Re gripping irons with bubble shafts...

[Woosey]

I need some new grips on my irons, however is the fact that they use the bubble shaft going to limit my choice?

Also how much is it to get 10 clubs re gripped? (usually!)

thanks

Chris

[Rockford35]

No problems. And re-grip them yourself and save a ton of cash.

You a Golfsmith member? No problem if you're not. Sign up and buy a quart of solvent (it smells great, citrus like...$6), some 2" double sided tape(~5 bucks), the grips you want (get a few extra for your woods should you choose to do them as well after trying out a few irons) and get the utilitiy knife out of your toolbox. Go to Home Depot and buy some "hook blades" for your knife. They're about $1.50 for a dozen. Golfsmith has them too if you want to save a trip.

Using the knife, carefully cut off the grips. This should take about 15 second per grip. Peel the tape that remains off the shaft.

Cut a strip of tape that's about 9/10th's the length of the grip. Put the tape on the shaft, making sure to cap the end with the tape (keeps water and dirt out). Get an ice cream bucket to catch excess solvent and pour solvent in the grip, holding one finger over the end of the grip to keep the solvent in. Then shake the grip around so that the inside is totally coated. Dump the extra solvent onto the tape on the shaft so that the excess is collected in the pail. Now with the help of a rag, push the grip over the sealed end of the shaft and line it up how you like it.

Now do this 7 more times and you're done. Pour the excess solvent back into the container when you're done. Let them dry a few hours and you're in business.

Tape 5 bucks
Solvent 6 bucks
Knife blades 1.50
Grips (depends, but Tour Velvets would run you about $20 for 8)

Total = $32.50

Now, at the shop, they're gonna charge you $4 for the grips each, and probably $4 to install them. 8 grips = $64 bucks.

Half the price for 30 minutes of work. Plus you'll have tape and solvent to do 15 more sets.

Makes obvious sense.

This is SUPER, SUPER easy. Don't be intimidated in the least. The hardest thing is being patient and not gouging or cutting the graphite shaft.

R35

[Woosey]

No problems. And re-grip them yourself and save a ton of cash.

You a Golfsmith member? No problem if you're not. Sign up and buy a quart of solvent (it smells great, citrus like...$6), some 2" double sided tape(~5 bucks), the grips you want (get a few extra for your woods should you choose to do them as well after trying out a few irons) and get the utilitiy knife out of your toolbox. Go to Home Depot and buy some "hook blades" for your knife. They're about $1.50 for a dozen. Golfsmith has them too if you want to save a trip.

Using the knife, carefully cut off the grips. This should take about 15 second per grip. Peel the tape that remains off the shaft.

Cut a strip of tape that's about 9/10th's the length of the grip. Put the tape on the shaft, making sure to cap the end with the tape (keeps water and dirt out). Get an ice cream bucket to catch excess solvent and pour solvent in the grip, holding one finger over the end of the grip to keep the solvent in. Then shake the grip around so that the inside is totally coated. Dump the extra solvent onto the tape on the shaft so that the excess is collected in the pail. Now with the help of a rag, push the grip over the sealed end of the shaft and line it up how you like it.

Now do this 7 more times and you're done. Pour the excess solvent back into the container when you're done. Let them dry a few hours and you're in business.

Tape 5 bucks
Solvent 6 bucks
Knife blades 1.50
Grips (depends, but Tour Velvets would run you about $20 for 8)

Total = $32.50

Now, at the shop, they're gonna charge you $4 for the grips each, and probably $4 to install them. 8 grips = $64 bucks.

Half the price for 30 minutes of work. Plus you'll have tape and solvent to do 15 more sets.

Makes obvious sense.

This is SUPER, SUPER easy. Don't be intimidated in the least. The hardest thing is being patient and not gouging or cutting the graphite shaft.

R35

I dont mind doing it myself (im a good DIY'er ) however im uk based.

I thought bubbleshaft were loads thicker than normal shafts hence a problem? I got my vokey wedge today, it has a really nice golf pride red and black grip, i would love that on my irons!!

