Extending your own golf clubs is a fantastic way to customize your set for a better fit, and it's a project you can absolutely tackle right in your own garage or workshop. Don't let the thought of working on your own gear intimidate you. With the right tools and a little patience, it’s a very satisfying DIY job. This guide will walk you through every step, from understanding why you might need longer clubs to installing that final new grip on a perfectly extended shaft.
Before we break out the tools, let's talk about why you’d want to add length to your clubs. Simply being tall isn’t the only reason. The goal is to get you into a proper golf posture - athletic, balanced, and comfortable - without you having to make unnatural adjustments just to reach the ball. If you feel like you’re chronically hunched over at address or your hands feel uncomfortably low, your clubs might be too short.
Another classic sign is inconsistent ball-striking, particularly hitting shots thin (catching the ball low on the clubface) or off the toe. When clubs are too short, your body instinctively lifts up through the swing to compensate, leading to these types of mishits.
A good starting point for reference is the "wrist-to-floor" measurement. Have a friend measure the distance from the floor to the crease in your wrist while you stand straight up in street shoes with your arms hanging naturally at your sides. While this static measurement is often used by club fitters as a starting point, remember that your posture, arm length, and swing are unique. Extending a single test club first is always a smart move before committing to the whole set.
Having everything ready before you start makes the process smooth and frustration-free. This isn't the time to improvise. Here’s a checklist of what you'll need. We call this setting up your "build station" in the coaching world.
Alright, you’ve gathered your gear. It's time to get started. Just take your time with each step. Remember, “Slow is smooth and smooth is fast.”
First, secure the club shaft in your rubber clamp and tighten it in the vise, positioned so the grip end is easily accessible. Using your heat gun, gently warm the old grip for about 15-20 seconds. This won't melt the rubber, but it will soften the tape’s adhesive underneath.
Next, take your hooked-blade utility knife. Start at the bottom of the grip and pull the blade up toward the butt end of the club, always cutting away from your body. The hook shape is great for slicing through the tape and rubber cleanly without you needing to apply excessive force. Once split, the old grip and tape should peel off easily.
With the grip gone, you have a clean shaft. Sometimes, the butt end of a steel shaft can be slightly thin or misshapen from its manufacturing. If the extension doesn't fit securely, you may need to trim a small amount (1/4 to 1/2 inch) off the shaft's butt end with your pipe cutter or hacksaw to reach a thicker-walled section of the shaft. Make sure the cut is straight and clean, then clear away any metal burrs.
Now, for one of the most important parts for creating a long-lasting chemical bond: preparation of your surfaces. Take your sandpaper and thoroughly scuff the surface of the extension that will be inserted into the shaft. Then, roll a small piece of sandpaper and use it to rough up the inside of the shaft's butt end as deep as the extension will go. This textured surface gives the epoxy something to latch onto. After sanding, use a paper towel with a little rubbing alcohol or acetone to wipe both surfaces clean of any dust or oils.
Follow the manufacturer's instructions for mixing your golf-shafting epoxy, usually at a 1:1 ratio. Squeeze out a small, equal amount of each part onto a disposable surface (like a piece of cardboard) and mix them together thoroughly. A little goes a long way, you only need enough to lightly coat the mating surfaces.
Using a popsicle stick or a nail, apply a thin, even layer of the mixed epoxy to the outside of the shaft extension. Also, apply a small ring of epoxy to the inside of the shaft butt.
With the epoxy applied, it's time for insertion. Firmly push the extension into the butt end of the shaft. Use a slight twisting motion as you push it in - this helps to spread the epoxy evenly for a complete bond. Push it all the way in until it seats firmly. A small bead of epoxy might squeeze out, which is a good sign you used enough. Use an old cloth immediately, to wipe this extra epoxy away.
The hard part is done! Now comes the waiting period. Stand the club upright (grip end up) in a corner and let the epoxy cure fully. This step is important because it prevents gravity from causing the unset extension to shift and create an uneven bond. Do not touch or move the club for at least 24 hours, regardless of what the "quick-set" time on the package says. Give it a full day, to be safe. Patience here prevents a club head from potentially flying off mid-swing later!
After 24 hours (or per the manufacturer's recommendation), your club is ready for its final step. This sounds daunting but it isn't. Remember the Golden Rule of woodworking and custom fitting: “Measure twice, cut once.” Decide exactly how much length you want to add (e.g., 1 inch). Measure from the end of your original shaft line, down the plastic extension, and mark your spot with a pen.
Carefully secure the extension (well away from the original graphite or steel shaft) in your vise. Use a fine-toothed saw to cut the plastic extension at your mark. A clean, straight cut is all you need. Give the cut end a very light sanding to smooth it out.
From here, it's just a standard re-gripping job. Apply your double-sided grip tape over the extension and onto the shaft by about 1/2 an inch to cover the seam. Then, using plenty of grip solvent, slide your new grip on. Take a moment to make sure the grip's logo or alignment marks are straight down the line before the solvent evaporates completely. Let that sit for a couple of hours, and you’re a custom-fitted golfer!
One small thing to remember is that extending a club adds weight to the handle end, which alters its balance point. This change increases the club's swing weight, effectively making the clubhead feel lighter during your swing. For a simple home-fitting project, this adjustment is minimal for extensions up to an inch and a half and most average golfers won’t feel a large effect. But it's something to take into account. If you plan to extend your clubs by more than that amount, you may want an expert to check that it is also swing weighted for your height and build.
Extending your own golf shafts is an empowering process that gives you personal control over your equipment. By taking the time to go through these stepwise instructions carefully, you can successfully customize your clubs for a more comfortable and confident golf swing. You'll also have the added satisfaction of knowing you did it yourself.
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