
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.
What does tipping a club shaft 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. What’s the difference between True Temper Dynamic Gold and Dynamic Gold Tour Issue shafts? Ok, so what?
Do you tip at a private golf club?
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.
What does tip trimming mean on a golf club?
“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. What’s the difference between True Temper Dynamic Gold and Dynamic Gold Tour Issue shafts?
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.

What does tip size mean in golf?
The shaft tip size is the the diameter of the tip portion of the shaft. For irons, this will usually be 0.370" (parallel) or 0.355" (tapered). For woods, it will be either 0.335" or 0.350". To choose the tip size needed, you'll want to match it with the ID (inside diameter) of the hosel of the golf club head.
Should I tip my driver golf?
0:391:51True Temper Golf - YouTubeYouTubeStart 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.
Why does Taylormade tip their shafts?
Hard stepping and additional tipping of a shaft will make the club feel and play firmer than its standard profile (decreases flex). Soft stepping and reduced tipping of a shaft will make the club feel and play softer (increases flex).
Does tipping a driver shaft lower spin?
3:1611:44The Purpose of Shaft Tipping - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd it's just. Working it's almost like where can it focus on in that part of the shaft. So it'sMoreAnd it's just. Working it's almost like where can it focus on in that part of the shaft. So it's going to be the tip section in this case it's going to really move that shaft cause it to deflect
How do you tip a golf driver?
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. About 90 percent of all fairway woods are trimmed on the PGA Tour.
What does tip flex mean?
Tip Flex: Tip Flex, or Retro Flex, represents the average stiffness toward the head side of the shaft. Sometimes this is measured in a very similar fashion as the static-flex measurement. The difference being that the tip end is clamped and the load is applied to the butt end of the shaft.
How do I know my swing weight?
How to Calculate Golf Swing WeightsPlace a pivot point on a flat surface. ... Use a tape measure to measure the shaft from the place where it is balancing on the pivot point to the end of the grip, which would be the top of the club. ... Weigh the club on a postal scale.More items...
Should I shorten my fairway woods?
I do not recommend that you change the length of the 3 wood which is standard simply because this will have a domino effect as you have surmised, requiring you to change the lengths of your other fairway woods. It is unfortunate that technology in drivers with regard to increased distance has come to an end.
Does shortening a golf club make it stiffer?
"Cutting more of the tip will have the effect of getting rid of some of the weaker end of the shaft which, in turn, makes the shaft play and feel more stiff.
Which end of a golf shaft do you cut?
The butt end of the shaft is grip end. If you are shortening or extending the length of a golf club, this is where you will cut. If you want to change the play-ability of the club (feel, flex to a certain extent, spin rate, dispersion), you will be cutting the tip end of the shaft.
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.
What is the difference between parallel and taper tip shafts?
The difference between a parallel tip shaft and a taper tip shaft is the tip diameter and shaft weight. All golf shafts taper from the butt to the tip, but parallel tips stop tapering below the last step, while the taper tips, continues to narrow.
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.
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.
How much do you tip for $9 beers?
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.
How much does a forecaddie cost at TPC Scottsdale?
At the TPC Scottsdale’s Stadium course, a forecaddie fee is $75, with a minimum tip on top of that of $25. You won’t be shamed if you leave exactly $25 extra — that’s standard — but you can always do a little more if warranted.
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.
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 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.
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.
What to tip Outside Service Staff (bag drop, golf carts)
Pay these days for an outside service position, based on job searches on Indeed.com, ranges from $8.50-$10/hr (although in California, state minimum wage is $13-14). These job postings suggest additional pay through tips and in my experience back in the 1990s I typically doubled my $6.50 hourly rate via tips.
What to tip the Beverage Cart Attendant
Golfers get happy when they see the Turning Stone beverage cart. Courtesy of Frank J. Forte
What should I tip a caddie?
Years ago we visited at a private club with an overnight lodge. Upon arrival, we were told we had caddies and we did what we thought was the right thing: we asked the head pro what the customary tip was here.
What should I tip a forecaddie?
Forecaddies are different from walking caddies. They will rake traps, provide guidance on tee boxes, read some putts and help spot balls. There is usually one per foursome so don't expect them to get you every yardage in the fairway or break of the green. You can tip less per golfer since there are four of you.
Locker room attendant
The classier locker rooms in resort or private golf come staffed with an attendant. The great ones will greet you upon entry and make you feel at home. At a recent day spent at Oakland Hills, the attendant was sure to go out of my way to greet me, show me around and cleaned my spikes while I had a drink in the bar in my socks.
Valet
Some higher-end golf courses or private clubs have valet parking. Some even have mandatory valet. Valet parking is usually complimentary but in some cases there is a fee. The fee never goes to the valet (who usually makes close to minimum wage or is paid a flat fee by the shift) but to the company or property.
Do I tip a golf course starter or ranger?
Starters and rangers generally don't receive tips, unless perhaps they squeeze you into a jammed tee sheet or go above and beyond in other ways. Most of them are retired and have the job for free golf, socialization and finding balls in the weeds during their patrols.

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.