How to Weight Your Driver for Best Results / Counterbalance vs Head Weight vs Both

[@vbsurfinc.5156]

So last night I watched your video. I was ready to sell my Ventus blue TR. I put a 40 gram weight in the handle and a little lead tape on the head. Opposite of how it was balanced. OMG. I hit 14 fairways 280-300. Actually 15 cause I hit a provisional because I thought I drove through the dogleg.I kept looking around like, is anybody seeing this ?? Considering I’ll be 65 in a month. I am stoked beyond belief… Thank You ! Dave

[@NeilSalaria]

I bought a ping G430 LST and got a counterbalanced shaft HZDUS Yellow Smoke and gained 4 mph. I like the way how it feels compared to my TaylorMade Stealth 2 plus Ventus black 7x setup. Guess Ping will stay in the bag longer.

[@jamesreynolds4220]

Super video. Seniors might be interested in my experience with total weight and SW. I'm 75, 67.5", 140# (smaller, lighter every year). This year I switched from my 2014 Callaway Big Bertha driver (C9 SW, cut to 44.25") to a Callaway Paradym Max Fast (senior 40g shaft, 24g grip, 45.75 length, 4g weight in head). Well, the Fast driver had great moonball height and just as wide dispersion left and right - the shaft was a noodle and too light. I changed the grip to a 54g mid-sized, the shaft to a 52g Mitsu K-Carbon Tensei, and the club screw-in weight to 14g (vs 4g). Total added weight 52g. The tech who changed the shaft erred and cut it to 47". Man, it was hot (and heavy!). Took it back to the tech (it was D8 SW). He cut it back to 45.75" SW D3. Now I have the longest, straightest driver since my 40s. I've been experimenting with 3 head weights, 10g, 12g, and the 14g (available online) as I have occasional big pulls left. The 10g (aprx SW D0) seems to be giving me best distance and dispersion.

[@mrpriceisright]

Just when I needed this. I've been experimenting with lightweight/high launch/CB shafts in a Paradym TD head (which has 2 head weights but only a 2 and 12 gram in the MOI arrangement, so not much I could do to lessen the head weight). with a 40 gram shaft (Vanquish 4R) I get over D8 or more IIRC. Seems like I should try a CB 25gm in the grip. I have an ES14 launch monitor so I should be able to check launch/spin/carry numbers. I noticed in your testing the spin numbers were much lower with the head weight in your case. Boy you make it look easy to drive 300yds. I consider myself lucky to drive it over 230yds, though I'm 71 so that is a consideration (SS high 80's). Have also been trying different HL lightweight fw & hybrid shafts and the results so far have been great (with a hands ahead at impact swing I do have a low launch issue - love the height I'm getting with diamana red in the 5h). Right now every shaft from driver to 5 hybrid (6 clubs) is different!

[@stymie777]

What?

[@mrpriceisright]

@@stymie777 Sorry, probably TMI, I'm new to this shaft thing but it boils down to this: seems the only way to adjust swing weight down would be to put a counter weight in the shaft grip end (or heavier shaft). I put a 55 gm shaft in a paradym 3 hybrid and it now swing weights at D6.

[@jamesreynolds4220]

@@mrpriceisright What's the length of your hybrid now? You can lower the SW by cutting the shaft shorter (my paradym driver was acdt cut to 47" when I switched shafts, took 1 1/4" off to 45.75" and SW went from D8 to D3). Grip, shaft length and weight, head weight will all influence SW.

[@benjamingonzales7051]

I loved see the carry distance. I currently have a 30 gram counter weight in my shaft. And I’m finding more fairways and just feel confident with it now that I’m use to it. Watching this video makes me want to go buy some powder and corks and see what happens if I add more weight to the bottom of the shaft now. Cheers. Best golf content on KZbin.

[@stang1966gt]

Good video! Thx for the summary. I play a lot with head weight and find E1 is stable, but with a 50g shaft, 45”, and a light 30g grip.

[@jeremydawkins8399]

Do you mean you prefer E1 over your other swing weights? I am thinking about getting a 50g shaft as well.

