What is a Ferrule in Golf?

There are so many different little add ones to try to either improve your golf game or to get the most out of your golfing equipment. One of those, and one of the cheapest – rare for golf!, is the ferrule for golf clubs. Though you may have heard of the term you may not know exactly what a ferrule is or what it is used for. In the article below we will take a look at some of the uses of a ferrule on a golf club and some of the options open to you.

A ferrule on a golf club is a small collar-like component typically made of plastic or composite material, located at the joint between the clubhead and the shaft. Its primary function is to strengthen the clubhead and prevent the shaft from splitting or cracking and to help the shaft and club head remain connected.

You have option open to you on what type of ferrule you wish to have on your club, and we take a look at those as well as a little more detail in what a ferrule is and how it helps keep your clubs in one piece below.

What is a Ferrule

Golfers of all levels have probably heard of ferrules, but not everyone knows exactly what they are and what purpose they serve. so lets start with that before we jump into the meat and bones of how they can help your expensive set of clubs.

A ferrule is a small cylindrical piece of plastic or metal – like a small tube – that is fitted over the end of a golf club’s shaft. Its primary purpose is to protect the shaft of the club from the many impacts it will have over the course of its life and provide a smooth, seamless transition between the shaft and the clubhead.

What Types of Golf Ferrules Are There?

Although ferrules can come in all shapes and sizes, even personalized versions are available, There are really only three main types of ferrules used in golf – plastic, metal, and custom.

• Plastic ferrules are a cost-effective and lightweight option for golfers, typically used on lower-end golf clubs. They can be bought in bulk and although don’t have the lifespan of metal ferrules they can be swapped out cheaply and easily enough.
• Metal ferrules, on the other hand, are a more premium and therefore expensive option and are often used on higher-end golf clubs. They provide a more durable and longer-lasting protection for the shaft than the cheaper plastic ferrules.
• For golfers who want a unique look for their clubs, custom ferrules are available and can be made from a variety of materials including titanium, carbon fiber, and stainless steel.

Whatever type of ferrule you have or choose to go for the purpose of the ferrule remains the same – to protect the shaft of the club and provide a smooth transition between the shaft and clubhead.

Whether a golfer is just starting out or has been playing for years, it’s important to understand the role that ferrules play in the overall performance and longevity of their golf clubs. These are big ticket items and the longer you can keep them in useable condition the better, no matter what your budget is.

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What is the Purpose of a Golf Club Ferrule?

Simply put a Ferrule plays an important role in the performance and longevity of golf clubs. Without a ferrule, the end of the club’s shaft is exposed and can become damaged from impact with the ground or other objects. This can cause the shaft to crack or split, leading to a loss of stability and control in the club and eventually the need to replace it altogether.

They also provide a smoother, more seamless transition between the shaft and clubhead which not only improves the overall feel and appearance of the club is also helps with performance as well. Not only making you look cooler – very important of course! but also helping golfers to hit more accurate and consistent shots.

They do this by adding an extra element of stability to the club, especially at that all important joint between club head and shaft. This should help the club to handle more powerful swings and impacts, which in theory at least, will improve the clubs overage performance.

How to Fix a Loose Ferrule

If the ferrule is damaged or you think it is damaged it is important to check that is is actually only that, and that the join between club head and shaft is still secure. Although initially amusing to see a club head fly off down the fairway instead of the ball, it is a massive safety issue and you need to make sure that is jsut the ferrule that is damaged and your club is still solid!

Ferrules are fortunately cheap to replace ( we have linked some examples in the body of this article) They are also not designed, and will not last, as long as your clubs – at least we hope not. So if you discovered cracked ferrules it gives you the opportunity to check the joints of your clubs and make sure all are still connected and none are loose at the same time as replacing or re fixing the old ferrule.

Signs that a ferrule needs to be replaced include:

1. Cracks or chips in the ferrule
2. A loose fit between the ferrule and the club shaft
3. Excessive wear on the ferrule or the clubhead
4. Signs of corrosion or rust on the ferrule

It is important to replace a ferrule before it becomes too damaged or worn, as this can prevent the club from performing optimally and increase the risk of further damage to the club.

