Determining A Putter's Head Weight
PUTTER HEAD WEIGHT DISCUSSION
The best way to determine a putters approximate head weight is to use the swingweight scale. This method is not exact, but it does provide a close ballpark number to use. Factors that can cause head weight discrepencies are exact putter length measurements, grip weight and the distribution of grip weight, shaft weight and the distribution of shaft weight, putter head lie angle, putter head shape and how the weight is distributed in the putter head itself.
Fitting putters is very important to improve ones putting. The trend has been to shorter length putters with heavier head weights. Heavier head weights in the range of C-8 to D-8 (D-2 is ideal) are necessary for consistent distance control with the putt. Research and testing with golfers has proved this out. This chart was developed so the clubmaker, fitter and assembler can determine the approximate head weight required for most putter lengths in the acceptable swingweight range. Many golfers are currently putting with too light a putter head weight. This occurs mostly in older putters or shortened putters.
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Recent Comments
sk_golf, it is based on a 114 gram 35" raw length putter shaft. Most steel putter shafts are close to this weight. Yes, you are correct, the shaft weight will affect the swingweight and so will a shaft that has a balance point in a different location.
Hi Ralph, What putter shaft weight is this chart based upon. Obviously there are putter shafts of varying weights and this will have an effect on the swingweight, will it not?
Jack, lets assume 37” is a #7 iron length (for men). I am using 38” here as a #5 iron length to figure this. Most normal #7 iron heads weight around 268 grams to make a D-2 swingweight. If your chipper is F-3.5 swingweight, it is 11.5 swingweights heavier than a D-2. Since each swingweight is equivalent to approximately 2 grams, this would be 23 additional grams of head weight. Therefore we can only assume that the head weight on your chipper is approximately 291 grams. Remember, different head shapes have different weight distributions and grip weight tolerances are also a factor along with the shaft regarding how it was trimmed, so this is why I am saying the 291 grams is approximate.
Ralph, I presume your Putter's Head Weight determination table is based on a math formula and that weights for clubheads other than putters can be similarly derived. I received an unusual club for Christmas, namely the Clutch Iron from Clutch Golf. It's a trouble club that was promoted as just the thing for getting out of heavy rough with good distanceand for hitting low running chip shots. It has the length of an 8 iron, the clubhead shape of a sand wedge and the loft of (I'm guessing here) a 5 iron. The design also features a big flange sole and a hosel that stays out of harm's way. It has a steel shaft, the club length is 37 inches, the grip is Lamkin quarter cord, and the swingweight is F3.5. What would be the club head weight? BTW, your website is very informative and your Golfworks company has terrific products. Thank you.
Richard, in this case I would not add weight to the butt end of the shaft. I would only do this if he has a yip problem on short putts. This is a case where you will definitely help his back problem, keep him playing the game, with the only tradeoff of too heavy a putter head. Now , on the flip side, he will have better accuracy on shorter putts with the tradeoff being less than ideal distance control on longer putts. keep in mind that when you backweight (counter balance in the grip end) you significantly raise the total weight of the putter. It is best to keep the total weight in proportion to the head weight if their is no special need to change it (yips).
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