
- Determine how much of the shaft’s tip you wish to trim. ...
- Place the shaft into a rubber golf club clamp, then insert the clamp into a vise. The rubber protects the graphite from damage.
- Wrap two or three layers of masking or electrical tape around the area to be cut. The tape helps prevent the shaft from splintering.
- Measure the distance that you wish to trim from the tip, then mark the distance on the tape with a pen.
- Cut carefully along the marked line with a hacksaw, insuring your blade is perpendicular to the shaft.
- Determine how much length must be trimmed from the butt end of the club. This typically depends on the type of club you're constructing.
- Tape and mark the area to be cut, as you did with the tip. However, add 1/8 inch to the cut to account for the grip cap.
- Cut the butt end the same way as you trimmed the tip. Sorry, the video player failed to load. MoneyWise.com
Should you tip your golf shafts?
In most cases, shaft tipping is done to steel iron and wedge shafts but occasionally is done in graphite shafts for woods and drivers as well. Lastly, tipping won’t do much to affect spin rates and launch angle — two popular misconceptions when it comes to trimming the lower end of a shaft.
How do you flex a graphite golf shaft?
For example, you’ll trim more off the tip to achieve a stiffer flex. Place the shaft into a rubber golf club clamp, then insert the clamp into a vise. The rubber protects the graphite from damage.
Do I need to trim my graphite shafts before adding grips?
Do-it-yourself golfers who enjoy assembling their own irons out of individual parts -- rather than purchasing them off the shelf or from a club fitter -- will likely need to trim their graphite shafts before adding the grips, ferrules and club heads.
How do you cut graphite shafts?
The graphite shaft will come with trimming instructions that tell you how much to cut from the tip, depending on the amount of flex you want. For example, you’ll trim more off the tip to achieve a stiffer flex. Place the shaft into a rubber golf club clamp, then insert the clamp into a vise.

How much can you tip a graphite shaft?
For most manufacturers, there's no clear answer to this question. Some manufacturers recommend tipping shafts certain amounts for specific swing speeds and miss tendencies. These recommendations can range from 0.25 inches to 1.5 inches and vary from product to product and manufacturer to manufacturer.
How much should I tip my driver shaft?
0:351:51What Does "Tipping" Your Driver Affect? // True Temper SchoolYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd if you're going into a driver we recommend no tipping on that and for going into a three wouldMoreAnd if you're going into a driver we recommend no tipping on that and for going into a three would recommend half an inch. And just but trimming the length from there on both of those.
How do you cut a graphite golf shaft at home?
1:2914:05Golf Club Repair - How To cut a Golf Shaft - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipIf you're gonna if this is going to be your primary cutting tool don't skimp alright I'm a big toolMoreIf you're gonna if this is going to be your primary cutting tool don't skimp alright I'm a big tool nut don't skimp even if it's a hand tool.
How do you put a tip on a golf shaft?
3:1712:20Installing a Shaft Adapter - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo we have a nice connection when we actually do apply the epoxy. So the first thing I want to do isMoreSo we have a nice connection when we actually do apply the epoxy. So the first thing I want to do is check the depth of the adapter as it goes on to the tip of the shaft.
Do pros tip their driver shafts?
It is very common for PGA Tour players to have tipped driver shafts and fairway woods. The average length tipped on tour for drivers is near one inch. Some players do more though. Tiger Woods cut his driver shaft to 42.5 inches at one point in his career when using a True Temper X-100 steel shaft.
Does tipping lower spin?
Lastly, tipping won't do much to affect spin rates and launch angle — two popular misconceptions when it comes to trimming the lower end of a shaft.
What do you cut graphite shafts with?
The first, many graphite golf club shafts are black and the use of the masking tape assists in properly marking the area to be cut with a Sharpie pen. Secondly, by wrapping tape around the shaft, reduces the likelihood that the shaft would splinter during the last moment of the cutting process.
Can I cut down a graphite shaft?
Trimming Shafts to Improve Accuracy: Cut from Grip End With steel shafts, use a tubing cutter to trim the shaft; with graphite shafts, shorten using a hacksaw. Re-install a grip on the newly shortened shaft.
Can I use a pipe cutter on graphite shaft?
0:002:12HOW NOT TO CUT GRAPHITE GOLF SHAFTS / Wrong Tool for the JobYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo i've had a few different people ask me can i use the pipe cutter that we used in the steelMoreSo i've had a few different people ask me can i use the pipe cutter that we used in the steel shafted assembly video on graphite. And the answer is emphatically no and i'm going to show you real quick
How do you install a shaft tip weight?
1:523:49How to Tip Weight a Golf Club - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipPut a little bit on the inside of the shaft. And then insert the tip. Wait. You have some overflow.MorePut a little bit on the inside of the shaft. And then insert the tip. Wait. You have some overflow. So you'll need to get a paper towel.
How do I install a driver tip adapter?
