Shaft damage

[DutchGolf]

Hi everyone,

A few months ago I bought Nike Vapor Speed clubs, including fairway woods. But last two months or so on my 3 wood and 5 wood, black spots seems to appear (see pic). Those spots grow larger and larger. It is strange to me as I am very careful with my clubs and my head cover also goed over these spots. It does not affect playability or so, but it is more a cosmetic problem, I want my clubs to look good and not to be damaged after a few months, they have cost me a lot of money. Does anyone know how these spots are created? And how can I stop the 'expansion' of these spots? Do you think that wrapping Scotch tape around it helps?

Thanks for the help in advance!

[SavvySwede]

It's from rubbing against the dividers in the bag. Either you have a crappy bag with low quality dividers that aren't cushioned enough or the clubs bounce around too much in the bag. Clear packing tape or scotch tape will protect those areas from further wear.(I suggest you go with clear packing tape because scotch tape really isn't made to last and would probably start to peel apart after a short while.)

[saevel25]

Looks more like the paint on the shaft is breaking off due to the bending of the club. Basically it's impossible to stop until the spot gets large enough that the edges of the spot isn't in a highly stressed area of the shaft. 

[Club Rat]

I agree with @SavvySwede, they appear to be rub marks which are caused by the golf bag. Typically wear marks generate over a few seasons or less if you carry your bag mostly. You should check if the club makes contact to the bag and look for possible bag damage where the shaft rests against the bag. Sometimes the protective material comes loose or wears out.

[DutchGolf]

First of all, thanks for the replies! I indeed carry my bag most of the time. Do not see any damage on the bag, but the spots do appear at the point where the club does hit the divider, so that might be the cause. Anything I can do besides tape? And is it going to hurt playability on the longer term or not?

[SavvySwede]

1 hour ago, saevel25 said:

Looks more like the paint on the shaft is breaking off due to the bending of the club. Basically it's impossible to stop until the spot gets large enough that the edges of the spot isn't in a highly stressed area of the shaft. 

Maybe, but I always thought the paint was more flexible than the graphite. I've had plenty of shafts snap in half before the paint started chipping off. Though if he has SS like you, who knows?

[iacas]

7 minutes ago, DutchGolf said:

First of all, thanks for the replies! I indeed carry my bag most of the time. Do not see any damage on the bag, but the spots do appear at the point where the club does hit the divider, so that might be the cause. Anything I can do besides tape? And is it going to hurt playability on the longer term or not?

Long term it could wear more and further weaken the shaft.

Short term… I'd put tape on it for sure.

Medium term… get a head cover with a sock or something that protects that part of the club shaft.

[DutchGolf]

6 minutes ago, iacas said:

Long term it could wear more and further weaken the shaft.

Short term… I'd put tape on it for sure.

Medium term… get a head cover with a sock or something that protects that part of the club shaft.

I'm going to do that, thanks.