Full Answer
Can you extend a golf shaft?
Extending a golf shaft is a useful technique to have if you are buying used clubs, or if you are experimenting with different club lengths. If you know how to cut a golf shaft or how to extend it, you don’t ever have to worry about purchasing the correct length of clubs on Ebay or other used club marketplaces.
Does extending a shaft increase swing weight?
Remember that extending the shaft will make it feel a bit more flexible and that every ½” longer the shaft becomes will increase the club’s swingweight 3 points. The total weight of the club will increase equal to the weight of the extender and epoxy as well.
How do longer shafts affect your golf shots?
Golfers are always seeking more distance to their shots, and an easy way to get more distance is to increase clubhead speed. A longer club puts the clubhead on a bigger arc for more speed, so some players will lengthen the shafts on their clubs to gain distance.
Does lengthening a club shaft affect your game?
In many ways, the biggest effect of lengthening a club shaft is how it affects your ability to swing the club. The combined changes in length and swing weight make the club feel different. In turn, these changes will affect your timing and even your mechanics, perhaps without you even realizing it.
Do shaft extensions affect performance?
Lengthening the shaft increases the swing weight, which makes the club head feel heavier. It may even make the club too heavy for you, which will slow down your swing speed and actually reduce your distance.
What does a longer golf shaft do?
Typically most players do pick up speed (around 1 mph per inch) with a longer driver shaft, and since every 1 mph of additional driver speed generally yields about two yards of extra carry distance, technically the advice you've been given is true.
What happens when you lengthen a golf club?
What Happens When Golf Clubs Are Too Long? For most golfers, having clubs that are too long will result in the most inconsistent shots. Clubs that are too long will make you stand too upright, which can cause both heel and toe shots as well as a tendency to pull the ball.
When should I lengthen my golf clubs?
If you are taller than about 6'0”, you will likely need clubs that are a bit longer than normal. The standard golf clubs that come from the manufacturer are typically built to help golfers who are around 5'7” to 6'0”. If you are 6'4”, you can almost guarantee that you will need longer golf clubs.
Does a longer shaft increase swing speed?
On average, it's safe to assume that every inch added to your driver shaft will equate to roughly a 1 mile per hour increase in your clubhead speed. And for every 1 mile per hour increase, you'll gain about two or three yards off the tee.
Why do I hit my 3 wood farther than my driver?
2:254:30Do You Hit Your 3-Wood Farther than your Driver? - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSince it's got more loft not only does the ball get in the air longer to help you hit it longer.MoreSince it's got more loft not only does the ball get in the air longer to help you hit it longer.
Do pro golfers use longer shafts?
Pagel explained that the model local rule, MLR G-10, not only wouldn't affect recreational golfers, as it applies to only the game's highest levels, but it would have minimal impact on the pros; Pagel cited data that determined that just 3% of professional golfers use or have used driver shafts longer than 46 inches ( ...
Do you lose distance with shorter irons?
The most important thing to remember about the distance when you shorten your irons is that it does not always mean a decrease in distance. If your irons were too long for you to be confident or to have the right swing speed or posture, chances are you would gain distance if you shortened them.
Do you lose distance with a shorter driver shaft?
Shorter shafts helped him increase spin rate and ended up not losing out on much distance but also found his golf ball in the fairway more as well. Now that's a win-win! The main thing to remember with your shaft length is to play the one that works for you.
Does a longer shaft increase lie angle?
As length is increased, so is the weight. Increasing the length also changes shaft flex. For every 1" added, the shaft becomes one flex softer; likewise, a shorter shaft plays stiffer. Shaft length also affects lie angle.
What happens if your clubs are too short?
If your golf club is too short for you, then your stance will be too bent over. Your stance will be this way because you are reaching down for the golf ball. The problem with a poor posture like this is that it will ruin your spine angle. Once your spine angle is off, you may have trouble rotating correctly.
Does lengthening a golf club change the lie angle?
The lie angle will automatically change if clubs are lengthened. Only slightly but it will change. There is no such thing as standard lie as all the manufacturers generally are different. The lie angle that is correct for you can only be tested dynamically - i.e. via a pro or fitter on a lie board hitting golf balls.
Do pro golfers use longer shafts?
Pagel explained that the model local rule, MLR G-10, not only wouldn't affect recreational golfers, as it applies to only the game's highest levels, but it would have minimal impact on the pros; Pagel cited data that determined that just 3% of professional golfers use or have used driver shafts longer than 46 inches ( ...
Does a longer shaft increase lie angle?
As length is increased, so is the weight. Increasing the length also changes shaft flex. For every 1" added, the shaft becomes one flex softer; likewise, a shorter shaft plays stiffer. Shaft length also affects lie angle.
What happens if your driver shaft is too long?
“If a driver shaft is too long for the player, they can struggle to find the middle consistently. Off-centre hits not only drastically reduce ball speed and distance, but have a big impact on accuracy.”
Do I need longer golf shafts?
