Some golfers will tell you that it’s never a good idea to cut down a set of clubs. There are others who swear by it and do it all the time to make sure that their clubs are a custom-tailored fit for the golfer who will use them. There are good arguments on either side, but one thing is for sure, if you’re going to try to shorten clubs, you need to know how to get it done right. How do you shorten a golf club? Golf clubs can be expensive. Good golf clubs can be really expensive. If you find a set of great clubs at a good price, should you jump at the chance even if they’re a little too long? There are a lot of factors that come into play when determining if you can successfully cut a club down. We’ll help you figure out if you should, gather what you need, and get the job done. The actual process of shortening a club isn’t too complicated. If you know how to use a tape measure and a hack saw, you can get the job done. The trick is knowing when you can get away with it and when you’d be better off selling or trading-in a club to help with the purchase of something else. When shortening is a good option, there are tips to help make it a smooth, efficient, and effective process.

Can Golf Clubs Be Shortened?

If you’ve been around the sport of golf for any length of time at all, you’ve probably heard two different kinds of stories about shortening clubs. The one kind of story starts out with somebody needing clubs and having a limited budget. They cut a set of clubs down and get more than they paid for in return for their efforts. The other kind of story starts with a perfectly good set of clubs and ends up with a pile of useless metal or graphite. You can indeed shorten golf clubs. The tricky part is knowing what the limits are so that you can decide whether you should cut a set down and knowing how to do it so that it is quick, painless, and successful. There are limits to how much you can cut before you start creating problems with the club that will snowball into bigger problems for the golfer who is going to use them. Whether you’re cutting down a set of clubs for yourself or for someone else, you need to think about some of the potential downsides to altering a club that was engineered to perform a certain way. Small changes will have small side effects. Big changes will have big side effects. Know when to say when so that you don’t ruin a set of clubs that you could sell or trade-in instead of putting them under the knife.

5 Steps to Shortening a Golf Club

This article will guide you through a step-by-step process for shortening a golf club. From deciding whether you should shorten a club to gathering what you’ll need for the job and getting it done, we will walk you through the process and offer some tips to make the results great.

Deciding if You Should Cut a Golf Club Down

It’s one thing to trim an inch off of a club. When you do so, you’ll affect the weight, flex, loft, and lie. But since you’re only trimming a little bit—it will only have a small impact on the overall performance of the club. Like we said earlier, big changes have big side effects. If you are 5’5” and you’re thinking about cutting down a set of clubs you inherited from Shaquille O’Neal, the results will probably be less than satisfactory. Sure, that’s a pretty ridiculous example, but it serves to illustrate our point. There’s a limit to how much you can take off of a club before you’re doing too much damage to the carefully engineered specifications of the club. If you cut too much off of a club, you’ll be making the shaft a lot more rigid. You’ll also be getting into a skinnier section of the shaft, and that might affect the possibility of finding a grip that will fit appropriately. You don’t want to find out that you took too much by watching your club fly out of the grip on the follow-through of the first shot that you hit with it.

Gathering the Supplies That You’ll Need to Cut a Golf Club Down

It’s always a good idea to do all of your prep-work before you start a project. In our experience, projects that get started when they can’t get past half-done tend to stay half-done for a long time or forever. Gathering the tools and supplies that you need and preparing a workspace for the job is the best way to set yourself up for success. It’s the whole-job equivalent of measure-twice, cut-once. There are some items on our list that are absolutely essential, and there are others that you can get by without, but that would make the job easier. If you’re doing more than one club or plan on making a habit of shortening clubs, then we recommend getting all of the items on the list. You’ll appreciate the ones that are nice-to-have but not essential if you have to get through multiple clubs. Gather the following items before you get started on the project (Nice-to-have items in parentheses):

• A Vice (some vices have tubular jaws, which will give you a better hold) (a chain vice is great for holding cylindrical objects securely)
• (Rubber Shaft Clamp to protect the shaft when you place it in the vice)
• A Razor Knife (roofers and carpet installers use a hook-shaped blade in their razor knives – this type of blade makes it easier to pull through the grip without slipping)
• (A Heat Gun or Blow Dryer for removing stubborn tape from the shaft)
• A Hack Saw [For metal shafts]
• A rotary tool with a cutting wheel [For graphite shafts]
• Tape Measure
• Marker (Paint Markers are easier to control on smooth surfaces like metal and easier to see when you choose a bright color)
• Sandpaper (a rotary tool with a polishing wheel can reduce the amount of manual labor that you have to do)
• Adhesive Tape (for securing the new grip – purchase from a pro shop) (the amount you’ll need depends on how many clubs you’re planning on cutting down)
• Solvent
• New Grip (one for each club that you’ll be cutting down)

