Greatest of All Time Driver Hack / COUNTERBALANCING

[@tadzius5829]

Interesting video. What would have been a good end to this test was to have him go back to the original stock weight and see how those numbers looked after hitting at the heaviest counterweight..

[@ericbartz3759]

I also counterbalance my driver. I like the extra overall weight of the club and it feels like it helps me engage my body/bigger muscles just a little bit more when swinging. How I counterbalance is with a 1/4” carriage bolt 3” long and nuts (use gf’s digital kitchen scale to weigh out desired grams) Wrap it with masking tape to make a snug fit and prevent rattle in the butt of the club. Cheap and it works well for counterbalancing!

[@bobsofia68]

I like this idea, gonna give it a try.

[@dstu6221]

Let the crossovers continue! Big fan of Mr. Mobile Short Clubmaker Game Golf content - keep it up, gents!

[@1ZZ1_1ZZ1]

I'm a certified club maker from the Golfworks Malby school with 12 years of experience under my belt. I've tweaked and assembled thousands of clubs, and I agree 100% with the findings in this video as they have matched my experimentation almost to the letter. HERE'S A TRICK -> A few years ago I went to a local machine shop and had them drill holes in square metal weights so I could put my tee through them and into the back of the grip for quick and easy experimentation. I put poster putty between the weight and the grip to avoid any vibration issues as I tested and switched out the different weights. What I finally ended up doing, after I found the proper weight was making the driver 1" longer and putting the weight BEHIND the hands in the 1" space. Then I just told my customers to grip down 1". When the weight goes behind the hands you'll get the maximum affect of this experiment. Give it a shot. also - I think you'll love it. Great video - Cheers!

[@EFGMC]

I've had that video idea for over a year. The pommel of a sword concept on a golf club. Now that I know it's had some success, might need to move it up my to do list.

[@BruceBusby]

I've been doing this for a few years. I also add head weight to bring up the ball speed and return the head feel to the golfer. D2 feels factory but muscular golfers can swing D5-D10 with ease. Some golfers prefer a light feel with the lightest shaft and headweight (40g shaft, 196g head) and 12 g CB weight in the butt section. Almost everyone can benefit from some tinkering. It helps to blow the grips on/off while experimenting

[@roadtoscratchgolf3481]

Nice to see Mr. Short Game and you teaming up on a few videos. He is definitely getting a better response than I did. I switched from medium grips to jumbo that were 25 grams heavier. When I did this, I couldn’t tell where the head of my driver was, the club head just feels light and out of control. I might add that my swing has changed quite a bit for the better, this has nothing to do with swing weight as I’m striking all of my clubs much better, except for my driver. New club fitting coming soon, so I’ll see what happens. Cheers.

[@robertboyer6866]

Jack certainly knew and still knows a thing or two about golf - great video -

[@jacobr4558]

I love how golf is full of secrets. Its so fun!

[@exrog]

I tried my buddies counterbalanced shaft, and you can definitely feel the difference in the swing weight. Good video guys.

[@melvinharrison1140]

I have been doing this to my clubs ever since I found out this is what Jack Nicklaus was doing with his clubs. Jack had his own brand called AirBear and they came with counterbalance grips. The counterbalance made the club head feel lighter so I did not have to swing as hard to get club head speed. At 5’9’’ and 165lbs and quick hands I was able to easily Carrie the ball 320 yds. My longest drive was 342 yards. I lot of my golfing buddies told me that they were going to get me test steroids. That was in the 1990’s in my 30’s and 40’s. Now in my late 60’s I can still hit the ball 300 yds. But now it is harder to find the counterbalance grips. Now after watching you guys, I’m going to go and buy the weights and have them installed with my next set of grips.

[@JPx412]

AJ is a great guy I love this combo with you two. We need more of these! I just bought a CB shaft their incredible for my driver. Never seen this or heard this approach, it's pretty wild! I'm all for Frankenstein equipment for the good lol. 👍

[@jeffspidle2495]

Good to see you two collabing Again!! Thanks so much for your club making skills!! Matt, way to hit that Driver!!

