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Is it safe to use a cracked graphite shaft?

post #1 of 12
7/24/09 at 12:37pm
Thread Starter 
I just noticed a crack in the shaft near the hosel of my 3 wood. Here's the best picture I could get of it (click to zoom):



The crack goes 180° around the shaft on the leading side, and there's a 2" hairline crack coming off of it towards the grip.

Any other club and I'd just take it out of the bag, but I can't play without a 3 wood. I was planning on playing a few more rounds before upgrading my equipment, so I don't really want to buy a new club unless I have to.

If I use the club on the course or the range, is it likely to be dangerous to me or other people? Would you play with a cracked graphite shaft on a wood?
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post #2 of 12
7/24/09 at 12:49pm

Re: Is it safe to use a cracked graphite shaft?

I would think its certainly dangerous for your scores; the club may not perform as expected.

How far would a broken head travel during a swing, 50 yards? And probably inline with your swing plane? I would take note of the position of bystanders (avoid them) and let your playing partners know that you suspect your club may be damaged and it could let loose.

And, no, I wouldn't bother playing it if its damaged. Get it repaired if you think its worth it.
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post #3 of 12
7/24/09 at 1:00pm

Re: Is it safe to use a cracked graphite shaft?

Originally Posted by alisdair View Post
I just noticed a crack in the shaft near the hosel of my 3 wood. Here's the best picture I could get of it (click to zoom):



The crack goes 180° around the shaft on the leading side, and there's a 2" hairline crack coming off of it towards the grip.

Any other club and I'd just take it out of the bag, but I can't play without a 3 wood. I was planning on playing a few more rounds before upgrading my equipment, so I don't really want to buy a new club unless I have to.

If I use the club on the course or the range, is it likely to be dangerous to me or other people? Would you play with a cracked graphite shaft on a wood?
No, I would NOT hit that club. The shaft can/will shatter. The shaft could just break in two but I have had a shaft literaly explode in my hands at impact. I have the scar on my right hand from the shards to prove it. I have been wary of the condition of shafts since then but you could potentially injure yourself or someone else if that thing decides to grenade on you. Just my opinion.
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post #4 of 12
7/24/09 at 1:01pm

Re: Is it safe to use a cracked graphite shaft?

1- Large piece of metal with sharp protruding prod flying in the air at 60-80 mph can induce stab wounds, which is frowned upon by many golf courses.
2- Ball may travel at awkward angles off club face
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post #5 of 12
7/24/09 at 1:05pm

Re: Is it safe to use a cracked graphite shaft?

by the looks of it, even if you did hit it.. it is going to break soon. So start saving up.
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post #6 of 12
7/24/09 at 1:12pm

Re: Is it safe to use a cracked graphite shaft?

This is certainly going to shatter very soon. I wouldn't hit it.
I have a slightly bent 8 iron (steel shaft) that I still use (till my new irons arrive) but every time I take it out I ask any playing buddies to take shelter.

If it shatters, the head will fly in the direction of ball flight, so most probably nobody will be hit as obviously you wouldn't take a shot with somebody in your path, but I would take care on practice swings as well, because sometimes you practice on the tee waiting for your turn to play, that's when it could snap and most probably could hit someone.

Just replace the shaft and spare yourself the risk.

Oh, BTW, how did you embed a picture in a small size that could be zoomed when clicked on? I tried doing this but I failed; I either have to put it in full size (which is disruptive for other users) or minimize the size which will take away much details. So how do you do it??
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post #7 of 12
7/24/09 at 1:19pm
Thread Starter 

Re: Is it safe to use a cracked graphite shaft?

Thanks for the replies. I guess I knew the answer before I posted. Getting it reshafted sadly isn't really cost-effective, so I'll just pick up a second-hand or ex-demo 3 wood next time I'm at the range.

Originally Posted by Golfaway View Post
Oh, BTW, how did you embed a picture in a small size that could be zoomed when clicked on? I tried doing this but I failed; I either have to put it in full size (which is disruptive for other users) or minimize the size which will take away much details. So how do you do it??
The easiest way is to insert a small copy of the image as normal, then select the generated (IMG) code and insert a link to the larger copy of the image. The result is something like:

(URL=http://host.com/picture.jpg)(IMG)http://host.com/picture-small.jpg(/IMG)(/URL)

but with square brackets instead of parentheses.
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post #8 of 12
7/24/09 at 1:39pm

Re: Is it safe to use a cracked graphite shaft?

I wouldn't bother getting it reshafted unless there's something special about the club. You can generally find a used one at your local golf shop for less than the cost of a new shaft plus labor, etc.
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post #9 of 12
7/24/09 at 2:07pm

Re: Is it safe to use a cracked graphite shaft?

Originally Posted by leezer99 View Post
I wouldn't bother getting it reshafted unless there's something special about the club. You can generally find a used one at your local golf shop for less than the cost of a new shaft plus labor, etc.
Really??? That's just crazy talk. Folks reshaft clubs all the time just because, if he likes the club it's well worth reshafting it. Find a cheap pull.
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post #10 of 12
7/24/09 at 2:07pm

Re: Is it safe to use a cracked graphite shaft?

Originally Posted by leezer99 View Post
I wouldn't bother getting it reshafted unless there's something special about the club. You can generally find a used one at your local golf shop for less than the cost of a new shaft plus labor, etc.
yep, you can find one of these on ebay for like 50$. A new shaft + labor is gonna be more than that
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post #11 of 12
7/24/09 at 2:28pm

Re: Is it safe to use a cracked graphite shaft?

Imagine the clubhead breaking off not at contact but in your follow-through. Now imagine how close your playing partners are standing when you swing. Now imagine killing one of your playing partners.

Don't use the club.
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post #12 of 12
7/24/09 at 4:42pm

Re: Is it safe to use a cracked graphite shaft?

Originally Posted by alisdair View Post
I just noticed a crack in the shaft near the hosel of my 3 wood. Here's the best picture I could get of it (click to zoom):

The crack goes 180° around the shaft on the leading side, and there's a 2" hairline crack coming off of it towards the grip.

Any other club and I'd just take it out of the bag, but I can't play without a 3 wood. I was planning on playing a few more rounds before upgrading my equipment, so I don't really want to buy a new club unless I have to.

If I use the club on the course or the range, is it likely to be dangerous to me or other people? Would you play with a cracked graphite shaft on a wood?
NO! Don't hit it!

Questions about it.

1. Is this the shaft you bought the club with?
2. Who is the maker of the club?
3. Have you called them yet?

This happened to me with a Callaway X Hot 3w and I had it replaced in less than a week, so don't fret.
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