- Swing-weight is universal, and is based on the comparative weights between the clubhead end of the club to the grip end of the club (D9 will “feel” heavy, while C9 ...
- Swing-weights range from A0 to G9
- D0-D6 are probably the most common swing-weights (anything you buy at a golf store off the rack)
- Swing-weight is not a measurement of total club weight
How to change the swing weight of a golf club?
Using a Swing Weight Scale
- Place the golf club for which you want to measure the swing weight over the swing weight scale.
- Adjust the sliding counterweight until the golf club is perfectly balanced.
- Note the point where the sliding weight gets aligned against the scale. The value at this point specifies the swing weight of your golf club.
What is the swing weight of a golf club?
Swing weights range from A0 at the lightest to G10 at the heaviest, with most men’s clubs coming in around D0-D2 and women’s clubs weighing C5-C7. The difference between two swing weights, D0 and D1 for example, is approximately two grams of weight in the club head.
How to swing a golf club correctly?
To open the club face, if you are playing a flop shot for instance, follow these easy steps. A square club face sees the toe of the club pointing up to 12 o'clock on a clock face, before taking your grip gently rotate it to 1 o’clock (11 for left handers). Only once you have done that, grip the club correctly. Don’t overdo it.
What is the average weight of a golf club?
There are many factors which can add additional pounds to the overall weight such as: Individual golf clubs weigh less than 1 pound. According to golf digest, the average weight of a professional golf club is 0.73 pounds (0.33 kilos) . A set of 14 clubs gives us a total dry weight of 10.22 lbs (4.64 kilos).
What Swingweight should my irons be?
The lightest possible swing weight is A0 while the heaviest possible swing weight is F9. If you pick up a men's golf club off the rack with stock options, the swing weight will generally be between D0 and D2. With women's golf clubs, the standard range will be from C5 to C7.
What does a lighter swing weight do?
Most golfers switching to a light graphite shaft probably should employ a swingweight two points higher than what they were comfortable with when using a heavier shaft. That's because the change to a lighter shaft will reduce the club's total weight, which in turn can cause tempo to quicken.
What Swingweight should my driver be?
To optimize distance, golfers should aim to increase the weight of their driver head and the first four inches of shaft as much as possible without compromising the other three factors.
Is higher swing weight better?
Power. The trend among rackets is that as swing weight increases, power increases. This is because a high swing weight allows the racket to plow through the ball at contact. Less swing weight behind the ball at contact causes the racket to move more on impact, taking less energy out of the ball.
How many grams are in a Swingweight point?
two-gramThe general rules are that a two-gram change in clubhead weight will change the swingweight one point (heavier = higher swingweight); a five-gram change in grip weight will change the swingweight one point (heavier = lower swingweight), and a nine-gram change in shaft weight will change the swingweight one point ( ...
How do I know my swing weight?
How to Calculate Golf Swing WeightsPlace a pivot point on a flat surface. ... Use a tape measure to measure the shaft from the place where it is balancing on the pivot point to the end of the grip, which would be the top of the club. ... Weigh the club on a postal scale.More items...
What does swing weight D2 mean?
The greater the letter or number, the heavier the club's swing weight. Therefore, a club with a swing weight of D1 is heaver than a club with a C1 swing weight, and a D4 club has a slightly greater swing weight than a D2.
What does swing weight D3 mean?
There's a machine that essentially measures how heavy or light a club feels during the swing, and the measurement is called swing weight. You may have heard a golfer say something like, “this club feels like a D3.” They're referring to the club's swing weight.
What does a heavier swing weight do?
Swing weight is the measurement of the head-weight feel of a club. A club with a heavier swing weight will feel heavier to a golfer than one with a lighter swing weight, because its balance point is closer to the club head.
Does swing weight affect distance?
How Much Does Swing Weight Affect Distance? Both swing weight and the total weight of the club are going to affect distance. In order to hit the ball far, you must be swinging at a high rate of speed, and the ball has to be hit in the center of the clubface.
How much do strings add to Swingweight?
Other Weight/Balance Factors Dampeners add around 3 grams, overgrips 5-8 grams and string gauge can add or subtract up to 5 grams to the total swingweight you are used to.
What is a C9 swing weight?
