Shaft Balance Point & Swingweight

[@clubchampionmedia]

Testing starts at 8:14

[@trentmcgarry]

is there any tests you guys do where you are just testing different shaft weights with similar flex profiles as well as even more different head weights like say hitting a stock ping shaft at 55g vs a 85/75/65 g shaft or adding more weight to the head .

[@MCash7709]

The videos you guys put out are pure gold. So informative and well done. I’m really considering making the drive from Ohio to Toronto to get fit, because I’ve yet to meet a “fitter” even close to having this knowledge base. Keep up the great work!

[@clubchampionmedia]

MCash7709 👍👍👍

[@joshuaprok4354]

I was thinking the same thing, I usually see Trent at Windmill Learning Center in Macedonia, Ohio. He is extremely intelligent but he does not have near the inventory of shafts on hand to optimize the fitting like this. Love this Channel.

[@bsmith4u2]

You guys are so good and I'm learn so much about how each detail effects the club and it's performance. I don't think there any club fitters, at the Big Box stores, that would ever take this much time or go into this much detail during a fitting. Thank you. And thank you for the information you share with the public.

[@tmoney849]

You're exactly right Ian, so many fitters don't understand the influence of the components they're putting together. That's what Larry and I would like to change.

[@TimG907]

This is a REALLY underrated video. Incredible insight and information.

[@mikebest634]

One of the most interesting videos I have seen ,shaft weight length and swing weight really does make massive difference to getting the balance with the head .

[@mcalette]

Keep the awesome videos coming! This type of information is so beneficial to golfers. You are the leaders in providing expert golf equipment information. Second to none.

[@juwadanah]

Great video again guys. I had no Idea the club head weights varied so much. I am planning on coming to get a full fitting done. I will be booking soon I hope. I play off 12, and I am trying to get down to a 5 handicap. I really feel my clubs are keeping me back. When I come up we will find out. Keep up the great work! Thank you

[@dougrea9993]

Awesome video guys! This is all stuff that the manufacturers and most club fitters don't tell you. They put you on a monitor that isn't even set up correctly and ask which one feels better. I might have to make a trip to you guys from Florida to get my bag correct. Thanks for the videos!

[@thegrmcrckr488]

I don't subscribe to any channels, no matter what the subject, but I really like your videos so I subscribed...... Great job.

[@seancook2264]

I was fitted for the Tensai Orange S flex in Ping G410 which I guess is one of the heavier driver heads. 77% of fairways on first competitive outing, the fitter must have gotten something right! Moving from a Diamana blue board you can certainly feel the weight more under the hands in the Tensai. Great video! 👍🏼

[@caydenbrown1127]

We need a video on how the head weight effects the overall performance at Matt's speed

[@mdui2010]

We need a TXG done south in Florida. Thanks for the vid very informative as always. Keep up the good work.

[@greatpar]

Hi Ian and Matt. As usual very educational. It astounds me that the OEM,s expect the poor punter to fork out a small fortune without offering expert fitting. It would be interesting to survey those who have given the game away in sheer frustration to find out the clubs they were using were an impediment to their improvement. After all you would expect you dentist or surgeon to have the correct equipment. There is simply no one answer for the masses. It’s so subjective to each and every golfer. There is no such thing as off the rack. Cheers

[@adh1308]

Great video. I'd like to make it to Toronto to get fit by you Ian. I was just fit for a whole new bag and would love to see the difference. I truly feel like I'm not getting a proper fit from anywhere I've ever been fitted after seeing how precise you are. Keep up the great work. Love watching your videos. I just need to convince the wife to let me travel to Toronto from Los Angeles for a couple of days. Lol

[@banditbaker1675]

You need to what I did Anthony, convince your wife that she NEEDS to go visit Toronto and when she adopts the trip as Her idea you drop in "Oh whilst we are in Toronto I need to drop in to see my good friend Ian (who I haven't seen for years". It worked like a dream and I`m having my fitting in July whilst my wife is visiting her friends in Toronto!

[@clubchampionmedia]

That's a stroke of genius Bandit 😆

[@banditbaker1675]

I must admit that I am rather pleased with that one, the benefit of being married for 38 Years (luckily to two different woman)!

