How to Machine Internal Splines

Most graphite golf shafts start out as flat sheets of graphite that are rolled and molded to the shape of a shaft. When this process is complete, the two edges of the original sheet come together to form an internal spine. Some believe assembling your club with the spine on the opposite side of the club face can increase force and accuracy; this is known as spine align, or "spline." Bare in mind, there is no scientific evidence proving or disproving this theory.

Things You'll Need

  • Vise grips
  • Spine-locating device
  • Silver marker
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Instructions

    • 1

      Attach the graphite shaft inside the clasps of the vise grips. The grips should be tight enough to hold the shaft in place, but loose enough for it to rotate.

    • 2

      Insert the tip of the shaft into the spine-locating device. The device has the appearance of a very large pencil sharpener.

    • 3

      Switch the machine on, and allow the shaft to rotate. Once the machine has found the spine of the shaft, it will stop spinning, leaving the spine on the top as though 12 o' clock on a watch face.

    • 4

      Draw a small line on the butt end of the shaft with a silver ink marker, showing the location of the spine. This line will eventually be covered by the grip of the club, so don't worry about how pronounced it is.

    • 5

      Remove the shaft from the spine-locating device and vise grips, and reassemble the club with the spine of the shaft opposite the face of the club head.