Butt
The butt is the upper end of the shaft — the thick end that disappears into the grip.
The butt is the part of the shaft that faces the player, while the lower end, known as the tip, extends into the clubhead. Beneath the grip sits the so-called butt cap, a small plug that seals the end of the shaft. The thickness of the butt influences how the shaft behaves in the swing, because part of the bending behaviour and the torque, that is, the torsional stiffness, is decided here. For grip sizes and fitting, the diameter at the butt plays the central role.
In practice you come across the term when regripping or during a club fitting. An example: you have new grips fitted, and the fitter asks whether you want extra layers of tape under the grip. These layers are wrapped around the butt and make the grip thicker, which players with large hands or a tendency towards strong hand action like. Shortening or lengthening a club also happens at the butt end — the shaft is either sawn off there or fitted with an extension.
The most common misconception is the assumption that shortening at the butt has no consequences. Just one centimetre less noticeably changes the swing weight and feel of the club and can affect both distance and directional stability. If you want to tinker with the length yourself, you should leave that to a fitter or at least know the effects. The butt is therefore not just the end of the shaft but the point where the fit of the grip, the length and the balance of the whole club come together.
FAQ
What changes if I have my club shortened at the butt?
More than you might think. Just one centimetre less noticeably changes the swing weight and feel of the club and can affect distance as well as directional stability. You should therefore leave changes to the shaft length to a fitter instead of tinkering yourself.
Why does the fitter wrap extra layers of tape under the grip?
The layers of tape are wrapped around the butt and make the grip thicker. Players with large hands or with a tendency towards strong hand action in the swing like that. Grip size is a central topic in club fitting because it directly influences how much the hands work in the swing.
What is the difference between the butt and the tip of the shaft?
The butt is the upper, thick end of the shaft that disappears into the grip and faces you. The tip is the lower, thin end that extends into the clubhead. Both ends influence the bending behaviour of the shaft — at the butt, among other things, it is decided how the grip, length and balance of the club come together.