Yes, you can lengthen golf clubs, and it’s often a necessary step for taller golfers or those who need a specific club length for better swing mechanics. This guide will show you how to go about adjusting golf club length, whether you decide to do it yourself or seek professional help.
Why Adjusting Golf Club Length Matters
The right golf club length is crucial for good golf. If clubs are too short, you might stoop too much. This can cause back pain and messy swings. If clubs are too long, they can hit the ground too early or feel clumsy. They might also cause you to lift your hands too high. Finding the sweet spot helps you swing consistently. Many golfers find that proper golf club fitting for length solves many swing flaws right away. It is about comfort and control.
Signs Your Clubs Are the Wrong Length
How do you know if your clubs need increasing golf club length? Look for these signs during your swing:
- Tension in your arms or back.
- Your knuckles do not line up right with the ground at address.
- You are slicing or hooking a lot, and you cannot fix it with technique alone.
- The club feels awkward to move.
Getting the length right is the first step in fixing your golf game. It is easier than trying to change a bad swing habit caused by poor equipment fit.
Methods for Lengthening Golf Clubs
There are two main paths when lengthening golf clubs DIY: adding a tip extension or using a shaft extension kit. Each method has pros and cons. We will look closely at both ways to achieve golf club shaft extension.
The DIY Approach: Using Shaft Extension Kits
For those who like hands-on projects, a golf club shaft extension kit is the common route for lengthening golf clubs DIY. These kits make extending golf club shafts much simpler.
What You Need for the Job
Before you start, gather your tools for lengthening golf clubs. Having the right gear makes the job much smoother and safer.
| Tool Needed | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Shaft Extensions | The material you add to lengthen the shaft. |
| Epoxy/Adhesive | To bond the extension securely to the old shaft. |
| Shaft Cutter/Saw | To trim the existing shaft if needed (usually not for lengthening). |
| Clamps or Vise | To hold the club still while gluing and drying. |
| Gloves and Safety Glasses | For protection from chemicals and debris. |
| Sandpaper or Scotch-Brite Pad | To rough up the area for better glue adhesion. |
Step-by-Step Guide to Shaft Extension
This process is key for successful golf club length modification.
Preparation is Key
- Determine Needed Length: Decide exactly how much longer you need the club to be. Measure from the end of the grip to the sole of the club when the club is resting on a flat surface.
- Prep the Shaft End: Gently sand the very end of the existing steel or graphite shaft where the extension will attach. This helps the glue stick well. Clean off any dust.
- Prepare the Extension: If you are using a solid extension piece (often graphite or metal), you may need to slightly sand the end that fits into the existing shaft.
Attaching the Extension
- Mix the Epoxy: Mix your two-part golf club epoxy according to the package directions. Work fast, as epoxy has a limited working time.
- Apply Adhesive: Apply a thin, even coat of epoxy to both the inside of the existing shaft end and the outside of the extension piece that will go inside.
- Insert and Align: Push the extension piece firmly into the shaft. Twist it slightly as you push to spread the glue. Make sure the extension is straight.
- Curing Time: Clamp the club so it stays perfectly straight. Let the epoxy cure fully. This usually takes 24 hours. Do not rush this step! A weak bond leads to a broken club later.
Considerations for Graphite vs. Steel Shafts
Steel shafts are easier to work with for extensions. You often use a solid metal plug that slides inside.
Graphite shafts require more care. You usually insert a graphite extension piece into the old shaft. Because graphite is brittle, you must be gentle during installation. Also, the extension piece often has a distinct butt diameter, so make sure the part going into the existing shaft fits snugly.
The Professional Route: Why Seek Expert Help
While lengthening golf clubs DIY is possible, sometimes it is best to opt for professional golf club lengthening.
When to Choose a Professional Club Builder
If you are unsure about the right length, or if you have expensive graphite shafts, go to a pro. A professional club fitter or builder has tools to measure precisely. They also have access to better, more reliable extension materials. They can also check the club’s swing weight after lengthening, which is very important.
Professional golf club lengthening ensures the shaft material remains sound and the balance stays correct. They often use specialized sleeves or more robust extension plugs than those found in basic kits.
Fathoming the Effect of Club Length on Swing Weight
When you make golf club length modification, you change more than just the length. You change the swing weight. Swing weight is how heavy the club feels during the swing. It is measured on a scale (like C8, D2, etc.).
How Extension Affects Swing Weight
Adding length always makes the club feel lighter in the hands. This is because you are moving the balance point further away from your hands. To counteract this, you must add weight to the clubhead or near the butt end of the grip.
If you extend a club by one inch, the swing weight might drop by 3 to 6 points.
Methods to Re-Balance the Club
If you lengthen a club significantly (more than half an inch), you likely need to adjust the swing weight.
- Heavier Grip: Using a heavier grip adds weight near the end of the club. This is the simplest fix. A standard grip weighs about 50 grams. A heavy lead tape grip might add 10–20 grams near the butt end.
- Lead Tape on the Head: Applying lead tape to the sole or back of the clubhead adds weight directly where it matters most for feel. One standard strip of lead tape usually adds about 2 swing weight points.
- Counterweighting: Some modern grips use a plug inserted into the butt end of the shaft, acting as a counterweight. This pulls the balance point back toward your hands, effectively “shortening” the feel of the added length.
