Shortening new shafts...Question?

[domc36]

Im about to buy a few Apollo steel iron shafts from Golf Smith, and in options it says regular/Stiff Flex. I need regular. So to make them regular flex, I cut from the grip end? Im confused on this.

[glock35ipsc]

Well.... if the are straight/parallel tip (.370" diameter tips) there will be a certain amount that is specified to be trimmed off the tip end for each iron (in 1/2" increments) to play to a certain flex.  A rare few are 5/8" increments.

Taper tipped shafts (.355" diameter) will already be tipped to a certain flex and ready to be installed, then just butt trimmed to length.

Either way, butt trimming is only done for final length.

So if you are getting straight tip shafts, there can be anywhere from a 1/2" difference up to a 2" difference or more to make it play from a R flex to an S flex.

What is the exact shaft you are looking at?  A part number would help too.

[domc36]

Ok thanks.

These shafts here: http://www.golfsmith.com/products/2033I/Apollo/Acculite_Standard_Stepless_Iron_Shaft

So I need -.5 inch shafts, just because of arm length/height.

Here's the chart:

Flex	3 Iron	4 Iron	5 Iron	6 Iron	7 Iron	8 Iron	9/PW/SW Iron
Regular	0"	1/2"	1"	1 1/2"	2"	2 1/2"	3"
Stiff	1"	1 1/2"	2"	2 1/2"	3"	3 1/2"	4"

So I cut the .5 off the butt, before gripping, but first 1inch(5iron) from the tip before before putting the shaft in the head. Then wouldnt that make my 5 iron 1.5 inches shorter than normal? This where Im confused...

[glock35ipsc]

Separate and mark the shafts according to the iron head they will go into.  4i, 5i, 6i, PW, etc...  They will all be 41" in length when you get them.

The reason to label them:

Cut 0.5" off the tip of the 4 iron shaft.

Cut 1" off the tip of the 5 iron shaft.

Cut 1.5" off the tip of the 6 iron shaft.

And so on.

And so on.

Install all the shafts into their appropriate heads without gluing.  Use tape to hold the shaft in if necessary.  Measure the assembled iron and cut to the playing length, minus 1/8" to account for the cap of the grip.

So if you need a 36.5" 7 iron, measure and mark the shaft at 36.375" and cut there.  Once the grip is installed, you will be at the 36.5" length.

*** You can also glue all the shafts in first, then cut to playing length after the epoxy cures.  I like to dry fit and measure everything before gluing in case I need to add a tip weight.  I prefer that over adding lead or tungsten down the shaft and corking.

Measure the club with the with the scoring lines on the face as close to level as possible, then put a yard stick or 48" ruler under the club snugged up to the back of the hosel and shaft and measure it like this:

This might help too:

http://www.golfworks.com/images/art/2008HowToBuildClubs.pdf

[domc36]

Thank you so much! Everyone here is SOOO helpful. I love it!

And

tip:  clubhead end

Butt: grip end

right?

[glock35ipsc]

Originally Posted by domc36

tip:  clubhead end

Butt: grip end

right?

Yep!

[domc36]

And last question.

I understand that you have to sand the tips of graphite shafts before applying epoxy, do I do the same for steel?

[Shorty]

Originally Posted by domc36

And last question.

I understand that you have to sand the tips of graphite shafts before applying epoxy, do I do the same for steel?

Yes. Remove the chrome.

[domc36]

Does it matter what grit sandpaper? Or just get the chrome off?

[glock35ipsc]

~ 100 grit works well.  You need to roughen up the finish enough to give the epoxy something to sink it's teeth into.  I use 100 grit emory cloth sold in a roll that is 1" wide.