Submitted by:
Larry Burke
David Gates Golf
Jacksonville, FL

Q:   What is the best method to remove a graphite shaft from a Titanium driver head that is broken off flush with the top of the hosel and to prevent debris from falling into the club head?

A:    This requires drilling out the remains of the graphite shaft. Because the heads are made of Titanium, you can use a hand drill without fear of off-center boring and damaging the hosel. However, the trick is to clamp the head in a vise with the hosel pointing down. Be sure to use rubber pads in the vise to protect the head.

Usually the plug that prevents epoxy and other debris from falling into the club head will come out and have to be replaced. This is because it has become adhered to the bottom of the shaft during the epoxy step when the original shaft was installed.

By drilling in an upward direction the debris will fall out of the head leaving the small hole exposed in the bottom of the hosel.

The first step when drilling out the shaft is to use a 19/64” bit to create a pilot hole in the center of the old shaft. Do not drill all the way to the bottom of the hosel.

Next, use the appropriate drill bit size (.335” or .350”) and drill out the remaining graphite shaft.

Before removing the club head from the vise, use a wire brush with your drill to thoroughly clean the hosel.

Take extra care when you remove the head from the vise to keep the hosel pointing down and to tap the hosel on your workbench to make sure all of the debris has falling out.

Place a small plug in the bottom of the hosel before re-shafting the club to prevent epoxy from falling into the head and causing a rattle.

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