Driver: rebuild or replace?

[Joey G]

So, I was on the driving range this afternoon and made a clean hit with my driver. Carried straight and 245 yards, bounced and hit the 250 sign...then I realized that 3" at the top of my shaft was broken off inside the grip. Got it home just now, cut the grip off and sure enough, snapped a TFC-100D shaft about 3" from the top?

I really like this driver and I hit it better than any that I've ever owned...but it's a 2004 Ping G5, so would you re-shaft or get a new driver? 

Anyone who would recommend new shaft, any recommendations?

Edited February 13, 2017 by Joey G

[iacas]

The shaft should probably be pretty cheap… but good luck finding a 2004 shaft, again.

So I'd probably suggest you just find a new driver that fits you. You'll probably do better than you did with that 2004 club.

[Joey G]

Found the shaft on Ebay for $50 with shipping, plus new grip $10 and I'm a long way $ toward a newer model driver even if I do the work myself...I'm thinking that I need to shop newer models (used) a little first.

Edited February 13, 2017 by Joey G

[1badbadger]

$50 seems a little high for just the shaft, plus it may not play the same as the original one even if it's marked the same.  Stock shafts like that can vary noticeably from one to another.  

If you have been considering a newer driver, then by all means check out what's out there.  But if it's the best driver you've ever had, and you like the way it sets-up, looks, sounds, and you hit it good, or if money is tight, then you might consider having the shaft extended.  This will cost about $5-10 + a new grip.  As long as it was a clean break, and it was no more than 3", this is an option to consider.  I don't recommend the plastic pre-made extensions sold at golf club supply stores though.  Making a custom extension from a piece of graphite shaft will make it very strong and tight.  Don't be afraid to make it .5-.75" shorter than it was. There are several benefits to this.

[Typhoon92]

Time for an upgrade.  You can get a 2 year old driver used for $100.  Taylormade r11 you can get for a song.   Look for a Ping G25...it'll run you $120-$150

 

Plastic extensions are ok, I've never had an issue, but 3" ...like one I'd the posters said, wouldn't be a good idea.

[Joey G]

49 minutes ago, 1badbadger said:

$50 seems a little high for just the shaft, plus it may not play the same as the original one even if it's marked the same.  Stock shafts like that can vary noticeably from one to another.

I thought so too, $39.99 + 6.00 shipping though. I'm sure that I could find a cheaper shaft from Golf Works or Diamond Tour...but, I have also found two replacement G5 drivers to my specs both on ebay and a local resell shop for about $60 or less.

44 minutes ago, Typhoon92 said:

Time for an upgrade.  You can get a 2 year old driver used for $100.  Taylormade r11 you can get for a song.   Look for a Ping G25...it'll run you $120-$150.

Yeah, I'm eyeballing a couple G25s already...but most of the 12* seem to have the Senior shaft? I have found a couple with regular flex in that range. I may also consider going back to a 10.5* but have a lot of confidence in my current 12* driver.

Thanks for the tip on the extension too, guys...it's probably just under 3".

I bought this at a local used club specialist shop that I have used a several times. They actually responded to a Facebook inquiry earlier tonight and said to bring it in and we'd talk about trade in or new shaft/grip. They have both a G5 and a G25 in 12*-Regular and I like using them vs. shopping online for used stuff. I'll be sure to ask them about the extension option too and weigh that option.

Thanks. 

[Lagavulin62]

I would just try and find comparative shaft if you can't find the original. I would not buy used. If that doesn't work then I would consider a new head. Unless you are committed to the OEM's, there are options out there that perform as well and are not as costly. 

[Hacker James]

EBAY?

[Typhoon92]

Another good place to look is Play it Again Sports.  I just saw an Adams 9064 LS with a RIP shaft for $30 the other day.

[Joey G]

Well, I took it into the shop today and after weighing the options, they hooked me up with a Pro-Launch Blue shaft and are installing it with no labor charges since I bought this club from them.

Problem solved for $25...hope the new shaft does the trick.

Thanks again for your help. 

[Typhoon92]

Cool...great shaft and great head.  Best of luck Joey

[Joey G]

Well, I finally got to swing my driver today and at first I was spraying balls all over the range. Worm burners, slice, hooks...did it all. But after 7-10 swings, I started hitting the ball where I was aiming more consistently. Once I settled into my rhythm, I was driving the ball to a flag on the range that a granite marker said was 269 yards out. That's easily 10-15 more yards of carry with the new shaft. Not as accurate with it yet, definitely feels a little different/stiff to swing, but I'm excited about the extra yardage when I hit it well.

Is there a "break-in" period with a new shaft?

[1badbadger]

3 hours ago, Joey G said:

Well, I finally got to swing my driver today and at first I was spraying balls all over the range. Worm burners, slice, hooks...did it all. But after 7-10 swings, I started hitting the ball where I was aiming more consistently. Once I settled into my rhythm, I was driving the ball to a flag on the range that a granite marker said was 269 yards out. That's easily 10-15 more yards of carry with the new shaft. Not as accurate with it yet, definitely feels a little different/stiff to swing, but I'm excited about the extra yardage when I hit it well.

Is there a "break-in" period with a new shaft?

No, new shafts don't have a break-in period like a pair of shoes or something like that...the way it plays now is how it will play.

[jamo]

12 hours ago, Joey G said:

Well, I finally got to swing my driver today and at first I was spraying balls all over the range. Worm burners, slice, hooks...did it all. But after 7-10 swings, I started hitting the ball where I was aiming more consistently. Once I settled into my rhythm, I was driving the ball to a flag on the range that a granite marker said was 269 yards out. That's easily 10-15 more yards of carry with the new shaft. Not as accurate with it yet, definitely feels a little different/stiff to swing, but I'm excited about the extra yardage when I hit it well.

Is there a "break-in" period with a new shaft?

Best of luck with the new shaft. And no, there shouldn't be a break-in period.

[HitAndGiggle]

If you love it, reshaft.

[Joey G]

 I had an appointment cancel tonight so i decided to hit the range again and I'm officially worried...I don't know if I'm going to be able to hit this club well again?

Time to get better fitted for a new driver...

Edited February 21, 2017 by Joey G

[1badbadger]

1 hour ago, Joey G said:

 I had an appointment cancel tonight so i decided to hit the range again and I'm officially worried...I don't know if I'm going to be able to hit this club well again?

Time to get better fitted for a new driver...

What's going on?  Is it doing the same thing every time like low hooks or high fades, or is it different every time?

[Joey G]

No...I am all over the place. Three outta ten slice, a hook or two, three worm burners...and a couple that go straight and 250-260. Long and low trajectory, sky high, like under 'em going 60 yards up and 30 yards out...

To make it more frustrating, I just can't seem to find my groove with it at all... Rhythm is off, timing is off...