“The Pomerantz Foundation team has mastered the organization of charity golf tournaments in a way that few organizations do. On the other hand, I’m not a good golfer, far from it! I barely know how to hold a golf club and I don’t know much about club assembly. So if I need to change the shaft of one of my golf clubs, I’ll be sure to ask the pro-shop technician to do it,” says Terry Pomerantz with a smile.
What Terry’s favourite pro-shop technician will do
The shaft of golf clubs can become misaligned due to regular handling as well as from some sudden and unintentional movements. If you take lessons with a pro, your technique will improve, and you may want to use a shaft better suited to your new swing. If you’re the DIY type, you may want to make the adjustments yourself. Here are the main steps to follow to adjust the shaft of a golf club.
- Remove the old shaft
- To remove the shaft from the head of your golf club, place it in a vice or clamp. At the jaw of the vice, wrap the shaft in a piece of rubber or heavy-duty cloth to prevent it from shattering (if it’s made of graphite) or slipping (if it’s steel).
- With a small torch, heat the epoxy glue to release the ring that fixes the shaft to the head.
- Release the ring with a small knife and remove the head from the club.
- To remove the club head, heat the glue and rotate the head until you can remove it.
- Cleaning
- Using a fine abrasive paper, remove all residue from the inside of your golf club’s head hole.
- If a piece of broken shaft remains inside the club head, it is best to have a specialized technician remove it.
- Install the new shaft
- Sand with a sheet of sandpaper the part of the new shaft that you will stick in the hole of the club head.
- Place the new shaft in the vice. Don’t forget to wrap it with a piece of cloth or a piece of rubber at the level of the vice jaw.
- Slide the ring along the shaft away from the head.
- Brush the inside of the club head with epoxy glue.
- Coat the end of the shaft with epoxy glue.
- Push and rotate the club head as far as it will go to attach the shaft.
- Once the club head is in place, use a small amount of epoxy to attach the ring.
- Clean any epoxy that may have spilled on the shaft with acetone.
- Allow the epoxy glue to dry for at least 12 hours.
How to hold your golf club – what a pro would advise
Terry Pomerantz is a wise man of good counsel. To master your grip and swing depending on the golf club you use, Terry recommends that you take a few lessons with the pro at a golf course in your area.
Here’s a brief overview of the basic techniques that a professional will teach you to keep your clubs well gripped.
What is the grip?
The grip is the only area of contact between the player and the golf club. You must feel the grip of the club in your hands. Its weight, balance and swing. It is important that your grip is consistent on all your clubs, except the putter.
A distinction is made between the “round” grip and the “ribbed” grip, which is characterized by a bulge under the club handle.
How to hold your club
Let’s take the example of a right-handed player. First place your left hand at the top of the grip with your thumb towards the club head. Make sure you distribute the weight of the club over the phalanges of the last 3 fingers of your left hand. Then place your right hand a little lower, in the same position, and make sure the grip is placed at the root of the ring and middle fingers of your right hand. Insert the little finger of your right hand between the index and middle fingers of your left hand for better hand synchronization.
How to adjust the pressure of your hands
The best way to find the right pressure for your hands to exert during the swing, especially when your club makes contact with the ball, is to hit balls on a practice court. Start by holding the grip as lightly as possible. As you become more familiar with how your hands feel when your clubhead hits the ball, tighten your grip. Make sure your hands feel more and more in control of your club.
Which golf club should I use depending on the distance I want to cover?
Here’s a chart that gives you an overview of how far your ball can travel depending on the golf club you use. However, it is still necessary to control the grip and the swing so that the ball’s trajectory is as straight as possible. Nothing is more frustrating than a beautiful tee shot that slowly takes the direction of the woods…
Golf Club | Distance men (metres/ft) | Distance women (metres/ft) |
Driver | 180 to 240 / 590 to 790 | 140 to 185 / 460 to 600 |
3-wood | 170 to 215 / 550 to 700 | 115 to 165 / 375 to 540 |
2-iron, 15-hybrid – 5-wood | 160 to 190 / 525 to 625 | 100 to 155 / 325 to 500 |
3-iron, 22-hybrid | 150 to 180 / 495 to 600 | 90 to 145 / 300 to 475 |
4-iron | 140 to 170 / 460 to 560 | 85 to 140 / 275 to 460 |
6-iron | 130 to 160 / 425 to 525 | 75 to 130 / 245 to 425 |
6-iron | 120 to 150 / 395 to 495 | 70 to 120 / 230 to 395 |
7-iron | 110 to 140 / 360 to 560 | 65 to 110 / 210 to 360 |
8-iron | 100 to 130 / 325 to 425 | 60 to 100 / 195 to 325 |
9-iron | 85 to 120 / 275 to 395 | 55 to 85 / 180 to 275 |
PW (Pitchwedge) | 75 to 110 / 245 to 360 | 50 to 70 / 165 to 230 |
SW (Sandwedge) | 55 to 90 / 180 to 295 | 40 to 55 / 130 to 295 |
“Participating in a golf tournament organized to raise funds for the most disadvantaged is undoubtedly the most enjoyable way to contribute to civic life. You give generously in the company of friends while getting some exercise. If, like me, you are not a very good golfer, visit the pro-shop to have your golf clubs checked and, most importantly, make an appointment with the pro at a golf course in your area to take a few lessons and play a few rounds. On the day of your golf tournament, you will be comfortable on the course. Your technique, even if it’s simple, will transform your golf day into absolute joy! And your generosity will allow children in need to get an education, to get healthy and to play sports!”
Entrepreneur and prominent figure in Montreal's real estate and manufacturing sectors, Terry Pomerantz approaches every aspect of life with heart and character. At the helm of Domfoam and T.R.A.M.S Property Management, he carries on his late father's legacy while dedicating his philanthropic commitment to the Pomerantz Foundation, which has been actively supporting children's causes since 1991.