[@stang1966gt]

@@jeremydawkins8399 I kept adding head weight from C7 to E1 and seemed E1 offered more consistency. I was trying to build a 280g driver, 45.5”, as my overswing is hard to control a smooth transition with a 310-320g driver. My swing speed is 85-100. The Cypher Fourty is a decent oem light shaft to try.

[@stevegillard9461]

I bought a 1" shorter shaft (both shafts weigh the same) for my AI Smoke Max Driver, which changed my swing weight from D4 to C8 and I am hitting the ball about the same distance but the disperstion is a lot tighter. My shots are a lot more consistant when it comes to centre hits.

[@davedeboy5726]

I got the same result by adding 5 grams under the grip. Lighter is easier to close the face and I have a tendency to slice. The lighter feeling head-I'm able to feel my hands close faster.

[@dbo4506]

C8 for a driver is wild!

[@stevegillard9461]

@@dbo4506 Maybe, but if it works, it works 😀

[@johnjohnson59]

I would like to thank Elite Fit Golf for keeping it real. Cheers, JJ

[@cr-us9ch]

On of the most informative videos I’ve ever watched

[@vicgeier3482]

After watching your video I did the same to my driver, can't wait to try it, exact same shaft but a TSr2 head.

[@bertofehr]

Love your videos! This here, proves swing weight means almost nothing.

[@seancook2264]

I play G410 with Tensai Orange which is counter balanced shaft. You can feel the weight under the hands. I was at a PXG fitting the other day and it was swing weighted a D9 which I was surprised by.

[@EFGMC]

You are missing the counter weight that Ping uses in their shafts that would drop the SW back into a lower range. No CB shaft can actually move the balance very much. You need a shaft plug weight to get it heavy enough.

[@SDGolfGuy]

Love the video - Doesn't this suggest a couple things - that possibly a heavier shaft all together, say 8s instead of 6s might be the answer? Would love to see a video where you do this same thing, but with say a 50 gram, 65gram, and 80 gram shaft. Have 9 conditions + standard: 50g normal d2, 50g c6, 50g d8, compare against this video for middle scenario, then 80g d2, 80g c6, 80g d8. Your video here suggests the heavier it is...the more consistency (for you). Would be curious if there is a limit - where distance dramatically starts falling off or you don't get incremental gains in dispersion

[@v205]

A heavy head makes the shaft flex less stiff too.

[@tlavery59]

I really enjoy your videos and appreciate the insights you share. I have a request for a future video that I believe would be very insightful. I’m quite sensitive to swingweight and would love to see a comparison between your favorite gamer driver and an adjusted version with a lighter shaft weight, counterbalanced to achieve your optimal swingweight. Additionally, it would be fantastic to see this same type of test applied to the AutoFlex tests you’ve done with Mr. Shortgame. Specifically, I’m curious if the swingweight of the Motore F3 was matched to the AutoFlex and if it aligned with the AutoFlex recommendations. Keep up the great work! I love how you dissect the art of building up a set of clubs.

[@MussbacherIndustries]

Excellent video. I have been testing this type of Driver changes over this winter in the SIMM. The only data that would have been interesting to see is how the overall club weight changed in the four configurations. In my case, I am finding for my Taylormade SIM driver at 47" is 323 gram overall. I am still playing with the configurations somewhat but, I think I am close to a Driver set-up for this summer.

[@hotdogint]

I know irons and driver swing weight are not necessarily correlated. I'm noticing I prefer a heavier swing weight in the driver d4-d5 and d3 in the irons. My irons are single length set to 36.5 and driver at 44.5.

[@pucancakes]

Which single length

[@hotdogint]

@@pucancakes Pinhawk

[@davedeboy5726]

The both weight club gave you better balance that's why your dispersion was better. In golf, balance is everything. I'd rather have accuracy/consistence than raw power and wild.

[@jasonstorrie7968]

Can you do something on Swing weight vs actual weight? Is it that the head weighted one actually weighs more or that the swing weight is quite heavy that makes it better?

