where you can extend your season by playing simulated golf.  It can be a lot of fun.  Many of the areas have leagues which will be forming in the fall and winter.  The Bunker located here at Pat Ryan Golf is one of the best.   If you are interested contact them now and plan your winter golf.