If you’ve got a door that’s starting to sag or won’t close right, there’s a good chance the hinge screws are stripped out.
A lot of people recommend stuffing the holes with toothpicks—or even matchsticks—to give the screws something to grab onto. That can work short-term, but it’s not the most solid fix.
There’s a better option: wood golf tees.
Why Door Hinges Come Loose
Over time, the screws in your door hinge can wear out the wood inside the frame. Once that happens, the screws lose their grip and start to loosen, which leads to a sagging or misaligned door.
Why Golf Tees Work Better
Golf tees are a stronger and more effective filler compared to toothpicks or matchsticks.
- They’re made of solid wood
- They fill more of the hole
- They create a tighter fit for the screw
- They hold up better over time
Instead of packing a bunch of small pieces into the hole, you’re inserting one solid piece that gives the screw something real to bite into.
What You’ll Need
- Wood golf tees
- Wood glue
- Hammer (optional)
- Screwdriver or drill
Step-by-Step Fix
- Remove the loose screw from the hinge
- Add a small amount of wood glue into the stripped hole
- Insert a golf tee into the hole (tap it in if needed)
- Let the glue dry
- Snap or cut off the excess tee so it’s flush
- Reinstall the screw
That’s it. The screw should now grab tightly and hold the hinge in place.
It’s a simple upgrade that takes just a few extra minutes and saves you from dealing with the same loose hinge again later.