Shaft extension, do or don't?

[Zeph]

I've thought about extending my shafts for some time, along with adjusting the lie. None of my equipment is fitted, I know I suffer from this. So, would an extension make a positive or negative effect? I've read some about wrong weight when the shaft is extended, wrong flex etc.

[umpiremark]

Why do you want to make the shaft longer? Is there a reason for that?
Adding (glueing) an extension to the shaft to make the shaft longer will add weight to the club - both dynamic weight (what the club actually weighs) and swingweight (what the club feels like). I've added extenders to shafts in the past without problems, knowing that the dynamic and swing-weights all changed.

I guess I'd be interested in why you wanted to lengthen the club(s) and which ones you were thinking of doing (driver, irons) Steel or graphite, too?

[Zeph]

Because of my height and arm length. At a local fitting centre they measured me up and said I could do with an extension. New clubs with proper length would of course be preferable, but that won't happen anytime soon. I didn't get an exact measure, but more than standard anyways.

Was considering it on the irons and wedges.

[umpiremark]

Standard length of wedges should be 35" which I imagine your clubs would be. A pitching wedge (standard) should be 35.5", 9 iron, 36" etc. gaining a half inch each club up to 3-iron at 39".

I like how some "club fitters" want to sell you a new set because you're tall. Keep in mind that because you're tall (I don't know how tall) your arms are longer than a shorter person too. That said, standard club lengths should fit a tall person with longer arms (i.e. Ernie Els).

I don't know you, never saw you swing and don't know your physique. But I'd never alter a club because "someone said so." If you're having problems with contact, bending over, etc. to make solid shots, get your swing mechanics checked by a pro first, then get fitted by a reputable club fitter (not a golf club store) and have your clubs checked out.

IMHO ...

[Zeph]

The only club fitting option here is that store. What difference does my swing mechanics make? Aren't the length determined by physical attributes like height and arm length? Different clubs will demand different mechanics, but optimally, shouldn't the clubs be fitted properly regardless of swing mechanics with existing clubs?

Is there any way to calculate it on your own somehow by measuring things?

Here's my 6i swing btw:



I'd like to be a bit more upright. I'm at 50-ish degrees, would like to be closer to 60.

[umpiremark]

The only reason I mentioned swing mechanics is because something in your swing could be causing you to satnd up, lean forward, lean back, whatever that makes your clubs "feel" short. I cannot open the you tube so I did not see your swing.

I'm just saying that extenders would be okay if the only reason for doing it is to make your clubs "feel" like the right length.

[hellomonstor]

get fitted and if they say add an extension then add an extension

[Zeph]

I'm just saying that extenders would be okay if the only reason for doing it is to make your clubs "feel" like the right length.

No, that is not why I'm considering it. I do feel they are a bit short, but from experience with other players that have gotten fitted, that are about my height and build, they all got some extension. I figured I could maybe have use for one too. Also, like I mentioned, I did a quick check on the fitting centre, made it abundantly clear that I was not going to buy new clubs, and that I considered getting mine extended. I don't remember the exact numbers, I'd have to make a more thorough fitting for that, but they adviced me to have longer clubs. I've not even checked the lie, which may also be wrong. On the other side, everything might be OK.

get fitted and if they say add an extension then add an extension

That's the thing, if I am adviced to extend them, will the extension hurt the specifications of the clubs and perhaps to more damage than the good from getting them fit for me?

They will extend them for me if I ask, but I know that there are different opinions on this matter, what this fitting centre advice may not be the best. I've thought of replacing the shafts with longer ones if needed, but that's a bigger operation and would cost me more. I'm not sure if they've got the equipment on the centre to take off the grips with air pressure, but I can always do that at home and just have them put on the extensions. Lie may probably be the more important thing to adjust, without proper lie, longer clubs won't neccesarily make it any easier.

[HytrewQasdfg]

I've thought about extending my shafts for some time, along with adjusting the lie. None of my equipment is fitted, I know I suffer from this. So, would an extension make a positive or negative effect? I've read some about wrong weight when the shaft is extended, wrong flex etc.

If you are like me, this will nag at you till you actually try it. My advice, do one club and see how it feels. Then do the rest of the set. Try something in the middle (like a 7).

Better yet, if you can find a used 7-iron similar to yours (the same swingweight and current lie/loft), do that one (then you don't have to worry about undoing changes made to your current set.) The swing weight will go up with the added length (but it will go down a little when you bend the lie more upright.) You may find you prefer the heavier swingweight with a more upright stance (or maybe not.) My point is it is OK to experiment a little, but you don't need to jump in whole hog to try it out. Do one club, then decide if you want to do more.

[umpiremark]

Just for illustration purposes ...
Let's say you have a standard 8-iron, head weighs 278 grams. Standard 50 gram grip and a 110 (for easy math) gram steel shaft. The swing weight of that 8-iron is now C9.9, with a dynamic weight of 421 grams.

