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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  • 2:54PM - Feb 3, 2008RE: Determining A Putter's Head Weight

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    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.

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  • 9:55AM - Feb 3, 2008RE: Determining A Putter's Head Weight

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    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?

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  • 11:07AM - Jan 7, 2008RE: Determining A Putter's Head Weight

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    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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  • 2:50PM - Jan 4, 2008RE: Determining A Putter's Head Weight

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    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.

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  • 7:50PM - May 29, 2007RE: Determining A Putter's Head Weight

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    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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  • 4:15PM - May 29, 2007RE: Determining A Putter's Head Weight

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    • Richard D Parsons

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    Ralph, thank you for your reply. I am currently fitting a tall player with back problems. He wants to stand up straighter to take the strain off his back when putting. To fit him, the putter would be 37” long. When I dry swingweight the MA0076 09 putter with the double bend shaft, the swingweight is F8. I imagine this would be too high to be practical so would this be a good application of backweighting? Thanks again! Rick. www.GolfClubPlayability.com

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  • 1:21PM - May 14, 2007RE: Determining A Putter's Head Weight

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    Richard, I have used butt weighting for over 20 years now. I use it when a golfer has a tendency toward the yips. I will generally put a wood plug in the butt end about 2 ” down from the top and pour lead on top. I also specify a heavier head weight in conjunction with this. The purpose is to slow down any quickness in the hands and also eliminate any jerkiness. This can be a good cure, but the tradeoff can be poorer distance control on long putts for some golfers. Another benefit however is that accuracy generally improves on shorter putts, say under 15 feet or so. Basically, everything we do in fitting has some kind of a tradeoff with something else. The object is to make the tradeoffs better and better for a given golfer without giving up too much. Some tour players do add a little weight in the butt of their putters. One, I know puts lead tape under the grip. I really cannot recommend doing this across the board, but with certain putting problems, I can recommend at least trying it.

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  • 10:46AM - May 13, 2007RE: Determining A Putter's Head Weight

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    • Richard D Parsons

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    I see you have mentioned putter head weight and swingweighting. Have you done any testing on backweighting, that is putting weight at the very end of the butt and finding out if this helps consistency?

    I ask this because backweighting seems to give me more consistent putts.

    Thank you, Rick Columbus, Ohio www.GolfClubPlayability.com

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  • 10:13AM - Apr 23, 2007RE: Determining A Putter's Head Weight

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    Matthewdrum, since you liked the old feel and weight, you need to add back the 10 to 12 swingweights you lost by shortening your putter by 2”. This is alot of weight and a problem I frequently encounter, especially with women cutting down and using men’s putters. Lead tape is the answer, however it will take 5” of 1/2” wide lead tape per swingweight or in your case a minimum of 50”. For example, let me assume you have a Ping Answer type putter with a decent sole on it. Going from toe to heel on the sole and starting about 1/8” back from the face place the first strip of tape. Next butt the second strip up against this one. Next, if it will fit, butt the next strip up against this one (you may need to cut this strip lengthwise to make it narrower). You should now have the entire sole covered by one layer of lead tape. Put on two more complete layers of lead tape and burnish it down with a small wood block (burnishing is rubbing and pressing down the lead tape surface and edges and sort of blending it all together and removing all the wrinkles). Keep adding 2 or 3 more layers and burnish again untill all 50” or so of lead tape is applied and burnished. You will not be able to see the lead tape in the putting position and the putter should feel like it’s old self again.

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  • 1:32AM - Apr 23, 2007RE: Determining A Putter's Head Weight

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    • Matthewdrum

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    Is there a good way to add a lot of weight to a putter head? I realized after reading this article, that when I shortened my putter I really reduced the swingweight to an extreme. I like my putter, but would like to get back the feel of the head in the swingweight. I removed about 2 inches from my putter’s length.

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