How to Spine a Golf Shaft

Graphite golf shafts start out as flat lengths of graphite that are rolled into the cylindrical shapes we recognize as shafts. The spine of a shaft is the spot where the two edges of the flat length connect during the rolling process. Removing your shafts and locating this spine will help you align all your clubs the same way when you reattach the heads. The spine braces most of the torque and is more controllable, so it is best situated on the back side of the shaft, opposite the club face.

Things You'll Need

  • Spine locating device
  • Vise grip
  • Silver marker
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Instructions

    • 1

      Place your shaft in the vise grip and tighten the vise so the shaft is firmly held in place but can still spin.

    • 2

      Slide the butt end of the shaft into the hole in the spine locating device. The locating device is electrically powered and looks like a big pencil sharpener.

    • 3

      Turn on the spine locating device and watch the shaft spin slowly. The shaft will continue to spin until the spine is located and situated at the top, or 12 o' clock position, if you think of the shaft edge as the face of a clock.

    • 4

      Remove the device and make a small mark on the shaft with a pen or marker. Silver pens show up the best, since most graphite shafts are dark.

    • 5

      Attach the head of the club so that the face is opposite the spine, and slide your grip over the marked edge of the shaft.