The debate about swingweight in golf still rages on and club makers cannot agree whether swing weight is a useful measurement. It is a confusing concept in many aspects since it is not measured in grams or ounces.
Two clubs with different weights can have a different swingweight, while two different clubs can have the same swing weight. Since swing weight isn’t an actual weight is more of a comparison tool.
All manufacturers know how to measure swing weight and while not all of them agree that it is relevant, it is often indicated. The idea is to have clubs in the same set feel the same when you swing them.
To better understand swing weight, we have to dive deeper and have a look at what it is and how it is measured. We will also look at the importance of swing weight and determine whether it could affect your game.
If the swing weight of your golf club is something you have been worried about, you have certainly come to the right place.
Assembled Golf Club Swingweight Calculator
Each manufacturer and even player might have their way of calculating the swing weight on the club. However, the most common scale is called the Lorythmic measurement scale.
By using the scale, the player will get a letter, which ranges from A to G. The letter is often followed by a number that ranges from 0 to 9.
As you might have guessed, the lightest swing weight is an A0 on this scale, while the heaviest will be G0. For most golf clubs, the swingweight ranges from C9 to D2.
This is the common number manufacturers aim for when making clubs for off-the-shelf purchases. However, the number could significantly change when we are talking about custom golf clubs.
To measure the swing weight with the Lorythmic Measurement Scale, you will need to have a pivot point.
The golf club is balanced on a fulcrum or pivot point. It should be dead center in the middle of the golf club and will be approximately 14-inches from the grip end of the golf club. Once balanced, a number is noted and assigned.
Why Is The Swing Weight Measured?
The moment you buy a new set of golf clubs, the idea is that all the golf clubs feel the same when playing. You don’t want to change your style depending on the club you play with.
The term for consistency is called the swing weight of the golf club. It refers to how the club feels while you are swinging.
The main goal of the swing weight calculator is to help players find a set of golf clubs that feels the same throughout the board. This means that you will feel comfortable with the same style while playing.
In essence, the swing weight is the distribution of the weight from the grip end to the end or toe of the golf club.
What Is The Purpose Of Measuring Swing Weight?
As mentioned, the purpose of the swing weight measurement is to make sure you have consistency in your golf clubs across the board. You might have heard of the terms “head-heavy” and “head-light“, which are often used to refer to the swing weight of the golf club.
While there is no concise definition or number stated by any organization to say when a head is heavy or light, it does help to describe the purpose of measuring swing weight. The terms can help identify the weight of the club head and how heavy or light it feels when you are swinging the golf club.
The way this helps you is by adjusting the tempo of the swing or helping the player add slightly more power to the shot. Here is how the different head weights could affect your game and swing style when playing:
- Head Heavy: A head-heavy golf club can give you slightly more momentum on the downswing, which could increase the swing speed. We know from playing plenty of golf that a faster swing speed will ensure more momentum and even greater distance.
- Head Light: A lighter head will help to give you more control over the golf ball. It also reduces some of the fatigue. This means that the later stages of your game should be much smoother without the risk of tiring.
The club you prefer will hinge on your style and you might even have a few different clubs for different situations. For example, your driver might be “head-heavy”, while your 3-wood is “head-light”. It all comes down to each player’s unique style.
The Ideal Swing Weight For Senior Golfers
As a senior player, your natural strength might not be at the same level that it used to be. Ideally, you want a golf club that can provide you with the ultimate level of comfort for your game.
You will have to keep the swing weight in mind to compensate for a lack of strength or any other issue you might have when playing.
For senior players, a swing weight range of C8 – D1 is often the best and should give them enough weight when it comes to the downswing to make a significant difference in their overall gameplay.
Ideally, you want the shaft to be between 55 and 60 grams, with the loft being around 12 – 13 degrees. It might even be higher in certain situations.
A senior golfer should play around with different clubs to ensure they find the right club. If you are buying off the shelf, you might be limited to the swing weight you can choose.
It is best to ensure you play a few practice rounds. The WILSON Men’s Profile SGI Set is the ideal option for some seniors looking for a new set.
How to Calculate Golf Club Swing Weight at Home: 3 Step Process
If you have been worried that you have the right swing weight for your game or style, you don’t need to visit a professional. If you have a few basic items at home, you can measure the swing weight in the comfort of your home.
The following process should show you how to perfectly calibrate everything to measure swing weight correctly:
1. Place the Club on the Swingweight Scale
The first step involves placing the golf club on the swingweight scale. You will need to purchase a swingweight scale from any golf supply store.
