Grip question.

larry · 05-30-2005, 01:32 PM

Last winter I bought a 3 and 5 wood cheap and I want to cut the shafts down 3 or 4 inches for my son to use. My question is can the grips be re-used? They are brand new. Thanks.

dbleber · 05-30-2005, 01:43 PM

I'm no club maker but 3-4 inches is going to make that club play VERY stiff for a kid to use. As for you grips they can be saved and there a few ways of doing this from expensive to creative. Sometimes it is better off to go to golfworks and pick up a new grip for a couple bucks then fight with the old ones depending on if they are expensive grips.
I use a big needle and some varasol low odour. Just stick it in sqeeze until the grip gets plump. Twist and slide it off. Not real high speed but works. The hard part is getting the needle, if you know someone in hospital industry then they should be able to get you something.
Denny

el tigre · 05-30-2005, 03:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dbleber

I use a big needle and some varasol low odour. Just stick it in sqeeze until the grip gets plump. Twist and slide it off. Not real high speed but works. The hard part is getting the needle, if you know someone in hospital industry then they should be able to get you something.
Denny

Denny:

I'm not a clubmaker, but I've heard from clubmakers on other golf forums how dangerous this can be. The problem is sticking the needle in - if it ever slips and you end up sticking yourself with the needle by mistake, then you have created a very serious medical situation for yourself. Not only will you suffer EXRUCIATING pain, but there is a good possibility of long-term medical problems and amputation may be necessary in certain situations. Many clubmakers simply refuse to save old grips for this very reason - the risks far outweight the couple of bucks you save. Something to think about.

mike k · 05-30-2005, 04:13 PM

golfworks usually has discontinued grips for about a buck apiece.

Chieflongtee · 05-30-2005, 07:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by larry

Last winter I bought a 3 and 5 wood cheap and I want to cut the shafts down 3 or 4 inches for my son to use. My question is can the grips be re-used? They are brand new. Thanks.

Larry. Grips can be removed by using a compressor and a little practice/knowledge or using a grip extractor and low odour varsol. You can use the needle but like El Tigre said it is quite dangerous and not worth the investment. Like Mike K said you can get new grips between 1 and 2 bucks. As far as shortening 3-4 inches I would advise against it. Firt reason the shaft butt tapers off which means in order to install a new grip you'll have to build up with masking tape down the shaft. Secondly unless your son is King Kong Bundy the shafts will play very stiff. You can buy Junior shafts and have the clubs redone for about $35 around Ottawa.

Big Johnny69 · 05-30-2005, 07:23 PM

As for the shafts, there is a company that makes junior golf clubs w/ shafts that can be adjusted in lenght allowing you to keep the same set for a couple of years while your child grows. I wish I could remember the name but I am sure if you ask at GT or CB they could answer that for you.

Chieflongtee · 05-30-2005, 09:57 PM

http://www.golfsmith.com/products/5088W shafts

http://www.golfsmith.com/products/19852 grips

dbleber · 05-30-2005, 10:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by el tigre

Denny:

I'm not a clubmaker, but I've heard from clubmakers on other golf forums how dangerous this can be. The problem is sticking the needle in - if it ever slips and you end up sticking yourself with the needle by mistake, then you have created a very serious medical situation for yourself. Not only will you suffer EXRUCIATING pain, but there is a good possibility of long-term medical problems and amputation may be necessary in certain situations. Many clubmakers simply refuse to save old grips for this very reason - the risks far outweight the couple of bucks you save. Something to think about.

That is something I had never thought about since I am always careful but accidents can and do happen, will give something to think about next time I am being cheap. As I said, unless you got some really expensive grips, just cut off the old ones and regrip.
Denny

Marmotte · 05-31-2005, 08:02 AM

Salvaging grips is not worth the time and material effort. I have hurt myself a couple of times tring to salvage grips, and I have ended up most of the time with damaged grips as a result of the removal process. Cut, strip and replace... and take the minutes you have saved to relax or spend quality time with your son.