While practically every golf club fitting guru and gearhead knows what it means to “tip” a clubshaft, most golfers don’t know what it is or what kind of effect it can have on how a club performs. “Tipping” or “tip trimming,” as it’s sometimes called, means trimming a club shaft from the clubhead end, not from the grip end where it’s most often cut.
Full Answer
What is shaft tipping in golf clubs?
Shaft tipping is one of the most widely misunderstood golf club fitting tools among golfers, and it’s not for a lack of effort or understanding. For decades, shaft tipping has essentially been a guessing game — and a very wasteful and expensive guessing game.
Do you tip at golf courses?
As a general rule, tipping at golf courses is pretty much like tipping at restaurants. If you’ve received a genuine service, toss them some green. If the employee has exceeded expectations, toss them a little more. With some private clubs, however, tipping is not permitted.
What is tipping and why would you do it?
What is Tipping and Why Would You Do It? “Tipping” a shaft refers to cutting it from the tip end (where the club head goes) prior to installing the head. It’s done with the intention of making the shaft feel and perform as if it were stiffer.
Should you tip your driver shafts?
It is a common practice to tip driver shafts. This is a quick overview of the effect of tipping. The charts in this article show three shafts, a 60 S, a 60 X and a 60 S tipped 1 “. The first chart shows be bend profiles. Notice how the tipped shaft slightly shifts the profile toward the tip. It is unchanged, just slightly shifted.
What does tipping a golf club mean?
“Tipping” or “tip trimming,” as it's sometimes called, means trimming a club shaft from the clubhead end, not from the grip end where it's most often cut.
How much do you tip a driver shaft?
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 a shaft make it stiffer?
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.
Does cutting down a golf shaft make it stiffer?
"Cutting more of the grip end will still stiffen the shaft a little bit, but only because in doing so you make the shaft shorter, and not nearly as much as when trimming more from the tip end."
Should you tip a driver shaft?
0:301:51What Does "Tipping" Your Driver Affect? // True Temper SchoolYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo when you're cutting material off that tip section what you're doing is stiffening the tip sectionMoreSo when you're cutting material off that tip section what you're doing is stiffening the tip section up. So depending on the parallel length of the wood shaft can be three or four inches just
How do you tip trim on a graphite shaft?
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.
What is soft tipping a golf shaft?
A tip soft shaft is one that is designed to be more flexible in the tip portion of the shaft which we define as the last 16” to 21” of the shaft. Likewise there can be any number of variations in how stiff the tip section of a shaft is designed.
Can you tip a taper tip shaft?
2:523:29Differences Between Taper Tip & Parallel Tip Iron Shafts - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipOr you can put a shim on the end of a taper tip shaft. And play that as well. So technically youMoreOr you can put a shim on the end of a taper tip shaft. And play that as well. So technically you could also play parallel and taper if you bore out the head or stand on the graphite.
Is it common to tip a driver shaft?
It is a common practice to tip driver shafts. This is a quick overview of the effect of tipping. The charts in this article show three shafts, a 60 S, a 60 X and a 60 S tipped 1 “. The first chart shows be bend profiles. Notice how the tipped shaft slightly shifts the profile toward the tip. It is unchanged, just slightly shifted. In this model, the 1” tipping is not even a small percentage of the difference between the S and X flex versions of this shaft.
Does tipping a driver shaft change the ball flight?
One golf instructor looked at this illustration and commented that on this shaft tipping would move the soft section closer to the tip creating higher launch and spin. An excellent observation. Tipping driver shafts will produce a very, very small change in ball flighting. However, you must know the tip characteristic of a shaft before you alter it.
How much to tip a golf club caddie?
A standard tip is for a bag caddie attendant is roughly $3 per bag, however, a $5 dollar tip will go a long way to ensure your clubs are cleaned with a bit of extra care and attention after the round. You can simply say “thank you, please clean them up after my round today too” when handing over the $5 to let them know that you’re extending a double tip for bag drop and club cleaning.
What is the most important thing to keep in mind about this golf tipping guide?
The most important thing to keep in mind about this golf tipping guide is that it’s exactly that…a guideline. Always keep the unique circumstances of the day, facility, and service level in mind when deciding how much to tip.
How to avoid embarrassing golf tips?