Golfers should regularly inspect their ferrules for signs of wear and damage, and replace them as necessary to maintain the health and performance of their clubs.

Fixing a loose ferrule is a relatively simple process that can be done by most golfers, at the Pro Shop, or by a professional club fitter however it is basically just three steps.

Step 1: Make sure it is Just the ferrel, twist the head of the club against the shaft and make sure it is secure. You can feel this is there is movement, or you can hear it if it is scraping against the shaft.

Step 2: Fi the Ferrule is loose but you can’t move it then you can heat it up ( under water is best) so it becomes more pliant and you will be able to move it.

Step 3: Then you can clean the shaft and collar and re glue the ferrule with epoxy glue. You can wait for it to dry and then clean the residue epoxy off.

Replacing a Ferrule.

Replacing a Ferrule on a golf club is a little trickier and if you are not a DIy minded person is is worth getting professional help.

• To replace a ferrule, the golfer will need to remove the old ferrule and the head of the club and clean the end of the club’s shaft.
• Once the shaft is clean and dry, they can then fit the new ferrule over the end of the shaft, making sure it is positioned correctly and securely in place.
• Then use epoxy to keep the ferrule in place on the collar and then reassemble the golf club. You can smooth the edge once dry.

You can check out the videos above below if you prefer a more visual guide which guides you through a ferrule fix.

Do All Golf Clubs Need Ferrules

Not all golf clubs need ferrules. Ferrules are typically used on golf clubs with steel or graphite shafts, such as irons and drivers. Putters, on the other hand, often do not have ferrules as they typically have a different type of shaft and head design and don’t go under the same stresses ( we hope) as other golf clubs.

It’s important to note that while ferrules are not completely essential for all golf clubs, they still play an important role in protecting the club’s shaft and potentially improving the club’s performance.

and if nothign else they give you a sign if anything may be going on with your golf clubs that you need to check out before its too late as well!

What Are Ferrules Made Of?

Ferrules are made of different materials for a number of reasons, including durability, appearance, and cost. while we highlighted the different types earlier these are some of the most common materials used for ferrules.

1. Plastic: Plastic is a lightweight and inexpensive material that is often used for ferrules. Plastic ferrules are durable and provide adequate protection for the club’s shaft, but they do not last as long.
2. Rubber: Rubber ferrules are a popular choice as they are durable and can absorb shock and vibrations. They are also less expensive than other materials, making them a good choice for golfers on a budget.
3. Metal: Metal ferrules, such as brass and aluminum, are more durable than plastic and rubber ferrules. They provide a sleek and professional look, and are often used in high-end golf clubs.
4. Composite: Composite ferrules are made from a combination of different materials, such as plastic and metal. They offer a good balance between durability, appearance, and cost.

What is a Collared Ferrule?

A collared ferrule is a type of ferrule that has an extended lip or collar. The collar aims to provide additional support to the club’s shaft and helps to prevent the shaft from separating from the clubhead. Collared ferrules are commonly used in golf clubs with steel or especially graphite shafts, like irons and drivers.

The use of a collared ferrule can improve the overall performance of a golf club. The additional support provided by the collar helps to transfer energy more efficiently from the clubhead to the ball, which can result in better shot accuracy and distance and protects the club.

It is important to take care of your clubs in golf, they are one of the most expensive items in the game. We have a few articles to help you do jsut that and you can find them linked below.

• How to Treat Rust on golf irons
• How to take care of golf irons

Conclusion

Ferrules are an important component in golf clubs, playing a critical role in protecting the shaft and improving the overall performance and feel of the club. Anything that can help keep that expensive club in one piece has to be worth doing, and ferrules are a cheap and effective way of ensuring just that!

References

• https://www.hirekogolf.com/what-is-a-ferrule-and-do-i-need-one#:~:text=First%20of%20all%2C%20the%20golf,element%20to%20the%20golf%20club.
• https://www.liveabout.com/ferrule-on-a-golf-club-1560844
• https://www.golfdistillery.com/definitions/club-parts/ferrule/
• https://southamptongolfclub.com/whats-a-ferrule-on-a-golf-club/