Playing with clubs that feel too short is a frustrating experience that can bake bad habits into your swing. If you find yourself slouching excessively or squatting uncomfortably just to make decent contact, extending your graphite shafts might be the fix you need. This guide will walk you through the entire process, from understanding the why and what to a detailed, step-by-step tutorial on how to safely and effectively extend your own graphite golf shafts right at home.
Proper club length is one of the pillars of a good golf setup. It directly influences your posture, your balance, and the path your club travels on. When a shaft is too short for your height and arm length, your body has to make compensations. Typically, this means you'll have to bend over too much from the hips, create too much knee flex, or a combination of both. This compromised position makes it incredibly difficult to maintain your spine angle and rotate your body freely and athletically through the shot.
The result? You might struggle with a number of common swing faults:
By extending a shaft to the correct length, you allow yourself to stand taller and more athletically at address. This improved posture provides the foundation for a more consistent, powerful, and repeatable golf swing.
Absolutely. For years, club fitters and builders have been extending graphite shafts, and it's a common and accepted practice. It's a fantastic wat to get your clubs fitted to you without the cost of a full new set of a brand-new custom shafts. That said, there are a few things to keep in mind.
When you extend a club, you are adding a small amount of weight to the butt end of the shaft. This alteration has two main effects:
For most amateur golfers, especially those who know their clubs are too short, the overwhelming benefit of better posture and a more comfortable setup far outweighs these minor changes in feel. Extending shafts up to 1.5 inches is a very standard and safe modification.
Having the right tools on hand makes this job smooth and straightforward. You aren't going to need an entire tour van, but a few specific items are a must. Here’s your shopping list:
Okay, with your workshop prepped and your tools laid out, it's time to get started. Just take your time, be patient, and follow these steps carefully.
Set up in a well-ventilated area, especiallysince you'll be working with epoxy and solvent. Clamp the rubber shaft clamp to your vise loosely. Have all your materials and tools within arm's reach.
Secure the club in the vise using the rubber Ishaft clamp, tightening it just enough so the club won't spin. Take your utility knife with a hook blade (if you have one, if not a standard blade works fine) and place the hook at the opening of the small hole on the butt end of the grip. With the blade facing away from you, pull straight down and along the shaft's length to cut the grip open. Peel the old grip off.
A very important tip: ALWAYS cut away from your body. A slip with a sharp blade can cause a nasty injury, so prioritize safety here.
Once the grip is off, you'll see the old grip tape. Peel off as much as you can by hand. For the remaining residue, pour a little grip solvent or mineral spirits on a rag and rub the shaft end until it's completely clean and smooth. A clean surface is fundamental for the epoxy to create a strong, durable bond. Let the solvent fully evaporate before proceeding.
Take your graphite shaft extension and insert it into the open butt end of the shaft. It should be a snug fit. If it's too loose, you may want to wrap a small layer of masking tape around the extension to create a tighter fit. If it's too tight to go in, you can lightly sand the extension down. The goal is a snug, but not forced, fit.
Most extensions come ready to add 1-2 inches, but if it's a long universal piece, measure and cut the extension to the exact length you wish to add to the club.
Squeeze out equal parts of your two-part epoxy onto a disposable surface like a piece of cardboard. Mix it thoroughly for at least 30-60 seconds using a nail or a popsicle stick. Apply a thin, even layer of the mixed epoxy to the part of the extension that will be inserted into the shaft. Then, use a small tool to place some epoxy just inside the butt end of the shaft as well. More is not better here, too much will just squeeze out and make a mess.
Firmly push the epoxied extension into the shaft butt. A slight twisting motion as you insert it will help spread the epoxy evenly for a complete bond. Push it all the way in until it's fully seated. Immediately wipe away any excess epoxy that squeezes out with a clean rag.
Now, stand the club upright, leaning against a wall with the clubhead on the ground, and walk away. Don't touch it. Give the epoxy plenty of time to cure fully, which is usually around 24 hours. Check the manufacturer’s instructions, but resisting the temptation to mess with it is very important.
After the epoxy has fully cured, it's time to finish the job. Your club is longer, but it's useless without a grip.
Extending a graphite shaft is a highly doable and rewarding project that can make a genuine difference in your game. By giving you the proper club length, it allows for a more comfortable and athletic setup, which paves the way for better posture and a more consistent swing. Take your time with each stage, and you'll have a set of custom-fit clubs for a fraction of the cost.
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