Last Updated: June 07, 2023
Purchasing Shaft Assemblies, Without Heads
We are asked from time to time whether or not we will sell only the shafts so customers can install them on their heads, or have their
local golf club maker install them. We will sell the shafts for customer-installation, but there are some complications and reasons why this may not be a good idea relative to cost and function. I will discuss those issues and options on this page.
Our shortest-collapsed-length .335" tip 3-piece shaft can be installed in a driver head, but with the overlapping portions, it would only yield about a 38.5 or 39 inch extended length which doesn't provide any more club-head speed than our 4 iron length Adjustable. The 3-piece shaft is designed specifically for the Whole-In-One Adjustable Loft Club and does not fit into iron or putter heads because they have a .370" hosel. Also of note, telescopic shafts cannot be installed on putter heads that are designed with curved shafts because the shaft can’t telescope past the curve. We have made custom shafts for customers with curved-shaft putters with a threaded coupling just above the curve, or better yet, in the middle of the club so the two sections can be screwed into each other. These individually-machined couplings cost $250. The advantage is that the two sections are shorter than a telescopic collapsed shaft because there are no overlapping portions. But it is only available on a putter. A mechanism in the middle of a shaft negatively affects the flex and performance of a full-swing club. Click here to see more about the threaded couplings and shaft options.
Collapsing Cap and Grip Options - Telescopic shafts require a collapsing cap (click here to see the collapsing cap). They cannot be collapsed without it. We can install the collapsing cap and our basic Tackimac grips pictured here. Or, if you want to install your own grip, we can just include the collapsing cap(s) and you can install it/them along with your own grip(s). The cap is a press-fit which can be pounded onto the end of the shaft with a hammer. You would need to drill out the little hole in the end of your grip to allow the end of the collapsing cap to fit through. The size of the bit depends a little on the type of grip material and how much it stretches while being drilled. We use a 15/32" bit for the Tackimac grips which have a harder end-material than most grips. We recommend that you start with a 3/8” bit. You can always go larger if need be. If you order a shaft, be sure to let us know if you want us to install the cap or just include it for you to install, and whether or not you want us to include a grip (installed or separate). A shaft and collapsing cap, with or without a grip, is referred to on this page as a "shaft assembly".
Cost - The heads are one of the least expensive components of our clubs. The shafts are the most expensive, because of the number of cuts necessary to achieve the shortest collapsed length, and the machining of the inside diameter surfaces to make them lock. Since we can get most component heads from our foundry supplier for only about $15, the cost of purchasing a telescopic shaft assembly is the same as if you purchased a complete club from us, minus $15 for the head, based on the current lowest price on our website for that type of club. You can see the prices by clicking on the following links.
Putters (Conventional length are $149 - $15 = $134, Long Chest Putters are $249 - $15 = $234 for the shaft assembly)
Drivers and Fairway Woods (Our Tee & Fairway drivers are currently $199 - $15 = $184 for the shaft assembly)
Wedges, Irons, Hybrid Irons, Chippers, etc. (These clubs are currently $149 - $15 = $134 for the shaft assembly)
If you ship the head to us and we fit it to a shaft so it yields the shortest possible collapsed length (discussed in more detail below), we have to do all the measurements and cuts without the benefit of our fixtures that allow us to process multiple shafts at a time. While we save a little by not supplying the head, we have more labor, so your cost is the same as if we supply the head. In other words, the same as the current cost of putters at $149, T&F drivers at $199, wedges and hybrids at $149, and long putters at $249.
Note: All telescopic shafts are chromed carbon steel. Graphite shafts cannot be made into telescopic shafts because their wall-thickness is too thick, and they are not durable enough to withstand the forces.
Functional Disadvantages Of Buying Shafts Separately
In addition to the fact that you won’t save very much money, if any, there are functional disadvantages of buying just a shaft assembly. When we make telescopic shafts for customers, we start with one-piece shafts and cut them into 2 sections, then cut both ends of each section, so that the collapsed shaft is as short as possible to fit into your travel bag. So we make a total of at least 5 cuts. Where that first cut is made is different for every shaft, and dependent on the depth of the head and hosel. All the cuts are based on a measurement formula that takes into account the desired extended length including the collapsing cap, the hosel length and depth, and the ferrule if one is requested (we don't recommend ferrules for telescopic shafts because they increase the collapsed length). We then machine the inside diameter surfaces of the sections so they lock together solidly when extended. We do all this by hand one shaft at a time because we can't use the templates for our standard clubs.
If you order just the telescopic shafts, we don’t have the head in our possession to include in the measurements of the hosel length and depth. Therefore, a "standard" cut means the final collapsed length will not be optimized. For instance, the lower end of the grip section might not come all the way down to the top of the hosel or ferrule, or it might come all the way down with room to spare which could cause damage to the ferrule or the lower end of the grip section if it is rammed into the top of the hosel. Either way, the shaft sections would not be cut in a way that minimize the collapsed length. To illustrate the length issue another way, the collapsed length of our T&F Driver is 26”. If we make a custom shaft assembly without having your head to enter into the formula, a standard-cut telescopic shaft might collapse to 28 or 30 inches which will make it more difficult to fit into your luggage.
Therefore, with these disadvantages, most customers who want to install a telescopic shaft in their heads usually send us the head so we can cut the shaft to match their head and yield the shortest collapsed length and the best performance.
Head Removal: If we need to remove your head from a shaft, that costs extra, which varies depending on the type of head. Most heads can be removed for $15 using heat to weaken the epoxy. But Ping heads are much more difficult because they install their shafts with frozen ball bearings which then expand-lock as they warm up. We have to drill a hole in the bottom of the hosel to remove them which is very difficult and time consuming...and leaves a hole that we fill with epoxy. If the head uses a tapered tip, we have to machine the tip of the shaft to match it. So we can’t put a specific price on head removal until we know more about the head. It has to be based on shop time with a $100 limit. It is best if you can remove and send only your head. This will also save shipping cost because it is less expensive to ship a smaller box.
Shaft Sizes
Other than our 3-piece Adjustable Head shaft, all other telescopic shafts are 2-piece shafts, available in two diameter sizes:
1) A .335 inch tip driver shaft which can be a maximum of 43.5 inches (shaft and grip and collapsing cap) which will yield about a 44 to 44.5 inch final length driver depending on the head and hosel measurements.
2) A .370 inch tip iron/putter shaft which
can be a maximum of 39.25 inches (shaft and grip and collapsing cap).
If you have questions, feel free to contact us. Let us know if you want to send the head(s) to us for installation, or if you want to order just the shaft assemblies.
If you are ready to order a shaft assembly from us, we will need to know which size of shaft you want, and the extended length of the shaft assembly itself from tip to tip (*** not including the head or hosel***), and the quantity. Also, please let us know if you want us to install or include the collapsing cap and grip, and if you want us to sand-roughen the tip. If you want us to sand the tip, please include the hosel depth measurement and whether or not you will be installing a ferrule.
After we have all the information, we will reply with a final quote and the payment steps since we don’t have shaft-only options in our secure online store.
Contact:
sales@divnick.com
1-937-476-1298