How to Repair Golf Clubs
You've grown attached to your golf clubs, but they're in such bad shape from being used so often that you feel you have little choice but to buy another set. What you may not realize is that it is simple to update your trusty, old set of clubs and avoid spending $1,000 or more on a new set. There are only three components to golf clubs: shafts, club heads and grips. Any of those three can be replaced very easily if you follow a few simple steps.
Instructions
Difficulty: Moderately Easy
Replace the Shafts
Maybe your old clubs have shafts that have "gone dead," and they need to be replaced. Or you have read about new shafts that contribute to greater distance or are more forgiving. Regardless, they are easy to replace.
First, remove the shaft from the club head by placing the club in a bench vise, and then heat the hosel of the clubhead until the glue melts, making it easy to remove the shaft.
If your new shafts are made of steel, rough up the tips with sandpaper, and clean and roughen up the hosel of the clubhead with a wire drill bit. If your new shafts are made of graphite, first remove the outer coating at the tip with a sander before using the sandpaper.
Apply epoxy to both the tip and the hosel, making sure that the epoxy completely coats both surfaces, and place the shaft into the clubhead. Let the epoxy dry for at least 24 hours before using the club, or refer to the instructions on the epoxy for the exact drying time.
Change the Club Heads
Not only are there numerous club heads available for conventional irons and woods, but there are also club heads for hybrid clubs, as well as wedges of various degrees.
Choose club heads from one of hundreds of websites, then follow the steps given in Step 1 to change to your new clubheads.
Cut Shafts to the Proper Length
If you are comfortable with the length of your clubs, simply measure each shaft from about ½ inch below the hosel's opening to the butt end of the shaft, and then cut the corresponding new shaft to that length with a hacksaw.
If the shafts are made of graphite, you should first apply tape where the cuts are to be made, and then use a band saw to make the cuts.
Change the Grips
With a few basic tools, changing your own grips can be done easily and relatively inexpensively. Cut the grip lengthwise to the shaft and remove it. Get rid of the tape and residue with a putty knife; then wash the shafts with warm, soapy water. If any residue remains, try using a little grip solvent.
Wrap the shafts with double-sided tape where the grips will be placed, and then soak the tape well with grip solvent. Next, pour a little of the solvent into the insides of the grips and swirl it around to completely cover the interiors.
Pour out the remaining solvent and slide the grips onto the shafts, making final tweaks to them in the 15 minutes it will take for the solvent to dry.