Once you’ve gathered all of your supplies and prepared your workspace for the job, you’re ready to get started. If you plan to cut down more than one club, you should have a specific measurement for each club before you get started. Sometimes you will take the same amount off of each club in a set of irons or a set of woods, or both—other times you’ll need to make minor adjustments in how much you take from each club to get a set that works well for the golfer who’ll be using them.

Remove the Old Grip

The first thing that you need to do when you’re cutting a club down is to get the old grip out of your way. In order to do that safely, you need to have plenty of space to work in and a way to hold the club steady while you’re cutting. That’s where the prepared workspace and the vice come in.

• Clear everything but the club you are working on from the working surface.
• Secure the club in the vice – take care not to crush the club in the vice and make sure that you position the club in a way that protects the shaft from getting bent while you work on it.

Once the club is held securely in a way that protects it from being damaged while you work on it in an area that is free from anything that you could trip on or have other problems with, you’re ready to make the cut. Put a fresh blade in your razor knife. A sharp blade cuts easier and that protects you from having to push or pull too hard, which could expose you to a higher risk of cutting yourself. A hook blade makes this step easier and safer.

• Slice through the grip until you have cut it from top to bottom.
• Peel the grip off of the shaft of the club.

Once you have removed the old grip from the shaft, you will notice that there is a layer of tape between the grip and the shaft. You will need to remove this as well. If you’re unbelievably lucky, you’ll be able to simply unwind the old tape from the shaft. If the adhesive on the tape has spread, you’ll need to pick it off in pieces or scrape it away. Heating the tape up will soften the adhesive and make this step easier.

• Heat the adhesive with a heat gun or a hairdryer.
• Peel the tape off until you have removed it all from the shaft of the club.

Cut the Shaft

Remember the old adage that you should measure twice and cut once. There’s no upside to rushing this step of the process. If you take too little, you’ll have to repeat the whole process. If you take too much, you’ll either be placing the clubs in the yard sale pile or doing the best you can with extenders. Why risk having to take one step forward and two steps back when you can just get it right the first time. You’re probably working in fractions of an inch for this project, so make sure that you have a quality measuring tape and that you use a section of the tape where all of the markings are clear. An old tape with worn-off markings isn’t the tool that you want for this job. A ruler or yardstick can work just as well in a pinch. You’ll want an even cut, so we recommend measuring and marking three separate lines then connecting them with your marking device.

• Measure the amount that you want to cut.
• Measure from the top of the shaft down.
• Measure carefully and make clear thin marks.
• Take note of whether your cut should take the marks or leave the marks.

Once you have marked the spot where you want to cut the shaft, reposition the shaft in the vice so that you can cut it comfortably and safely. Be sure to set the club in the vice in a way that will protect it from getting bent under the pressure you apply during cutting if you are using a hack saw. For steel shafts, a hack saw is the best option for a clean cut. For graphite clubs, you will need to use a rotary tool with a cutting wheel to get the best cut possible.

• Cut the desired amount from the shaft.
• Be careful to avoid cutting yourself with the saw or the tool.
• Be careful of burrs or sharp edges on the shaft or the piece that you cut off.

Once you have made the cut, you will need to be careful as you handle the tools, the club, and the cut end. They will all be hot from the friction of the cutting process. Give them time to cool before proceeding to the next steps. There’s no point in risking a burn just to get the job done quicker. Even when the pieces have cooled, they still need to be handled with care. Cutting metal or graphite can leave burrs that will scratch you or even a sharp edge that will slice you. Until you’ve had a chance to smooth the edges of the cut with sandpaper or a rotary tool with a polishing wheel, treat those spots the same way that you would treat a razor blade or a sharp knife.

• Let the shaft cool.
• Smooth and polish the shaft.

