Many golfers carry a “do it yourself” attitude, whether fixing something around the house or tuning up their golf clubs. Throughout your golf career, you might feel the need to change shafts, especially when it comes to drivers, fairway woods, or hybrids. While some setups are straightforward with the help of an adapter to easily swap shafts, others, like irons and wedges, require full-on re-shaft work on the entire club. In these cases, the process involves removing the old shaft, getting the new one ready, handling the installation, and allowing time to wait until it’s dry. I’ve done this both at home and with a certified club fitter, and trust me, it’s worth it.
The right shaft can dramatically impact your game, from changing shaft flex from regular or stiff to adjusting weight for better contact, enhanced ball flight, and increased distance. So let’s get into something that can level up your gear, and you must know how to reshaft a golf club, whether you want to do it on your own or outsource the job to a pro.
The timing for reshafting a club is as important as actually performing the task correctly. I’ve worked with golfers at many skill levels over the years, and not uncommonly, their clubs’ poor performance was because of damaged or worn shafts. Your golf club relies on its backbone, which is the shaft, and if it fails, your swing, accuracy, and distance will suffer.
If you observe any of these indications about your clubs, you need to think about reshafting:
Visible Cracks: Even tiny cracks in any type of shaft may seriously reduce the club’s strength. It’s important to regularly look over your transmission since sometimes the problems are not easy to see right away.
Change in Feel or Performance: Changes in your shots or clubs could mean that the shaft is bent or failing. Changing the flex or stiffness of the shaft only slightly can have a major effect on your shot shape and distance.
Rust or Corrosion: Mainly for steel shafts, the concern is about rust or corrosion. Rust on the shaft may make it less strong and lead to roughness that alters how you grip and swing. If rust appears, it usually means you need to consider buying new parts.
Upgrading or Changing Your Swing: If your swing improves, whether by getting faster or using different techniques, the shafts may have to change to suit your new way of playing. With reshafting, you get to use shafts that match your swing.
Worn-Out Grips or Ferrules: The need to reshaft may arise together with fixing replaceable grips or replacing damaged ferrules. Doing both jobs together can reduce time spent and enhance the club’s overall play.
Damage During Play or Travel: A lot of damage can happen to clubs when they are bumped around in our bags or our vehicles, or during a round. Dents, bends, or warping of a shaft shouldn’t be ignored; have it repaired quickly before anything worse happens.
I have noticed that ignoring these symptoms ends up causing me to make poor shots and get upset. Reshafting at the right time can give your entire set a new life and bring back confidence to your game. Keep an eye on your clubs and don’t hesitate to invest in good-quality new shafts when needed; the improvement in your play is worth it.
How To Reshaft A Golf Club: Step-By-Step Guide
Reshafting a club is totally different from just changing your grips, which can be easy even if you’re not handy. While regripping your clubs might only take an hour and a few basic tools, replacing the shaft takes more patience and the right gear. I used to live in a small apartment without a garage, yet I still managed to do the job at home. It takes courage, a bit of determination, and a belief that it’s 100% possible.
If you want to truly learn this process, you don’t need to click or read a full guide now. I’ll walk you through everything you need to know about golf repair from my own hands-on experience. If you want to take ownership of your gear, here’s how to make it happen on your own
Step 1: Gather All the Tools You’ll Need
The main difference between changing out iron shafts and installing new grips is the amount of equipment and tools needed to reshaft a golf club or an entire set of clubs.
Protective gloves: When you reshaft a golf club, wearing protective gloves is very important. Use leather gloves to protect your hands when you pull the clubhead off the shaft after it’s heated up. This makes it easy to remove old shafts safely without hurting yourself.
Hyde knife: A Hyde knife is used to cut the ferrule and can also work when you’re changing or adding grips. This tool helps you remove old grips or ferrules easily, which is necessary during the reshafting process.
Heat gun: A heat gun is an essential tool to heat the shaft so you can easily remove it from the clubhead. You will use the heat gun several times during the process. I recommend using a heat gun instead of a blowtorch because it’s safer and more controlled.
Wire brush: A wire brush is used to clean the clubhead and prepare it for the new shaft installation. This cleaning helps the installation go smoothly and ensures the new shaft fits properly.
Epoxy glue: Epoxy glue is what holds the shaft and clubhead together tightly. I prefer Brampton Epoxy, which works well on steel, graphite, and titanium shafts. It comes in easy-to-squeeze bottles that make the application simple and mess-free.
Safety glasses: Wearing safety glasses is necessary when using a heat gun and doing any repairs. They protect your eyes from heat or debris and are an essential tool you should never skip.
New shafts: Choosing the right new shafts is important because it can provide enormous benefits to your game. Whether you are replacing old shafts or an entire set of clubs, make sure to pick the right shaft that suits your style. The right shaft can improve your ball flight, increase distance, and help you make better contact.
Step 2: How to Remove the Old Shaft
When you have the right setup, removing the old shaft is not a one-size-fits-all process.
