Iron Shaft Trimming Question

[MooJersey]

How much can you trim off the butt end of a store bought set of “standard” length irons.  (37 inch 6 iron, Nippon Modus for reference)
 

 I don’t care about the change in flex or swing weight.  
 

I’ve done a lot of research and testing and I’ve come to find out I should be playing 1 inch short.  

My only concern is taking that much off I might have an issue with re-installing the grips.  The shaft might be too small a radius to have them fit snug.  I don’t want. Huge tape build up.  

Anyone have experience with this?  Trying to get away without re-shafting an entire iron set.  

[Stuart_G]

11 hours ago, MooJersey said:

My only concern is taking that much off I might have an issue with re-installing the grips.  The shaft might be too small a radius to have them fit snug.  I don’t want. Huge tape build up.  

 

Yes, every shaft has a point at which if you go below a certain length, the shaft will start to taper down in size under the grip.    In some combinations of shafts and heads (and stepping), that does happen even with "standard" length builds - although that's more common with wedges.

 

As far as at what length that will happen, every shaft is different and it can even make a difference what heads are being used, and even whether the shafts might have been hard or soft stepped.   But for your particular combination, all you have to do is look at where the butt end starts to tape down in size relative to the end of the grip.  Or where that happens relative to the butt if there is no grip on and subtract the length of the grip.   Calipers can be a big help - although for some steel, you just have to look for the location of the first step.

 

If you do reach that point, the only options are to either live with the extra taper in the grip - or use build up tape to even it out - or not play the club shorter.    So, not sure what you have against build up tape - but that is by far the better option than having a poor fit for grip size or a poor fit for playing length.

 

 

[MooJersey]

@stuart-g

 

thank you for the reply and advice.  My concern with the build up tape is more my own skill in getting it all to fit right.  

[Stuart_G]

36 minutes ago, MooJersey said:

@stuart-g

 

thank you for the reply and advice.  My concern with the build up tape is more my own skill in getting it all to fit right.  

 

Calipers can help - but usually just adding enough until it feels even in your hands (before putting on the grip) will get it close enough for most.

[ShortGolfer]

Thanks for bringing this up.  I can buy undersized Golf Pride Tour Velvet grips designed to fit 0.56 or 0.58 shafts.