Because golf is a game of repetition and your swing should not vary in most circumstances, your stance will be the same. It doesn't matter how tall you are if you have a deeper crouch in your swing because your wrists will then be closer to the ground, which means you need slightly shorter clubs.
Series Navigation
Extending a golf shaft is a useful technique to have if you are buying used clubs, or if you are experimenting with different club lengths. If you know how to cut a golf shaft or how to extend it, you don’t ever have to worry about purchasing the correct length of clubs on Ebay or other used club marketplaces.
Materials Needed
Extension (You could also use an old golf shaft) Make sure you purchase the right size extension. You need to know the “butt diameter” of the shaft that you are extending, and purchase the extension that matches. Here is a database of shafts.
About the Author: Zach Gollwitzer
Hey!! I'm Zach, the founder of The DIY Golfer. I created this site in 2015 while playing D1 collegiate golf to help myself understand the game of golf better and improve as a player. Fast forward a few years, and it has become much more than a journal.
Why do golfers lengthen their clubs?
Golfers who lengthen their clubs are generally looking for more distance. A longer club that is swung at the same speed as a shorter club will produce more distance. This can be very helpful to older golfers who have lost swing speed over the years because a lengthened shaft can help recover lost distance.
What is the most important thing for a golfer?
The most important thing for a golfer is overall accuracy and a longer club will demand excellent fundamentals in the swing. If a golfer has poor fundamentals with a longer club, keeping the ball in the fairway will become quite frustrating.
What is the key measurement for golf?
The key measurement involves the distance between the wrist and the ground. A golfer who has a pronounced bend as he addresses the ball may need to take a hard look at lengthening his clubs in order to play the game more comfortably and effectively.
Do golfers change their clubs?
Golfers are regularly making changes to their golf equipment. Sometimes it's a new golf ball and other times it's a new club. Sometimes golfers may be unhappy with the length of their golf clubs and they may decide to go with longer shafts.
How does extending a golf shaft affect swing weight?
6. Remember that extending the shaft will make it feel a bit more flexible and that every ½” longer the shaft becomes will increase the club’s swingweight 3 points. The total weight of the club will increase equal to the weight of the extender and epoxy as well. The club’s balance point will move toward the grip end as well due to the longer length of the club.
How far should a steel shaft be extended?
1. Never extend a steel shaft more than 2″. Any more may cause premature failure due to stress where the extension is made. The only exception would be putter shafts.
Can you use wood dowels to extend steel shafts?
Wooden dowels can also be used to extend steel shafts, but these require much more work (in our opinion) than using steel extenders. 3. Always epoxy the extension in place, do not rely on a pressure fit. 4. Abrade the extension piece prior to installation to give the epoxy a better hold.
Is it safe to extend shafts?
Extending shafts is a common and profitable repair. Following the above common-sense rules will make the repair practical and safe.
Can you use graphite shafts as extenders?
5. Saving your old graphite shafts to use as shaft extenders will save you money and will make a perfectly acceptable extender.
What is the function of the shaft in golf?
The shaft is the engine of the “car” and determines how far, straight and the trajectory of the ball flight. The dynamics of the shaft. The flex of the shaft changes if you lengthen or shorten the shaft. The swing-weight and balance will change effectively requiring the golfer to make adjustments to the swing.
How to lengthen a golf shaft?
The most common way of lengthening a shaft is by placing a “plug” in the top of the shaft which is covered by the grip. See the chart below that gives an idea of the actual length of shaft required for the average player. (men)
How does the lie angle change in golf?
The lie-angle will change by forcing the golfer to stand closer or further from the ball at the address. And finally the real “kicker”, control.
Why are longer shafts fashionable?
To increase the swing arc, and thus the distance off the tee, longer shafts became fashionable.
Why is distance important in golf?
Distance may be important, but will not win you games unless you can control the direction and flight of the ball. Control and accuracy should and will be the factor that lowers the handicap and improves the all-around performance on the golf course.
What chart to use for suggested lengths?
Use the Iron chart for suggested lengths.
When holding a club at an address, should the hand be natural?
The position of the hands should be as natural as possible when holding a club at an address.
Does extending golf clubs affect swing weight?
No sir it doesn 't, I work in a pro shop and I extend clubs all the time. The only thing it affects is the swing weight, but the few grams added won't affect your swing. Don't forget to adjust your lie on your clubs after extending them.
Does an extension on a golf club make the head lighter?
If done properly, you won't even know there is an extension, but it will decrease the swing weight of the club (i.e., the head will "feel' lighter). This isn't huge as the weight of the plug will be offset a little by the increased length of the shaft. You can counterbalance this with a little lead tape if you wish to get the swing weight the same but this will then increase the overall weight of the club.
Can you notice a swing weight change?
Some people are not sensitive enough that they would notice a swing weight change of a few points and others would notice immediately. I would try a couple of clubs and see what you think and then, if you like it, do the remaining clubs. The other option is to change out the shafts to a longer shaft but this is much more expensive (although less than a complete set of new clubs).
