Cutting down a putter

[aERonAUtical96]

Has anyone done it? Found a Ping G2i in a pawn shop for cheap, but appears to be a 35" shaft. Need to replace the grip on it and was thinking of cutting it down to a 33". Any ideas if I should/shouldn't do this?

[DDBowdoin]

you can cut it down but you'll notice a difference in weight, you'll have to find some method of adding some weight

your local shop should be able to remove the grip and pour tungsten powder and plug it with a cork to add some weight, lead taping the putter wont add enough weight

[spyderwerks]

I've cut down several putters to 33" myself. I usually just regrip with a new grip, but with the right tools it's fairly easy to remove and reuse the current grip. As stated, there will be a slight change in weight distribution, so you can adjust for that if you think it may be needed.

[titaniummd]

I asked the very question of Geoff Mangum, the putting guru:

http://www.network54.com/Forum/52812...tening+Putters

The bottom line, is it doesn't make a significant difference unless you are a handsy type of putter.

I had my 35" Yes! Marilyn cut to 33". The difference in weight was minimal to me.

I have a 33" SC Newport 2 that is 'weighted' for the length. If I shorten it, I also probably wouldn't perceive a major difference.

[Stacey_E]

Maybe I'm too sensitive to swingweight, but cutting down a club 2" should change the swingweight 12 points (6 swingweights per inch is the rule of thumb). That's a massive amount. You might can make up for some of this with a ton of lead tape and a lighter grip. But if the putter feels heavy already, this might work for you. I used to cut my putters down to 33" until I ordered one from the factory at 33". The difference, for me anyway, was night and day. BTW to make up 12 swingweights, you will need about 54" inches of 1/2" wide lead tape. Just going on the 4 1/2" of 1/2" per swingweight rule of thumb.

[iacas]

I had my 35" Yes! Marilyn cut to 33". The difference in weight was minimal to me.

The shaft itself, right, won't weigh much. You'll dramatically affect the swingweight, though, and if you can't "perceive a major difference" then you lack a whole lotta feel.

Despite Geoff's assertions that swingweight doesn't matter in the putting stroke unless you're "handsy," I don't believe it. Can you eventually putt just as well with a cut-down putter as one that's not? Sure, but you can feel it and it's gonna take a period of adjustment (for distance control, among other things).

[Dub]

I took my 2-ball to the pro shop several weeks ago and had them cut a tad more than an inch off and regrip it with one of the new Odyssey oversize grips.

It has breathed new life into a great flatstick.

I get lower over the ball (not the best posture for my back....but the results are great)....resembles the posture you'd see on the old Golf Channel Classics....except I don't pop at the ball with my wrists.

[DDBowdoin]

to go from a scotty 35 to a 33 means losing 20 grams in headweight, that would throw me off

[TheLauncher]

If I were to cut two inches off of a putter, could I return it to its original swingweight with a heavier grip, or would they not be nearly heavy enough? I am considering an oversize grip. It seems sensible that if you remove weight from the top of the club, you should add weight to the top to compensate. Wouldn't tungsten powders and the lie add weight toward the bottom of the club?

[elchene]

What model is it? If it is the Anser, it weighs only 335g ( Source ) According to this chart cutting the putter down to 33 in would result in a C4 swingweight which is pretty light. I cut down a Cameron Circa 62 before from 35" to 33" and really felt the weight difference. I ended up restoring it; it wasn't a very good idea.

[cigarnut81]

to go from a scotty 35 to a 33 means losing 20 grams in headweight, that would throw me off

NOT EVEN. Headweight is a constant unless you grind it off.

[cigarnut81]

7 grams per inch is about standard for a steel shaft. 3 grams per swingweight. Add it up and you are looking at 2 2/3 of a swingweight. My feelings on putter weight is more in total weight not swingweight. You do not swing a putter. Being in a comfortable posture over the ball is priority # 1.

[TheLauncher]

The putter is an Odyssey Dual Force 882. It may just be time for a new putter, but I like the classic design and the heel weighting with my arching stroke. It definitely too long, but I'm fond of the club and not really interested in altering it if it won't feel right.

I agree with your point cigarnut, that posture is the priority, but I'd like the balance and feel of the club to remain close to the original, even if slightly different. Can a bigger grip accomplish this?

[Stacey_E]

The putter is an Odyssey Dual Force 882. It may just be time for a new putter, but I like the classic design and the heel weighting with my arching stroke. It definitely too long, but I'm fond of the club and not really interested in altering it if it won't feel right.

Adding a heavier grip (while increasing overall weight) will actually reduce the swing weight even more. You may notice that the club feels heavier, but it will make the head end of the club feel even lighter. I've heard that a 5 gram increase in grip weight will reduce swingweight by 1 point. The opposite is true that adding a lighter grip will decrease overall weight but increase the swingweight.

[TheLauncher]

Adding a heavier grip (while increasing overall weight) will actually reduce the swing weight even more. You may notice that the club feels heavier, but it will make the head end of the club feel even lighter. I've heard that a 5 gram increase in grip weight will reduce swingweight by 1 point. The opposite is true that adding a lighter grip will decrease overall weight but increase the swingweight.

Thanks, this make sense. Maybe I have nothing to lose with this old club anyway.

[microcrayfish]

The way I see it is if you're buying the putter and cutting it down before you even use it it shouldn't be an issue. You won't notice a difference in swing weight if you've never putted with it at the higher swing weight. I recently bought a new putter without realising that my old one was 34" and the one I bought was 35", I just got it cut down as soon as a realised so I never got a feel for it having a higher swing weight.

[ForePutt]

I just cut my putter down to 33" from 35", and noticed a real difference in the way it felt (too light). I pulled the grip back off and added about 2.1oz of steel (a large bolt and several nuts, covered in a little electrical tape) to the butt and seated it firmly. Then re-gripped it and now it feels perfect. To me it feels like the center of mass is somewhere about 2/3 of the way down the shaft just where I like it.

[mikelaw]

32-33" on all of mine here....DO IT!