The Pivot-Less Swing Weight Scale is one of the easiest ones you could use. Whilst placing it, you should make sure that the grip end of the golf club fits comfortably against the swingweight scale.
Ideally, you want it about 14-inches from the grip-end to rest on the pivot point and might need a ruler to ensure this.
2. Adjusting the Display
Once you have it set up, you want to adjust the scale to find out what weight you desire. The display will ideally read out a rating that ranges from A0 to G10. These are the lightest and heaviest swingweight respectively found on the scale.
3. Make a Note of the Initial Swingweight
Once you have the club on the swingweight scale, you should make a note of the current swingweight. If you are not happy with the swingweight, you would want to add or subtract the swingweight to find the perfect weight.
In the next section, we will show you how to go about adjusting the swingweight if need be.
How Do I Adjust the Swingweight of a Golf Club?
Since most golf clubs you buy off the shelf have a particular swingweight that is custom from the manufacturer, the clubs might not be ideal for all players.
This means that some players might find it best to adjust the swing weight to something more comfortable for their needs. Here is how you can go about adjusting the swing weight:
1. Adjusting the Weight
Once you have the standard swingweight, you can go about adding or subtracting some of the weight to give you more of what you need. To add weight, you can add lead-infused adhesive tape to the clubhead, which should give you the ideal weight that you desire.
Subtracting weight is slightly more tricky. You will need a grinder and some basic skills that enable you to remove weight. You will use the grinder to slightly reduce the weight on the bottom or sole of the golf club.
Keep in mind that for each 2-grams added or removed, the swingweight will shift by one point depending on what you have added or subtracted.
2. Adding or Subtracting Weight to the Grip
The grip-end is trickier to deal with and you would want to look at 4 grams as the measuring stick for adding or subtracting one point. Each 4-grams added to the grip will bump the points on the swing scale up by one. The same goes for subtracting this amount of weight.
3. Adjusting the Length to Find the Desired Swingweight
You can also consider reducing or extending the length of the golf club to add or subtract weight. When it comes to the shaft, you can slightly reduce or extend it by adding a new shaft when needed.
The scale works with half an inch. For every 0.5-inches added or removed, the swingweight will be affected by one point.
We should caution you from trimming the tip of the shaft. The tip is responsible for the level of lex your club has. If you trim the tip, it will stiffen the golf club significantly. Having reduced flex might impact your game and you could need to replace it or adjust your swing style.
Another part of the shaft that affects the swingweight is the weight of the shaft. Nowadays, you can easily replace your shaft. Most modern golf clubs have a graphite shaft, but this could be replaced with steel.
Keep in mind that for every 9 grams of weight added or subtracted, it will have a one-point effect on the swing scale.
4. Measure the New Swingweight
Much like you have in the first few steps, the next step would be to measure the new swingweight in the swingweight calculator. You should make a note and take your clubs out to the course for a few practice rounds.
If you are still unhappy, you can return to the calculator and repeat these steps until you feel comfortable.
While adjusting the swing weight is pretty straightforward, there are still a few lingering questions that many people might have. The following questions are some of the most common we have come across. Here are a few questions to keep in mind:
Should I Trim a Graphite Shaft?
While it is easy to remove some weight on the steel shafts, the graphite shaft is slightly tougher. You don’t want to trim it with a grinder.
If your golf clubs have an expensive graphite shaft, you might want to consider replacing it. The Golf Club Shaft Extension Stick Extender is the perfect addition to ensure you could extend the graphite shafts.
Is It Safe to Adjust Golf Club Swingweight?
If you understand the fundamentals of the golf club, you should not need to worry about any hassles when reducing or adding to the swingweight of your golf club.
However, beginners with a limited understanding of the club dynamics should consider asking for professional assistance.
What Is the Best Swing Weight for Beginners?
As a beginner, swingweight might not have such an impact on your game. Whilst buying clubs off the shelf, you will have a set swingweight.
It is best to get familiar with this weight and adjust your style around it. The more advanced you become, the more incremental changes you might want to make.
Wrap Up
Understanding the swingweight could help you improve your game. Not only can you have more consistency, but you will also feel more comfortable.
Yes, you might need to buy a swingweight scale. Fortunately, the scale will serve you for many years and all your different golf clubs. We recommend having an idea of your golf club swingweight.
