In hickory golf, the shaft is never a secondary element. It defines balance, feel and authenticity.
Restoring an original hickory shaft, rather than replacing it, is often a question of respect for the game’s tradition and for the history each club carries. At Hickory Golf Masters, shaft restoration is approached with technical discipline and cultural awareness, in line with the standards shared by the international hickory community.
Pre-1930 hickory shafts often present visible signs of age and use. Common issues include natural bending (frequently referred to as Carnoustie bend or St Andrews bend), loss of elasticity due to humidity, and structural fatigue accumulated over decades of play.
Each shaft must be assessed individually. Some retain remarkable flexibility and integrity, while others have suffered irreversible damage. In these cases, restoration may no longer be technically appropriate, and a carefully selected period-correct replacement shaft may represent the most respectful solution.
Contemporary hickory shaft production is largely associated with replica club manufacturers such as Tad Moore or the former Louisville Golf production. These shafts are produced using modern machinery, often turned on mechanical lathes, and offer consistent quality and durability.
From a playing perspective, modern shafts can provide reliable performance. However when an original club is restored with a modern production shaft it is often less appreciated from the players and sure far less valued by the collectors.
Restoration, when feasible, remains the preferred path.
The first technical step in shaft restoration is separating the shaft from the clubhead. This operation requires experience and precision. Each club is secured by a pin designed to prevent the clubhead from detaching during play. Locating, marking and removing this pin without damaging the surrounding material is essential.
Once separated, the shaft is carefully inspected along its entire length, including the conical tip. Previous restoration attempts are not uncommon and may reveal inaccurate repairs or hidden weaknesses. Only after a thorough evaluation can a decision be made on whether the shaft is suitable for restoration or requires replacement.
Iron heads ready for re-shafting
Once an original hickory shaft has been assessed and deemed suitable for reuse, the club can be reassembled with careful attention to stability and long-term reliability. During disassembly, it is not uncommon to find traces of the original wiping rope still lodged inside the conical section of the tip, often without any adhesive having been used.
While historically correct, this configuration frequently results in instability. Rattling at impact and excessive vibration are clear signs of an imperfect fit and, over time, can lead to structural failure of both shaft and head.
In earlier days, craftsmen relied on a simple but effective method: dampening the shaft in water so that the wood would expand, ensuring a tighter fit once inserted into the clubhead. Today, this principle is respected but translated into a more controlled and durable solution through the use of modern two-component adhesives. Slow-curing glue is preferred, offering superior penetration, long-term stability and reliability during play.
Before reassembly, both contact surfaces are prepared with precision. The shaft tip is lightly cleaned with a file, while the interior of the clubhead is brushed to remove oxidation and residue. This process ensures optimal adhesion between wood, metal and adhesive. The club is then positioned upside down, allowing the glue to flow evenly from the base of the hosel toward the upper entrance ring. Excess adhesive is carefully removed, while the opening is temporarily secured to prevent unwanted leakage. Only after full curing, typically after 24 hours, can the restoration proceed to the next phase.
A new securing pin is always installed. Given the dedicated pinhole in the clubhead, replacement is not optional but essential. Brass pins are preferred and intentionally left slightly longer than the clubhead thickness, then filed flush during finishing. This final step guarantees durability, safety and confidence in play, without compromising the club’s original character.
Once reassembled and fully cured, the shaft undergoes complete surface cleaning. All remnants of old grip material and paint are removed, returning the wood to its natural state. The finishing process is then carried out using shellac and traditional French polishing techniques.
No fewer than 20 layers are applied, ensuring protection, impermeability and a finish consistent with period standards. Grip fitting follows, with particular attention given to uniform sizing across a full set. Only high-quality calf leather grips, specifically produced for hickory clubs and cut to 42’’, are used.
The final phase involves wiping at both the head and butt ends. When requested by the player, additional wiping along the shaft can provide extra structural support, reducing the risk of breakage and extending the club’s lifespan.
Restored hickory shafts, finished by hand and bearing the original maker stamps, where craftsmanship, material, and history come together.
Restoring a hickory shaft is an exercise in balance, between history and function, authenticity and longevity. When done with care and restraint, it allows the club to continue its journey on the fairway, faithful to the traditions that define hickory golf.
To acquire, sell, or restore an antique hickory club, our Showroom provides expert guidance rooted in care and tradition.