[@williamdenton5716]

It's shockingly apparent that your Professional experience doesn't include Pre-computer Professional competition. 30 years ago lead tape was something that you would find in the bag of most Pros. We learned that the positioning of the weight had more impact than the amount of the weight. Just slapping a chunk on the center of the sole of the club is going to have only a subtle impact compared to many other positions. Regardless, you seem like a nice young man and will probably be an asset to our Profession. Good Luck and Be Well

[@jbros5051]

Great segment of thanks for doing the video. In the past I have used tape and counterbalance with various results. It makes me wonder what of any benefits now, given change in age, other factors surgeries etc. Thanks again love your channel.

[@JH-sb8cd]

Nice video! I would assume that using a heavier shaft weight (75g) would do roughly the same, but if you could keep the launch angle between 10-12° getting 300yrds would seem doable while keeping it in the fairway. Keep up the great work!

[@EFGMC]

Maybe. Have to run the same test with heavier shaft. Shaft weight is always less apparent when swinging vs head or grip so not sure on the outcome. Future video??

[@CanadianBiPolarBear]

The lead tape adds moi to the face , the counter weight did not make you go from d8 to c9 , it took your d2 to c9 , by taking the tape off you went fron d8 to d2 . 8 grams of tape should add 4 swing weight

[@kennyg63]

Very few Drivers are offered with Counter weights. It is mainly used in Drivers for people with slower club head speed. You are obviously a faster swinger.

[@Luis_mora7]

What range of club head speed would you think needs a CB driver shaft? I only ask because I got fit into a CB shaft with my TSR driver but I’m not that happy with it and I was getting a lot more distance with my old Ping G430 max with the stock Alta shaft

[@EFGMC]

Many of the Alta shafts are also counter balanced. Not sure if you saw my older video on CB, but this all comes from Jack Nicklaus and his driver setup. So you can evidently be pretty fast and still use it.

[@kennyg63]

@@EFGMC I know about Jack Nicklaus and the “ back weighting” They had a “secret grip product@ that offered the back weight. Xxio and Callaway have a counter weight driver. The Callaway Paradym Smoke Max Fast Driver has a 40 gram shaft with a counter weight

[@EFGMC]

@@kennyg63 Ping also does it.

[@Par2Pixel]

Please do a video on getting started with club building a series would be awesome but that's asking alot I know lol

[@heinketrapp7180]

Great video!! Thanks!!

[@jakamar42]

Did you do testing on the Driver by moving the lead tape further back from the face? Also instead of one strip across t he back but one perpendicular or 4 strips across th back? Last placing the tape on the top of the club head? Just to tube through In testing. Cheers.

[@user-ml5em9ic4q]

Ok, I had an idea. I like the feel of a 80 gram shaft. But the over all club swing weight was e1. Wow!! So I had an idea. What would happen if I had a 65-gram shaft put 10 in the butt and 5 tip wieght. So the static wieght was 80 grams. Bingo. I have hit slices all my life about 230. Now I carry 250 with a high draw. Not bad for a 65 year old. Ok it could be because of the Pxg blk ops driver. But the weight in the hands has smoothed out my swing. Oh for gear heads swing wieght came in about c9

[@adamsmith5262]

What if you added (25g -8g) 17g counter balance would that still equate the same as your 25g counter and 8g to the head? I'm very curious as I'm tinkering with something that helps me release the face more to play draws.

[@oscarwebb2961]

Great experiment; let the data speak! Did you install the same grip? Should grips be allowed to dry or does the air compressor help?

[@EFGMC]

Air compressor requires no wait time. That’s why I use it in my fitting studio.

[@p38shocker]

So where should the tape go on the head, the back front center? I saw your video on counterbalance in the shaft, put this looks cheaper😂.

[@rlbjr]

So are you going to play the increased head wt/counterbalanced combo?

[@212southsherman]

Counterbalancing. Would I be able to counter balance my club by adding weight to my glove? I was also thinking of wearing a heavy watch or bracelet on my lead wrist. Would it have any effect? Thank you.

[@jeremyanthis4054]

What would happen if you added weight to the base of the shaft? Around the shaft, but not on the clubhead?

[@212southsherman]

He did a video on that. You have to search for it.

[@ricardogarrido8736]

What about the shaft type or weight . I was using 55 grams weight regular shaft and now is 60+ stiff and from D0 to D3. So are you saying all this club fitting is just of time and money

[@ip1863]

what was the raw head weight of the head?...