[@wmk3953]

I have counterbalanced and it did have value for me. Did it more for consistency, it’s an old technique. Scott Hoch, I believe used it in his putter at one time. There was a physics guy who worked out all the equations to actually make all your clubs swing (or feel) like your favorite club, say 7 iron for instance. Interesting idea, interesting book. I am 66 and have worked my swing into 110 mph territory, who would think? Todays teaching very different than years ago. There are a lot of ways to hit a golf ball. My take after 60 years, like Moe said - do what works truly for you and know your swing. The really knowing seems to be the tough part.

[@golfnaked]

What was the name of the book?

[@wmk3953]

@@golfnaked I wish I could remember! 30+ years ago, the physics of golf is what strikes me.

[@willdeit6057]

Nice one AJ & great to Mr. Shortgame, Followed both of you for the last couple of years and still doing great. Thank you

[@chrisc353]

I'd love to see a combination of this video and the DIY Autoflex video. I'm curious what type of results you'd get by counterbalanciing an auto flex shaft

[@coegj]

Oh yeah, that would be interesting, like that ideal.

[@zwiput]

Great to see Matt on !!

[@davewestfall6175]

I love watching your videos. I build my own clubs (I'm not a professional) and I always ask "what if". Thanks for answering those silly ideas that I dream up.

[@oatechaosincycles]

Another great and refreshingly different upload AJ! Thanks!

[@dennissmith1904]

Bryson plays with the JumboMax grips over 100 grams. Basically counter balancing

[@nimda2468]

so add weight to grip to "lower" swingweight to create a faster club head speed? what if we make the shaft longer and lighter at the same time use a heavier grip? how about adding tennis overgrips to the grip?

[@Tognar]

Welp... I'm shook! I want to swing by your shop and try this on my setup.

[@davidmbarr9255]

Great colab! I'd be keen to know whether Matt felt he could keep swinging the heavier club for an entire round (and thereby maintain the benefits).

[@jrfoleyjr]

I had been doing this for years with the clubs I assembled from Golfsmith components for myself and others. I always try for a swing weight in the C5-6 range for myself. When I buy a new driver I swing-weight and regrip immediately. My current driver (Cleveland Launcher) is set at C6 with oversized grips.

[@TheRealStephenAllen]

How cool to see Mr. Short Game on here!!!

[@sms9106]

I already add some weight since upgrading to a LT grip that is 10g less, this is interesting and going to try some combos.

[@donreinholz8121]

Excellent video Ajay. I might try this on my new driver build. Cool!

[@TeddyCavachon]

F = 1/2 (mass x velocity^2) the rate at which kinetic energy is created in a golf swing. Increasing mass will increase the kinetic energy linearly, but increasing velocity exponentially increases it: 2x = 4x, 3x = 9x, 4x = 16x, etc. Putting more mass in the handle of the club should create a slower backswing when acting against gravity and a faster acceleration in the downswing at the point momentum and gravity cause the lead arm to separate. My intuition tells me the added mass in the hand area would cause the path of the lead arm to change as it flies down in the same way a movable weight in the club head affects face rotation and angle at impact. The difference in feel would also affect timing and how the hands would react when reaching the bottom of their swings arc ahead of the club head mass. The more mass put in the hands the slower they will react and come back up giving the club head more time to accelerate around the hands before impact, the same F=1/2(M x V^2) cause and effect creating more striking force, compression and ball speed.

[@wmk3953]

I like to think in simple terms. If adding mass to the club does not reduce my swing speed then I will get the linear increase in energy transfer. From a pure velocity standpoint, it may delay the release enough to move the max velocity closer to impact as well. Lots of individual trial and todays launch monitors could be super useful here.

[@richdouglas2311]

I once counterbalanced a set of irons, moving the swing weight from D2 to C9. I couldn't feel the clubhead at the top of the swing. It was lost and so was I. Be sure you find your own good swing weight. If counter-balancing the club does that, fine. But know it.

