How to Reshaft a Golf Club

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Place the shaft in a vise and tighten it, if your shaft is made of steel. If it has a plastic ferrule, prevent it from burning by wrapping it in a wet paper towel.

Put on a pair of gloves that protect from high heat, and heat the hosel of the clubhead with a heat gun for about 30 seconds. Then remove it from the shaft by twisting it. Use the heat gun again, 15 seconds at a time, until the clubhead separates from the shaft.

It's possible that, if your clubs are relatively old, they might have a screw or pin holding the shaft and clubhead together. You'll make for an easier job if you eliminate it before you apply heat.

Use a heat gun instead of a blow torch with graphite shafts. Do not twist the clubhead to remove it because you run the risk of leaving part of the shaft inside the hosel. Using a box wrench, turn the threaded bolt slowly and you should be able to remove the shaft easily. Reheat it again with the heat gun if you have difficulty removing it.

Begin with your driver. If your new shafts are made of steel, rough up the tips with a file or sandpaper to be sure that the head and the shaft marry tightly. On the other hand, if you have chosen graphite, you must first remove the outer coating with a belt sander, then proceed with sanding it. If your shaft does not fit into the hosel of your clubhead, use a wire drill bit until it does.

Dip the tip of your shaft into the epoxy, making sure it is totally covered, then slide the shaft into the hosel and slightly rotate them to be sure there are no gaps in the coverage. Then against the floor, tap the other end of your shaft to be sure that it is in all the way.

Shorten your shaft after the epoxy has set, usually in about an hour or two. If the shafts are made of steel, use a hacksaw to shorten the shaft to the proper length. If they are made of graphite, first tape the area to be cut with about three layers of tape and then use a bandsaw, or you will run the risk of shattering the shaft.

Clean the grip area with grip solvent, then wrap it with double-sided tape and cover it completely with more solvent. Slide the grip down the shaft until you have gone all the way. Then adjust the grip by hand since the solvent will not completely set for about 5 to 10 minutes.