[@jasonwang5579]

I am wondering if you can add the Opti-vibe weight near the balance point of the driver, thus adding say 20 gram of total weight without changing the swing weight. I am curious what the results would be.

[@andyfrizzell4352]

Best numbers is the higher swingweight? What the next step? Try different shafts at that swingweight to see if you can improve distance and/ or dispurstion?

[@EFGMC]

You could however you are now introducing different inputs to the equation which means that the weight with one shaft may not be right with the different shaft.

[@al7737]

This test would perhaps be more revealing for an 80 to 90 club head speed perhaps.

[@slantedaces890]

Curious why you wouldn’t try variations of less weight than standard. Removing head weights, removing head weights and adding counterweights, shortening shaft and removing head weights, etc. adding weight is not always going to be the answer and that’s all you tested.

[@brentbillings2298]

Will the lead tape come off

[@richardsharpe4884]

I have the Callaway rogue swing weight D1 my New Callaway paradym is D3.5 swing weight, however, I hit the rogue further than the paradym just can not get use to the weight of the paradym I know the head weight is heavier however, it feels lighter. If that makes sense

[@jamesbaine580]

When do you know if you need extra head weight in your driver. What are the indicators

[@EFGMC]

A 2 way miss can be an indication that you need more weight somewhere, either in the head or shaft. A light club is harder to time up. If it gets too heavy to miss will usually be consistently to one side. Not always the case but happens more times than not.

[@heuksalman]

so heavier shaft better?

[@polykoala]

How would you compare the 4th set up vs. just having heavier weight shaft, maybe in the 75-85 gram range? Curious to know.

[@EFGMC]

The head weight change is going to have a larger impact than a shaft weight change by itself.

[@freddym6643]

As a club fitter, what cord grip have you seen people have the most satisfaction with? Especially regarding durability or rather lack of slickness

[@EFGMC]

Most any cord is very durable and gives the best overall consistent texture. Lamkin Crossline Full Cord, Golf Pride MCC might be best. The Tour Velvet cord isn't great, though I've heard they make a different version with more cord for tour use. Not that that helps the rest of us. Again my #1 is Lamkin Crossline Full Cord.

[@freddym6643]

@@EFGMC Thanks, the detail on the tour velvet cord is very helpful as I had considered them. I actually have briefly tried the lamkin Crossline full cord, and found it slipping out of my hands on a rainy day. Which I found surprising. I do play without a glove though

[@EFGMC]

@@freddym6643 it's my favorite all time cord but I am now using the Lamkin ST+ which is not technically cord but gives me good grip as someone with sweaty hands.

[@ArttillaZ]

@@EFGMCwhat do you think about grip master leather grips? They are quite light....

[@EFGMC]

@@ArttillaZ Not my thing but some people like them. Always seem slippery to me.

[@kevinbiggs2697]

Random placement of head weight! Would like to have seen it wrapped around the rear of the club to stabilise the face

[@LucyBonilla-t2o]

Is it possible to increase the weight of my driver shaft by putting lead tape on it for testing purposes, and if so, where on the shaft would it be correct to put it?

[@EFGMC]

Yes, run a long strip down the back of the shaft starting an inch or so below the grip. That will add weight but keep the balance pretty neutral.

[@jergernice1]

i counter weight and add stiffness.

[@davidallen5377]

Will a heavier grip have the same feel and effect as a counter balance weight?

[@EFGMC]

Yes, except the heavier grip usually means it's thicker so it only works with a bigger grip.

[@philiplawrence2913]

very interesting vid. I assume that the counterbalancing and extra head weight is just making a heavier driver and that provided you had a swing weight of D2, say, a heavier weighted shaft (ie 60g plus 25g =75g for the shaft weight) would achieve the same thing?

[@EFGMC]

Not exactly I think. Having a heavier head, just from a physics perspective will offer greater ball speeds than from a heavier shaft.

[@tonyspagnoli2855]

Great video! I have a G430 LST(205g) with the 22g weight in the back....if I add lead tape like you did and paired with my Hzrdus rdx 60g shaft, i should see what you saw when u added weight to the head.