Does anyone know of any uk based sellers of the above equipment?

thanks

Chris

Edit my wedge has this grip - http://www.golf-grips.co.uk/proddeta...e-decade-round would that fitr a bubbleshaft?

www.golf-grips.co.uk looks a good site for you UK based guys

[Rockford35]

Woosey,

Just did some checking. The butt end on the Bubble shaft is .800, which means you'll need .680 core grips. This severely limits your choice in grips, unfortunately. You will also need a special tool to get the grip over the butt end.

Sad news, but you can still get TM grips for the bubble series shafts. You just can't get GP Muti Compound Decade series grips, unfortunately.

http://www.golfsmith-europe.co.uk/

That's the Golfsmith Europe site. You should be able to get everything you need through them.

http://golfsmith.shoplocal.com/europ...%3d-2099999524

Good luck,

R35

[Woosey]

ah i cant find any aftermarket grips on golf-grips.co.uk that big :(

golfsmith doesn't give details like price or size either.

Regarding the "special" tool ive got something VERY similar designed to help get CV boots on cars

[Woosey]

Ok ive looked through the whole of Grip Prides range (assume i need 68 round)

not one grip will fit :(

dammit!

[Rockford35]

Yep, I think you're pretty much stuck.

I guess that's why TM went away from the bubble shaft.

R35

[vincel]

do a search on e-bay for taylormade grips. I have seen grips for the TM bubble shaft before.

[Woosey]

do a search on e-bay for taylormade grips. I have seen grips for the TM bubble shaft before.

superb idea, thanks

ive spotted some that are .865 core, is that too big? What range should i be looking for?

Thanks SO much for your help, you shall be rewarded (Slingblade61 is the only one who knows how)

Thanks

Chris

[Rockford35]

Slingshot?

Bubble shafts are .680. You need to look for that.

As of 2004, according to the article I read, there are over 240 different grips made by manufacturers today, and 4 of them are .680. They are:

OEM TM Bubble shaft grip .680
OEM TM Bubble shaft ribbed/cord grip .680
Women's TM Bubble Shaft grip .680
Women's TM Bubble shaft grip grey .680

Regular grips won't work because the shaft won't seat into the butt end of the grip. These are specially made grips, so if you find any, they'll be one of the above.

R35

[Woosey]

Slingshot?

Bubble shafts are .680. You need to look for that.

As of 2004, according to the article I read, there are over 240 different grips made by manufacturers today, and 4 of them are .680. They are:

OEM TM Bubble shaft grip .680
OEM TM Bubble shaft ribbed/cord grip .680
Women's TM Bubble Shaft grip .680
Women's TM Bubble shaft grip grey .680

Regular grips won't work because the shaft won't seat into the butt end of the grip. These are specially made grips, so if you find any, they'll be one of the above.

R35

opps i meant Slingblade, so im stuck to four grips, great :(


FWIW this is off ebay - http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/9-LAMKIN-CROSS...QQcmdZViewItem

however lamkin don't seem to mention that size on their site, but the guy has loads off feedback, so i doubt hes lying?!

ho hum, silly clubs!

Edit spotted this page too -

http://www.lamkingrips.com/grips_taylormade.php#bubble

[Rockford35]

I wouldn't doubt that they would fit over, but it's the wonky butt end on those bubble shafts that would have me worried. You don't want any space between the grip and the shaft.

I'd try and keep my eyes open for some .680's. Like these:

TM Bubble grips

R35

[ualtim]

Time to reshaft

I know Golfsmith USA carries the TM Bubble grips, but have zero clue if Golsmith UK does.

The only other option I can think of would be to do your own leather wraps, but that is a bit pricey and would probably end up oversized.

[Woosey]

Time to reshaft

wish i had the cash to do so

what a saga!

[obagain]

Do not use anythig other than grips designed for that shaft. If you do there is a good chance the butt end will collapse.
We have seen it many times and there is no way to fix it, the shaft is ruined.
There is a plug in the end of the shaft, make sure this stays in or any grip will collapse the shaft.