Length adjustments are routine. Adding inches for taller players, trimming for shorter ones. Both jobs cut from the butt end (never the tip), and both shift swing weight, which you need to plan for.
What You'll Need
- Shaft cutter — abrasive cutoff wheel for graphite, tube cutter or abrasive wheel for steel
- Steel shaft extensions or graphite shaft extensions sized to your butt diameter (usually .580" or .600")
- Two-part golf shaft epoxy
- Hook blade for grip removal
- 80-grit sandpaper and a deburring tool or round file
- Bench vise with rubber shaft clamp
- Tape measure or club ruler
- New grip, double-sided grip tape, and grip solvent for re-installation
- Safety glasses
Method A: Shortening a Club
Step 1 — Remove the Grip
Cut the grip off and strip the tape (see our re-grip guide).
Step 2 — Measure and Mark
Measure from the sole of the club along the shaft to your target playing length. Mark the cut line on the butt with a fine-tip marker.
Step 3 — Cut the Shaft
- Steel: use a tube cutter (rotate gradually, tightening a quarter-turn between rotations) or an abrasive cutoff wheel.
- Graphite: never use a tube cutter — it crushes the carbon fibers. Use an abrasive cutoff wheel only, with the shaft rotating against the blade.
Step 4 — Deburr and Re-Grip
Deburr the inside and outside edge of the cut with a round file. Re-install the grip per Steps 4–7 of our re-grip guide.
Method B: Lengthening a Club
Step 1 — Remove the Grip
Same as above.
Step 2 — Choose the Right Extension
Match the extension material to the shaft — steel-to-steel, graphite-to-graphite. Match the inside diameter to the shaft butt (typically .580" or .600"). Light sanding may be needed for a snug fit.
Step 3 — Epoxy the Extension
- Mix two-part shaft epoxy on a clean surface, or in a mixing cup.
- Coat the insertion end of the extension and the inside of the shaft butt.
- Push the extension in fully — most are designed for ~2.75" insertion depth.
- Wipe excess epoxy and stand the club shaft-up to cure 24 hours (or per epoxy spec).
Step 4 — Trim and Re-Grip
Once cured, cut the extension to your target playing length. Deburr the cut and install the grip.
Important Notes
- Swing weight changes with length. Cutting from the butt removes weight — roughly 3 swing weight points lighter per 1/2" cut. Adding an extension does the opposite, ~3 points heavier per 1/2" added. Plan for it, or compensate with tip weights or a lighter/heavier grip.
- Cap extensions at 2" (putters excepted). Beyond that, shaft integrity drops and flex feel changes noticeably.
- Always cut from the butt, never the tip. Tip-trimming a finished club stiffens the flex and pushes the shaft out of its designed spec.