Tired of losing your golf balls on the green? With summer fast approaching, the last thing you need is for your golf balls to disappear on you once again. You could always pop some in the freezer for a couple of hours to see if that helps, or you could try this new technique called laser etching.
This is a technique that was first seen on expensive jewelry pieces but has recently made its way to the world of golf and is being used by some professional golfers. When you laser etch a golf club, you can be pretty certain that its spin rate and distance will increase. With this in mind, we have put together some top tips on how to laser etch a golf club.
Table of Contents
Be Careful What Material You Use
We all know that plastic can be highly susceptible to laser etching, so it’s vital that you use a material that is highly resistant to this process. When choosing a golf club material, look for steel and titanium alloys since these are the most common materials used in making high-performance golf clubs.
Choose A Material That Is Pre-laser Etched
This is an important step because without the laser etching, your golf club will not have the desired effect. When choosing a material that is pre-laser etched, you are certain that the manufacturer has taken the time to apply a layer of some sort of protective material to the metal. This may be in the form of a lacquer, a plastic film, or another type of coating. Always remember that the coating should be applied evenly and must be of a thickness that is sufficient enough to withstand the laser etching process.
Do Your Research
There are several laser etching companies that you can contact to see if they offer this service for free, or at least at a discounted rate. Some companies specialize in one-off custom pieces while others may offer more factory-produced items. Do some research and find out which company best suits your needs.
Get To Know The Process
This is where things get a little bit tricky. In order to laser etch a golf club, you will need to go through a specific process which usually begins with removing the outer shell of the club. This is usually done with a magnet or with a buffer zone which is a specific tool used for this purpose. After removing the outer shell of the club, you will need to submerge it in a bath of some sort to cleanse it.
It is important that you know what materials you are using and what temperature you should use when taking the bath. If you use the wrong temperature, you may damage or even ruin the coating on the interior of the iron. After cleaning, you will need to dry the club thoroughly and then apply the protective coating (lacquer, etc.) in a manner that is even and sufficient enough to withstand the laser etching process.
When Is The Best Time To Do This?
We can’t decide for you, but we can tell you that autumn is the best time of the year to laser etch your golf club. In autumn, the days are getting shorter and the weather is getting cooler, so you might just want to avoid being outside in the direct sunlight during peak hours. This is when the sun is at its peak and it is directly overhead during the day, causing you to overheat and the coating to degrade.
Late afternoon into early evening is usually the best time to perform this operation, so you might want to arrange your day accordingly. You can always experiment and find out what time of day works best for you. It is advisable to allow a couple of hours for this process, so make sure to plan accordingly.
Get The Right Equipment
It’s fairly obvious that you will need the proper equipment for this process, and that means a cool place to work in order to stay cool while etching. You will also need a specific tool to remove the outer shell of the club, and we recommend getting a pair of gloves since the process can get a little bit messy. We know that not all people are comfortable with using gloves while eating, so make sure to use a pair of nitrile gloves to keep your hands free of oils and greases during this process.
Use What You Have
This is vital when pursuing this process, since we all know that the world of golf is a crowded one and there are several different types of irons, woods, and other club heads out there. For that reason, it is important that you use what you have and do not go out and buy a new club just to fit the process. The majority of the time, new clubs will not be the right specification for this process anyway, so it is best to leave them in the box.
Be Careful What Country You Are In
Using equipment that is not approved for use in your country could land you in hot water since regulations regarding equipment apply. Even if you are using a club made overseas, you are still liable to be quizzed by customs officers and border security should they deem it necessary to check your equipment for legal reasons. Before you know it, you are spending the night in a cell and the cost of the processing fees alone is enough to make you wish you had kept quiet about the whole thing.
If you are fortunate enough to be from an approved country, or at least from a country where not all of the above applies, then you can rest assured that you are able to use any equipment that you please. However, you must ensure that this is approved for use in your country before you start practicing with it.
How Many Times Do You Have To Etch The Club?
This will depend on the type of coating that you apply to the iron. Most companies will recommend doing this a couple of times for best results. After your first etch, you can apply a second coat which will dramatically increase the durability of the item. You should plan to do this after every few months of regular use so that the coating stays at its optimum condition.
Doing this a third time may render the item virtually unrecognizable since most materials become transparent after being laser etched a couple of times. You may then decide to discard the item or at least to sand it down to its base metal before applying a fresh coat of coating. It’s all about personal preference and what suit you best. Some companies will allow you to choose the number of times that you want to apply the coating, so be sure to ask about this option when you contact them.
What Is The Life Expectancy Of The Product?
This is another vital consideration, especially if you are buying a product that is not meant to be disposable. The more times that you use an etched golf club, the more likely it is that the coating will deteriorate and the item will need to be replaced sooner than expected. You can expect to get at least 6 to 8 months of use out of a set of golf clubs that you purchase new, depending on how many times that you etch them. Do not expect to get more than a year out of a single set of clubs if you are using them regularly.
Be Prepared For The Process
This is one place where you can save a great deal of money. A lot of companies will get you a 15% discount if you are prepared to pay for the processing fees up-front instead of paying them later. In some instances, you may be able to get the process done for free if you are a member of a golfing society or organization. However, these are the things that you need to know in advance so that you can plan your day accordingly and ensure that everything goes smoothly without a hitch.
More Than Meets The Eye
In addition to the tips mentioned above, be sure to check out this article by HowStuffWorks to get a better understanding of how and why laser etching works.
While we were unable to answer all of your questions concerning laser etching, hopefully this article will help answer some of the most common ones. If you have any additional questions, feel free to give us a call and we will be more than happy to help you out.