Can You Fix A Cracked Golf Driver? (Will it Affect Play?)
When I first started golfing, I was gifted a set of golf clubs by a friend. I didn’t waste any time to take my new clubs to a driving range and start hitting some practice balls.
Needless to say, I was terrible, but when I broke out the new driver, I noticed the club face had an enormous crack on it and was disappointed about my new club. But just like everyone else, I googled, “can you fix a cracked golf driver,” or was just stuck with a damaged club and needing a new one.
Typically, a cracked golf driver can be fixed depending on the level of damage. You can continue to play if the crack is minimal but may need repair or replacement if it extends. You can repair a small crack using a few tools, such as epoxy, vise, and matchstick. If the crack is considerable, it is best to replace the damaged golf driver.
What causes a driver to crack?
Continual use is the primary cause of a crack in a driver. The golf club incorporates metal construction that gives it sturdiness and longevity. This durable design can withstand several hits to serve your needs for a couple of years with accurate performance. Nonetheless, the material eventually reaches its ultimate strength and cracks from the repeated hits.
The more you play, the shorter your gold driver’s shelf life. You can expect cracks to form in a driver if you play like a pro. Professional golfing means you deliver more power in your swings and hits, generating more stress on the driver. In contrast, I play golf for leisure. I am not a high swing-speed player and do not give my driver too much action.
The durable golf driver construction makes it difficult for a regular person to wear the product. High swing-speed players typically require hitting at least 105 to 110 miles per hour. They also need plenty of practice and play, which an average person like me does not undertake.
You do not have to panic about early cracks in your driver if you swing around 90-mile-per-hour speeds. I recommend watching out for them if you have a high-speed swing, practice endlessly, and play all the time.
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How can I tell if my driver head is cracked?
One of the most obvious ways to tell that you have a cracked driver head is via the sound produced when it comes in contact with the golf ball. Whether you play frequently or take golf as a leisure pastime, you can recognize the familiar post-wing sounds. Spotting any changes in the aftermath can aid you in determining when something is not right with your driver.
The second way of identifying if your driver has a crack is through the flight of the ball. I find this to be the easiest method since it only needs observation skills. The ball’s flight is a visible clue that anyone, even a random passer-by, can help identify. A crack in the driver head can cause the ball to move oddly. This effect makes it a big clue for inspecting the club for the cause.
I like this method because the inspection often results in you finding a hidden crack in the driver. Although hairline cracks typically do not hinder performances, some smaller damages may be unnoticeable to the naked eye. Their minuscule size can also produce indistinct sounds post-swing, which a non-pro like me can easily miss.
Will a cracked driver affect performance?
As mentioned above, a cracked driver can affect performance on the golf course. The level of damage determines the level of disturbance experienced in your play. Hairline cracks rarely disrupt your performance, meaning you can continue playing for a long time without compromising precision. On the contrary, longer and deeper cracks disturb the driver’s properties, resulting in an inaccurate and odd-sounding swing.
It is essential to note that your skill level can pose a challenge. It can compromise clarity in distinguishing a poor performance from a cracked driver. For instance, golf is my favorite pastime. Despite this, I have average skills because I do not play nor practice it frequently. The irregular practice means I do not exhibit the best swings and often produce odd-moving ball flights.
It is easy to attribute the oddness to my poor golfing skills rather than a defect in the driver. Consequently, I have made it a habit to inspect my driver after each session to rule out any cracks. I advise doing the same if you do not already. The habitual inspection helps you avoid missing hidden cracks in your driver and taking the blame for a less-than-average performance.
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Can you use a cracked driver?
You can use your driver if it features minimal damage, like a hairline crack. The tiny crack does not change the golf driver’s design and properties. It lets you conveniently maintain accuracy and skill in your swings. If the crack is bigger, it can affect your swing’s impact and lead the ball to fly without precision.
I advise checking the driver regularly to determine and repair the damage. Besides, I agree with the saying that prevention is better than cure. It is cheaper to repair a hairline crack than to get a replacement. Besides, the smaller the crack is, the easier it is to fix. You do not require too many repair tools such as epoxy, minimizing the risk of spillage into other driver components.
Will golf retailer replace a cracked driver?
It’s always a good habit to purchase golf clubs and golf equipment from reputable pro golf stores and brands that offer warranty and after-sale services. This advice is especially vital if you intend to play a lot since most brands offer a two-year warranty. A valid purchase can back a proper cost-free repair if it fails within the given period. Normal wear of your clubs is inevitable, but having a warranty you can count on can even cover specific cases of abuse.
The warranties can extend past the head of the driver itself. This can include if the golf shaft breaks, if the golf grip needs replacement, or your particular clubs bend out of shape (hopefully not from running it over with the golf cart)
Typically, you can take the cracked driver to a golf retailer to inspect and evaluate the damage level. Afterward, the retailer fixes it before returning it to you. According to the evaluation results, they can also send it to the manufacturing brand for customized repairs.
Replacing your cracked driver at a golf retailer is better for severe damage. Generally, epoxy works best when fixing hairline cracks, covering the gap to facilitate precise and comfortable performance.
However, repair via epoxy may not be fitting when dealing with a large and quite prominent crack.
A larger crack requires more epoxy to fill the gap, easily leading to spillage into the driver head. Excess can also alter the shape and weight of your driver to compromise your golfing performance. Therefore, it is advisable to get a replacement at a golf retailer for significant cracks. Besides this, replacement via a retailer lets you access professional service to give you a high-quality product.
Conclusion: What should you do if your driver is cracked?
If it is anything other than a hairline crack, then I would recommend looking for another driver.
For help on how to swing your driver properly to get the most distance, check out the Rotary Swing It’s one of my favorite tricks I’ve used to add 30 yards to each one of my clubs.
