How to Choose and Install a Golf Shaft Shim

A golf shaft shim is a thin spacer used when a shaft tip is smaller than the clubhead’s hosel bore. Its job is simple: fill the size difference and help keep the shaft centered in the hosel during installation. A shim is useful when there is a known size difference between the shaft and hosel; it is not a universal fix for every loose-fitting shaft.

When Do You Need a Shaft Shim?

Two common examples are .355 taper-tip shaft → .370 hosel and .335 shaft → .350 hosel. In both cases, the shaft tip is smaller than the hosel bore, so a correctly sized shim helps fill the difference and keep the shaft centered during assembly. If the shaft and hosel are supposed to be the same size but the fit seems unusually loose, do not automatically add a shim. Confirm the actual shaft tip and hosel bore sizes first.

How Do You Choose the Right Shim?

You need to know two sizes: shaft tip diameter + hosel bore diameter. Then choose a shim designed for that combination.

Do not choose a shim based only on the club model. Also remember: a shim adapts a smaller shaft to a larger hosel. It cannot make an oversized shaft fit into a smaller hosel.

How Do You Install a Brass Shim?

Start with a dry fit before using epoxy. Place the shim around the shaft tip and test the assembly in the hosel. Make sure the shaft reaches the intended insertion depth, stays properly centered, and does not require excessive force. If the fit is correct, clean and prepare the hosel and shaft tip, dry-fit the assembly again, apply suitable golf club shafting epoxy to the bonding surfaces, position the shim correctly, insert the shaft fully, remove excess epoxy, and allow the epoxy to cure completely before using the club.

If you need to compare related repair components, see our club making tools, including shaft shims and other items used for club building and repair.

What Should You Check During Installation?

Focus on three things: insertion depth, centering, and fit. The shaft should reach the intended depth in the hosel, remain properly centered rather than leaning against one side, and fit correctly during the dry test. Do not force an assembly that does not fit. If something seems wrong, stop and confirm the shaft, shim and hosel sizes.

How Do You Check the Finished Installation?

Before the epoxy cures, confirm that the shaft is fully seated, properly centered, the shim is correctly positioned, and there is no abnormal side-to-side movement. After the epoxy has fully cured, check that the shaft and clubhead are secure before completing or using the club.

Bottom Line

A golf shaft shim is used when a smaller shaft tip needs to fit correctly into a larger hosel bore. The process is straightforward: confirm the sizes → choose the correct shim → dry-fit → prepare the bonding surfaces → epoxy → check insertion depth and centering. If the shaft and hosel should already be the same size but the fit seems wrong, identify the cause first rather than automatically adding a shim.