[@mick19421]

AJ, I have just released screw from Driiver On TaylorMade Max 2 Draw, but am having difficulty removing shaft, to change loft. Any help appreciated. Mick

[@EFGMC]

TM adapters get corrosion on them pretty easily, so that is likely why it’s sticking. You can rock the shaft back and forth a little to loosen it, maybe get a little WD-40 involved.

[@mick19421]

@@EFGMC Thanks AJ, put very small electrical screwdriver down tapped gently to see if any hunger came up, nothing much happened, so tried drop of WD 40, going to give it a chance to permeate through then will try pulling it apart, thus far no movement, if not I’ll try second shot of WD 40.

[@mick19421]

Sorry gunge came up

[@rlbjr]

Isn't it 2g of head weight = 1 sw pt? If so then 8g of lead tape would be D2 + 4 = D6 sw?

[@EFGMC]

That's the basic rule but the actual numbers change with club length. Weight added to a driver will have a larger influence than the same weight added to a wedge. Driver is more like 1.7g = 1 SWP. Also the weight being added to the very bottom of the club has similar influence vs weight added to the back of the head for example.

[@drvngrange]

ty

[@ip1863]

didnt u do this video already?

[@EFGMC]

Did counterbalancing driver, did lead tape on driver head, and did a shorter heavier driver video. This is different and comparing methods.

[@brentbillings2298]

Is there a standard for driver length based on your height? Like if you are 5'8" say then you need a 44" driver .

[@EFGMC]

I would start you out at 44.5 probably. Always easier to cut it or choke up a bit to play it shorter.

[@brentbillings2298]

Thank you. I went and cut it down to 44 inches. I have a ping g430 , should I add weight to it? I hv a think it it 29g weight I bought to put in head. Just asking. Lol I am 63 yrs old and want to drive the ball farther.

[@EFGMC]

@@brentbillings2298 Time to get out the lead tape and experiment.

[@brentbillings2298]

Will the tape come off

[@EFGMC]

@@brentbillings2298 You can peel it off.

[@garrysutcliffe6254]

Can you do a video on which combination helps close the driver face, struggling with a open face with driver

[@EFGMC]

For me the combo setup with weight on both ends gave me the straightest results ie least right. Also check out my video from last week, could be helpful!

[@ultimatejay]

Are you at 10000 ft elevation? That swing doesn't look fast enough to produce those numbers.

[@EFGMC]

GC Quad defaults to your current elevation which in Atlanta GA is around 1000ft

[@miked.7722]

looks like you should pull the tape and the counter weight and go back to stock. Cuz basically one cancelled out the other. Maybe just shorten your shaft 1/2 to 1 inch so you can control the club better and hit it in the center more often. All the tour pros are swinging a 44-45 in driver.

[@derekwhyle1884]

This was a really interesting test but your swing wasn’t consistent enough to make it meaningful. Maybe the reason the dispersion was better with the heaviest club is the extra weight stopped you trying to whack the living crap out of the ball.

[@The_YouTube_Critic]

Adding 8 grams isn't going to bump it 6 swing weight points.

[@L3VV3954]

I added 3 grams and moved my driver from D3 to D6

[@The_YouTube_Critic]

@@L3VV3954 No you didn't

[@L3VV3954]

@@The_KZbin_Critic Okay 👍🏻

[@johncirillo9544]

@@L3VV3954 generally, 2-grams equals one swing weight point.

[@L3VV3954]

@@johncirillo9544 Yeah I agree that generally that is the case. In my case the driver was shortened 1/2 inch then professionally reweighted to D3 , I believe it took a fair bit of weight to get it back there and balance the club to what I needed. I then added a 3 gram strip to the head to play possibly a D4 but the club was measuring at D6 seemed to require much less weight to move the needle after being shortened and reweighted back to standard D3

[@sm00v00]

Your golf swing just mediocre improve your technique than don't have to mess with weights

[@briankinread3555]

Way more consistent isn’t very precise. Should have a chart showing distance and dispersion. Waste of time.

[@EFGMC]

All the numbers are in there if you want them!

[@212southsherman]

Which of these methods would make a Senior Flex shaft a little more stable and or less whippy?

[@EFGMC]

Counterbalance would be the best option. More head weight will only increase the shaft bend.