Graphite golf shafts were invented in the 1960s by Frank Thomas, who worked for Shakespeare Sporting Goods and later served as the USGA's technical director for 26 years. The amount of shaft flex and bend points vary by manufacturer, and a club's stock shaft might not bring about the kind of trajectory you like in your shots. You can change to a shaft that fits your swing working in your own garage.
Replacing Graphite Shafts on Drivers, Fairway Woods, Hybrids
Step 1
Secure your club in a rubber-clamp vise. Leave 1/4 inch between the hosel and the edge of the vise.
Step 2
Cover the hosel with a hosel collar to protect it from the shaft extractor. Place the shaft puller between the hosel and vise.
Step 3
Heat the hosel evenly with a torch or heat gun. Slowly increase pressure on the shaft puller as the hosel heats up. Don't twist the clubhead. The clubhead will pop free of the shaft when the heat source breaks down the epoxy holding them together.
Step 4
Let the clubhead cool. Remove any remaining epoxy with a flex tool.
Step 5
Trim it to fit according to the manufacturer's instructions if the tip won't fit in the clubhead. Trim the tip using a hacksaw with a rod saw blade. Don't use a shaft cutter on graphite shafts. Apply a few wraps of tape on the shaft at the cutting point to prevent splitting. Using a shaft knife, carefully cut away the protective coating and paint from the shaft--about the last 1 1/4 inches--that will fit into the hosel. Don't use sandpaper, and be sure to not cut into the graphite.
Step 6
Test where the ferrule will go when the shaft is seated fully into the clubhead. Mark that spot with tape at the grip side of the ferrule. It the shaft won't seat fully, bore out the clubhead to create the space needed.
Step 7
Mix the epoxy and put on a thin coat around the shaft and inside the hosel. Slide the ferrule on and seat the shaft in the hosel. Rotate the shaft inside the hosel to spread the epoxy. Working quickly, press the ferrule flush against the hosel. Line up any alignment marks on the shaft with the club's leading edge. Wipe off any excess epoxy.
Step 8
Rest the clubhead on the table or ground with the shaft vertical and let the epoxy cure overnight.
Step 9
Cut the shaft to your desired length at the butt end, using a hacksaw and masking tape as in Step 5. Measure the length from where the hosel meets the sole of the club up to the butt end of the shaft. Install a grip and let the club cure overnight.
Replacing Graphite Shaft on Irons
Step 1
Put the club in a rubber-clamp vise. Attach a shaft extractor to the club using the proper slot over the top of the hosel. Adjust the shaft extractor to apply minimal pressure.
Step 2
Heat the hosel with the torch or heat gun and slowly increase the pressure from the shaft extractor. The extractor will pull the clubhead free when the heat breaks down the epoxy.
Step 3
Remove any leftover epoxy and let the clubhead cool.
Step 4
Follow Steps 5 through 9 from Section 1.
Things You'll Need
- Vise
- Shaft puller or extractor
- Propane torch
- Heat gun
- Heat-resistant gloves
- Club epoxy
- Hosel collar
- Flex hone tool
- Pry bar
- Shaft knife
- Masking tape
- Measuring tape
- Hacksaw with rod saw blade for graphite shafts
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