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I wanted to start regripping my own clubs. It seems like a great way to save a few bucks. Anyways, I was looking at the Golfsmith website and they have a regrip kit at a pretty good price.

It comes with the following:
All in one gauge
Grip Solvent (1 qt.)
Grip Tape (2" x 36 yd.)
Professional Grip Knife
Grip Installer Tool
Grip Tape Remover

I was wondering how important is it to have a vise. Would it be worth getting one? It looks like it would be easier to install and slide the grip on. Any recommendations of a good, but not too expensive vise clamp. Thanks.

You don't need all that stuff, they're just trying to sell it to you. I grip my clubs regularly and all I use is a sharp knife, solvent (white spirit), double sided tape, washing up liquid and of course grips. If you need any tips let me know. I can grip a club from start to finish in about 3-5 minutes (depending on how stubborn the existing tape is to get off).

Agreed, I just did all my clubs for the first time. I bought that same kit and didn't even use the "installer" and tape remover, but I did have a butane torch, that made getting the old tape off much easier. Didn't use a vise either. The only other thing I may suggest is either using a spray bottle for the solvent, or have some thing to catch the excess, that way you're not wasting all the run off solvent.

I would recommend a hooked blade. You don't have to buy the professional knife, just replace the blades in your own shim knife with the hooked blades. If you use a regular shim blade, you run the risk of damaging a graphite shaft. Scratching the shaft with the blade can weaken it and cause it to crack during a swing. For solvent, I have heard of people using dishwashing liquid without a trouble. I use the solvent though. The double sided tape is a must. The vise is not necessary, but it's a lot harder to do the job without one, especially if you are putting on Winn Grips. If you want to save money, don't bother with the installer or tape remover.

I got a vise at Home Depot for $20. But then you would have to get that rubber clamp thing so you don't ruin the shafts.

I just did my grips for the first time using the golf smith kit that comes with grip kits. I used a utility knive to get the old grips off , the winns were really on there. Used a C-clamp to hold down the clubs. The clevelend wedges had the worst tape , it was so cheap that it would come off in little pieces from where it was very thin. When it came to my driver I just was more careful in watching where the blade was and never even scratched the old tape with the blade. I used a jug for juice and cut it in half to catch my solvent, my gf just held it under the clubs as I poured out the solvent.
My biggest hangup was when I used a water activated strip for my putter. It got about half way on and wouldn't go any further. So I took it out to my truck and used my air pump for blowing up balls and put on 40 psi and it slipped right down on it like butter.

You definitely need a vise or something to hold the clubs. I agree, the kit is a waste of money. Golfworks sells a similar kit and half the tools I dont use. The grip installer tool is a definite waste, it just actually makes it harder to install the grip. I have a Harbor Freight tool store near me and I just purchased another vise. It is a quick release drill press vise. You just push a button to open or close the jaws, when closing the jaws, you give a little twist to snug things up. To open the jaws, just push the button and pull the jaw open. It only cost 15 bucks. Another thing you need is a utility knife with hoook blades. Dont even attempt cutting grips on a graphite shafts unless you have hook blades. Some double sided tape, solvent, shaft clamp and grips are all you need.

Thats cool shortknocker, I am one of those people who like to do stuff my self and not depend on other people. And by your attitude you displayed I would guess your mom paid for them grips and not you

Nothing wrong with using friends and family's skills to an advantage. I prefer to do them myself, I enjoy re-gripping .

Thanks all for the adivce. Can't wait to start regripping my clubs.

I'm also part of the crowd that enjoys regripping my own clubs. Vise, with rubber sleeve, utility knife with curved blade, double sided tape and mineral spirits is all you need. I can get a grip off, remove the old tape, and install a new grip in about 5 minutes.

I've probably changed putter grips more than the grips on my irons. Some of the newer putter grips really feel great.