[@The559Jeff]

I have tried this and it gives you more feel in the takeaway and release but not more distance.

[@MarvinofMars]

I have this done with a XR16 driver I have, I went about this by using tape, I did for fun to see try it against my SIM2 driver.. I am 6ft and using a 44inch driver tensi blue reg flex tipped 1 1/4 inches, with a Lamkin Mid size with 11 layers of tape. 6 full length then 5 front grip, feels totally fine. Swing weight change from D1 to C8. I did notice the straightness plus the swing speed went up form 95 to 105MPH, and I am not chasing speed either. Distances are up too Carry 250 yards roll out 270 yards. I had read that they used coins under the grips..

[@atxrich]

I’ve got Alta CB shaft in my Ping hybrid and HZRDUS Red CB in my TSR3 and you can definitely feel like you can whip the club thru a bit quicker compared to my fairway woods. It’s not dramatic but noticeable

[@7417cd]

Great video AJ. No wonder Jack won so many majors. Sounds like it's something most golfers should try

[@thomascarruth9079]

Wow. I’m shocked by this video. HAVE to try this now.

[@lance5101]

i've wondered about this because they used to counterbalance long swords way back when. I tried a heavier grip for a few range sessions and had no clue where the clubhead was. I would say try it and see if you like it. If you're like me, you'll swing faster but can't control it.

[@EFGMC]

Totally agree. No one size fits all in golf. This may help, but it might not. Just have to try and see.

[@user_1664]

This is on the money for me , i counter my putter til it balances mid shaft and it really works both in feel and results , ive been pondering doing the same with all my clubs or at least experimenting and figured there must be a curve or logarithm that could be applied , i just wish i had more time ……

[@industrialpalletworx3548]

I bought a different shaft and a different loft of the same head. It was cheaper than buying a completed club. That shaft was 30g heavier with similar characteristics as my existing shaft. Using an online swingweight calculator I was able to get it to C8/C9, but that is an estimate. After testing a bit I was averaging 105mph with it. Swap in the heavier shaft 111mph average. That worked out to D3 swing weight. Again those are estimates. I was honestly surprised. I thought the lighter shaft would have been a monster, but it just wasn't the case. I would definitely like to try the counter balance in this other shaft. Even 10g would make a difference I think.

[@Hosstache]

Great to see two of my favorite dudes!!!!!

[@gbiscuits]

mr shortgame is awesome, glad to seem him across other channels

[@beng4647]

That is a smooth swing.

[@davidcollins1221]

Thank you for the review and advice, I’ve been looking at getting a new set of clubs but just can’t make up my mind on what to get.

[@therealbeedubbs35]

Such a nice smooth swing u have! Wish I could swing like this

[@charminglad124]

I tried this 35 years ago.. using lead.. I liked it but left the game for 2 years and forgot about it.. ty

[@flippperboy]

I just measured my clubs and the clubs that measures on the c ranges I hit very well. The clubs in the d range very inconsistent. I’m buying some counter balance. Thanks

[@TheTraditionalGolfer]

I've just fitted a Tensei Av Raw 65gram Orange X Stiff into my Mizuno Stz220 and that shaft is a counterbalanced shaft so it's naturally heavier in the butt end and i have to say it feels great 👍

[@fittingmen]

hello? Nice to meet you. This is a very informative video. I agree very much with your comments. I wish you a good video in the future.

[@brianbrinegar6086]

Too fun! Excellent video. I like seeing you guys working together.

[@mengtastic8337]

Great content and I may have to try adding some weight to the end of my driver.

[@tomparisi804]

Wow! That was a very interesting video. Really enjoy the team of you and Matt! I am going to get some swing weights today!! 😊

[@tommyz9819]

Thank you! This is exactly what I needed to see!

