Trimming Rifle Flighted shaft question

[eyevan]

I'm thinking about buying a set of Titleist 735 w/ 6.0 flighted. My question is "if i butt trim the shafts down half an inch will it make the shaft softer or stiffer (the set is + 0.5" over standard)"

Thanks

[gas_can]

I'm thinking about buying a set of Titleist 735 w/ 6.0 flighted. My question is "if i butt trim the shafts down half an inch will it make the shaft softer or stiffer (the set is + 0.5" over standard)"

eyevan,

The shaft will play a bit stiffer, but only very marginally. It is highly likely you will not see any difference in flex. Think of the area of the shaft where your hands are placed as a handle, it has no dynamic bending properties, and thus trimming from this end will not yield a difference in flex. However, you are swinging a shorter "lever" with the same weight of head, and as a result the shaft will flex slightly less. What you will notice is the drop in swing weight, it will go down three points for trimming a half inch. I would strongly recommend getting to a clubfitter to find a way to bring the swing weight back up. You need to add six grams of weight, either with copious amounts of lead tape or insertion of tip weights. After adding weight, the shaft will play ever so marginally weaker.

[eyevan]

eyevan,

I'll have to add weight even if I am just going back down to standard length? I just want to clubs to play the same as if I got with 6.0s to standard specs (i hope that makes sense)

[gas_can]

I'll have to add weight even if I am just going back down to standard length? I just want to clubs to play the same as if I got with 6.0s to standard specs (i hope that makes sense)

eyevan,

In a perfect world, Titleist sorts their raw heads according to weight, so when the custom department receives an order for added length, they use the lighter heads to compensate for the added swing weight. If, however, a clubmaker has added the shafts aftermarket and they swing weight at say, D-6 or so, you will be fine having them taken down by butt trimming alone. I'm not sure what your current swing weight is, but it would behoove you to get it measured to see if you would need to add weight, otherwise your tempo, timing, and feel might suffer considerably.

[eyevan]

thanks for the quick reply, but they were custom built from titleist and it looks like a little more work than I wanted to deal with.

[wachesawgolfer]

Have them tested for swingweight and if it becomes an issue, regrip with Winn grips or Dual Durometer Lites to get the SW back up.