Lengthing a set of irons

[kbp]

My iron set was custom made and all the shaft lengths were purposely cut ½" shorter than standard. I believe I would like my next set of irons to be standard length, rather than ½" short.

My current set has served it’s useful life but before I retire them I would like to experiment with shaft length. Is it possible to rearrange the shafts (they’re steel) in this set to make the clubs ½" longer. For instance, if I wanted my 7 iron to be ½" longer, could I take the shaft off the 6 iron and put it on the 7 iron and so on through the set? What sort of problems might I run into.

Thanks in advance.

[xix]

Re: Lengthing a set of irons

Don't pull the shafts.
Instead, epoxy extenders into the butt end of the shafts then trim to length (or trim them prior to install).
Steel shafts can usually be extended by up to 2 inches.

I'm currently using Dynamic Gold shafts that I tip trimmed to stiff flex from regular then used 2" extenders in the butt end to make up the length.

If you're intent on hard stepping the shafts then you can do it exactly the way you described (i.e. 6 to 7 and so on then you'll only need 1 new shaft for your 3 iron).

[LowPost42]

Re: Lengthing a set of irons

You can do exactly as you described.

Or you can do what xix advised.

The difference is that the 6i shaft will play a little softer in the 7i head, or extending the shaft 1/2" will soften the flex a touch, too. Probably not enough to really notice, though.

[kbp]

Re: Lengthing a set of irons

Thanks so much for the quick replies. I was tending toward pulling the shafts and rearranging them rather than extending them. A couple of the heads need to be re-epoxied anyway, and also I won’t need to buy new grips. As far as the 3 iron goes......it won’t need a replacement shaft......it sits in the garage.

The shafts are currently stiff flex, but I think I’m going to go down to regular on the next set. Will this rearrangement make the current set play with a slightly softer flex?

[mr3856a]

Re: Lengthing a set of irons

Don't pull the shafts.
Instead, epoxy extenders into the butt end of the shafts then trim to length (or trim them prior to install).
Steel shafts can usually be extended by up to 2 inches.

I'm currently using Dynamic Gold shafts that I tip trimmed to stiff flex from regular then used 2" extenders in the butt end to make up the length.

If you're intent on hard stepping the shafts then you can do it exactly the way you described (i.e. 6 to 7 and so on then you'll only need 1 new shaft for your 3 iron).

I've heard good and bad things about extensions. Mine are 1/2 inch long and I'd actually like them longer. I've done my own regrips and was successful - how do you like the extensions? Will they make the shafts play softer? Was it easy to do yourself?

Just curious.

Thanks!

[LowPost42]

Re: Lengthing a set of irons

People, people, pay attention.

The shafts will soften, yes. More length = softer shaft. Heavier head = softer shaft (all other things being equal).

However, taking 1/2" off the butt (or putting it on) isn't enough to really notice a stiffness difference (why do you think after tipping, we butt cut to length?). Now, taking a shaft tipped for a 6 iron and putting it in a 7 iron will weaken it by about 1/3 flex. So, more like 'firm' if it was truly a 'stiff' to begin with.

mr3856a, if you're comfortable with regripping and basic assembly, then buy some shaft extenders and go crazy (basically, you prep the inside of the butt of the existing club, prep the outside of the extension, epoxy them together, let them dry HEAD UP, club resting on the floor (so any runny epoxy runs out of the club, and gravity will help keep the extension and the club together).

I've put extensions into peoples clubs (I find it easier to bend my own clubs up or down rather than extend 1/2"), and I've no complaints yet.

[xix]

Re: Lengthing a set of irons

I've heard good and bad things about extensions. Mine are 1/2 inch long and I'd actually like them longer. I've done my own regrips and was successful - how do you like the extensions? Will they make the shafts play softer? Was it easy to do yourself?

Just curious.

Thanks!

My extensions work fine and they are 2" long (which is the recommended maximum length of extension).
I haven't actually lengthened my shafts as I took 2" off of the tip before fitting the extensions, thereby turning my R300 shafts into S300 for a fraction of the cost, and I was needing to regrip anyway (I replace all my grips 3 times a year).

As Lowpost says, it's a very easy job to do.
Take time over your prep work and everything will go smoothly.

[BigdazUK]

Re: Lengthing a set of irons

This is interesting. I could probably do with this myself. I was thinking exactly the same thing about changing all the shafts around and buying just 1 for my 3iron. the idea of putting a plug in the end sounds good. I have a regular flex on my iron shafts. do you think it's a good idea to do it with a regular flex.

[xix]

Re: Lengthing a set of irons

Do you mean make your regular flex into stiff?

There is nothing to prevent you doing this sucessfully if you take your time with the prep work.

You can either hard step the shafts (I can send you instructions on how to do this) you already have and then you will only need to buy a few new shafts to replace the ones you can't do or you can go with trimming from the tip then adding the required extra length to the butt ends.

Both ways are fine and relatively simple to do.

[BigdazUK]

Re: Lengthing a set of irons

Hi thanks for that. I'm not sure if i need to stiffen the shafts to be honest.
I dont have an amazingly fast swing speed but it's quite fast.
I thnik i need to lengthen slightly. maybe half an inch. How easy would it be to stiffen my shafts?

[LowPost42]

Re: Lengthing a set of irons

Hi thanks for that. I'm not sure if i need to stiffen the shafts to be honest.
I dont have an amazingly fast swing speed but it's quite fast.
I thnik i need to lengthen slightly. maybe half an inch. How easy would it be to stiffen my shafts?

Easy is a relative term - proper tools make it very easy. No tools make it very hard. OK, not very hard, but we're discussing holing out from 10 feet vs holing out from 30 yards. Both aren't necessarily easy, but one is definitely easier than the other.

How to:

1) Blow/cut grips off
2) Pull heads
3) Clean epoxy from the hosel (easiest done with a freshly pulled head)
4) Cut no more than 1" off the tip of the shaft
5) Prep shaft tip (remove old epoxy, prep for re-insertion)
6) Epoxy head on and extension in
7) Once epoxy is dry, cut to length and regrip

Voilà! Stiffer shafts!

(Actually, the easiest way to stiffen your shaft is viagra. But that's another story)

[BigdazUK]

Re: Lengthing a set of irons

cheers. so if i cut off 1 inch and 1 and a half inch extension i'll have a longer stiffer shaft. Can't argue with that.

[BigdazUK]

Re: Lengthing a set of irons

Lowpost as you've got the spec sheet for my irons (Nike pro Combo) can you tell me if the standard shafts are any good or would you recommend a better shaft. I though if i'm gonna lengthen i might just reshaft them all with better quality shafts.

[xix]

Re: Lengthing a set of irons

If you use Dynamic Gold (as I do) removing 1" will equate to a firm shaft and 2" to a stiff shaft, assuming you add the same amount you trim off to the butt end.

Nike should be able to supply you with all the specs you need.

[BigdazUK]

Re: Lengthing a set of irons

I've got I the nike speed step shafts in my irons. Standard length although i cant' find a spec sheet anywhere. They're regular flex. Can i just add a half inch plug to each one or do i need to trim some?