If you’re doing business out on the course or just generally want to ensure you don’t do anything embarrassing, your best bet is still to call ahead and ask the pro shop what the standard tips are for the various services their particular course offers. Most importantly, always remember to have some cash on you! Perhaps the most embarrassing thing is not being able to tip or having to borrow cash from someone else to do so. A good idea would be to keep a few singles hidden away in your golf bag so you’re never caught unprepared.
How much tip to tip on a 10 dollar cart?
When it comes to the beverage cart, the rule of thumb here is first, try no to lay the flirting on to heavily (unless she’s a 10, then go for it), and second, a $1 tip on a 10 dollar or less purchase is ideal ($2 on 11-20, $3 on 21-30, and so on).
Do you tip someone for a golf cart?
It’s important to also use your discretion a bit here. If you’re playing at a public course where you pick up and return carts yourself there is obviously no need to tip anyone. Just make sure to take care of anyone who goes out of there way to attend to your cart or bag.
Can you short change a caddie?
If you’re a guest at a private club it’s also well within your rights (and ethical standards) to simply ask a member what he or she typically tips caddies at their establishment, or you can always call the pro shop in advance of your round and ask what is the proper tipping etiquette. Just don’t short change your caddie.
Do you tip a golf starter?
You will rarely tip the starter unless he/she goes out of their way for you. Examples of a starter going the extra mile include allowing you to jump ahead on the waiting line to get off earlier, assisting you in playing through slower golfers, or simply squeezing you out there when the course is backed up and you don’t have a scheduled tee time.
Is there a correlation between swing speed and how the tipping affected launch angle?
There was no clear correlation between swing speed and how the tipping affected launch angle.
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 tipping a shaft change the feel?
Tipping a shaft unequivocally changes the feel. All five of our testers noticed a difference, though some were more sensitive to it than others.
Does tipping a shaft lower launch angle?
The result here is probably predictable in light of the myth above. Tipping a shaft does not guarantee a lower launch angle.
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.
How much should a caddie tip?
And the group should split the forecaddie tip evenly, usually between $50 and $100 in total.
When was the guide to tipping published?
Guide to tipping on the golf course. Published on Monday, August 25, 2014. Let's say you've been invited to play a round as a guest by a friend who's a member of the local private country club. Or maybe there's a charity tournament going on at a course that you've never been to.
Do you tip before you head off?
If tipping is not expected, before you head off, make sure you stop by and "let the pro shop staff or head professional know what a great job they did," Whidden added.
How much do you tip at a golf cart?
Three-and-a-half holes into your round, it’s now time for one of modern golf’s most ubiquitous symbols: the beverage cart. Yes, $9 beers can quickly eat a hole in your pocket, just like being at the ballgame, but if the service is acceptable, tip the way you would at a restaurant, 15 percent. For exceptional service, 18 to 20 percent or more. And if you’re thinking of proposing to the beverage cart attendant, whether dinner or something more, good luck. They’ve heard every line imaginable.
Do pro shops tip?
There’s no expectation of a tip at the pro shop counter when you check in for your tee time. Still, if the staffer imparts some extra wisdom and hospitality — changing you to a more favorable time, pointing out a sale or a discount if you wait an hour — by all means reach for your wallet.
Can you tip at private golf clubs?
With some private clubs, however, tipping is not permitted. A wise move before your tee time at a private club is to check ahead of time with the club and/or the member who invited you about tipping protocol. That will eliminate potentially awkward encounters later.
Can you tip at golf courses?
As a general rule, tipping at golf courses is pretty much like tipping at restaurants. If you’ve received a genuine service, toss them some green. If the employee has exceeded expectations, toss them a little more. With some private clubs, however, tipping is not permitted. A wise move before your tee time at a private club is to check ahead of time with the club and/or the member who invited you about tipping protocol. That will eliminate potentially awkward encounters later. For those courses where gratuities are good, here are some guidelines to follow.
Should you tip a caddiemaster?
There’s considerable debate as to whether you should reward a caddiemaster at any time. The consensus seems to be ‘no,’ unless you’re the member that’s doing the rewarding.
Do you tip a ranger?
