How to Replace Driver Heads

When replacing the head of a golf driver, it is important to remember there are two types of driver heads -- hosel and bore-thru. The process is more or less the same. However, bore-thru heads require more expertise, as the tip of the shaft must be cut to match the angle at the base of the club head. Either way, the shaft must be removed carefully so it can keep its durable integrity after fitted with a new club head.

Things You'll Need

  • Gloves
  • Heat gun
  • Epoxy
  • Sandpaper
  • Masking tape
  • Hacksaw
  • Replacement club head
  • Replacement ferrule
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Instructions

  1. Hosel Heads

    • 1

      Wear protective gloves during the entire this process.

    • 2

      Heat the hosel, the metal joint linking the shaft to the club head, with a heat gun. Dispense the heat evenly around the hosel and don't be surprised if small amounts of smoke begin to form. This is just the old epoxy melting.

    • 3

      Pull the club head off of the shaft, slowly and as straight as possible. Twisting the head off the the shaft can cause serious damage and render the shaft unusable for the new club head.

    • 4

      Allow the club head to cool completely and, then, using a small piece of rolled sandpaper, clean out any remaining epoxy residue inside the hosel. That way, the old club head that be reused in the future.

    • 5

      Fit the replacement ferrule, a small rubber or metal ring that strengthens the bond between the shaft and head, over the tip of the shaft.

    • 6

      Drip epoxy into the hosel of the new club head and slide the head onto the tip of the shaft. This process should be done with the grip end of the shaft on the ground with the tip sticking straight up. Always fit the club head onto the shaft and never the other way around. Again, do not use a twisting motion.

    • 7

      Fit the club head onto the shaft until the tip is flush against the bottom of the hosel and allow the club to set for at least 24 hours before using.

    Bore-Thru Heads

    • 8

      Wear protective gloves and use a heat gun to heat the mouth of the cavity at the top and bottom of the club head that houses the shaft.

    • 9

      When it feels loose, pull the head off of the shaft. Work delicately and without twisting.

    • 10

      Allow the club head to cool and then clean out the bore-thru cavity with a small piece of rolled sandpaper. This will make the club head reusable in the future.

    • 11

      Determine whether the angle of the tip of the shaft needs to be reformed to fit the shape of the new club. If the new club head has a hosel, then the tip must be squared off. If the new club head is also a bore-thru but has the same sole angle as the old club head, no alterations need to be made at all.

    • 12

      Reform the tip of the shaft, if necessary, by wrapping masking tape around the tip and use a marker to draw the line of the new angle. Then, firmly apply the hacksaw and begin sawing on the marker line with smooth and confident thrusts. Back and forth can be a difficult motion when making such a small alteration, so consider using only a forward motion and resetting in between thrusts. Once the sawing is complete, smooth out the edge with sandpaper.

    • 13

      Fit the replacement ferrule over the tip of the shaft and drip epoxy into either the bore-thru cavity or the hosel of the new club head.

    • 14

      Fit the club head onto the shaft and never the other way around, until the tip of the shaft is either flush against the base of the hosel or in line with the base of the club head for a bore-thru model.

    • 15

      Be sure the ferrule is flush against the mouth of the hosel or bore-thru cavity and allow it to set for at least 24 hours before swinging.