Apply the New Grip

If you’ve done everything according to the directions up to this point in the process, you’re nearly finished, and you should have a right-sized club that will work and look great for you. If you take your time with the final step, you’ll be ready to hit the links within a few hours. Start by measuring the length of the new grip that you purchased for your club. That will tell you how much tape you need to apply to the shaft in order to get maximum adhesion without having any extra sticking out of the bottom of the grip. Once you know how much tape you’ll need on the shaft, measure the shaft, and make a mark a little short of the full length of the grip.

• Measure the grip.
• Mark the shaft.
• Wrap the shaft in adhesive tape from the new top edge to the mark that you made.

Once the shaft is wrapped in tape, you’re ready to finish the job up. There are several steps that you need to go through, and you won’t need to rush through any of them, but you should make sure that you have enough time to get through them. This isn’t the point in the job where you want to call it a day and come back to finish up some other time.

• Spray the adhesive tape on the shaft with solvent. This will lubricate the tape to make it easier to slide the new grip onto the shaft. It will also emulsify the adhesive and help it to get better surface adhesion with the inside of the grip.
• Plug the small hole in the top of the grip with a finger and turn the grip upside down.
• Spray some adhesive into the inside of the grip. Spray enough that you can plug the open end with your other hand and shake the liquid inside of the grip to distribute it evenly.
• With the solvent liquid still inside the grip, line the grip up with the shaft and then slide it into place.
• While the adhesive is soft and fluid, make sure that the grip is all the way down and that everything looks and feels the way that you want it to.

Once you have the new grip in place, you will need to let the adhesive dry and cure. It will take approximately 6-8 hours for a full cure. It’s probably best to let the club dry overnight before you take it out for practice swings.

Conclusion

There you have it! If you follow this process, you’ll be able to decide when you should shorten a golf club and when it’s a good idea to try a different strategy to get a club that fits you into your golf bag. The prep-work, cutting, and re-gripping aren’t hard. The really hard part is making sure that you’re ready to do the work and forcing yourself to take the time to make sure you get the job done right. Good Luck! Sources: https://www.wikihow.com/Shorten-the-Length-of-a-Golf-Club https://golftips.golfweek.com/install-graphite-shaft-extensions-20462.html https://www.golfdigest.com/story/gw20070921equipment

• Can Golf Clubs Be Shortened?
• 5 Steps to Shortening a Golf Club
  • Deciding if You Should Cut a Golf Club Down
  • Gathering the Supplies That You’ll Need to Cut a Golf Club Down
  • Remove the Old Grip
  • Cut the Shaft
  • Apply the New Grip
• Conclusion

Golf clubs are often sold in a “standard” length, which is relative to each club. However, golfers differ in height and arm length, so sometimes the length of a club must be adjusted. Not only can golf clubs be lengthened for people who need it, but they can also be shortened.

Standard Golf Club Lengths

The lines have been blurred around standards in golf equipment over the years as new technologies have emerged. It is rare to find a “standard” anymore for things like golf shaft flex, golf ball construction, or any other number of metrics in golf equipment. However, golf club length continues to be relatively consistent across brands and club types. For example, the standard length of a 7-iron in most iron sets is 37-inches for a club equipped with a steel shaft. Most drivers are either 45- to 46-inches in length. Additional golf clubs will fluctuate about a half-inch higher or lower from the previous club, depending on the club’s intended yardage output. Graphite shafts might add an extra half-inch to every club. The advent of new technologies like single-length irons, for example, have begun to question the idea of a “standard length.” These irons are constructed to provide a consistent swing feel throughout a golfer’s bag as a matter of preference. In recent years, golf pro Bryson DeChambeau is the player best known to embrace this concept.

Should Your Clubs Be Shortened?

Determining if your golf clubs are too long – and therefore need to be shortened – is a detailed process. Golf clubs should be properly fit to every player. This is best done under the guidance of a certified golf club fitting professional. Some head golf professionals at local courses are certified in this process and must take several measurements from the golfer being fit for new clubs. Metrics that are considered include:

• A golfer’s height while standing straight up
• A golfer’s height while addressing the golf ball
• A golfer’s arm length when standing straight up
• A golfer’s arm length when addressing the golf ball
• Additional measurements like swing tendencies, impact with the ground, and more

Once the above measurements are taken, a certified golf club fitter will determine if your golf clubs are the correct length for your height, arm length, and swing. This can include shortening your clubs as much as a full inch, depending on the above factors. It should be noted, however, that players are also able to “choke-down” on a club’s grip, or simply hold the club in their hands further down the grip. While this is not a permanent alteration to the golf club, it can be an easy alternative if you prefer to not physically shorten the golf club shaft by other means.

