Plugging vs. Longer Shafts

[IcemanYVR]

I have a question for the shaft guru's out there.

I found a set of MP-33's in really good shape at a decent price in my local pro shop, but they need to be lengthened 1" to fit me correctly. They need new grips, so adding the 1" extensions would not be a big deal, but the price is not that great if I need to put in new shafts.

Obviously I would assume it is most ideal to just use a shaft that is 1" longer, but playability wise, how much different is the shaft if I just put 1" plug in the end of the shaft to lengthen the club? The shafts that are in there are the standard TT DGS300.

[DaveLeeNC]

1 inch longer will end up playing around 6 SW points heavier. You could drill out 12'ish grams of weight from the head to get the SW back to where it was. In that case you'll probably end up with a club(s) playing a tad stiffer than before. You may or may not care.

You'll probably have to make a lie adjustment as well as the longer clubs will be playing more upright than before.

dave

[denver_nuggs_15]

I wouldn't expect much of a problem with only adding an inch to the shaft. If you are planning to do it yourself, it will be much less than what a pro shop would charge. You'd need to buy shaft extendors and a grip kit offline. And then find some directions online. It's not that hard.

If a proshop does it, they'll probably charge you about $5-$10 per club for regripping + shaft extenders. I'm not 100% sure about the price of their services, so don't quote me on this one. They may also give you a deal if you buy the clubs from them.

[denver_nuggs_15]

I'm sorry. Completely disregard my previous post. I completely misunderstood the question.

Swingweight would be about 6 points higher. You could put some weight plugs in the grips or use heavier grips to decrease swingweight. Lie angle may or may not change for fitting purposes. Heavy clubs aren't a big problem at all IMO.

With the lengthened shaft, I'd expect that it would play a little softer than before. With only an inch, it probably won't matter much.

You could actually feel the shaft extendor under the grip. You'd have to try though. Depending on the quality and contruction of the extendor, it may wiggle a bit, but it's highly unlikely.

My mistake for the previous post.

[Awsi Dooger]

This is the way it works: Put in extenders yourself and when you're playing great you'll be allowing private snickers that anyone shells out for a professional job. Then once the shots become errant you'll question whether you made the proper choice, or did everything the right way. In other words, it's golf.

I've extended several sets, anything from + .25 to + 1.25. Never had one break or feel any different when gripping the club. The ones lengthened from + .75 and up do play somewhat softer, IMO, more hooks. But I'm in my late 40s and generally prefer softer shafted irons.

I always use heavier grips than was previously on the club to partially offset the changed swingweight. That's one of the benefits of needing oversize grips.

As a gambler so I prefer to strategize it myself, and do the little things I can do. Allowing someone else to make every measurement and perform every task seems downright dainty and pathetic. It's not a foolproof game. I don't want to be duck hooking shots and lack a convenient scapegoat, i.e. me.

[Bamma]

I wouldn't expect much of a problem with only adding an inch to the shaft. If you are planning to do it yourself, it will be much less than what a pro shop would charge. You'd need to buy shaft extendors and a grip kit offline. And then find some directions online. It's not that hard.

I just had my irons extended at $8 each, so you are correct.

[IcemanYVR]

I will be doing the work myself. I'm very comfortable re-shafting and re-gripping. I'm aware of the effect on swingweights because all my irons/wedges are an 1" over. Thanks for the help, but no one has really answered the question.

Is there any difference in playability between shafts that have a 1" plug in the end, and shafts that are cut 1" longer?