My years on the links have given rise to dozens of instances where a golf shaft change was necessary.
Admittedly, I channeled my inner Adam Hadwin a handful of times and purposefully damaged my clubs. However, most times, it came down to a change in swing mechanics.
In this post, I will take you through the cost to reshaft irons.
Besides the cost, I detail the features and benefits of re-shafting and why you should consider it. In addition, I will focus specifically on new shafts for your golf irons.
How Much It Costs to Reshaft Irons
There are three factors to consider when calculating the costs of re-shafting your golf clubs. The first is the price of the shaft, and the second is the labor cost. Lastly, you need to include the fee of a new grip for each iron.
The price of labor to reshaft your golf clubs ranges from $20 to $100. However, if you are quoted over $50 per shaft, I suggest shopping elsewhere because you can find more affordable establishments. Let’s say the average charge is $30 per iron shaft. The total works out to $210.
Now, let me use the example of the KBS Tour 90 steel shaft, which is over $38 on Amazon. If you own 7 irons, that will cost you $266 for the set. Conversely, a UST Mamiya Recoil graphite shaft is $54 per shaft. That will set you back $378 for the lot.
Next, you factor in the charge for each grip. The SuperStroke Cross Comfort fetches $6 per unit. Therefore, you are in for $42.
So, if we add labor, the golf grips, and shafts together, you are in for a fair sum. A set of steel shaft clubs with new grips will cost slightly less than $520. Contrarily, a set of graphite shafts runs you approximately $630.
| Steel Shafts | Graphite | |
| Shafts | $266 | $378 |
| Labor | $210 | $210 |
| Grips | $42 | $42 |
| Total | $518 | $630 |
*Prices are based on products seen on Amazon and the average labor cost for re shafting irons
Is It Cheaper to Just Buy New Irons?
It depends on what type of irons you are after. It is cheaper to reshaft your irons with labor and the regripping cost than purchase a set of blades. However, you can find game improvement options around the same price as switching out your old shafts.
For example, the PXG 0211 DC set of irons goes for under $600 if you opt for a 4-iron through to pitching wedge.
When It’s Worth It to Reshaft Your Irons
Incorrect Length
I recently went through this challenge. Before the pandemic, I had spent 9-years galavanting around the earth and neglected my set. When I returned home, they were too small for me. Which wreaked havoc with my posture and shot results.
Weirdly the shorter clubs caused me to push every shot, even though most players tend to pull the ball.
When your irons are too short or tall, it is worth re-shafting the entire set. This may prompt the average golfer to acquire a new set of clubs, but my old TaylorMade r540 irons are still my favorite clubs.
Long story short, I opted to get them re-shafted, and it was worth every cent to be able to use cubs I am familiar with.
On the contrary, I recently compiled a guide teaching you how to tell if your clubs are too long. I suggest diving into it in detail, but if your posture is too upright and the club feels heavy, you may need a shorter type of shaft.
Weight
When golfers feel that their club is too heavy or light, the time may have arrived for a replacement shaft. If you don’t feel it off the bat, you will start to notice the impact on your launch and ball flight.
For example, a lower than usual flight may be produced by a heavy shaft and stiff shaft. Conversely, it might be too light if you balloon your shots and generate excess spin.
Bent Golf Club Shafts
I am ashamed to say that I was a hothead as a junior golfer and know my way around bent shafts. The moment you bend your shaft purposefully or not, it is time for an iron reshaft.
Up until recently, the rules of golf prevented you from using a bent club. However, they have since amended the legislation to allow you to continue playing with a contorted club. In addition, a bent shaft impacts flex and control and may alter the lie angle of the clubface.
Change In Clubhead Speed
When your clubhead speed is slower or faster than usual, your shafts may be the culprit. If your swing speed has increased, you probably won’t complain. However, it may decrease because the shaft is too heavy for your swing. I suggest visiting your local fitter to determine the correct length, flex, and weight if this occurs.
Launch
Players who struggle to consistently launch their shots may find that a reshaft can improve their results. The inconsistent launch is caused by a lack of coefficient of restitution (COR), onset by reduced clubhead speed.
Your clubhead speed may slow when you have a stiff flex shaft which is too heavy for your swing. Therefore you lose power at impact and produce a low flying shot. In these circumstances, it is worthwhile reshafting your irons.
Shot Shape
I have found that when I am playing with shafts that are too stiff for my swing, I tend to consistently push the ball. Less flex makes it challenging for me to square my face up before impact. As a result, I leave my clubface open and push the ball out to the right.
On the other hand, when shafts are too flexible for me, the added whip leads to snapping the face closed on my downswing and hooking my shots. When this occurs frequently, it is worth considering a change of shaft.
Main Benefits of Reshafting Irons
Maximum Clubhead Speed
When your clubs are fitted with the optimal shafts for your swing, it helps you maximize your swing speed. Now, you won’t be swinging in the league of Kyle Berkshire, but you will see improvements over your old setup.
The average golfer often purchases iron sets that are fitted with stock shafts. Most of the time, they feature regular flex constructions. According to Golf Magazine, these best suit players with average swing speeds. These players swing a 6-iron between 75 to 83 mph.
If you struggle to generate consistent flight with these shafts, I recommend looking at senior or ladies’ flex shafts. Senior flex shafts are built for those with a 6-iron speed between 65 to 75 mph. In addition, a ladies flex suits any 6-iron swing speed below 65 mph.
A stiff shaft is ideal for a 6-iron swing speed above 84 mph. However, if that is still too flexible, look at an extra-stiff shaft.
Optimal Launch
To achieve an optimal launch, you need to generate ample ball speed and spin. It is difficult to optimize these factors when playing with the wrong equipment. That results in a weakened launch. The one where your ball hardly gets off the ground, and you lose significant yards.
Using the right shaft does not guarantee that you will strike the ball cleanly with a square face for maximum distance and accuracy. However, it lays the foundation for a crisp iron shot.
Therefore, if your clubs are not producing the launch you desire, get a professional to assess their state. You could ask the Pro at your local country club for advice or experience a complete fitting.
Increased COR
Several factors influence your COR, including clubhead speed and the impact zone on the clubface. Producing optimal clubhead speed and striking the ball in the sweet spot boosts your carry and total distance.
Contrarily, you experience reduced COR on off-center strikes, leading to a loss of yardage. Employing the correct shaft length, flex, and weight give you the tools to boost your power at impact for improved results through the bag.
Consistent Ball Flight
Besides launch, reshafting your irons plays a part in helping you achieve wholesome ball flight. If your ball launches super high and then falls out of the sky, your shaft could be too light and flexible for your swing. On the contrary, a low flying ball may stem from a heavy, stiff shaft.
Fitting your irons with a suitable shaft enables you to induce the desired flight for maximum carry distance.
Additional Yards
Increased clubhead speed and COR produce explosive ball speed designed to increase your distance. If you were playing with the incorrect shafts before, you should see a clear improvement.
Accuracy
An excessively stiff shaft can lead to numerous pushes and slices. Conversely, super flexible constructions may cause you to hook the ball.
Fitting the optimal shafts to your irons makes it easier to get your clubface on plane in preparation for impact. Therefore, you stand a higher chance of producing accurate shots than you did with your old shafts.
Matt Stevens
Matt Callcott-Stevens started playing golf at the age of 4 when Rory Sabattini’s father put a 7-iron and putter in his hand. He has experienced all the highs and lows the game can throw at you and has now settled down as a professional golf writer. He holds a Postgraduate in Sports Marketing and has played golf for 28 years.