Building a putter

[CrazyHorsePete]

Hey all, I'm about to embark on my first adventure into clubmaking.  I'm going to build a putter.  I've already ordered the head, but before I do anything else, I need a little insight about shafts.

I'm thinking about making a belly putter.  I know that any shaft with the proper butt diameter will fit, but are there any major disadvantages of using a long iron shaft in X flex as opposed to a putter shaft?

[cruzthepug]

Did you order a head designed for a long (belly) putter?

[glock35ipsc]

^^^ This.  The lie will tend to be a couple degrees different on a belly putter head, and the weight will be about ~ 50g more.

The biggest difference with the shaft will be weight.  The average belly putter shaft tends to be from 165g to 245g @ 53" raw length.

[CrazyHorsePete]

I did not order a head specifically designed for a belly putter, but the head I ordered has a lie angle comparable to a typical belly putter lie angle.  Based on the reading I've done, the head weight should be sufficient for a belly putter.  The reason for the shaft question is because I know iron shafts tend to be lighter than putter shafts, and I was thinking of using an iron shaft to shift the "balance point" closer to the bottom (increase the swingweight?).

I guess if my experiment doesn't work, I'll just reshaft with a standard putter shaft.

[clearkey]

A lighter shaft will move the balance point down, but decrease the swingweight.  This is because more of the shaft is past the fulcrum (pulling down on the swingweight scale).  With an exceptionally butt-heavy shaft compared to one that is not this may be different, but in general, heavy shafts increase swingweight.

You should also consider where the shaft tapers/steps.  If the taper/steps are under the grip this is definitely going to effect how the putter feels in your hands.  Also, it will effect the look of the putter which you may or may not like.

[CrazyHorsePete]

Update:

Clearkey, thanks for the swingweight explanation.  What you wrote makes sense to me.

The putter is built!  I used a Snake Eyes head, True Temper putter shaft, and Super Stroke belly putter grip.  The new putter came out very nice.  I originally intended to put a Winn putter grip on, but when I used some force to seat it, it tore.  That thing was a pain.  So I bought a Super Stroke, which was cake to put on.

[The Pro Newbie]

Picture of the putter?

[CrazyHorsePete]

^I'll get around to it, I promise!