How To Fix Scratches, Scuff & Sky Marks On Golf Clubs | Golf Storage Ideas (2023)

Let’s be real here. The feeling of a new unwrapped golf club is intoxicating. It’s nice seeing the irons surface and sun combine into one shimmering beauty.

However it doesn’t take long for the shine to wear off. The truth is scratches, sky marks and scuff marks on golf clubs are a reality for all golfers.

While some golfers wear these marks as badge of honor, others hate seeing them with a passion.

Fortunately for you, I’m going to show you exactly how to fix the scratches and marks on your golf clubs.

How to Fix Scratches on Golf Clubs

This is how you fix light scratches on stainless steel golf clubs. Wash the club head with warm soapy water and then dry the club with a towel. Rub fine grade 1,500 grit sandpaper over the scratches in a back and forth motion. This will polish your club head surface, and restore it to its original condition.

Quick Tip: Why I feel EVERY golfer should have some Epoxy Glue handy!

Different Types of Scratches Seen on Clubs

Before we can go fixing the damage to our clubs, we first need to know what type of mark we’re dealing with.

In my time I have owned dozens of clubs. It’s always interesting to go back inside my garage and examine the damage done.

“I regularly see 4 different types of marks on my clubs”

Light scratches

It’s inevitable that you’ll find light scratches on your clubs. You can be as careful as you like, but you can’t beat Mother Nature. After all, you’re smacking a metal stick against a solid golf ball.

Light marks is the most common type of damage you’ll come across, and the easiest to remove. The small and often fine scratches are caused by everyday play.

Chipping and fairway shots are the most often culprits. This is because these shots can be taken absolutely anywhere on the course.

Dirt and small rocks will certainly cause these scratches to form on your head surface

Deep scratches

The more concerning type of damage seen on an iron or driver is the deep scratch. Modern golf clubs are designed to withstand normal playing conditions of a golf game.

However clubs are not designed to hit rigid objects like rocks, stones and lake banks. Furthermore they are not designed to be thrown, or smacked against the ground which many golfers do out of frustration.

Deeper scratches are difficult to fix, and this is why most golfers won’t bother removing them.

To remove deep scratches, try using a buffing compound on a soft toothbrush. Rub the brush against your club in a forward and backward motion. This is the safest method and it shouldn’t ruin your club.

Unless you have the appropriate buffing machinery, deep scratches is a case of making them look better, as opposed to removing them completely.

Personally, deep marks don’t bother me. I actually find having many lighter scratches all over my club to be less appealing.

How to Clean Scuff Marks on Golf Clubs

The black marks you see on your club head are called scuff marks. These are caused by a rubber surface making contact with your club. Your shoes are the likely cause of these marks. Golfers will sometimes step on their club, or hit their shoe instead of the ball!

Fortunately scuff marks are very simple to clean.

Method:

All you need to do is buy a white magic eraser and rub it against your club. I’ve tried this myself and the scuff marks quickly disappear.

How to Remove Sky Marks on Golf Driver

A correct golf swing involves hitting the golf ball using the face of the club. However even the best golfers will instead strike the ball using the top of the club. Obviously this is an incorrect swing and can cause the ball to fly higher in the air than then intended.

When you hit the ball with the top of the club head, white markings known as sky marks may appear. To some golfers these sky marks are embarrassing and are a mark of an unsuccessful swing at the ball.

Aside from the embarrassment, sky marks are quite ugly to look at many players tend to clean them.

To avoid causing sky marks on your clubs, don’t tee off too high. Another tip is to hit the ball straight against the club face.

In most cases, you won’t have too much trouble removing sky marks on your golf clubs. Drivers, irons and wedges can all suffer from these dreaded white marks. However sky marks are often found on black painted drivers.

I recommend first using the basic cleaning method outlined below. Most cases of sky marks will be simple to clean, as they’re at the surface level.

However if the sky mark has gone through the paint on your club, a different method will be required.

Removing Light Sky Marks (Above Paint Surface)

Method #1 – Magic Eraser

Removing sky marks is easy to do and involves just a few simple steps:

• Unscrew your head and place on top of your work bench.
• Clean your club with a damp microfiber cloth. Then allow club to air dry.
• Use a magic eraser and rub against the sky mark.
• Apply water to the magic eraser for even better results.

Method #2 – Rubbing Compound / Car Wax

The steps below are another method that works well. You’ll need a bottle of light coat rubbing compound, and a bottle of car wax.

Warning: When shopping for rubbing compound, you’ll come across different variations. Usually light, medium and heavy types of this product will be for sale. Always choose the light version, as heavier compounds can damage your clubs coat.

• Clean your club with a damp microfiber cloth. Then allow club to air dry.
• Pour a small amount of rubbing compound on to a clean cloth.
• Start rubbing the cloth on to the sky mark. Use a circular motion when cleaning your club head.
• The sky mark will disappear.
• Ensure there’s no streaks left by the rubbing solution.
• Apply a small amount of car wax onto a clean cloth.
• Rub the club with the cloth using a circular motion. Be gently to ensure you don’t scratch or scuff the head.
• Your club will now look polished and sky mark free.

Removing Deep Sky Marks (Below Paint Surface)

In some cases the sky mark will go right through the paint. A quick wipe or magic eraser isn’t an ideal solution in this case.

Method:

This situation will require you to touch up the area using golf paint and a paint brush.

• Clean the area with a damp cloth and then allow the club to air dry.
• Purchase some golf paint that matches the color of your club head. You can find paint online or you can visit your local golf store.
• Tape up the surrounding areas so you don’t accidentally paint non-affected areas.
• Using a fine paint brush, paint over the sky mark in a back and forth motion.
• Allow up to 4 hours for the paint to completely dry.
• If you see any uneven or raised sections of paint, you’ll need to sand over the area. Use fine grade sandpaper to sand down the affected areas. Choose 1,500 grit sandpaper to do the job.
• For an improved finish, apply metal polish to the whole head. This will help restore your club and create a beautiful shine.

Conclusion

The key thing to remember is that all types of scratches and marks can be fixed with the right tools. I would hate for anyone to throw away their perfectly fine golf clubs.

All of the methods I have explained in this article only require $5 and 5 minutes of your time.

Disclaimer: Remember to always check with the manufacture of your golf club before attempting any of the methods outlined in this article.

Quick Tip: How to Use Epoxy Glue on your Golf Club