Can Golf Clubs Be Shortened or Lengthened?

Like most sports equipment, golf clubs aren’t a one-size-fits-all solution. Golf clubs are expensive and one of the biggest barriers to entry in golf. 

If you’re buying a new set or purchasing individual clubs, you should take your time doing so because the fit of golf clubs can significantly impact your game. The right golf club size can improve your handicap, while the wrong size can negatively impact comfort and accuracy.

Since golf clubs come in all kinds of sizes, including golf clubs for taller individuals, petite individuals, and special golf clubs for juniors and seniors, there’s plenty to choose from. However, what happens if you buy a set of clubs and turn out to be the wrong length? 

Can you shorten golf clubs? Can you lengthen golf clubs? If so, how do you go about doing so?

Golf clubs can be lengthened or shortened as you need them to be. However in some cases it might be better to buy new clubs than to pay to lengthen or shorten them. 

Whether it’s worth paying to shorten or lengthen a club really depends on the quality of the club, it’s age, and how much it will cost to do so. You can also order customer clubs that are designed to fit you perfectly. 

I am going to answer some more questions you might have about lengthening or shortening clubs in this article. Here, you’ll discover why golfers choose to shorten or lengthen their golf clubs, and the ramifications that come along with it.

Golf Club Length, Measurement, and Custom Fitting

The length of a golf club is usually measured from the end of the grip cap to the ground. If you want to figure out the best measurement for yourself, you have to do so in position at address. 

While longer clubs provide better distance, a club that’s too long can pose problems. Length is an essential component of golf clubs for one main reason – if the length is off, your swings won’t be as accurate.

When getting custom-fitted for golf clubs, you’ll have to consider not only length, but also other factors like launch angle, spin rate, ball speed, and more.

Can You Shorten Golf Clubs?

Many golfers wonder whether they can shorten their golf clubs. The answer to this is yes. As previously mentioned, length of golf clubs helps with distance, but golf clubs that are too long can hinder your performance. 

If you feel like your golf club is too long, ask yourself the following questions:

• Are you consistently hitting the golf ball with the toe of the club?

• Do you have to stand up almost completely straight when using the club?

• Do you find it difficult to move your lower body to swing properly?

• Does the shaft feel weak in your hands?

If you’ve answered yes to most of these questions, you may be working with a golf club that’s too long for you.

Benefits of Shortening Your Golf Clubs

While shorter golf clubs reduce your distance, there are several advantages associated with them.

Better Shaft Angles and Swing Planes

Longer clubs can interfere with the right swing planes and shaft angles. Shortening your golf club can provide a better vertical angle between the clubhead distance and the ground. 

It also stops you from lifting the club from your body, as would be the case with golf clubs that are too long.

More Accurate Shots

While longer golf clubs help with distance, the same can’t be said for accuracy. Distance without accuracy isn’t of much use, but many golf clubs today are manufactured with only distance in mind. 

Shortening your golf clubs can help you improve your performances, and as long as you’re using enough energy and use the right swing speed, you can still maintain distance.

Improved Control

Since the club will be shorter, it will be easier to control than a golf club with a longer shaft. The reduced flexibility also allows you to have more authority and control, thus improving the accuracy upon swinging.

How To Shorten Golf Clubs

Shortening golf clubs can be done by trimming either the tip or the butt end of the golf club. The distance is usually taken from the top of the club and cut off using a rotary blade. 

After this, the shaft is sanded smooth, and a new grip is added using grip tape.  

Can You Lengthen Golf Clubs?

Just as you can shorten golf clubs, you can also lengthen them by adding to the shaft. 

However, before lengthening your golf clubs, ask yourself the following questions to ensure that you require the length and that the golf clubs are too short for you.

• Are you consistently hitting the golf ball with the heel of the golf club?

• Do you have too much bend in the knees or at the waist when swinging?

• Is your swing path in to out?

If you’ve answered yes to these questions, you may be using golf clubs that are too short for you.

Benefits of Lengthening Your Golf Clubs

If your golf club is too short, you may choose to lengthen it. The following are some of the benefits you can expect with longer shafts on golf clubs.

Improved Distance

The most well-known benefit of lengthening your golf clubs is the increased distance you get from it. If you swing a longer golf club at the same speed as a shorter one, it will produce more distance. 

This is a great option for people who have lost swing speed over the years or needed to work on their swing speed.

Better Fit

While it’s true that many golfers require longer clubs because of their height, this isn’t always the case. Many times, the need for a longer golf club comes from measuring the distance between the golfer’s wrist and the ground. 

For example, if you have a very pronounced bend, you may need longer golf clubs for more comfort and a better overall fit. Lengthening a golf club that’s too short for you provides this.

How To Lengthen Golf Clubs

Lengthening a golf club can be as simple as extending your composite or steel shaft by adding a piece onto the butt end of your golf club. However, it’s important to ensure that you use the same material as the rest of the shaft. 

If your golf club has a graphite shaft, make sure your extension piece is also graphite.

Extension pieces are available for sale or can be cut from old shafts. Attaching the pieces is also fairly straightforward as you can do so by sanding the edge of the piece and then attaching it with golf club epoxy. You should then add a new grip onto the shaft. 

Alternatively, you can avoid cutting the shaft and add a new, longer shaft to your club instead.

Final Thoughts

Picking the right size is essential when choosing golf clubs. However, if you haven’t done so or bought a full set without properly testing it out, don’t worry – you can always shorten or lengthen your golf clubs to fit your needs. 

I hope this guide helped you find out why this is done and how you can go about doing so.