Customize your golf club by replacing your club shaft if it is broken or does not fit your swing. Rather than replace your entire club, you can change your club shaft when you want to try a different amount of club shaft flex or just a different shaft material. Graphite shafts provide a player with a lighter golf club but steel shafts can be less expensive and more durable. Changing your current golf club shafts with shafts of higher-quality could increase your drive distance and accuracy.
Step 1
Cut the ferrule from the shaft above the club head using a utility knife. Cut away from you and toward the club head.
Step 2
Wrap the original club shaft in a soft cloth or rubber vise clamp and place it into a vise. Place the open end of a hosel protector over the shaft between the hosel and the vise. Tighten the vise allowing 1/4 inch between the top of the club and vise. The hosel is located at the top of the club head where the shaft installs.
Step 3
Apply heat to the hosel with the heat gun for three minutes to remove the club head from a graphite shaft. Apply heat to the hosel with a propane torch for 15 to 20 seconds to remove the club head from a steel shaft.
Step 4
Position a shaft pry bar between the hosel and the vise. Use gentle pressure to pry the club head from the shaft. Wear heat resistant gloves when handling your club head, as the heat from the heat gun or propane torch can transfer to the club head. Remove the original shaft from the vise.
Step 5
Wrap the replacement shaft in a soft cloth or rubber vise clamp and place it in the vise. Tighten the vise to prevent the shaft from shifting or rotating.
Step 6
Refer to the manufacturer's guide for your replacement shaft to learn the proper amount of shaft to trim from the tip. Each manufacturer lists the amount to trim from their shaft that corresponds to the size of club head being installed on the shaft. Use a felt tip pen to mark the trim measurement onto a steel shaft. If you are replacing your old shaft with a graphite shaft, wrap masking tape around the shaft and mark the measurement on the tape.
Step 7
Trim the tip from a steel shaft using a plumbing tube cutter. Place the cutter on the shaft, lining the blade up with the center of the measured mark. Slowly tighten the cutter as you twist it around the shaft, cutting through the steel. Use a hacksaw with a rod saw blade to cut through a graphite shaft.
Step 8
Sand the tip of a steel shaft with fine-grit sandpaper. If you are replacing with a graphite shaft, remove 1/4 inch of paint and polyurethane from the tip of the shaft. Install the ferrule onto the club shaft and push the club head onto the shaft to place the ferrule in the proper position. Mark the position of the top of the ferrule on the shaft and remove the ferrule.
Step 9
Mix two-part shaft epoxy following the manufacturer's directions. Apply a thin coat of epoxy to the end of the shaft and push the ferrule onto the shaft to the marked position. Apply a thin coat of two-part epoxy inside the hosel and push the club head onto the shaft. Make sure the shaft seats into the bottom of the hosel and against the ferrule.
Step 10
Align the club head with the shaft graphic alignment markings. Place the club head on the ground with the club shaft upright and allow the epoxy to cure overnight.
Step 11
Install the shaft back into the vise. Measure for the length of your finished shaft and mark the measurement on the shaft as you did in step 6. Trim the shaft using the plumbing tube cutter for a steel shaft or a hacksaw with a rod saw blade for a graphite shaft.
Step 12
Measure the length of your grip and mark the measurement on the shaft. Spiral wrap the shaft in two-sided grip tape, leaving a slight space between each wrap and remove the backing from the grip tape.
Step 13
Place a shallow pan under the butt end of the shaft. Plug the hole with the golf tee and pour grip solvent into the new grip. Cover the open end of the grip with your finger and shake the grip to coat the inside with grip solvent. Pour the excess solvent from the grip over the grip tape on the shaft. Pour additional grip solvent over the grip tape on the shaft to saturate it.
Step 14
Slip the grip onto the end of the shaft, quickly pushing it until the butt end of the grip meets the butt end of the shaft. Align the grip alignment markings with the head of your club, making sure they are square with the club head. Allow the grip to set overnight.
Things You'll Need
- Utility knife
- Soft cloth
- Rubber vise clamp
- Vise
- Hosel protector
- Heat gun
- Propane torch
- Shaft pry bar
- Heat resistant gloves
- Replacement shaft
- Felt tip pen
- Masking tape
- Plumbing tube cutter
- Hacksaw with rod saw blade
- Fine-grit sandpaper
- Ferrule
- Two-part shaft proxy
- Club grip
- Two-sided grip tape
- Shallow pan
- Golf tee
- Grip solvent
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