To the detriment of true golf clubmaking professionals, too many people feel that all a clubmaker does is “slap” together a head, shaft and a grip. With the modern equipment available today it is not difficult to complete the assembly of a club. As in the old days of finishing a wooden wood, whipping, installing leather grips, etc… But there are certain skills that need to be perfected

first. If you are already a clubmaker, or considering becoming one, here are five skills that will differentiate oneself between a clubmaker and someone who just slaps together components.

A. Knowledge

The most important skill of all in becoming a proficient clubmaker is “knowledge.” To just know how to assemble a club is not enough, one should have a desire to learn about all aspects of clubmaking. Understanding how each component is manufactured or studying new technologies or materials that are introduced in the industry go a long way into establishing yourself as a skilled or master clubmaker in your area.

One thing to understand is that learning never stops; the more you build, repair or fit clubs, the more that information helps in the next time a situation arises. Even if you are a beginner or seasoned veteran, clubmaking classes or joining an organization like the Professional Clubmakers Society (PCS) can be more than worth the investment.

B. Neatness

Before a club ever leaves the shop for a customer, you want to assure yourself that appearance of the club should meet your highest standard of what you would expect as that customer. It all starts from the beginning, making sure that you organize all your components ahead of time. With each step of the process, make sure to keep all the components clean so that epoxy or fingerprints are not present. Even little details such as making sure shaft labels are straight and on the proper position on the shaft and silkscreens all aligned in
an orderly fashion. You should take great pride in what you produce as this shows the quality of your work.

C. Grip Installation

Another straightforward procedure many clubmakers take for granted is grip installation. Most consumers have no idea that grips come in as many options as far as materials and sizes that are available. Understand the principles of creating proper grip sizing by knowing the relationship between core size of the grip and the diameter of the shaft. Know how to detect a round versus a ribbed grip or the pros and cons of different methods of installing tape (spiral versus lengthwise) or the different types of tape (solvent-based and water re-activated).
Lastly, make sure that the grips are installed on straight. Even grips such as Golf Pride’s Tour Wrap, which appear to have no alignment guides, actually do.

D. Ferrule Finishing

Most clubs today require the addition of a plastic ferrule to create a smooth transition from the top of the hosel down to the shaft. Ferrules come in all sorts of sizes and colors, but rarely fit exactly with the same diameter as the hosel. Therefore, the ferrule needs to be turned by hand with sandpaper, files, steel wool or acetone or by a ferrule-finishing belt on a belt sander. Either way, this is a skill that should be mastered. Many first time clubmakers avoid this step as it can be difficult or takes to much time. However, this step
distinguishes those who are proficient in clubmaking. Clubmaking books explain how to accomplish this task. But in this case, practice makes perfect. This would also be covered under the neatness factor.

E. Shaft Trimming and Preparation

There are certain steps that a good clubmaker observes when trimming and installing a shaft onto a head. One must first understand the principles of proper shaft installation as these concepts are logical once you learn how to follow the trimming charts. Remember to “measure twice, cut once” because incorrectly trimmed shafts are not covered under warranty.
Know the proper methods and degree of shaft abrading to allow for an adequate epoxy bonding surface and that a shaft. Understand that under certain circumstances, it may be required to bore the hosel of a club out to accommodate a shaft whose tip happens to be on the high side of the tolerance.

These five skills are important to follow as your reputation of becoming a clubmaker hinges on these factors. If you are new to clubmaking, you will make your fair share of mistakes. But that is what we all learn from. When in doubt, minimize the mistakes by asking questions to a knowledgeable source. Lastly, take pride in your work as this is a reflection of yourself.

by Jeff Summitt
Hireko Technical Director
jsummitt@hirekogolf.com