Belly putter shaft question

[browne11]

I've been reading a bunch of threads of guys building their own belly putters and it has peaked my interest. What shafts has everyone been using? Do u have to order shafts specifically made for belly putters or are long iron shafts long enough. I know everyone I have picked up at a store is to long for me as I'm only 5'9". Also how bad is swingweight affected? I have tm spider that I can adjust the weight on.

 

Thanks

 

Denny

[Socrates]

You need a special shaft for long and belly putters. Most common is the "Ski Pole" shaft. It is much heavier and stiffer than a normal shaft.

Most belly and long putter heads are near 400g in weight (vs 340g or 360g in std putters) and standard shafts just feel too whippy at longer lengths.

[dalillama47]

My club fitter told me that for belly putters he generally just puts in an extension. If your building a long putter ala Adams Scott, you should buy a shaft designed for the long putter. Reason for the new shaft on the long putter is that generally the head weights are in the 500g. weight, belly's are in an around 400g. Good luck.

[Mr.I302]

[quote name='browne11' timestamp='1315048205' post='3539064']
I've been reading a bunch of threads of guys building their own belly putters and it has peaked my interest. What shafts has everyone been using? Do u have to order shafts specifically made for belly putters or are long iron shafts long enough. I know everyone I have picked up at a store is to long for me as I'm only 5'9". Also how bad is swingweight affected? I have tm spider that I can adjust the weight on.

Thanks

Denny
[/quote]

I converted my spider to a belly just by using an old shaft (I'm 5'8") and it works just fine. I have two 8 gram weights in mine instead of the stock 4's. I made mine 41"...might cut it down to 40 but I like it so far as it is. Here are a few tips if you are doing this yourself. Take the old shaft you are planning to use as an extension ( I like using old project x's because they have no steps) and measure it where it's just smaller than the inside diameter of the open end of the putter shaft. I like the extension to sit about 3 to 4 inches inside and I make sure it's a snug fit, add a little 5 min epoxy and jam fit it in. The other key is when you install the grip, I use the round blue Winn, make sure you put a few extra wraps on the shaft closest to the putter head because the belly grips are designed for the ski pole shafts that are larger in diameter....if you don't the grip will be loose at the lower end. Lastly make sure you use plenty of solvent or lighter fluid to put the grip on because they are a pain if they get stuck half way.

Good luck and you should have no problems.

[sTmGolfer]

[quote name='Socrates' timestamp='1315056054' post='3539177']
You need a special shaft for long and belly putters. Most common is the "Ski Pole" shaft. It is much heavier and stiffer than a normal shaft.

Most belly and long putter heads are near 400g in weight (vs 340g or 360g in std putters) and standard shafts just feel too whippy at longer lengths.
[/quote]

Just be aware you cannot turn a standard putter into a long putter. You can turn it into a belly, but not a long. Belly and standard putters have the same lie angles while long putters have significantly more upright lie angles.

[foxinsocks1]

Does anyone have any experience using a TT .370 Double Bend Ski Pole and installing it on a putter where it goes over the hosel? Is it possible to just tip trim the shaft a little bit until it will fit over the hosel? For example, I am trying to reshaft a Kombi-S with the .370 Double Bend Ski Pole but I believe the Kombi-S has a .395 over the hosel peg? Any suggestions/help would be greatly appreciated!

[RookieBlue7]

You're in luck with it being a spider. If changing the net weights still doesn't get it heavy enough, the bottom plate comes off easy. Remove the badge in the center and drill a hole under it. Use anything with a 90 degree bend in it and stick it through the hole you drilled. Heat the plate with a hair dryer or heat gun and pull. It'll turn loose, there's no mechanical hold, just epoxy. Once you get the plate off, add weight until you get it as desired, you can use lead tape, hotmelt, epoxy and tungsten powder, whatever. Then simple epoxy the plate back in place and then epoxy the badge back in. You're done.