How to Shorten a Golf Club

The process of shortening a golf club is a straightforward process and can be done by anyone with the correct tools and knowledge. NOTE: for best results, this process should only be completed by a certified golf club fitting professional. Once the desired length of the club is known, the golfer must remove the grip from the golf club first. There are many suggested ways to complete this task, and there many golf club repair tools available to purchase online or at your local golf retailer. However, you can also remove a golf grip using tools commonly found at your local hardware store. To remove a golf grip, you will need to:

• Securely fasten the golf club in place using a vise on a workbench or similar setup, such as a golf club regripping station used at golf courses or pro shops
• Cutting off the rubber golf grip using a sharp blade, such as a utility knife with a hooked blade
• Remove the underlying grip tape that holds the golf grip in place. This can be done using a heat gun to loosen the grip adhesive

Once the golf grip and tape are completely off the golf shaft, you are ready to cut the shaft to your desired length. To do this, a yardstick or specially made golf club measuring stick can be used. When measuring a golf club’s length, you should set the club down on a level surface like you normally would when playing golf. This means positioning the clubhead on a level floor as if you were to address a golf ball for a shot. Next, position the measuring stick behind and along the golf shaft with the end of the stick setting on the same surface and height as the clubhead. You can then record the length of the shaft by measuring the end of the golf shaft closest to you. Relying on the measurement stick as a guide, use a permanent marker to draw a small line on the steel golf shaft in accordance with the preferred measurement length. One of the safest ways to cut the shaft is by using a pipe cutter. This tool can be found at any hardware store and is often used by plumbers to cut copper or steel pipes. Refer to the pipe cutter’s user’s manual for details on how to use the tool. To cut a graphite shaft, you can use either a rod saw blade specifically designed for cutting graphite attached to a hacksaw. Alternatively, you can use a small chop saw or table saw with a steel- or graphite-grade blade. NOTE: Remember to always wear safety goggles and gloves when cutting any metals or other materials. Repeat these steps for every club you wish to shorten.

Considerations

While shortening a golf club is a relatively easy process once you know the steps, it should be done by an experienced club builder or golf club fitter for best results. However, over time you can learn the steps needed for this golf club alteration, which can be helpful if you plan on playing golf for many years. Before cutting any golf club, however, you should visit your local golf professional or certified golf club fitter to determine if shortening a golf club is right for your game. They’ll also be able to answer questions you have about the process. Are you struggling with the length of your golf club? Do you feel it is too long or too short for you? If yes, then this article is for you. The length of your golf club has a significant impact on how you perform on the course. That is why you will find most golfers opting to either shorten or lengthen their clubs. Adjusting the club to suit your type of play improves your performance on the turf. You may have received a golf club gift that is too short or maybe too long for you, and you are wondering how to deal with it. As a new golfer, this may be not very clear. Worry no more, because this article takes you through the various options of adjusting your golf club’s length.

How to tell if your golf clubs are too long or too short

Before we dive into adjusting your golf clubs, it is crucial to know how to determine if they are the correct length. Your golf club is probably too long if you tend to stand up too upright compared to what you should be. When swinging, you will notice that the shaft feels weaker. You will notice with a long club, that it tends to fly way too high towards the left once you hit the ball. These are some of the few observations you can make if your club is too long. When it is too short, your swing path will often be in and out. Your tempo will be too quick, and more than often, the ball goes towards the right. Your knees and waist will tend to bend too much. Suppose you notice any of these signs; you probably need to adjust the length of your golf club. You can either chose to shorten it or make it longer depending on the observations. It would be best if you took the required measurements for proper adjustment. You may decide to take the club to a professional, but believe it or not the steps are simple, and you can easily do it yourself.

How to extend the length of your golf club

Extending the golf club length involves adding more length to the shaft. It is possible to replace the shaft with a longer one, but that will be a little bit more expensive. The cheaper option is to use a shaft extension. On that note, you will only need to replace the grip. The shaft extension can lengthen the club by up to two inches. If you need more distance from your club, then the following steps will help you adjust the golf club to fit your play type. If your shaft is made of steel, then use a steel extension and if it is made of graphite, then use a graphite extension.