5:277:03How to install a TaylorMade Driver Adapter - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipOn the grip. You can go ahead and line the standard if you want this on standard you go ahead andMoreOn the grip. You can go ahead and line the standard if you want this on standard you go ahead and just twist this over to standard here and you line it up with the bottom of your grip.
How do you install graphite shafts?
4:297:38How to Install Graphite Golf Shafts - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThe butt of the shaft on a hard surface to ensure the shaft is installed to the bottom of the hosel.MoreThe butt of the shaft on a hard surface to ensure the shaft is installed to the bottom of the hosel. Remove the head and place some epoxy inside the hosel dip the tip of the shaft into the epoxy mix.
Why do you tip a golf shaft?
Here’s another way to understand why tipping makes a shaft meaningfully stiffer. When you cut off a portion of the softest part of a golf shaft ( the tip), it increases the overall stiffness. The handle section of a shaft, on the other hand, is longer and more uniformly stiff, so removing material from the handle does not make such ...
How much should a golf tipping shaft be?
These recommendations can range from 0.25 inches to 1.5 inches and vary from product to product and manufacturer to manufacturer.
What is shaft tipping?
Shaft tipping is when a club builder removes length from the tip section of a shaft, which is the end where the clubhead is installed. In most cases, tip trimming a shaft makes it meaningfully stiffer. It also increases torsional stiffness, known as “torque,” which is a shaft’s resistance to twisting. On the other end of the shaft is the handle, ...
Why is tipping so complicated?
The reason tipping is so complicated is first and foremost the way most golf shafts are made. As we describe in this article, nearly all golf shafts on the market are made by hand with a decades-old process known as the Roll-Wrapping Method. Because these shafts are made by hand, it’s impossible for even two shafts that are supposed ...
Does trimming a shaft affect flex?
Handle trimming doesn’t affect shaft flex as much as tip trimming because most shafts become gradually stiffer as they move from tip to handle. For that reason, trimming the handle section of a shaft does not dramatically increase shaft stiffness. Here’s another way to understand why tipping makes a shaft meaningfully stiffer.
Why do you tip a golf shaft?
Tipping a golf shaft allows players to have more control over their club. It allows players to feel the proper flex and help control their ball flight trajectory. Making the shaft stiffer helps lower torque and lessens a golfers chances of twisting the club at impact which usually results in bad shots.
What does it mean when a golf shaft is tipped?
Getting a golf shaft tipped is when the shaft is cut back (tipped) from the clubhead end, shortening the club and making the tip of the shaft stiffer. If you tip it from the clubhead end, the club will maintain the same length with a stiffer shaft at the bottom of the club near the ball.
How many inches does Tiger Woods cut his driver shaft?
Tiger Woods cut his driver shaft to 42.5 inches at one point in his career when using a True Temper X-100 steel shaft. About 90 percent of all fairway woods are trimmed on the PGA Tour. Woods are commonly tipped three to four inches.
What happens if you cut a golf club from the butt?
If you cut a club from the butt end then you will make the club shorter and stiffer. If you cut too much length off and shorten the club too much, you will have it stiffer but you might lose distance as well.
Step 1
Determine how much of the shaft’s tip you wish to trim. The graphite shaft will come with trimming instructions that tell you how much to cut from the tip, depending on the amount of flex you want. For example, you’ll trim more off the tip to achieve a stiffer flex.
Step 2
Place the shaft into a rubber golf club clamp, then insert the clamp into a vise. The rubber protects the graphite from damage.
Step 3
Wrap two or three layers of masking or electrical tape around the area to be cut. The tape helps prevent the shaft from splintering.
Step 4
Measure the distance that you wish to trim from the tip, then mark the distance on the tape with a pen.
Step 5
Cut carefully along the marked line with a hacksaw, insuring your blade is perpendicular to the shaft. The Clubmakers.co.kr site suggests using a grit edge blade in your saw.
Step 6
Determine how much length must be trimmed from the butt end of the club. This typically depends on the type of club you're constructing. For example, the standard length of a graphite men’s 5-iron is 38 inches, while a standard 9-iron is 36 inches long, according to the Clubmakers website.
Step 7
Tape and mark the area to be cut, as you did with the tip. However, add 1/8 inch to the cut to account for the grip cap. For example, if your 9-iron shaft is 38 inches long after trimming the tip, trim 2 1/8 inches from the butt end to produce a 36-inch club after the grip is installed.
How much should a golf shaft be tipped?
Many pros have their shafts tipped as much as one or two inches. The idea behind tipping is to make the clubhead end of the shaft stiffer and even lower torque than it was designed to be to minimize twisting of the club at impact.
What does cutting the shaft shorter do to a golf club?
The swing weight, or weight at the head of the club and any additional weighting inside the shaft, is still in place, and cutting the shaft shorter changes the balance of the club as well.
Why do tour pros have their shafts tipped?
