Re-gripping only requires a small bench and vices or an inexpensive gripping station to get the money rolling in. I have heard it said that the solvents involved don't make for a good retail environment, but using petrol or white spirit belongs in the dark ages, and most modern grip solvents have a neutral aroma. In the Golfsmith workshops we even have a solvent with a citrus fruit scent!
Adding up
A plain rubber grip costs around £2, and a little solvent and a length of double sided tape will stand you if for an extra 10p or so. Re-gripping can comfortably sell to the golfer for £4.50-£5.50 per grip, leaving a profit of around £2.50 per club. Multiplying £2.50 by 13 clubs (putter grips are a separate and more lucrative issue) works out at £32.50 for
15-20 minutes work. That equates to £97.50 an hour, which can’t be bad!
A pro I once met from Texas used to get his assistants to hang re-gripping notices on lockers at the start of each season. His assistants re-gripped 1,500 clubs a year on average, and the pro would pay them 50 cents a club.
It takes little effort to educate golfers in the benefits of using decent grips in the correct size, and today’s multi-compounds, multi-colours and sample display stands help your customers get to grips with the proposition!