Step 1: Removing the grip

To access the shaft, you need to remove the grip. Using a knife, cut through the grip from top to bottom. Remove the double-sided tape from the shaft using the same knife. Be extra careful, so you don’t injure yourself or damage the shaft.

Step 2: Fit checking the shaft extension

Once the grip is off, fit check the extension to the shaft and mark for the length you want to be adjusted. It may feel snug but do not apply too much force when inserting.

Step 3: Cut the shaft extension

Fit the extension onto a vice and use a hacksaw to cut at the point you marked in step two. After cutting, the edges will be rough. A knife or file will work just fine to smoothen the rough edges. Clean the surface and remove the debris using a piece of cloth.

Step 4: Installing the shaft extension

This is a crucial step that needs to be done with utmost care. Apply epoxy on the part that fits into the shaft and insert the shaft extension into the shaft end using minimum force. Wipe off the excess epoxy using a fibre cloth and give it some time to set.

Step 5: Installing the new grip

Once the extension is in place, you need to install the new grip. The shaft is now elongated, and the grip may seem shorter. Apply the double-sided glue and pour solvent inside the grip, then slide it into the shaft. You now have the length of your golf club extended. Allow it to dry for about 15 hours before trying it on the course.

How to shorten the length of your golf club

Just like extending the length of the golf club, shortening it also involves an adjustment to the shaft. In this case, cut the shaft to a size that fits your type of play. It is important to note that once you cut the shaft, the golf club will become lighter and will tend to stiffen. This may also go unnoticed, because it is only one inch missing. Your swing weight points will, however, reduce drastically by two or three points. After shortening the shaft, your lie angles will flatten by around 2 degrees; hence they will need readjustment. The following steps will guide you through shortening the shaft of your golf club.

Step 1: Removing the grip

Remove the grip using a knife by cutting it from the top downwards. Using the knife, cut through the double-sided tape and remove it from the shaft. Clean the shaft to remove any debris and residues.

Step 2: Taking measurements

Using a tape, measure the amount of shaft you want to cut off and add approximately an eighth of an inch. The additional eighth of an inch will make up for the end of the grip. User a marker pen to mark the point where you will cut the shaft. Suppose your shaft is made of graphite, using masking tape instead will be helpful.

Step 3: Cutting the shaft

Using a hacksaw, carefully cut through the marked point. Ensure that the golf club is secured on a vice or clamp. It would be best if you cut it through in a one-way direction to achieve an even cut. Smoothen the edges using a sandpaper or kitchen knife and proceed to install the grip. Once the grip has been installed, allow the golf club to settle for about 14 hours before trying it out on the turf.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What happens if a golf club is too long?

When you have long golf clubs, you may achieve more distance on the course. However, your body will tend to strain, and you will fail to achieve the desired accuracy and direction. Long golf clubs mean that you have to stand too upright when taking a swing. A longer golf club length does not guarantee that you will have a greater distance.

Q: How do I make my golf clubs longer?

To make your golf clubs longer, you can choose to purchase a more elongated shaft or use a shaft extension. Follow the steps outlined above to make your golf club longer or consult a professional.

Q: Should I extend my golf clubs?

The answer to this question, consider different factors. Is your type of game any better with your short golf clubs? If not, then you probably need to extend your club. Extending your club to suit your style of play ensures that you achieve more distance and direction.

Conclusion

Do you think you can extend or shorten your golf clubs? By now I am sure you have all it takes for you to adjust your golf clubs. Amateur golfers have a problem with finding the right sized golf clubs. Unfortunately for them, size is critical. However, this article provides a solution for them. Depending on your height and the distance between your wrist and the floor, you can comfortably adjust your clubs to suit your game. The steps are clearly outlined and can be easily followed by anybody. Learning how to fit your clubs by yourself has the potential of improving your game on the course. Last Updated on March 11, 2021 by Tom Fiore

Tom Fiore

Hey ! I’m Tom. I have been playing Golf for most of my adulthood and have an experience of about 10+ Years. I love to guide people on their golf journey and share my experience of playing Golf, using products and all the tips I have for people out there ! Thanks for reading my blog.

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