How to Make a Golf Putter
You may have shopped for years to find just the right putter, only to be disappointed when you still have problems making those three footers. Instead of investing hundreds of dollar in putters that end up in your hall closet, think about making one yourself. It's easy, and you may be surprised by how much it will improve your game.
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Things You'll Need
- Marking pen
- File
- #100 sandpaper
- Belt sander
- Drill
- Wire drill bit
- Epoxy
- Grip solvent
Instructions
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Pay close attention to both your height and your style of putting. For instance, you must decide if you are more comfortable with a putter that rests on your chest or one that is a more normal length. If you are tall, you will need a longer putter, as you will if you normally stand farther away from the ball when you putt.
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Choose between a steel and a graphite shaft. They usually come in a length that has to be cut down. Look for a putter head that suits the type of greens you ordinarily play as well. For example, if they are fast, most people opt for a light putter head. Putter heads come in many different shapes such as blades, mallets, offsets and other, more esoteric, forms and sizes. Also, putter heads vary according to their lies. Depending on the one you choose, your putter head could be the most expensive thing you'll buy because it can cost as much as $100. Finally, your putter will need a grip and you have hundreds from which to choose. See Resources for places to buy shafts, putter heads and grips.
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Start by making sure that the shaft has a rough surface, or it will not adhere to the putter head. If it is steel, simply use a file or #100 sandpaper. If your shaft is graphite, you need to take off the outer coating with a sanding belt, being careful not to damage the shaft. Then lightly sand it with the sandpaper. If the shaft is too large for the putter head, focus on reaming the hosel with a wire drill bit until the shaft fits snugly inside of it.
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Affix the shaft to the putter head. Coat the inside of the hosel with epoxy, marry the shaft with the hosel, and rotate the shaft until you are certain that the epoxy covers both items. To insure that the shaft is all the way in, firmly tap the other end of the shaft against a hard surface.
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Shorten the shaft after the epoxy is hardened. If you have chosen a steel shaft, mark it with a marking pen and saw it off to the correct length with a band saw or hacksaw. If it is made of graphite, wrap the area where it is to be cut with about three layers of tape and cut it with a band saw.
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Affix the grip to the shaft. First, clean the area with a solvent and wrap the shaft with a double-sided tape. Pour grip solvent on the tape, making sure that it is completely covered. Slide the grip onto the shaft all the way down until it will move no further. You will have time to adjust the grip's alignment to your liking by hand, because it takes a few minutes for the grip to set.
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