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
acem8, put the tape as low as possible and as much in the heel and toe location as you can. Every putter is different, so use this rule of thumb. Pull the plate on the Scotty Cameron and see if there is any room in their for lead tape, etc.
Ralph, I have an Odyssey 2 Ball SRT which I bought second hand. I have done a swingweight and it came out C6 so I guess it has been shortened by the previous owner (it is now 33"). I therefore want to add weight to the head. Should I add it to the 2 cavities beneath the 2 ball decal or should I wrap lead tape around the saturn ring? I also have a Scotty Cameron Red X (34" and 340g head) that I would like to reduce from 34" to 33". The sole plate unscrews so is there a good way to add weight into it? It is currently SW D6.
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.
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