[@simiangolf1927]

I USED LEAD TAPE UNDER THE GRIP TO DO THE SAME THING, CAUSE THE WEIGHTS EFFECT PUTTING MY CLUB SENSORS ON MY CLUBS

[@phillinuptyres]

you should do the same test but add weight to re-balance the club to the desired swing weight.

[@legend9018]

Awesome collaboration

[@MJ-LazyBones]

Thanks for the video gents. Been thinking about this and would like to see the smash factor numbers. From what I could see they didn't really change.

[@EFGMC]

Stayed pretty constant at 1.45 throughout the testing.

[@duanenishimoto1285]

I have an R9 Taylor made driver with a pro launch 60 x red shaft and while re gripping, I found out that my counter balance shaft had a 77 gram weight in the shaft.

[@stephenhenderson9535]

Great work AJ. Great channel. Definitely for me found a niche in the saturated KZbin golf content creators channels out there. Just need to find somewhere in n.ire that sells these now so i might benefit from it. I'll likely jump in at a 40/50g and take a punt at that just

[@AndreasLarzon]

An interesting question here would be.... Would it be the same result if you only go the lighter swing-weight road by subtracting weight from the head side of the club and not adding at the butt? In essence, actually lightens the total weight of the club. How would a heavier or lighter club affect your ability to hit the ball consistently.

[@jimmypeach8838]

Good experiment.... Thing that will def change is how the shaft will bend with a lighter head.... it will play much stiffer so will change flight for good or bad

[@theroad2ten]

Good question! I'm no expert but I think most people like to try this vs making the head lighter because physics tell us if we can swing something with more mass at the ball, at the same speed as the lighter object it should travel faster/go further. I'm sure there is a point of diminishing returns, but I'm excited to try!

[@scottdrake7635]

is this changing either the flex points or stiffening the handle section of the shaft? Either one should affect the whip action of the shaft.

[@EFGMC]

No change.

[@davidcollins1221]

That was extremely informative, thanks for sharing..

[@jeromekemmer8148]

Great video! I would also like to have seen how heavier head weights would have worked with the counterbalancing.

[@EFGMC]

Future video. This topic is seeming popular so I will be coming back to it for sure.

[@dougellio7000]

Really interesting video. Thanks for making it. Is it possible to blow off grips that are solvent taped on?

[@EFGMC]

People say yes but I am not good at it. It's advised you cover the grip with a piece of PVC pipe to reduce the chance of air pockets rupturing the grip.

[@fretless05]

More than a decade ago, a company called Boccieri Golf came out with a series of clubs that were all fit with grips that they called "Secret Grips". It wasn't much of a secret, they were butt-weighted. I'm not sure why they didn't survive, because it seems they were on to something... I would love to have heard more about how Mr. Shortgame hit the driver in terms of distance and dispersion with the weights in the club. It seems he did gain some speed, but was there a cost?

[@nerd9992]

bought dozen of secret grips but very disappointed with poor quality rubber.

[@HolyGrailOfGolf]

When I had a station I broke balls all the time. If I hit one too many times in a row quickly, it would break and or crack. Titleist were the least likely but they still broke. Wilson Staff Duo 60 compression were only good for a few strikes. I broke all of them. Therefore, a ball has to be experiencing some stress or recuperation after it's struck and compressed and if so, surely it wouldn't perform exactly the same on the next strike. I found that if I let the balls rest for 5 minutes or so, they didn't break, but if I pounded one ball in succession it would break after about 10 to 20 strikes. These are not only being struck by the club but hitting the screen as well, whereas mine flew into a soft net.

[@DavidPetryk]

Great video. Like i needed something else to ticker with.

[@RedHeartWL]

HELP!?! I have a driver with a different swing weight from my irons. I heard that driving with a light club then next hitting a heavy iron (or vice versa) could be a problem for me as a beginner. Could you do a test of a light drive quickly followed by a heavy club to see if it matters? I know you as a great driver probably could adjust quickly, so could you find a beginner for the test? THANX!!!

