How to Drill Out a Broken Shaft

When someone is replacing the shaft of a golf club, it is not uncommon for a small piece of the old shaft to break off and become lodged in the hosel, which is the small metal joint linking the club head to the shaft. A broken shaft tip is usually attributable to insufficient melting of the epoxy before removal, so the best way to avoid a broken shaft tip is to patiently melt the epoxy with a heating gun in the first place. But if the shaft has already been removed and the tip remained, a drill will be necessary to complete the removal procedure.

Things You'll Need

  • Protective gloves
  • Power drill
  • .335 drill bit (size can vary)
  • Sandpaper
Show More

Instructions

    • 1

      Slide protective gloves onto your hands and do not remove them until the procedure is finished.

    • 2

      Melt the epoxy with a heating gun. Allow the hosel joint to cool completely before attempting to remove the shaft tip. The shaft tip is the end of the shaft that is opposite the grip.

    • 3

      Fit the .335 (or other size) drill bit into the chuck of an electric power drill and tighten the chuck with the chuck key.

    • 4

      Place the fitted drill bit up against the sole of the golf club in line with the hosel if the joint bores all the way through the club head. If there is no entry point to the hosel through the sole of the club head, drill directly into the mouth of the joint.

    • 5

      Begin drilling with short and controlled bursts in order to avoid damaging the inner walls of the hosel. Some clubs use aluminum for the inner walls of the small metal joint and a drill bit can severely damage such a weak metal.

    • 6

      Drill all the way though or until the broken shaft tip becomes dislodged and falls out. Do not drill any more than is absolutely necessary.

    • 7

      Use a small piece of rolled sandpaper to clean and smooth inside the hosel.