Only a handful of PGA titles belong to left-handed golfers and Phil Mickelson, affectionately known as Lefty, holds the majority of them, according to PGA Grand Slam of Golf. The number of left-handed PGA players is small in relation to the total number of PGA players. The same is true for left-handed club sets. The number of left-handed club sets at a golf shop can be fewer than one-fourth of the club sets available. Making your own left-handed golf club set gives you an advantage of not settling for the limited availability of pre-made sets.
Step 1
Visit a golf pro-shop, and consult with a club-fitting specialist to find the best suited shaft, club head and club grip for your swing. Discuss with the specialist the number of left-handed clubs that best suits your game and your bag. Have the fitting specialist measure you for club length.
Step 2
Take the information you obtain from the fitting specialist to a golf shop that specializes in club components. Consult with the golf shop associate to find club shafts, left-handed club heads and grips that match the recommendations of the club fitting specialist. Check if the left-handed club heads require ferrules, and buy them if that is the case.
Step 3
Refer to the shaft trimming chart that comes with your club shafts for the amount of tip to trim from the club shaft that coincides with the left-handed club head you are installing. Club shaft lengths vary by manufacturer, and you must follow the chart to trim the proper amount of tip for each club.
Step 4
Measure and mark the length to trim from your steel club shaft with a felt-tip marker. If you are using graphite shafts, measure the length to trim from the graphite club shaft, and wrap masking tape around the shaft. Mark the trim line onto the masking tape. The masking tape on the graphite shaft helps protect the graphite shaft from splintering when you trim it.
Step 5
Place a rubber vise clamp around your golf club shaft, and insert the vise clamp into a vise. Tighten the vise securely so the shaft does not move as you trim it. The rubber vise clamp protects the golf shaft from damage.
Step 6
Place a plumber's tubing cutter around a steel shaft, positioning the blade at the center of the measurement mark. Tighten the cutter by turning the handle until the blade touches the shaft. Rotate the cutter around the shaft slowly as you turn the handle of the cutter at the same time. Repeat rotating and tightening until you cut through the shaft. Use a hacksaw with a rod saw blade to cut through a graphite shaft at the marked measurement on the masking tape.
Step 7
Abrade 1 1/4 inch of the trimmed tip of a steel shaft with 220 grit to 240 grit sandpaper. This gives the epoxy a better adhesion surface. Use a utility knife to carefully remove 1 1/4 inch of the polyurethane and paint the tip of the graphite shaft.
Step 8
Wrap 60 grit sandpaper around a No. 2 pencil, and insert it into the left hand club head hosel. Twist the pencil will and sandpaper inside the hosel to roughen the entire interior surface for better epoxy adhesion.
Step 9
Mix the two-part shafting epoxy according to the manufacturer's recommendations. Spread a thin layer of epoxy on the end of the shaft and inside the hosel of the left-handed club head. Push the ferrule onto the shaft, if your club head requires one, and push the club head onto the shaft. Continue to push the club head until it seats fully onto the shaft.
Step 10
Rotate the club head until the shaft graphics align with the head. Align the graphics by looking straight down the shaft and lining up the shaft graphics with the top of the club head.
Step 11
Remove any excess the proxy by pouring grip solvent onto a soft cloth, and wiping the club head and shaft. Set the club head on the ground with the shaft vertical. Allow the epoxy to cure overnight.
Step 12
Mark the length to trim from the butt of the shaft. Use the information you obtain from the club-fitting specialist to cut the club to your custom length. Add an additional 1/4 inch to the measurement to allow for the thickness of the grip. Use masking tape on a graphite shaft.
Step 13
Place the shaft into the rubber vise clamp and into the vise with the club head at a right angle to the floor. Trim the butt of the shaft by placing a plumber's tubing cutter around a steel shaft, positioning the blade at the center of the measurement mark. Tighten the cutter by turning the handle until the blade touches the shaft. Rotate the cutter around the shaft slowly as you turn the handle of the cutter at the same time. Repeat rotating and tightening until you cut through the shaft. Use a hacksaw with a rod saw blade to cut through a graphite shaft at the marked measurement on the masking tape.
Step 14
Measure the length of your grip, and transfer the measurement onto your shaft. Start spiral wrapping two-sided grip tape onto your shaft beginning at the marked measurement and ending at the shaft butt, leaving a slight gap between each wrap of the two-sided grip tape.
Step 15
Remove the protective backing from the two-sided grip tape. Place a shallow pan underneath the butt end of the shaft.
Step 16
Plug the air vent hole in the butt of the golf grip with a golf tee. Pour enough grip solvent into the grip to coat the interior of the grip. Plug the open end of the grip with your finger, and shake the grip, coating the interior with solvent.
Step 17
Pour the excess grip solvent from the grip over the grip tape on the shaft. Pour additional solvent over the tape to thoroughly moisten the tape, if necessary.
Step 18
Align the grip so it is square with the left-handed club head. Slide the grip onto the shaft quickly but carefully. Push the butt of the grip until it touches the butt end of the shaft. Make any adjustments to the grip as necessary, removing any wrinkles and making sure the alignment is correct.
Step 19
Remove the club from the vise and allow the grip to dry overnight.
Step 20
Repeat all steps for each left-handed club assembly to complete your left-handed golf clubs set.
Things You'll Need
- Golf club shafts
- Left-hand golf club heads
- Ferrules, if required
- Golf club grips
- Tape measure
- Felt-tip marker
- Masking tape
- Rubber vise clamp
- Vise
- Plumber's tubing cutter
- Hacksaw
- Rod saw blade
- 220 or 240 grit sandpaper
- Utility knife
- 60 grit sandpaper
- No. 2 pencil
- Two-part shafting epoxy
- Soft cloth
- Grip solvent
- Two-sided grip tape
- Shallow pan
- Golf tee
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