Tour pros often have their shafts "tipped," or cut back from the clubhead end slightly to make the tip of the shaft stiffer. This enables them to keep the same length club but have a slightly stiffer shaft near the ball. Cutting a club from the butt end will have somewhat the opposite effect, making the shaft stiffer overall but shorter as well.
How does changing the length of a golf club affect the swing?
Changing swing characteristics: Changing the length of a golf club can moderately or severely change the swing characteristics of the club. Removing length from the butt end of the shaft also removes weight from that end and changes the swing weight and balance of the club. Cutting a shaft from one end or the other also changes the kickpoint ...
How to adjust length of golf club?
Step 1. From the butt: The easiest and quickest way to adjust the length of a club is to remove the grip and cut a given amount of the shaft off the butt end. Traditionally, this is how many youngsters get their first sets of golf clubs. Their parents cut the clubs down so they are easier for them to handle. Keep in mind, though, that cutting the ...
Is a shorter shaft stiffer than a longer shaft?
A shorter shaft is typically stiffer than a longer one. Although a shorter golf club shaft tends to be firmer than a longer one, it is important to understand the changes trimming a shaft will make to a club before making such a permanent change.
Can you cut a shaft from the butt end?
Cutting a shaft from one end or the other also changes the kickpoint of the shaft–lowering it if you cut from the butt end or raising it if you cut from the tip. Even a small adjustment to a putter can cause a significant change in feel. Keep these changes in mind when planning any changes to your club.
What are the myths about the shaft?
The Myths. Myth #1 – Tipping a shaft changes the feel. Myth #2 – Tipping a shaft will reduce spin. Myth #3 – Tipping a shaft will reduce launch angle. Myth #4 – Tipping a shaft will improve accuracy.
Does tipping a golf shaft help with accuracy?
Conclusion. If you want a shaft to feel stiffer, tipping it will get results. However, tipping (just like playing a stiffer shaft) is no guarantee of lower spin, lower launch, or greater accuracy. If you’re interested in maximizing your distance off the tee and hitting more fairways, the best approach is to work with a high quality club fitter.
Does a tipped shaft lower spin?
Tipping a shaft, just like choosing a stiffer flex, does not guarantee lower spin. As our players moved from the untipped shaft to the 1/2″ tip to the 1″ tip, two of them did see lower spin. However, two of them registered their highest spin numbers with the most heavily-tipped shaft.
Can you buy accuracy with a stiffer shaft?
You can’t buy accuracy with a stiffer shaft, and you can’t get it by tipping your shaft either. None of our testers saw the 1″ tipped shaft stand alone for accuracy, though two were equally (or near equally) accurate with the 1″ tip and the untipped shaft.
pganapathy
I have an old graphite shaft Mizuno 3 wood (Silvex flex 8), that I want to make into a stiffer shaft. I know the standard instruction is pull the shaft and tip trim it, but I do not have the equipment and don't think it is worthwhile paying somebody to do that for me. Are they any simpler solutions.
Mr. Desmond
Do you know how much it cost to pay a clubmaker to pull the shaft and trim it for you? I figure it would be very cheap because it would only take 15-20 minutes at most.
pganapathy
That is interesting. Will check on the cost of pulling the shaft to see if it makes sense.
rkim291968
Butt trimming, gripping down works for me. I don't grip down often but when I do, I get a lower trajectory ball flight I want from stiffer shaft.
vangator
I always wondered if filling the shaft with "Great Stuff" would stiffen the shaft? Don't know. Might be too flexible and/or break down.
pganapathy
Thanks for all the feedback guys. I know the simplest solution is to buy a used club, but greenbacks are one part of the equation in me asking this question. The used club market in India is also a lot smaller and much less diverse than America. 4 woods for example are very hard to get here.
Mr. Desmond
Have you tried swinging easier, just make a smooth, full swing to get the most out of the present club. Cutting the butt may not stiffen significantly -- it depends on the shaft profile. If it is butt stiff, and you are cutting 3 inches off the butt from a new shaft, and the mid-profile is softer, you may not be stiffening the shaft...
Does steel shaft have chrome?
The only steel shafts I've ever seen that had no chrome on the tip are Ping branded shafts. The epoxy sticks to raw steel better than chrome. Clean off any corrosion on the shaft tip and you should be good to go. True Temper recommends using a fine grit sandpaper, not coarse.
Does epoxy stick to chrome?
Trying to understand the connection a little better. As long as we're splitting hairs, I don't think that the epoxy sticks to raw steel better than it does to chrome. Its that the chrome isn't integrally part of the steel shaft, its just cosmetically applied. Therefore the epoxy, while sticking to the chrome just fine, can rip the chrome right off the steel under torsion, impact, etc. I could be totally wrong about this.
Can you use coarser sandpaper to cut through epoxy?
It is just faster and that is the only advantage. The person who said that a coarser surface gives you a better bond, just doesn't understand how epoxy works. You are far better off to use a finer grit sandpaper.