[@8dragonsx]

Did you try using counterweights with lighter grips such that the club weight didn’t increase … just a shift of weight closer to the butt end?

[@darrelltaylor1515]

Moe Norman also did this on all of his clubs. Your're right-2oz backweight on each club-why Moe always chocked down-so weight is on opposite side of hands-slow the hands down-like Nicklaus & the secret grip-Moe's driver was 16oz & E3 with all clubs-I suspect that's before backweight-brings it to C+ much lighter feel but overall heavy. BTW.........Where did you get the weights?

[@dustingray4072]

I picked up on Moe's counter balancing secret about a year ago and spent most of last year experimenting. It definitely helps consistency!

[@joseheredia7126]

Interesting. Where can I get a hold those weights? Can you make that modifications to my clubs?

[@GarryLindsay1]

Weight in the butt stop forward movement near impact, increasing the fulcrum affect, increasing club head speed. Super long hitters slow this movement of the grip end just before impact. This is why butt weighting is thought to help

[@johnburnett3942]

Absolutely amazing, where can you buy the weights.

[@EFGMC]

Golfworks

[@johnroberts2384]

Super Interesting Stuff, Thanks, JR Cornwall UK.

[@bryanharding4359]

hey AJ was wondering on the golf works website to do this is the part I need just called "Tour Lock Pro Counter Weight Plugs" or do I need other stuff too?

[@vharrald]

I would've never thought that having a lighter swing weight would increase my distance... Thanks AJ... I've tried the Yamato arthritic oversized jumbo grips I bought of Amazon... The knobbies feel ok...

[@kirkmumby4591]

Thank was very interesting.that proved Jack Nicolas new what he doing.

[@timmyinMB]

Great video. Now just adjust the loft down and reduce the decent angle and see if you can get more roll out. Great stuff!

[@steverutherforzssdssssxs9323]

I've wondered about this but didn't know if it was legal. Lol. Time to experiment!

[@C-mac_in_the_6ix]

Honestly, most of this kind of stuff makes very little difference to the average golfer. The average total distance yards were within a few yards of each other. The numbers also get skewed because for example one time, he really got hold of one (I think of the 25G grip) so it skewed his average distance to be a bit further. I mean if you like the way it feels, great maybe it helps you personally but don't expect to gain 10-15 yards by doing this.

[@russmorris7438]

Where is the best place to buy the correct counter weights?

[@mre_man]

lol good to see Shortie on the channel.

[@redghost3170]

Well, off to my workshop.

[@steveandrews6280]

Jack knows . Good video

[@erniecarey2125]

Great video, but where in the heck do I get the counter weights?

[@EFGMC]

Can buy from Golfworks

[@montana2222]

Moe Norman said he trained himself to swing an E5 swingweight at the age of 18 and swung that eversince. Ive been wanting to try E5 but cant find anyone locally to build it

[@lukula2934]

E5...That is heavy. I'd mess around first with lead tape, on either end, before having something built. Moe Norman is a big, stocky guy. I'll assume he was similar in younger days. It would make sense that a heavier club would suit him and promote consistency. I think shaft length, flex and one's height must all be factored into any experiment with swing weight. But the results may not be as predictable as one would think. For example, Clay Ballard, who is tall and swings a longer shaft at about 119, tried butt weighting and saw no improvement. But my son, a 5'11" scratch player who is in the mid 120's, saw a clear dispersion improvement after butt weighting. It is obvious that there's much input required to arrive at a true swing and contact improvement. And that there's no better method then adjustments made to one's personal swing. But if you're not willing to invest in some basic club building and monitoring equipment, you'll be spending considerable time and $ at a fitter's studio. Some people prefer their coffee in fine china, others like a heavy mug...And this preference appears to have little to do with body style, gender and/or strength.

[@richdouglas2311]

If you want to play around with counter-balancing the club, choke down on it. Not only will you lower the swing weight, you'll also shorten the club and make more solid strikes.

