How to Replace Golf Shaft

Replacing a golf shaft is not difficult at all. Nonetheless, you have to have proper tools and knowledge in order to adequately secure the club head to the shaft. Otherwise, the head might end up flying as well after the swing!

In order to successfully connect the shaft to a club head, you just need to follow these simple steps:

1. Make sure that you have the right shaft,

2. Secure the golf club,

3. Loosen the club head,

4. Dismantle the shaft,

5. Prepare the club head for the new shaft,

6. Prepare the new shaft,

7. Insert the new shaft.

We will elaborate on each step and provide some further useful tips that can make the job even easier and safer.

What You’re Going to Need

• Propane torch,
• Utility knife,
• Sandpaper,
• Wire brush,
• Clamp,
• Protective gloves,
• Epoxy glue.

Step 1 – Make Sure That You Have the Right Shaft

It is important to know that there are different types of shafts and heads. They differ mostly in size, so you have to be sure that a certain shaft can be inserted into the clubhead’s hosel.

The best way to learn this is to go to your nearest golf supplies store and ask for an identification gauge (they will most likely be free). Although most shafts of beginner golf clubs follow a few conventional sizes, there is no point in buying a new shaft without being certain that it is compatible with your club head.

Step 2 – Secure the Golf Club

Before you can start working, the golf club needs to be fixed in place in an environment without any flammable materials around.

The best way to do this is with a clamp, but if you don’t have one, you can ask another person to hold the golf club firmly during the entire process. This task can be performed without help, but if this is your first time, assistance is recommended.

For support, any elevated metal or concrete surface can be used (if you are not using a clamp). Place the golf club horizontally on the surface with enough free space around the head.

Tip: If you don’t own a clamp, just go to your nearest tool store and ask for a basic bench clamp. It is a good investment if you plan to practice golf more seriously.

Step 3 – Loosen the Club’s Head

Some clubheads will have a ferrule (a cap or ring made from a plastic material) around the hosel (opening for the shaft) for additional stability. If that is the case, take the propane torch and apply heat to the ferrule for around 30 seconds. Take the knife and carefully scrape all the plastic material off the hosel. Finally, you can take the sandpaper and remove any residue.

Ferrules are not necessary for golf clubs, and although they do apply some additional stability, they are mainly used for cosmetic purposes. However, you can put a new ferrule on any hosel if you wish so. They can be bought in any golf equipment store.

On the other hand, golf clubs don’t necessarily have to have a ferrule, especially If you are using steel shafts (although you can put one if you wish so). Hence, once the golf club is fixed, apply heat directly to the hosel for around 30 to 45 seconds. This will soften the epoxy glue inside and loosen the clubhead.

Be extremely careful when using a propane torch. These products have instructions on how to light them so make sure to check them if you don’t know how to activate them. Finally, under no circumstances should you touch the heated parts.

Tip: If you are buying a propane torch just for the purpose of changing golf shafts, the smallest one will be sufficient. You may come across butane torches, which can do the job as well. However, propane torches are better since they project higher heat in a shorter time.

Step 4 – Dismantle the Shaft

For this part, it is highly advisable to have protective gloves on since your hands will be very close to the heated part of the clubhead.

After you have finished with the torch, firmly grasp the clubhead with both hands and start twisting and pulling it from the shaft. There is bound to be some mild resistance, but the clubhead should be removed after two or three twists and pulls.

If the resistance is still strong, don’t force it. Take the torch again and heat the hosel for 30 to 45 seconds again. If the golf club is older and hasn’t been dismantled yet, there is a chance that it might be more difficult to separate the clubhead so using a torch three or four times is nothing unusual.

Tip: Have any type of cloth beside you when using the torch. It can leave burn marks on the hosel, which can be cleaned with an ordinary rag.

Step 5 – Prepare the Clubhead for the New Shaft

Once you have successfully separated the clubhead, leave it for ten minutes to completely cool off and then clean any burn marks.

If you don’t have a thin wire brush, go to your nearest home supplies store and get one, since they are indispensable tools for golfers, and there isn’t a good substitute for it either.

Insert the wire brush into the hose and diligently scrape all the epoxy glue residue until you feel that the surface is smooth. Otherwise, you will be unable to attach the clubhead firmly to the new shaft.

Tip: When cleaning the epoxy residue, you can once more warm the hosel up with the torch and then scrape everything with the wire brush.

Step 6 – Prepare the New Shaft

If you are buying a new shaft (the difference between new and old clubs can be small,) the tip which goes in the hosel will probably be coated in a layer of paint that serves as protection. Take the sandpaper and scrape everything off. If the shaft is pre-owned, it will most likely have epoxy residue, so in both cases, sandpaper is needed (the coarser the sandpaper, the better).

Take any kind of small container (a plastic cup or a glass jar, anything that you don’t need and can throw away immediately afterward) and pour the epoxy glue into it. Then take the shaft and gently roll the tip into the glue and be sure to cover every part.

You need to be quick when working with epoxy glue, but if you feel that you have made a mistake and that the glue has started to dry before inserting, don’t worry – no damage will be made. Simply wait for the glue to harden, take the sandpaper, and scrape everything off. Afterward, repeat the process.

Tip: While working with epoxy glue, it is also recommended to have gloves on, as dry epoxy can be hard to wash off. In most cases, warm water and soap will be enough, but if it is persistent, you can use vinegar. Soak a cotton ball in vinegar and scrape the glue gently off your hands.

Step 7 – Insert the New Shaft

Once you have coated the tip of the shaft with the epoxy glue, you have to act quickly and insert the new shaft into the hosel. Therefore, don’t forget to place the clubhead near before you start applying the glue.

With one hand, take the shaft, and with another, the head. Push the shaft slowly into the hosel until you feel that you have reached the bottom. Once the shaft is inserted, don’t let go of the golf club immediately, but hold the clubhead and the shaft firmly for at least a minute. Slowly and gently place the golf club horizontally on a surface.

If you see any residual epoxy glue that might have gone out of the hosel while inserting the shaft, you can either immediately take a paper towel and gently wipe the residue off or wait for the glue to dry and then take sandpaper and scrape everything off.

Finally, you might want to check the grip, especially if you have inserted a pre-used shaft. If it feels too loose, definitely consider regripping it at home as well.

Tip: Different epoxy glues have different periods of drying. Hence, be sure to check on the packaging what the drying time is. Usually, it is recommended to leave a golf club for one day for the glue to settle, but there are products that require less drying time.

Final Thoughts

Knowing how to replace a shaft is extremely useful for all golfers. Different shafts can enable you to try out different golfing techniques and, as a result, improve immensely as a player. But also, you won’t need to depend on other people to change your shaft, and such services will cost as well. Even if you don’t have a single tool from the list, it is still worth it to invest in them.