Survey Finds ~95% of Golfers Perform Maintenance After a Rainy Round, But Methods Vary [Chicken Golf Survey]

Clear Inc. (HQ: Shibuya, Tokyo; CEO: Jun Katsunuma), operator of the semi-private golf lesson service "Chicken Golf," conducted a survey of 273 experienced golfers in May 2026 via its "Golf no Manabiya" media outlet regarding post-round equipment maintenance on rainy days.

A round of golf in the rain requires more attention to equipment condition than on a sunny day, as moisture and dirt can easily adhere to clubs, grips, and shoes. Insufficient maintenance can lead to slippery grips, rusted clubs, and deteriorated shoes, potentially affecting future play and scores. This survey investigated what kind of maintenance golfers perform after a rainy round and what equipment troubles they have actually experienced.

### Survey Summary

#### About 95% of Golfers Perform Maintenance After a Rainy Round The survey found that 94.9% of golfers perform some form of maintenance on their equipment after a round in the rain. This suggests that most golfers recognize the need for equipment care after playing in wet conditions.

#### Maintenance Focuses on "Drying" and "Wiping"; In-depth Care is a Minority Regarding specific maintenance methods, "Drying in a well-ventilated area" was the most common at 71.8%, followed by "Just wiping with a towel" at 57.9%. In contrast, more specialized maintenance like "Washing with neutral detergent/special cleaner" (22.7%) and "Wiping grips with a special cleaner" (19.8%) were practiced by a minority of golfers.

#### "Irons" and "Shoes" are the Top Priority for Maintenance The equipment golfers pay most attention to after a rainy round are "Irons" (53.8%) and "Shoes" (51.3%). This is likely because these items can significantly impact scores and shot stability.

#### 37.7% of Golfers Inspect Their Clubs Regularly Regarding regular club inspection, 37.7% check their equipment "every round/practice session." However, 15.8% reported that they "almost never inspect" their clubs. Notably, 50.7% of golfers with an average score of 100-109 reported that equipment condition "sometimes" affects their play, suggesting that a growing desire to improve scores leads to greater awareness of equipment condition.

#### 60.8% Have Experienced Equipment Trouble on a Rainy Day 60.8% of respondents have experienced equipment trouble during a rainy round. The most common issue was "Slippery or deteriorated grips" (30.8%), followed by "Damaged or deformed shoes" (22.3%), and "Rust or corrosion on the club head" (17.6%).

#### 39.2% Report Equipment Condition Affected Their Play or Score 39.2% of golfers felt that the condition of their equipment had an impact on their performance. The most cited effect was "Inconsistent shots or more miss-shots" (56.1%), followed by "Couldn't concentrate on the round" (31.8%).

To improve scores and achieve stable play, it is crucial not only to practice one's swing but also to establish regular inspection and maintenance habits.