How to Build Golf Club Components
By Bill Herrfeldt
Since the cost of a set of clubs has gone through the roof, many golfers are now making their own clubs. Not only are they much less expensive, the clubs are tailored to fit them as opposed to their buying them right off the showroom. You may think the task of making your own clubs is daunting, but if you follow these simple procedures, you'll have brand new clubs in no time.
Instructions
Difficulty: Moderately Easy
Understand that golf clubs contain nothing more than a clubhead, a shaft and a grip. But you can choose from a wide variety of them to make the "perfect" clubs.
Decide whether you want graphite or steel shafts. Steel shafts are less expensive but, being lighter, graphite shafts are easier to swing. Then look for clubheads that suit your game. Unlike in the past, your selection of clubheads is almost unlimited. For example, some golfers are replacing their long irons with so-called hybrid clubheads because they are much easier to hit. Finally, match the shafts that you will install to your own style of play. There are grips that repel water if you perspire a lot or you live in place that gets a lot of rain, or grips that are hard or soft to accommodate you.
Attach the clubheads to the shafts. If you're working with steel shafts, rough up the tip with a piece of sandpaper, and use a wire drill bit to roughen the inside of the clubheads, that will receive the shafts. They are called hosels. If your shafts are graphite, first remove the coating on the tip with a belt sander, then use the sand paper to roughen it up. Apply epoxy to the tips of the shafts and to the inside of the hosels, and marry the two, making sure that the shafts are all the way in by gentle tapping the butt of the shafts against a hard object.
Cut the shafts to the proper length. If there are steel, simple use a hacksaw at the place where you marked. If they are made of graphite, you first should apply about 2 or 3 layers of tape where you will make the cut, then use a band saw to finish this part of the job. Such precautions are necessary to keep the graphite shaft from shattering.
Install the grips on your new clubs. First, put double-sided tape on the shafts where the grips will be, then completely soak the tape with grip solvent. Then pour a little of the solvent into the grips, swirl them around to completely coat them, then pour out the excess. Then put on the grips, and you will have about 15 minutes until the grip solvent dries.
About The Author
Bill Herrfeldt specializes in finance, sports and the needs of retiring people, and has been published in the national edition of "Erickson Tribune," the "Washington Post" and the "Arizona Republic." He graduated from the University of Louisville.