Why do golf clubs have longer shafts?
A longer club puts the clubhead on a bigger arc for more speed, so some players will lengthen the shafts on their clubs to gain distance. While it may help some players, it's not best for every player and only a good idea for certain clubs in your bag.
What do half inch shafts do to your golf shot?
What Do Half Inch Long Shafts Do to Your Golf Shot? Golfers are always seeking more distance to their shots, and an easy way to get more distance is to increase clubhead speed. A longer club puts the clubhead on a bigger arc for more speed, so some players will lengthen the shafts on their clubs to gain distance. ...
How to add distance to a golf club?
For all clubs, the best way to add distance is to play with clubs that fit your swing. Every player stands differently to the ball, so the length of shaft should fit the individual swing. Clubfitters will use a chart with golfer's wrist to floor measurements to start, then adjust the length of the clubs to match the stance. Testing includes using impact tape, which shows where the ball meets the clubface on the different length shafts. For some players, a shorter club will promote a more consistent shot and more distance.
How long can a golf driver be?
Drivers. Drivers can be lengthened up to 48 inches, which is the maximum length for clubs allowed by the Rules of Golf. Though there isn't a standard length for a driver, most are sold between 45 and 46 inches.
How far can you put an iron on a wedge?
Master clubmaker Ralph Maltby says that adding 1/2 inch length can add about 5 to 7 yards in distance for irons.
BK in TEXAS
Some/many 5-wood shafts are tipped 1/2" more than 3-wood shafts. If it was, it will play a little stiffer. Otherwise I wouldn't expect it to make any difference.
GolfSpy Tim
I'd say try playing it short... I'm playing my 5wood cut down pretty far right now and I'm WAY more accurate (though yes, a little shorter)
JMiller
1) Almost all shafts in Fairway metals and Hybrids recommend tipping them into heads that have more loft then say a 3metal or 16* hybrid (1 iron). They mostly do this for ball flight (launch angle) and spin optimization on the higher lofted heads. most time people can't really tell the different in the tipped and non tipped shafts.
Why add a 10g extension to the end of a golf club?
So, adding a 10g extension to the end moves the balance point backwards, making the club feel relatively the same since the balance point moved back towards the grip of the club due to the increase in weight at the grip end.
How to make a golf club feel longer?
Simple terms: Making a club longer will make it 'feel' longer. Want to feel the difference? Grab your longest iron, choke down 1.5" - Swing it several times. Now grip back on it 1.5" and swing it, this is the change you will feel by adding a 1.5" extension to a club (The longer the club, the greater the change in 'feel'). Simple, Effective. To say more, need to know more - What club, what shaft, etc.
Is flat out a swingweight?
Flat out, it shouldn't be called "swingweight" - it should be called something else, this confuses people before they even have a chance to understand it.
Does a shaft extension change the weight of the shaft?
Shaft extensions, especially when using a bit of old shaft, don't really change the shaft weight per unit of length enough to worry about. Swingweight is a measure of levered force balance around the fulcrum so since the length to the head (heaviest and furthest from the fulcrum) increases the swing weight increases.
Pros
Cons
- Loss of control.
- Changes stance distance from the ball.
- Lie angle changes.
- Shaft flexand swing weight change.
Professional Club Fitment
- This is the answer to all the technical questions about increasing shaft length. By going this route, it will improve every aspect of your swing and results on the course. Most golf outlets and teaching professionals make use of the latest technology available to sell clubs and game-improvement ideas. Listed below are the basic fundamentals that will remove the guesswork an…
Understanding
- All the factors mentioned above have an impact on your golf game andshaft length. Let us discuss shafts concerning theconsmentioned earlier: The shaft is the engine of the “car” and determines how far, straight and the trajectory of the ball flight. Increasing the length of a shaft has the following effect: 1. The dynamics of the shaft. The flex of...
Irons
- Height Measurement of Wrist at Address to Floor Recommended Length 6ft-2 to 6ft-4 38 to 40 inches + 0,25 to 0,5 6ft-1 to 6ft-2 37 to 38 inches + 0,25 5ft-7 to 6ft-1 34 to 37 inches Standard 5ft-4 to 5ft-7 32 to 34 inches – 0,25 For shorter or taller players use the above chart to pro-rata the requirement. A reduction of 1 inch is suggested for women golfers.
Drivers
- The club that most golfers aspire to hit far and straight, is also the most difficult. Modern technology has improved so much in recent years that the distances attained by professionals and good amateurs are scary! To increase the swing arc, and thus the distance off the tee, longer shafts became fashionable. But an interesting fact is that the average driver shaftlength on the …
Fairway Metals and Hybrids
- Use the Iron chart for suggested lengths. Final Thoughts All the factors mentioned in this article will help the player to determine whether lengthening the shaft, is the right way to go. Irrespective of the decision take the time to test the new shaft on the range. It is a fact that most amateurs hit and swing harder when testing indoors with a monitor showing distance and speed. We just can’…