I don't know what a shaft extender adds for weight, but lets guess 6 grams. And say you add 1" to the length of that 8-iron; from 36.5 to 37. 5 inches. The swing weight went up 1 SW points to D9.5 and the dynamic weight went to 429 grams. What that does to loft and lie, I'm not 100% sure.

All the manufacturers of shaft extenders say never to extend a club more than 2 inches. Something else to consider.

Also, if extended one inch (for example) your 8-iron would be as long as your 6-iron. That's something to consider, trying it out in the back yard. Just my opinion ... good luck!!

[HytrewQasdfg]

Just for illustration purposes ...

Adding weight to the BUTT end of the club (as a metal extender would do actually DECREASES swing weight.

(snagged off internet) +1/2" length = +3 swing-weight points +2 g club head weight = +1 swing- weight point +5 g grip = -1 swing-weight point +9 g shaft weight = +1 swing-weight point 4 degree flatter lie = +1 swing-weight point 4 degree upright lie = -1 swing-weight point Extending 1 inch would increase by 6 sw points. Weight of extender -1 sw (5). 2 degree upright -.5 (4.5) Jumbo grip -4 (0.5) depending on grip (Lamkin Jumbo is is 20+ grams heavier than standard sized grip, I'm assuming anyone tall enough to add 1 inch to a club will use a jumbo grip.) Backweighting the club (which is what adding the extender and heavier grip does) reduces the swing weight. Alternativly, he could just add some weight to the back of the club to reduce the swing weight.

[umpiremark]

My bad ... you're right ... adding 6 grams to the butt end (I inadvertently stuck 6 grams into the tip end on my calculator) reduces the club from C9.9 to C8.7. Adding one inch to the length of the club changes the SW to D5.4 now. Sorry about that.

What I haven't found yet is what happens to the static loft/lie angles by adding an inch???

[Zeph]

Should anything happen to the loft and lie if you add an inch? It will probably have to be adjusted to fit the new length, but since they manufacture clubs with longer shafts I don't see why it should be a problem.

I know the clubs will get longer, but that's kinda the point is it not? To have clubs fitted to your swing mechanics and body?

I'm actually going out to that centre this week, I'll have a talk with them then. It's a 1 hour drive forth and back, but I like the idea of trying one club first. I looked at my lie today and realized that a flat lie was much lower than what I normally set up to. That could definately do with some adjusting. My brother, who's 10cm taller than me is thinking of at least adjusting the lie. His clubs are longer, but not fitted.

I might try with one club first, but it's not like it's a irreversible change. The extension can be cut off and lie adjusted back if I get trouble with it. Like Hytrew said, I'll probably be nagging about this until I do something about it. I've progressed well with my game this season, I'd really like my clubs to be perfect after spending a lot of money on them.

[paperclip]

My opinion on this matter is, if you need it, do it, it can always be reversed. But find out exactly by how much from a professional fitter. Keep in mind that all of your irons would be lengthened by the same amount, woods are a different story altogether; after the lengthening, then you will need to get the lies adjusted also.

In terms of swingweight change, yeah, it will change by a couple of points but then all of your clubs will change equally, I don't even think you'd really notice. And yeah, they can be adjusted back but why bother? I know I can't really tell the difference in performance between a D2 and a D4. I'll just leave that to those who fret over theoretical differences as opposed to what actually works.

[JoelDuffer]

My opinion on this matter is, if you need it, do it, it can always be reversed. But find out exactly by how much from a professional fitter. Keep in mind that all of your irons would be lengthened by the same amount, woods are a different story altogether; after the lengthening, then you will need to get the lies adjusted also.

Hi

I am sort of in this same boat. I am 6'5" tall with a wrist to floor measurement of 41",30 1/4"finger tip to floor. Even though I am tall my arms are not as long as others my same height. I think in a component catalog, (CSG I think?) that equates to +1 1/2" shaft (actualy closer to 2"). But when i put extentions in my iron clubs, I am going to stop at 1 1/2" because of strengh concerns. I don't understand how loft and or lie adjustment can change swing weight. JD

Adding weight to the BUTT end of the club (as a metal extender would do actually DECREASES swing weight.

Ooops,, this is what what I wanted to quote.(Ihope)

[HytrewQasdfg]

I don't understand how loft and or lie adjustment can change swing weight.

Increasing the lie (flatter) makes the club longer (distance from butt to TOE.) Decreasing the lie (more upright) makes the club shorter.

Think of a club sitting on a swingweight scale. If you bend the lie flatter, the toe of the club will be sticking out farther.

[JoelDuffer]

Increasing the lie (flatter) makes the club longer (distance from butt to TOE.) Decreasing the lie (more upright) makes the club shorter.

Ahhh yes,,, I understand what you are getting at.

Thanks