Removing Steel Shafts
For steel shafts, the process starts by placing the club firmly in a tight shaft holder vise to keep it secured. Then, you apply heat to the ferrule until it softens. When the ferrule is heated properly, use a hyde knife to remove it carefully. Next, use a heat gun to warm the hose for about 30 seconds. While wearing protective gloves, you grasp the head and pull it off. If the head seems determined to stay on the shaft, just heat it again for another 15-30 seconds and try again until the head separates from the shaft. Keep in mind, an older clubhead can be harder to pull off, so if you don’t succeed after multiple attempts, it might be time to visit a certified club repair shop.
Removing Graphite Shafts
Graphite shafts require a slightly different process because they are more delicate. Like with steel shafts, use a heat gun to warm the hosel, but avoid using a blow torch as it can damage the shaft. Follow the same steps as with steel, but be very careful not to twist the clubhead. This is really important because twisting can cause graphite pieces to get stuck in the hosel, making the process much harder. If done correctly, the head comes out easily. If you’ve made it this far, just keep going and get your club ready for the updated shaft installation.
Step 3: Prepare the Clubhead
After the old shaft is removed, it’s important to prepare the hosel properly before the new shafts are installed. Use a wire brush to remove any old epoxy from inside the hosel while it’s still heated, as this makes the cleaning a much simpler process. Once clean, let the hose cool down, then use a product like Blue Away with an old towel to wipe down the area and get rid of any heat marks from the previous step. If needed, you can also use sandpaper to remove epoxy glue and create a smooth surface that will help you stick the new shaft in easily during the next step.
Step 4: Trim the Shaft
An optional step is to trim the shaft if it comes uncut. Make sure to cut it to the proper length following the manufacturer’s instructions or tipping instructions based on the type of club you’re installing. Remember to measure carefully and remove 1/8 inch for the grip cap. It’s very important to follow this process exactly because the length alters flex — the more you cut the shaft down, the stiffer it becomes, and with longer shafts, it works the other way, vice versa.
Step 5: Attaching the New Shaft
Now, attach the new shaft to the clubhead. First, check the shaft tip for the proper size, which varies between irons and woods. After the tip size is confirmed, dip the tips into epoxy until they are covered. Then, slide the shaft into the hosel and rotate to make sure it’s secured. To be fully secure, hold against the floor, tap, and push 100% into the hosel. Also, align graphics in the right position. Many players like the logo or design underneath the shaft so they don’t see it at address, which looks professional and is less distracting when standing over the golf ball. There is a process called shaft purging to optimize orientation, which is explained in a full article.
Conclusion
The right shaft plays a massive role in helping golfers play their best golf and is a big part of selecting the correct golf clubs. Many golfers focus only on the clubhead, but the shaft deserves just as much attention. It’s important to spend time researching and testing different shafts to find the right flex and weight that will help you hit the ideal trajectory and even hit longer shots. When reshafting your golf club, you can do it at home or take it to a club repair shop. Just be sure to choose carefully, follow instructions, not rush, and always let it dry properly. Using safety precautions is key to avoiding injuries during the whole process. From my experience, patience and care here make a big difference in the final performance of your club.
FAQ's
How much does it cost to reshaft a golf club?
When you decide to reshaft your golf club, knowing the cost per club is important. If you choose to reinstall the shaft without changing it, it usually costs around $15 per club. Bringing your shaft for installation might increase the price to about $25 per club. Adjusting the swing weight to balance your club better will add approximately $8 per club. If you need to install a new shaft adapter, expect to pay between $30 and $40 per club, depending on the adapter type. Sometimes, you may want to lengthen the club, which generally costs about $12 per club. From my experience, being aware of these specific costs helps you budget better and avoid surprises when working with a club repair shop or doing it yourself.
Can I replace a golf shaft myself?
If you have a driver or woods, you can swap shafts very easily by just unscrewing the head and then screwing it onto a new shaft. The key is making sure the shaft has the right tip because there are different tips for different brands. You should check the shaft you currently have and then buy the same shaft with your brand’s tip and desired flex on places like eBay. From personal experience, this simple process allows many players to save time and money by doing it themselves.
What glue do you use to reshaft a golf club?
When fixing or replacing a broken shaft or loose clubhead, the best option is to use epoxy adhesives because they form a high-strength bond that is the ideal choice for any golf club repair. These adhesives help assemble a new club and ensure the golf club can withstand the impact and high-swing speeds during play. From my experience, using the right glue like epoxy is key to making your reshafting job last long and perform well on the course
How long does a golf club shaft last?
A golf club shaft can last a long time if it is well-maintained using the ideal choice of epoxy adhesives that create a high-strength bond during golf club repair. Whether you are fixing a loose clubhead, replacing a broken shaft, or assembling a new club, these strong adhesives help ensure the shaft will withstand the constant impact and high-swing speeds of play. From my experience, using the right glue and taking care during repair greatly extends the life of your golf club shaft.
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