Swing weight is universal, and is based on the comparative weights between the clubhead end of the club to the grip end of the club (D9 will “feel” heavy, while C9 will “feel” light) Swing weights range from A0 to G9. D0-D6 are probably the most common swing weights. Swing weight is not a measurement of total club ...
Why is it important to use a heavier swing weight in wedges?
The heavier swing weight in the wedges and short irons can possibly help club and club face awareness for greater precision. It’s important to remember that swing weight and overall weight are mutually exclusive. A heavy club can have a light swing weight and vice versa. That’s because swing weight is merely addressing the balance point ...
What happens if you swing heavy?
A light swing weight can prohibit the golfer from properly feeling where the head is during the swing and cause issues with squaring the face at impact, while a heavy swing weight can cause fatigue and negatively affect performance over time. ADVERTISEMENT.
Is swing weight too heavy?
Finding the proper swing weight for your game is mostly preference-based, but according to Tim Briand, Senior Vice President of GOLF’s sister company True Spec Golf, issues can arise if swing weight is too light or too heavy. A light swing weight can prohibit the golfer from properly feeling where the head is during the swing ...
What is swing weight?
In non-technical terms, swingweight is a measure of how the weight of the club feels when you swing it. It is not the same thing as a club's overall or total weight, and isn't even expressed as a weight measurement (swingweight is expressed through a letter-and-number combination code explained below).
What does less weight mean in golf?
Less weight produces shots of greater distance and accuracy for beginning and intermediate players. The low handicappers and pros have higher swing speeds, more control over the movements of the club and they possess an acute sense of 'feel' for the head of the club.
What does Lamanna say about swingweight?
Lamanna, for one, says, "In my experience, most players can only sense large differences in swingweights, and even Tour pros have a hard time telling the difference in swingweight between clubs with different shafts.". Lamanna says the focus seems to be shifting back to total weight as the key weight measurement.
Is swingweight important for golfers?
But not everyone is convinced that swingweight is something most recreational golfers need to lose sleep over.
Is a lighter shaft better for golf?
"Research indicates that lighter shafts are, in general, better for the average golfer. Less weight produces shots of greater distance and accuracy for beginning and intermediate players.
Can you use a swingweight scale on a golf club?
Those measurements are taken using a swingweight scale, and yes , individual golfers can buy and use one if they really want to. Take a club, say a 5-iron. Imagine adding lead tape to the 5-iron. No matter where you put the lead tape, the actual weight of the club will be identical. That is, if the lead tape is placed on the clubhead, ...
What is swing weight?
Swing weight relates not only to the club’s weight but also to the distribution of the weight. A club with more of its mass concentrated in the club head has a higher swing weight and requires more energy for the golfer to swing it at a specific speed. Golfers should use clubs with the correct swing weight to maximize their potential.
How many ranges are there in swing weights?
Swing weights use a letter-and-number combination that represents the range and the specific reading. There are six ranges, from A through F, and each has 10 values, numbered 0 through 9.
How does a club maker measure swing weight?
Club makers measure swing weight with a special balance that positions the club at the correct fulcrum point and determines the amount of weight required to counterbalance the overhanging portion of the club. The balance may read directly in swing weight, or it may require a chart to convert its readings to swing weight.
When was swing weight invented?
In the 1920s , club manufacturers invented swing weight as a measure of the dynamic feel of the golf club. The value relates to the moment of inertia of the club at a fulcrum point, near the grip end of the club.
Why is a heavier swing weight heavier than a lighter swing weight?
A club with a heavier swing weight will feel heavier to a golfer than one with a lighter swing weight, because its balance point is closer to the club head. As with the fitting of the shaft weight, the club fitter also has to evaluate the golfer’s transition force, tempo, strength and any pre-determined feel preference the golfer may have ...
What is the difference between a baseball hitter and a golf swing?
He has to rely on quick eye-hand coordination. In contrast, the golf swing is just that – a swing of the club.
What is shaft weight?
Shaft weight is by far the biggest contributor to the total weight of the club, which is simply a measurement of how heavy a club is. Swing weight is the measurement of the head-weight feel of a club. A club with a heavier swing weight will feel heavier to a golfer than one with a lighter swing weight, because its balance point is closer to ...
What happens if you don't hold your golf club properly?
