Differing Shaft-Butt Diameter - Deal Breaker?

The more I delve into the world of clubmaking, the more I notice the smallest of details and feel slight differences, having now tried many, many component combinations. The one area which has me recently up in arms is the variance of shaft-butt diameters from brand to brand, from model to model, and even stiffness. I've especially found this to be true in my fairways and driver, and that anything over .600 feels to wide with a standard grip. This is giving me fits over which shafts I can actually get comfortable with and really limits my selection. Before someone goes on about sub-sized grips, many aren't offered in the style I prefer and grip selection itself takes priority over shaft size everytime, for me. I understand that shaft companies achieve the correct weight and E/I profile by working within a range diameter designs, but it's just frustrating when you find a great shaft, and it feels like a midsize install because of the .630+ butt diameter.

End rant...

Get a thinner grip, that's what OEM's do.

You can also stretch down some grips to thin them out. Of course this won't work on multi layers and cords don't stretch as much but most standard rubber grips can stretch some. Helps if the grips are warmer.

This has been an issue for years and it will remain an issue for years. I've found myself using painters tape or no tape to help out. I've also been using a grip (MCC Align Misize) that has a lot of taper and gripping down a little. It isn't going to change so, you better get used to it.

I generally install with no tape and stretch the grip...the can easily be done with air installs. Its not a huge difference but it helps.

> @"A.Princey" said:

> The more I delve into the world of clubmaking, the more I notice the smallest of details and feel slight differences, having now tried many, many component combinations. The one area which has me recently up in arms is the variance of shaft-butt diameters from brand to brand, from model to model, and even stiffness. **I've especially found this to be true in my fairways and driver, and that anything over .600 feels to wide with a standard grip.** This is giving me fits over which shafts I can actually get comfortable with and really limits my selection. Before someone goes on about sub-sized grips, many aren't offered in the style I prefer and grip selection itself takes priority over shaft size everytime, for me. I understand that shaft companies achieve the correct weight and E/I profile by working within a range diameter designs, but it's just frustrating when you find a great shaft, and it feels like a midsize install because of the .630+ butt diameter.

>

> End rant...

I try to avoid shafts over 0.600.

> @kostuj said:

> You appear to have a firm belief through knowledge and experience that once a grip size is determined for you, the same size should be used on all of your clubs (not really counting the putter) in order to play your best.

>

> This is a major, debilitating flaw in clubfitting process that is hurting and limiting you, and just one of numerous elements that helps differentiate between clubfitters that are able to get the most out of one's swing and game and clubfitters that cannot.

>

> The bottom line is are you more interested in having all of your grips feel the same size to you throughout all of your clubs, or are you more interested in playing as well as you are capable of? These are very different priorities that can actually conflict with each other.

>

> Evidence of how to competently fit for critical grip size goes back to at least the middle of the last century. If you have never properly learned this skill anywhere, you might consider a qualified, paid clubfitting consultant to help guide you through the process.

Why so serious man ?

> @bunta said:

> > @kostuj said:

> > You appear to have a firm belief through knowledge and experience that once a grip size is determined for you, the same size should be used on all of your clubs (not really counting the putter) in order to play your best.

> >

> > This is a major, debilitating flaw in clubfitting process that is hurting and limiting you, and just one of numerous elements that helps differentiate between clubfitters that are able to get the most out of one's swing and game and clubfitters that cannot.

> >

> > The bottom line is are you more interested in having all of your grips feel the same size to you throughout all of your clubs, or are you more interested in playing as well as you are capable of? These are very different priorities that can actually conflict with each other.

> >

> > Evidence of how to competently fit for critical grip size goes back to at least the middle of the last century. If you have never properly learned this skill anywhere, you might consider a qualified, paid clubfitting consultant to help guide you through the process.

>

>

> Why so serious man ?

kostuj is making a valid point. Playing the game is inherantly more important than the club you are using to do so. People can get overly caught up in the details sometimes.

That said, if you know that you have this issue to avoid you might also consider building it 1/2" to 1" long and gripping down. Butt sections often taper down, most graphite shafts I have run into don't have a long parrallel grip section under the hands.