Tipping A Golf Shaft (Including How-To Guide)

You might be hesitant about dipping your toes into the waters of golf shaft tipping.

But fear not!

Despite the jargon, the tipping process is not that tricky to understand.

This article will explain what does tipping a golf shaft do, how shaft tipping can change ball flight, and what the advantages and disadvantages can be.

What Is Tipping A Golf Shaft?

Golf club tipping is when the shaft is cut back (tipped) from the clubhead end, shortening the club and making the tip of the shaft stiffer.

If you tip it from the clubhead end, the club will maintain the same length with a stiffer shaft at the bottom of the club near the ball.

If you cut a club from the butt end then you will make the club shorter and stiffer.

📋 Keep in mind: If you cut too much length off and shorten the club too much, you will have it stiffer but you might lose distance as well.

What Club Is Commonly ‘Tipped’ By Pros?

It is very common for PGA Tour players to have tipped driver shafts and fairway woods. The average length tipped on tour for drivers is nearly one inch. Some players do more though.

Tiger Woods cut his driver shaft to 42.5 inches at one point in his career when using a True Temper X-100 steel shaft.

📢 Need To Know: About 90 percent of all fairway woods are trimmed on the PGA Tour. Woods are commonly tipped three to four inches.

Effect Of Tipping A Golf Shaft

Tipping your top-rated golf shafts allows you to have more control over your club.

It allows you to feel the proper flex and help control your ball’s flight trajectory.

Making the shaft stiffer helps lower torque and lessens your chances of twisting the club at impact which usually results in bad shots.

Benefits And Disadvantages Of Tipping

Benefits

Allows for more control with the club.
Minimizes the twisting of the club.
Helps alter ball launch and flight.

Disadvantages

Cutting too many inches off can make a golfer lose distance.
Not worth it if you are a high-handicap.

How To Cut Golf Shafts?

If you’re asking yourself: “Should I consider tipping driver shaft?” It’s ultimately up to how experienced a golfer you are and if you think it can help add more control to your game.

Many golfers like the changes from a tipped golf shaft and others can’t feel much of a difference. Feel free to comment in the queries section regarding your experiences with tipped golf shafts.

FAQ

What is soft tipping a golf shaft?

Soft tipping a golf shaft means you are making the shaft a little more flexible. For instance, if you owned a stiff flex shaft and wanted it to be more like a regular flex, you would soft-step it by trimming it and it would become more bendable.

Does tipping a driver shaft lower spin?

Yes, driver shaft tipping, or trimming the tip of a driver shaft does lower spin. It promotes a stiffer shaft, lowers the ball trajectory when struck, and decreases spin. This means that the club will be more accurate and have more rollout on the ball when landing.

Does tipping a shaft make it stiffer?

Tipping a shaft does increase its stiffness. This adds more torque to the club so the shaft doesn’t bend as much at impact. This helps make the club more accurate and leads to straighter drives. This is recommended for golfers with fast swing speeds.