How To Shorten Golf Clubs

How To Shorten Golf Clubs

Choosing a golf club that is just the right length for you is of the utmost importance if you want to be sure that you’ll get the perfect swing every time.

However, golf club shafts tend to come in a standard size and yet the average golfer might be much taller or shorter than this length would suit.

If you are shorter in height then using golf clubs that are too long then there is no getting away from the fact that your performance will be affected. So, what can you do?

There is the option of taking your golf clubs to a specialist who will shorten them or you might consider buying ladies clubs which are smaller as standard.

But if you’re feeling like a weekend DIY project then there is no good reason that you cannot shorten your own golf clubs; provided you have the right equipment.

What Happens If My Golf Clubs Are Too Long?

We have a much more detailed guide on the effects of golf clubs that are too long here, but we felt it was important to cover the basics before we get into how to shorten golf clubs.

It can be tempting to just play with what you’ve got and if you’re just starting out then this might be OK while you get used to how to play.

But if you want to take your golf skills to new heights and be the best on the course, then you have to be willing to use suitable equipment and that starts with your clubs.

When you try to use a golf club that is too short, one of the first things you will notice is that you simply don’t feel comfortable.

If you aren’t comfortable, you aren’t going to be able to take the correct stance and this will be instantly reflected in your swing. In short, everything that could go wrong, will go wrong!

Moreover, you will notice that the ball flight is affected with most flights moving too far to the left and slightly too high. This is largely down to the fact that your control over the club is impacted due to its long length.

You’ll probably also find that your golf club feels too heavy and this will add to the uncomfortable feeling and inability to take the correct stance.

While a lot of golfers might feel a bit embarrassed about having to shorten their clubs, there’s no shame in knowing exactly what you need to be the best.

Measuring Your Golf Clubs

The easiest way to tell whether your golf clubs are too long is to measure them.

You can find a variety of golf club length tables online, and we even have one of our own here.

You will need to measure your overall height as well as your wrist to floor measurement in order to get the most accurate club length for you.

Once you know this, you’ll know exactly how long your clubs need to be.

When Would You Need To Shorten Golf Clubs?

It’s evident that shortening your golf clubs is important if you intend to use them yourself and while a lot of people will have their golf clubs fitted, some opt to purchase second hand clubs.

If you do this, there is always going to be a very real risk that the clubs are going to be the wrong size but whether you want to lengthen or shorten them, there are ways to do this.

Furthermore, a lot of people decide to repurpose their old clubs to pass onto their children.

If you’re little ones are eager to join in on the action then this is an affordable way to introduce them to the game.

How To Shorten Golf Clubs

If you have determined that your golf clubs need to be shortened then you’re probably eager to get the job done as quickly as possible so that you can get back onto the course.

The good news is that, using the right equipment, you will be able to do the job at home but there is one very important thing to keep in mind…

…golf clubs are much narrower at the head as this helps to muster more power so when you come to shorten the club, you must remove the grip and make adjustments at the wider end of the shaft.

Otherwise you risk losing flex and therefore, power.

To begin with, you will need a shaft clamp, securing the club so that it doesn’t move around while you are working on it.

You will now need to use a sharp utility knife to cut and remove the grip.

You can throw this out as we will be installing a new grip at the end of the process. Underneath the grip, there will be grip tape and you’ll need to ensure that you scrape this off. It can be tricky and you may need to use a solvent.

In any case, do make sure that the golf club is entirely clean and dry before moving on.

Now, before you attempt to make any cuts, we will assume that you will have made yourself aware of the new length. But don’t go straight in and start cutting, you’ll first need to cover the area that will be cut with masking tape.

Then you can take your tape measure to find the exact location where the cut will need to be made and mark this off clearly with a pen.

You’re going to need a rotary tool and an appropriate cutting blade attachment or a good quality hand held hacksaw.

In any case, ensure that the blade is sharp in order to get the most precise and clean cut.

Once you have carefully cut along the line you marked earlier, you will need to tidy up the cut using sandpaper.

One with a fine grain will be best for this application. Of course, before you go any further, we would suggest testing the club to make sure that it is the correct length.

If you need to remove any more material, now is the time to do this.

However, if you carefully took your measurements in the first place, you should be left with a club that is just the right size for you.

After this, it is time to attach your new grips.

You will need some grip tape which you’ll wrap around the end of the club.

Try to apply the tape without any bumps or air bubbles and overlap each layer as this will provide greater integrity.

Once the tape is applied, you will then need to insert the pointy end of a golf tee into the end of your grip; there will be a small hole in the end.

Now pop a little grip solvent into the open end and shake the grip to ensure the solvent is evenly distributed.

Next, you simply need to put the grip over the shaft and push it down.

You must make sure that you do this before the solvent you inserted starts to dry.

Much like when you applied the grip tape, you’ll want to check for bubbles and bumps, smoothing these out.

Once you’re happy with how it looks and feels, you should leave the club to dry fully. This is best done overnight but then you’re good to go!

Conclusion

If you have purchased second hand golf clubs, got your measurements wrong or simply want to pass your clubs onto someone smaller than you, like a child, you will need to adjust the length of the shaft.

While it is entirely possible to head to a golf shop and have a professional take care of the work for you, you’ll save money by doing it yourself.

Not to mention, this is an essential skill of any golfer.

You will benefit from adjusting the length of your club as you will much more easily be able to take the correct swing stance which in turn will improve your ball flight and overall performance.

We have also written an article on how lengthen your golf clubs, If you are just starting off you might want to read our article on how to choose golf clubs, and check our other article on Does golf club size matter for beginners?