[@heinketrapp7180]

Great stuff!! Super interesting!! Thanks

[@troyrambo6804]

I noticed the ball flight was higher with more weights in the hands. Perhaps this same test but lower the loft on the driver? See if that causes more ball speed with that added club head speed? Not sure if you guys changed loft at all?

[@EFGMC]

Only change was the CB weights for this

[@067sulli]

Where do you buy weights? Looks like Superstroke for putter?

[@p38shocker]

What would it be like with lead weight on the head and counterbalance at the grip

[@GarryLindsay1]

Try the reverse as well, get a lighter club head or lighter shaft with same CPM and load point. Alot of people cannot feel the head when you butt weight, so they increase speed and spray everywhere. Also the shaft may become to soft for that speed, yet, feel stiffer to the player

[@jeromeyjohnson7287]

What do you think would happen if you cut the driver shaft length down and then counterbalanced the weight at the butt end? Thank you for a great video!

[@EFGMC]

The head will "feel" much lighter in that case. You might need some heavier head weights or lead tape but it's all theory until you actually try it and see what happens.

[@jeromeyjohnson7287]

@@EFGMC Thank you! I appreciate your thoughts on it. I might try this. outside of practice I struggle a bunch with Driver dispersion and am trying to see/understand if this might help without sacrificing ball speed. Cheers!

[@dj-flights7376]

Do we know if any specific pros are doing this now? Rory? Rahm?

[@mikeoakley7470]

If you don’t have a grip machine how do you know how much weight to add to YOUR driver?

[@grahamgregg3006]

I use a mid size grip which is 25 grams heavier then standard grip. It changes my swing weight from D2 to C9. Not sure on the effect on my numbers as I don’t have track man data.

[@pauldamicophd]

Great video and very informative. I have the PXG Gen 5 driver. It has 3 movable weights in the head. Would you expect to have similar results if one was to just decrease the weight in the head and leave the butt end of the club as is?

[@MJ-LazyBones]

Hey Paul. You will have a lighter club and swing weight. The issue would be which Wright you remove and its effect on moi. You could increase spin so swing faster but get less distance, also an argument could be made for a reduced smash factor. But why not try it? You might learn u love lighter feel.

[@EFGMC]

One of the golf publications did this a few years ago taking all the weight out of the head and comparing. They did get more speed but also lost lots of control. Our test here did not see any loss of control.

[@anthonybeaulieu2423]

What would you recommend for higher swing speed 110-120 which golfer would benefit for counterbalance driver

[@EFGMC]

I would probably look at somewhere in the 30-50g area to start the experiment. Faster swings should be able to handle the higher weights.

[@vicarofhell]

By chance could there be a follow up with where the ball was being struck on the face with each weight?? Or maybe a follow up don the road if he is willing to keep the 40or 50 eight in the club for say 6 months and really get his swing adjusted for it??

[@matthewpocock4824]

How many people are strapping a squirrel to the butt end of their driver right now? We don't have them in Australia, but I might be able to source a small guinea pig.

[@patrickseymour8225]

So did Mr Short Game add a counter balance weight to his driver? If so, what weight?

[@darksidegamer81]

Great Video. What is the air-gun you were using to remove and install the grip?

[@EFGMC]

Amazon battery powered tire inflator. Astro AI Tire Inflator

[@darksidegamer81]

@@EFGMC Thanks, watching a video when you replaced the Kobalt compressor, now

[@MyAbedul]

Would the same result occur with fairway woods? Hybrids? I already saw the videos about irons and wedges.

[@tonyspagnoli2855]

I have a G425 max driver with a CB Alta 55. Im wondering if I remove the 26g weight in the back and replace it with two 13g weights on the toe and heel. Would that increase MOI?

[@EFGMC]

No. The weight far back will provide the highest MOI. Moving the weights up to to and heel will lead to more curve.

[@bruceshearer8711]

What type of counterbalance weights are you using and where can you get them. Love the video.

[@EFGMC]

Tour Lock