Playing golf, by definition, involves taking metallic objects (mostly), into places where they are going to thrash around in the dirt for several hours. So they are going to get dirty at the very least. And that's on good days when the weather is good.

For most of us, we don't have that hotline to the forces of nature that keep the rain out, so in worsening conditions, golf club care is a priority if we want to maximize our performance.

Not to mention protecting the investment we've made in that great set of golf clubs we just bought.

Particularly if you bought cheap golf clubs, or used golf clubs, you might be less inclined to spend a half hour cleaning up after you finish your round. The important thing to consider here is not the size of your investment, which may be smaller that the exorbitant prices you can pay for branded golf clubs, but the impact on your game.

By being careful, shot by shot, as you play your round, you can clean as you go, which means each time you take a club out of the bag, you know that it is in perfect condition and you have a great chance of playing a good shot.

Keeping dirt, grass, moisture and sand off your clubs, will enhance your playing performance, as well as giving you the confidence you might lack with golf clubs you paid a little less for.

That's not to say those who spent a lot of money on the latest branded golf clubs need take less golf club care. On the contrary, of course. You have a serious investment to protect!

There are simple measures anyone can use in their regular golf club care. Having the right golf accessories is probably the key action you can take (apart, of course, from actually using what you have!). Good head covers protect your golf clubs in the hurly-burly of transit from home to course.

Simple cleaning tools are vital as well. And when you do, eventually get them home, a good golf cleaning product can help as well.

Golf club care is not rocket science. It's simple, quick and easy when you get into a routine.

So, by taking care of your golf clubs, not only will you do the best job possible to look after any financial investment you made, but you will also being doing all you possibly can to get the best scores out of those very golf clubs you own.