Need help understanding swing weight...

[timastyle]

Hi All,

So I am interested in knowing a bit more about swing weight. I understand what it is, but I want to know is what is the right or wrong swing weight for a given person. Is there ill affects either way? I'm curious to know.

The reason I ask is that I was at GS hitting a set of irons and I measured it there and it was a D0 and it felt really good. The clubs I have now are D1 (I think). I really liked the feel of them given that it didn't feel too heavy. I'm 5'11 and about 150 lbs. The MP-57's I play with now seem somewhat heavy (ya I know I should work out a little), but it has me wondering if I decrease the swing weight, how much I could benefit or hurt myself.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[James_Black]

If the shaft is lighter you should be able to swing the club faster(more distance) but you'll be less accurate.
If the shaft is heavier you'll swing is slower (less distance) and you'll be more accurate.

[timastyle]

If the shaft is lighter you should be able to swing the club faster(more distance) but you'll be less accurate.

How does that relate to swing weight though? My understanding of swing weight is simpy put the balance point of the club in relation to the weight from the clubhead and the weight on the shaft/grip. My understanding is that it's more of a feel factor rather than actual weight and if that's correct, I'm not sure I follow your heavy shaft vs. light shaft as it relates to swing weight.

[delav]

If the shaft is lighter you should be able to swing the club faster(more distance) but you'll be less accurate.

This is not swing weight. Swing weight is a measurement of how the club feels when it is swung. As Ralph Maltby describes it: "The measurement of a golf club's weight about a fulcrum point which is established at a specified distance from the grip end of the club."

When building a club, there is an overall weight, but it is relative. The important measurement is swing weight, or how (and where) the club balances in weight along the axis created by the shaft. Feeling "heavier" means that the swing weight balance point is closer to the head. For example, tour players play clubs with heavier swing weights, usually D3, D4 and heavier. Wedges are often D5 or D6 so that we can feel more of the clubhead. Beginners don't have the strength or control to benefit from a heavier swing weight. For example - after building up my grips (midsize plus 3 wraps) the swing weight of my zm's was C8. I needed to add lead tape to the clubhead to achieve the D2/D3 mix I like in my irons.

[timastyle]

This is not swing weight. Swing weight is a measurement of how the club feels when it is swung. As Ralph Maltby describes it: "The measurement of a golf club's weight about a fulcrum point which is established at a specified distance from the grip end of the club."

So this is all a feel thing right? There is no right or wrong?

[delav]

To a certain extent, yes. There is a range of swing weights that manufacturers design clubs to geared toward player type.

[timastyle]

To a certain extent, yes. There is a range of swing weights that manufacturers design clubs to geared toward player type.

Can you elaborate a little more on this please or direct me to somewhere that will help me understand the affects of too low a swing weight or too high? That kind of stuff.

[delav]

Can you elaborate a little more on this please or direct me to somewhere that will help me understand the affects of too low a swing weight or too high? That kind of stuff.

Find a club fitter in your area. Any shop that does club repair or custom work can help you. They can measure the swing weight and add/remove lead tape to allow you to feel the difference. Heavier swing weights allow you to feel the clubhead a bit better. I notice it most of finesse shots, punches, cuts, etc. Too light of a swing weight can cause you to lose a feel for the position of the club through your swing.

I'd see a pro or a club fitter before you start adding weight on your own.

[mlf16507]

Here you go. A scientific explanation of swiing weight.



http://www.tutelman.com/golf/design/...coast#equation