Ranger. At some juncture, you’ll likely encounter a ranger, driving his cart to ensure play is moving along smoothly. A tip for the ranger is seldom necessary, even if he gets the slowpokes in front of you to pick up the pace. If he arranges for recovery of a misplaced club — sure. $5 is a nice gesture.
How much tip do you get for a golf cart?
The beverage cart is stocked with snacks and drinks and driven around the golf course throughout the day, allowing golfers to purchase food and drink while on the course. A $1 tip for a $3 purchase is typical. Remember, these are just guidelines. Adjust your tipping to the circumstances.
How much do you tip a caddie master?
If there's a caddie master — the person who assigns caddies to golfers or groups — you can ensure getting a good caddie by tipping the caddie master 20 percent of the caddie fee. Forecaddies. A forecaddie doesn't carry anyone's golf bag. One forecaddie will be assigned to a group of four.
Why do golfers sprint to the clubhouse?
Some golfers will sprint from their cars to the clubhouse to avoid the "cart jockeys" who greet golfers and take their golf bags. Or park in a far corner of the parking lot, hoping to avoid being seen. Some golfers, following the completion of a round, park their cart far away from the cart return area to avoid another tip.
How much should a forecaddie tip?
A forecaddie should get one tip from the group, $50-$100 total. Food and Drink. If buying food or drink at a snack bar, look for a tip jar on the counter. Stuff a buck in, or drop in your change. If ordering from a clubhouse restaurant, tip as you would in a typical restaurant.
Can you tip at a golf resort?
Remember, these are just guidelines. Adjust your tipping to the circumstances. And the best bet when visiting a golf resort or high-end golf club is to call ahead and ask about the policy on gratuities.
Do you tip golf course staff?
Now we turn to dollar-amount guidelines for golf course gratuities. Keep in mind that of all the golf course staff members listed below as potentially requiring a tip, the odds of your having to tip them all in one place, during one round of golf, are very slim. If you are visiting a course where all of these staff members work, you will already be planning to spend a large amount of money.
Do golf courses have valet parking?
Valet Parking. Valet parking is fairly uncommon at golf courses, but some high-end courses and resorts do offer it. Tip the same as you do at a restaurant or hotel for such a service; if you've never used such a service and don't have a set amount you tip, then $3 is a good baseline amount. Bag Drop.
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 the tip of a golf shaft stiffer?
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 a pronounced difference in overall stiffness.
How Much Stiffness Does Tipping Add?
These recommendations can range from 0.25 inches to 1.5 inches and vary from product to product and manufacturer to manufacturer.
What happens when you tip a TPT red range shaft?
Tipping any TPT Red Range shaft 1 inch will result in a stiffness increase of 5 cycles per minute (cpm), or one-half flex. This removes the need for half flexes in the Red Range. When a 14 Lo is tipped 1 inch, for example, it effectively becomes a 13.5 Lo. A 17 Hi, when tipped 1 inch, becomes a 16.5 Hi.
How much tipping do you need for a TPT shaft?
Please Note: We do not recommend tipping any TPT shaft more than 1 inch.
Why is shaft tipping so complicated?
The second reason shaft tipping is so complicated is that there are no “standards” for golf shafts. Even if a shaft is labeled the same — let’s say a low-launching, 60-gram stiff from Manufacturer A — it’s not going to perform the same as a low-launching 60-gram stiff shaft from Manufacturer B or C. This makes tipping standards across different manufacturers impossible.
Why are off center shafts off center?
You might be wondering why this is. The simple explanation is that off-center shafts create more off-center hits. And any shaft that is made by hand is going to be off-center to some degree.
What Is Tipping and Why Would You Do It?
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
How We Tested
- For this test, we brought together five golfers with handicaps ranging from 10 to +3. Each player hit five drives with each of three shafts. One shaft was untipped, one was tipped 1/2″, and one was tipped 1″. The shaft used was the Nippon Regio Formula B. Each shaft was built to the same finished length and swing weight. All testing was done at and with the help of Club Champion
The Results
- Tipping a shaft unequivocally changes the feel. All five of our testers noticed a difference, though some were more sensitive to it than others. Despite not knowing which shaft they were testing, each one identified the feel as you would expect: the untipped version felt the softest, the 1″ tipping felt the stiffest. If you like the shaft you’re playing but want a stiffer feeling, tipping it sho…
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.