How to Build a Driver for Golf

The construction of a golf driver is a process of assembly. All of the components and materials are available through various manufacturers and can be purchased on the web, through catalogs, or even at the hardware store. Before assembly, decisions have to be made as to the type of driver head and shaft, shaft length, and grip desired. Driver heads come in both metal and wood form. Shafts can be steel or graphite. There are many grips to choose from, with most of them being constructed of rubber. This article will describe the construction of a metal driver head with a graphite shaft and rubber grip.

Things You'll Need

• Bench vice
• Rubber golf-shaft holder
• Driver head
• Shaft
• Grip
• Double-sided tape
• Mineral spirits
• Two-part shafting epoxy
• Wooden mixing stick
• Plastic mixing cup
• Hacksaw
• 120-grit sandpaper
• Pencil
• Masking tape
• Wood ferrule

Instructions

Shaft Preparation

1. Dry fit the shaft. Insert the small end of the graphite shaft into the hosel of the driver head until it bottoms out. Wrap masking tape around the shaft at the point where the shaft meets the end of the hosel.

2. Determine shaft length. With the shaft still inserted into the driver head, place the club head on the floor and hold the shaft so that the club head is flush to the floor as if addressing a golf ball. Club length is measured from the floor up the back side of the shaft towards the grip end. Mark the desired measurement in pencil. Remove shaft from club head.

3. Prepare the shaft for cutting. Place shaft into rubber shaft holder and place horizontally between vise jaws, with the shaft decal facing upward. Tighten vice until the shaft cannot be twisted easily. Wrap the shaft with masking tape so that both sides of the pencil mark are covered, being careful not to lose the location of the pencil mark. Mark the masking tape with pencil in the predetermined location.

4. Cut shaft to length. Using the hacksaw, slowly start cutting through the graphite shaft. Make sure that the saw is used through the entire shaft or splintering may occur. When complete, remove any remaining masking tape from the shaft.

Shaft Assembly

1. Prepare epoxy. Using a plastic mixing cup, which is also graduated for volume, measure the appropriate amount of each part of the epoxy. Use a wooden mixing stick to thoroughly mix the two components until the color is even.

2. Install ferrule. Before applying epoxy, slide the wood ferrule onto the shaft so that the large end is facing the future driver head.

3. Apply epoxy. Use the same mixing stick from Step 1 to apply approximately 1/16 inch of the mixed epoxy evenly around the small end of the shaft between the end of the shaft and the masking tape applied during the dry-fitting step.

4. Assemble driver head to shaft. Slide the driver head onto shaft until the shaft bottoms out. Align the head so that the shaft decals are facing the user when addressing a golf ball. Twist the driver head 90 degrees in both directions.

5. Remove excess epoxy. Before the epoxy is fully cured, remove the masking tape and slide the wood ferrule down the shaft until it is flush with the driver head hosel. Wipe off any excess epoxy with a damp cloth. Do not allow clubhead to move until epoxy is fully cured.

Grip Assembly

1. Apply double-sided tape. With the shaft still in the vice, apply double-sided tape from the grip end down the shaft. The tape must be applied around the shaft the length of the grip to be installed. Make sure that tape is applied over the end of the shaft approximately 1/4 inch and tuck into the end of the shaft.

2. Apply lubricant. Remove the protective cover from the double-sided tape and apply mineral spirits to the tape surface.

3. Install grip. Before the mineral spirits dry, slide the open end of the grip onto the end of the shaft and push until bottoming out. Ensure that the grip is aligned to the driver head as required (some grips must be aligned in a particular fashion).

4. Remove from vice. Once the assembly process is complete and the epoxy has cured, loosen the vice and remove the completed driver. Wait a minimum of 24 hours before using driver.

Tips & Warnings

• Follow the manufacturer's instructions carefully when mixing the epoxy and do not exceed their recommended time limits.

• When handling mineral spirits or epoxy, always wear safety glasses and follow manufacturer's safety recommendations.

References

• Golfsmith.com: Components and Supplies