If you skip this step, the club will feel overly light and “heady.” This often leads to loss of control.
Club Length and Driver vs. Irons
The rules for increasing golf club length differ slightly between woods and irons.
Drivers and Fairway Woods
Drivers are the most sensitive to length changes. An extra half-inch on a driver can significantly increase swing speed but decrease control for many amateurs. Most tour pros use drivers shorter than the maximum legal length (48 inches) for better accuracy.
If you are adjusting golf club length on a driver, be very careful. Too much length can cause the shaft to flex improperly at impact, sending the ball off-line.
Irons and Wedges
Irons are usually easier to lengthen because they have steel shafts more often. For irons, the standard fitting usually involves adjusting golf club length in quarter-inch increments. If you add an inch to an 8-iron, you must add an inch to every iron, including the wedges, to maintain consistent swing feel through the set.
Shaft Extension Kits vs. Buying New Clubs
The big question is: Should you buy new clubs or try lengthening golf clubs DIY?
Cost Comparison
| Method | Estimated Cost (per club) | Time Required | Risk Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| DIY Extension | \$10 – \$30 (for parts) | 1-2 hours (plus cure time) | Medium (Risk of poor bond or bad balance) |
| Professional Lengthening | \$30 – \$50 (labor and parts) | 1 day | Low (Guaranteed proper fit and weight) |
| Buying New Clubs | \$100 – \$200+ (per club) | Varies | Low (If properly fitted) |
If you only need a small adjustment (quarter or half an inch) on a few steel irons, the DIY route is cost-effective. If you need major changes or have graphite shafts, paying a professional golf club lengthening service makes more sense.
Considering Shaft Material Integrity
When extending golf club shafts, you must preserve the shaft’s intended flex and feel.
- Steel: Adding an extension plug inside a steel shaft changes the weight distribution, which can slightly alter the flex profile near the tip, but usually less noticeably than graphite.
- Graphite: Graphite shafts rely on the resin and carbon fiber structure for their feel. Adding an internal extension can create a stress point if not done perfectly. If the extension is too thick or the epoxy fails, the club can snap catastrophically during a hard swing.
For graphite, especially drivers, sometimes it is better to buy a new shaft or new clubs that are already the correct length.
The Role of Grips in Club Length Modification
The grip itself plays a small but measurable role in the final length of the club. When you replace a grip, the length changes slightly.
- Standard Grips: Most standard grips add about 1 to 1.5 inches to the overall club length compared to just the bare shaft end.
- Oversize Grips: Oversize grips can sometimes be slightly shorter than standard grips, which could slightly decrease the effective length.
When adjusting golf club length using an extension, always put the new grip on last. Measure the final length after the grip is installed and seated firmly.
Finalizing the Length: The Importance of Regripping
After you have successfully completed the shaft extension for golf clubs, you must install the new grip. This is the final step in the golf club length modification.
If you used a golf club shaft extension kit, the end of the extension piece needs to accommodate the grip butt cap. Most professional extensions are designed to allow standard grips to be installed easily.
Remember that grips wear out. Even if you are only lengthening golf clubs DIY, it is the perfect time to put on fresh grips. Fresh grips give you better control, which is vital when you have changed the club’s physical dimensions.
The Regripping Process
- Remove Old Grip: Cut or peel off the old grip.
- Clean the Shaft: Use a solvent to thoroughly clean any old grip tape or residue from the shaft. A clean surface is essential for the new tape to stick.
- Apply New Tape: Wrap new, high-quality double-sided grip tape tightly around the shaft, ensuring there are no overlaps or gaps where air can get trapped.
- Install New Grip: Wet the inside of the new grip with soapy water or the solvent specified by the grip maker. Slide the grip onto the shaft smoothly until the butt end is perfectly flush with the shaft extension top.
- Final Cure: Let the solvent or water evaporate according to the grip manufacturer’s directions before swinging hard.
When to Call in the Experts for Fitting
Before you decide on lengthening golf clubs DIY, it is wise to get a basic fitting. A good fitter can tell you precisely how much longer or shorter your clubs should be.
Key Fitting Parameters for Length
A fitter looks at several things beyond just your height:
- Wrist-to-Floor Measurement: This is the most important number. It measures the distance from the crease of your wrist to the floor while standing straight.
- Hand Size: Larger hands often need longer clubs or flatter lie angles.
- Swing Type: A steep angle of attack might need a slightly longer club than a shallow sweeper of the same height.
If the fitting shows you need a half-inch increase on your 7-iron, a golf club shaft extension kit is a viable option. If the fitting shows you need 1.5 inches added to your driver and a lie angle adjustment, go to a professional golf club lengthening shop. They can adjust length, lie, and swing weight all at once.
Maintenance After Lengthening
Once your clubs are the correct length, treat them well to ensure the extension holds.
- Avoid dropping clubs repeatedly on hard surfaces, especially near the connection point of the extension.
- When cleaning, avoid soaking the clubheads excessively, which could potentially compromise the epoxy seal near the ferrule if water seeps in.
- Periodically check the grip to ensure it has not slipped, which would indicate a minor shift in the extension or a loose counterweight.
By following these guidelines, you can successfully modify your club length to fit your body perfectly, leading to more consistent ball striking. Remember, proper equipment fit is the foundation of a solid golf game.