Have a look at any top shelf in a golf shop and you’re bound to see a number of headwear racks. These are essential for keeping all types of hats, caps, and visors in pristine condition. Made of wood, metal or plastic, they are typically attached to the wall with the use of a pegboard. There, all your golfing hats are lined up and ready to be worn. Naturally, this is an ideal place for storing them. However, if you get bored of seeing only those, you can’t help but pick up a hobby, like carving or upholstering a chair. With these new skills, you’ll be able to turn your headgear into a functional thing that can be used every day.
Table of Contents
Materials You’ll Need
- Golf club heads (6 to 14 inches)
- Plywood
- Awl
- Carpet tacks
- Scissors
- Hot glue gun
- Laminates (for the upholstery project)
- Matching brushes (for the upholstery project)
- Fabric or felt (for the upholstery project)
- PVA glue
- Cotton balls (for the upholstery project)
Golf Club Head Preparation
Take your time preparing your golf club heads for carving. It’s important to ensure that the head is neither too small nor too large for the block. The ideal size for a golf head is between 6 and 14 inches. When selecting wood for your head, make sure that it’s of good quality and free of defects. Also, take time to learn about the different types of woods used for golf clubs and the specific characteristics they have. You’ll need to choose the right wood for the job and it’s a good idea to build up a library of reference materials online or through the use of an app on your phone. This way, you’ll be able to find the perfect piece of wood for the job before you start cutting.
Carving Your Golf Club Heads
Now that you have your golf club heads prepared, it’s time to start carving. Begin by sanding all the edges and corners of the head to give it a smooth finish. After giving it a good sanding, it’s time to apply the paint or stain of your choice. Remember: too much sanding could significantly decrease the life of your paint or stain. Once the paint or stain has dried, it’s time to apply the cutting mats. It’s advisable to use two cutting mats, one on top of the other. The first mat should be made of hard plastic and the second mat should be made of paper. The first mat will protect your surface from splitting while the second will protect your surface from getting too much ink on it. The goal is to prevent the paint or stain from being worn off by frequent use. Once your golf clubs are finished, you can add finishing touches like a grass or twine wrap to the top of the head.
The Upholstery Project
While you’re at it, why not make those old hats into something beautiful? Simply pull out the lining and replace it with a soft fabric of your choice. You can use any type of fabric you like but make sure that it has some drape so that it looks like real hair. Next, take time to tuck the fabric in all the right places around the head to give it the 3D illusion of real hair. Once you’ve got the right color and texture, it’s time to add some sheen to the mix by applying a heat gun to the surface and moving it around to create different patterns. Be careful not to let the gun get too close to the surface or else you could potentially cause some serious damage.
Once you’re done adding that extra touch of luxury to your headwear, it’s time to give it a protective coating. Simply apply a layer of PVA glue to the surface and spread it evenly with a brush. This will prevent water from getting into the fabric and causing it to wear off prematurely. Let it dry for about 10 minutes and then add another coat. When applying the final coat, be sure to add a couple of drops of lemon juice to the mixture to give it a shine. You can also add a pinch of salt for extra shine if you wish.
The Nail Finishing Project
To give your golf clubs some extra protection and shine, it’s time for the nail polish finishing project. Naturally, you’ll need some clear nail polish to do this but make sure that it’s water-based. This will prevent any possible damage to your nails or the paint on your nails. After giving your nails a quick coat of nail polish, it’s time to add more shine in the form of gel polish. You can use any color you like but make sure that it’s a bright color like green or red to add that extra touch of luxury.
Now that you’ve got your golf equipment prepared, it’s time to sport them. If you’re looking for a new way to add a little luxury to your life, why not consider making your own golf club hat rack? With a little bit of elbow grease, you’ll be able to turn those old heads into something really special. This is one hobby that could become a bit addictive, especially if you start seeing the positive effects it has on your life.