How to lengthen your golf clubs
If you are tall like me you may have found that many used or discount starter club sets are simply too short for you to play. Does this mean that you have spend big bucks for a custom set? or just suck it up and an play with clubs that are too short.? NO!
Both steel and composite club shafts are easily extended (or shortened).
You could bring your clubs to the local golf shop and pay them to lengthen your grips. This could cost you $5 to $10 per club. But the worst is that you may have to give up your clubs for several days.
Don't worry. This is an easy repair that you can do yourself in a single afternoon.What is Your Correct Clubs Length?
Most club shafts come in standard lengths. Extension amounts are based on these standard lengths plus (or minus) an inch or two.
The amount that you should add (or subtract) from your shafts is based on 2 factors.
1. Your height.
2. The distance from your wrist to the floor.
There are many charts and calculators on the web for determining your "best" shaft length. My favorite can be found here: Pro Line Club Length Chart
Equipment Needed
1. A Bench Vise with Rubber Grips
2. A Utility Knife with a Hook Blade
3. Shaft Extenders
4. Shafting Epoxy
5. A Saw
6. Regripping Supplies
* If you have an old "junk" club buy an extra extender so that you can practice on a club that you don't care about. This is a great confidence booster.
Step 1: Setup Your Workbench
When lengthening your clubs it is best to use a bench vise to hold the club steady while you work. Be sure that your vise has rubber pads so that you don't damage your club shaft.
Clamp the club shaft into the vise about 2 inches below the bottom of the old grip.
Step 2: Remove the Old Grip
Use a sharp hook knife to cut the grip on both sides.
Peal the grip off like a banana skin.
Scrape off the old grip tape being carful not to damage the club shaft. I found that a product like GooGone can be helpful on hard to remove tape pieces.
Step 3: Insert the Shaft Extender
Coat the inside of the shaft with shafting expoy.
Insert the shaft extender into the shaft until the shaft butts up against the flange stop on the extender. The extender may fit loosely at this point. This is normal.
Use a thin screwdriver to hammer the expander dowel into the shaft. This dowel will expand the extender so that it fits firmly within the shaft. Once it is hammered in place you should not be able move the shaft exender.
Set the club aside and allow the expoxy to dry completely before moving on to the next step.
Step 4: Trim the Shaft Extender
Once the epoxy is dry you can trim the length of the extender.
Return the shaft to your vise and use a hand saw to cut the shaft extender to the desired length. You don't need to get the cut perfectly square but try to get it close.
Step 5: Install A New Grip
Do not attempt to reuse your old grip.
See my Lens on replacing golf club grips for detailed instructions on grip replacement.
