Information on Swing Weights in Golf Clubs

Swingweight is determined by the club's total weight and balance point.

Golf club swingweights are one of the most misunderstood concepts in the game of golf.

A simplified definition of swingweight is the relation of weight between the head end of the golf club and the grip end. A golfer can manipulate either end of the golf club to adjust his swingweight.

A golf club's swingweight can be changed by altering the club head, shaft, grip or length of the golf club. Swingweights are measured on a alpha-numeric scale, ranging from A0 (lightest) to G10 (heaviest).

Overview

Golf club swingweights are one of the most misunderstood concepts in the game of golf.

A simplified definition of swingweight is the relation of weight between the head end of the golf club and the grip end. A golfer can manipulate either end of the golf club to adjust his swingweight.

A golf club's swingweight can be changed by altering the club head, shaft, grip or length of the golf club. Swingweights are measured on a alpha-numeric scale, ranging from A0 (lightest) to G10 (heaviest).

Club Head Adjustments

Golfers can adjust the swingweight of the golf clubs by altering the weight of their club heads. This process generally involves adding weight via lead tape or some other weighting mechanism.

Weight can be removed from irons and wedges by grinding material from the club head. Golfers can add one swingweight point (increase from D4 to D5, for example) by adding 2 grams of club head weight. Conversely, decreasing club head weight by 2 grams will deduct one swingweight point.

The most common way of adding weight to a club head is by using lead tape. Lead tape is a very dense product with an adhesive backing that is attached to the club head to add weight.

Club Length Adjustments

Golfers can adjust the swingweight of their golf club by changing the length of the club. Adjusting the length of a golf club affects the weight relationship of the club head end and grip end of the golf club.

By increasing the length of the golf shaft by one-half inch, the swingweight will be increased by three swingweight points (increase from D2 to D5, for example). Conversely, by decreasing the length of the golf shaft by one-half inch, the swingweight will be decreased by three swingweight points.

Grip Adjustments

Golfers can adjust the swingweight of the golf club by changing the weight of the grip that is installed. Grips come in many materials and weights and can be purchased from a local golf supply store, which can provide the weight specifications of each grip.

By increasing the weight of the golf grip by 4 grams, the swingweight will be decreased by one swingweight point (decrease from D4 to D3, for example). Conversely, by decreasing the weight of the golf grip by 4 grams, the swingweight will be increased by one swingweight point.

Shaft Weight Adjustments

Golfers can adjust the swingweight of their golf club by changing the weight of the shaft in their club. Assuming the shaft is not increased or decreased in length, an increase of 9 grams in shaft weight will increase swingweight by approximately one swingweight point (increase from D3 to D4, for example). Conversely, a decrease by 9 grams in shaft weight will decrease the swingweight by approximately one swingweight point.