Shaft extensions

[The Human Timebomb]

Hi there, first post and all that.

I'm having my irons and wedges extended by half an inch but I've been thinking it might be a bad idea. Is it maybe better to have them reshafted with longer shafts instead? Like is it going to dodgy up the flex or anything?

Thanks!

(steel by the way)

[Finn07]

The way your doing it will save you a ton of money. Doing it this way is fine, there is absolutely no need to get them reshafted. The only thing they are doing is cutting the grip off, glueing an extension on, and then regripping it. Should cost you roughly 7 dollars a club, depending on what grips you get. Your fine, keep it this way. BTW the flex of the club is in the tip, not the butt end of the shaft.

[The Human Timebomb]

Actually it's costing me nothing as the customization is free when you buy clubs at American Golf. Just bought them funnily enough!

[gas_can]

Hi there, first post and all that.

The Human Timebomb,

As long as the shop doing the work is compotent, you'll be fine with 1/2" extensions. The very end of the golf shaft is just a rigid handle and has no bend properties. As long as you're not going past 1.5", extensions are fine. However, remember that by adding 1/2" you will be increasing the swing weight of the club by three swing weight points. That's a fairly significant difference and one even the least sensitive golfers will be able to feel. Make sure the shop knows what they're doing to get the swing weight back down.

[The Human Timebomb]

The Human Timebomb,

How is that done? Adding weight to the butt end or something? Will need to check they're doing that. I've got new wedges coming from Titleist too that will have an extra 1/2" but I'm assuming Titleist will do a good job.

[gas_can]

How is that done? Adding weight to the butt end or something? Will need to check they're doing that. I've got new wedges coming from Titleist too that will have an extra 1/2" but I'm assuming Titleist will do a good job.

The Human Timebomb,

Yes, it is called "counterbalancing" and it involves adding weight to the butt end of the club. There are special grips made with weights that can be inserted for that exact purpose. I can also be accomplished by adding some strips of lead tape under the grip when regripping. However, the effectiveness of these methods is highly debated. Some argue that since the weight is "in your hands" you don't feel it much the same way wearing a glove or a wedding ring doesn't affect your swing weight. On the other hand, some believe that the swing weight of the club is a specific number, and is unrelated to where the weight is. You can also remove some head weight to achieve the same result without the controversy. In a wedge this is very easy to accomplish by drilling holes, a process known as "porting."