Then you learn good posture and setup. If you don’t start in a good position, the body can’t perform the swing motion properly. With a good grip and a sound setup posture, I believe anyone can learn a functional golf swing pretty easily.
How wide is a golf ball?
The ball is 1.68 inches in diameter, and the functional striking area on a golf club is about 1.5-inches wide. If you vary in your setup by even 3/4 inch, you have imposed a serious obstacle to success. If you do nothing else to improve your golf game, learn how to set up the same way every time.
Do you fit shaft weight and swing weight at the same time?
Both elements — shaft weight and swing weight — are influenced by the same golfer swing characteristics, which is why good club fitters will fit for both the shaft weight and the swing weight at the same time in the fitting process. In the actual fitting process, however, the shaft weight comes first. This is because the test clubs required ...
Is swing weight measured in grams?
Remember, swing weight is NOT an actual measurement of weight as are grams, ounces or pounds. Swing weight is an arbitrary measurement of the relationship of weight in a golf club about the 14-inch fulcrum point on a swing weight scale.
What is swing weight?
Swing weight refers to the weight of a golf club at one-third of its top section (head) and two-thirds of its bottom section (grip). Although swing weight can have a major impact on a golfer’s performance, it can’t be considered as an absolute measurement.
What are the factors that affect the swing weight of a golf club?
There are four key factors that can have an impact on the swing weight of a golf club: Weight of your club’s grip. Weight of your club’s head. Weight of your club’s shaft. Length of your club. Altering just one of these parameters will modify the swing weight and in turn the feel of your golf club when you use it.
How to increase weight of golf club?
Using a lead tape to increase the swing weight. Stick a few lead tape strips on the clubhead of your golf club. Depending on the width of the tape, a 1-inch long strip of tape will increase the weight of the club by 1 gram. Apply the strips on the lower back of the golf club towards its center.
What does shaft weight mean?
As the name indicates, shaft weight refers to the weight of the shaft of your golf club. Shaft weight is an important aspect of any golf club and can have various consequences on your game. Incorrect shaft weight can affect your ball speed, result in wrong shots, lessen your distance and increase your dispersion.
How to adjust golf swing weight?
As a general rule of thumb, increasing the weight of the clubhead by two grams increases its swing weight by one point. Similarly, increasing the length of the golf club by one inch boosts the swing weight by six points.
How does the weight of a golf club affect the shaft?
The swing weight of a golf club is often directly proportional to the weight of its head. If the clubhead is heavy, the swing weight will also be heavy. This will result in the shaft playing soft. When the clubhead is light, the shaft will play stiff.
Why is my golf ball fat?
Turf contact. A heavy swing weight may result in hitting the golf ball thin. In contrast, you may be hitting the ball fat because of too light swing weight. Shot contact with the club. If the swing weight is heavy, the shots tend to get hit towards the golf club’s heel.
Answer
Swing weight refers to the amount of weight in the bottom two thirds of a golf club compared to the top third. It matters because it reflects the feel of a golf club to the player, more so than a club's total weight. This is important to match all the clubs within your set.
More about swing weight
Swing weight is measured using a balance scale that was patented by clubmaker Robert Adams in 1934. The scale goes from A0-G9 with the greater the letter and number, the heavier the swing weight. An average men’s golf club would have a swing weight of D2 whilst a ladies club would be C6.
Swingweight, Technically Speaking
Swingweight vs. Actual Weight
- Swingweight and the actual weight of the club are different things, and understanding the difference goes a long way toward understanding the role of swingweight. The actual weight of a golf club is expressed in grams. Swingweight is expressed as "C9" or "D1" or some other combination of letter and number (more on that in a moment). Those measurements are taken u…
What Is Swingweight Used For in Golf?
- The key application of swingweight is in matching the clubs within a set. You want all your clubs to feel the same weight during the swing. If you are replacing a club or adding one, you want the new club to match the swingweight of your current clubs. But how important is swingweight, really? Recreational golfers who fancy themselves equipment "experts" might argue that it is ver…
The Swingweight Scale
- Swingweight is expressed with a letter and number; "C9," for example. The letters used are A, B, C, D, E, F and G, and the numerals 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9 (G goes up to 10). Each combination of letter and number is known as a "swingweight point," and there are 73 possible swingweight measurements on this scale. A0 is the lightest measurement, progressing up to the heaviest, G1…