[@chrisi1920]

Always learning more watching your videos. Amazing how much can be tweaked to an individual swing with the right information. It reminds me of getting fitted for the correct prescription for eye glasses, get it right and vision is 20-20 or better, get it wrong and its a big headache!

[@bradleypeyton6500]

Excellent stuff again guys. Starting to wonder what I’d do with my time without you in my life haha.

[@farmtigervbmichaelwoody9430]

Awesome video!! Now my friends that watch this will understand the lead tape on my clubs😀

[@tyleregan]

Exactly what we talked about today! Loved the break down of the swing weight and balance!

[@seancook2264]

Interesting to watch some of the older videos. Matty only hitting it 290! Nowadays flying it over 300! Clearly the work with Larry is paying off!

[@KillrobPlays]

Excellent video once again, fantastic nuanced discussion of the observed differences. :) Well played!

[@parkermeginbir4812]

I've updated recently to a Cobra SZ Driver and will definitely be playing around with some of the weights on the bottom in an "informed" way after watching this.

[@Dave-ot9jz]

Thanks for doing swingweight video! It was the one comment I wanted to make during the fairway and driver fittings with Matt. Really hard to judge a shaft like the Tensei Orange or the T1100 with out the proper head weight to balance out the club. It was great to see the difference also!

[@skylarsteel91]

Quarantine has me in a wormhole of TXG videos. Amazing how two years ago, Matt was carrying driver 274..... Compare that with the mavrik in the newest driver bracket. Holy smokes, good work man!

[@dcloder]

Fantastic video guys. I love this kind of technical stuff and being someone who has built there last two set of Irons because a club builder couldn't do it right, I absolutely love this video could relate to a lot of the things you guys were talking about particularily with swing weights. Great stuff

[@roykullick5273]

That was some pretty straight shooting Matt!

[@gimbalair]

One for Ian... Years ago, I went to Ed Robertson of Applied Golf Technology in Fife, he fitted an Aldila One (stepped shaft) into my the R300 driver, he also spine aligned it, re applying the grip afterwards. Where are we nowadays re spine alignment and what was that stepped shaft all about, it worked a treat for me back then.

[@lakejindsay]

Adapters... Callaway - 10g Taylormade - 6g Ping - 6g Cobra - 6g Used my last Titleist the other day, but my guess is it's 8-10g. Callaway's is the best because all adjustments can be made without moving the grip or more importantly the shaft. Titleist is not far behind. But the others are nice because of what you said regarding weight. 4 grams is a figurative "ton" to the designers and engineers. The Balance Point stuff, particularly with Accra and the RPG lineup really has my mind going down the Counterbalanced Rabbit Hole. And look, what do you know, a TXG video on Counterbalanced shafts in my feed. Go Algorithm, lol!!!

[@ScottDreyfus]

My rogue sub zero was 194, I added a 10 gram in place of the 2 and got 202 with a 84 gram shaft at 44.5 to get D4. Light heads are a major pain if you have to play clubs shorter.

[@brettsteven3244]

Thanks guys....once again so much information....cheers

[@caydenbrown1127]

Amazing explanation!

[@BANDANA960]

Yo gents excellent work over the last few months. I've got one for you. The new Mizuno ST180 and GT180 drivers. I work at American golf now back in the U.K and had a go with the ST180 and it was an absolute animal! Be good to see you test it uncut!

[@geemac979]

I enjoy watching your videos on club fitting -v- product demos because you explain the technical side of being properly fitted in understandable terminology, so that a customer is not buying a club on hype, but more so, on what the club will deliver on performance rather than just rocking up at the 1st tee with an expensive driver that creates “WOW”factor out of the bag, and continuously delivers “Oh No” or worse responses from every tee shot thereafter. Can you take this fitting knowledge and experience to the next tier and explain how “Spine Alignment” - “FLO” & “Pure” shaft fitting also assists with correct swing weight, correct tip and grip weight/thickness can deliver expected performance regardless of club head or shaft brands?

[@tj4381]

Great video guys.

[@craigthego2man]

AWow I was just going through this process switching from my title is D3 to an epic and I stripped everything down to match heads wait to go on my Patterson shaft I found I need to pick up 5 g somewhere and I came upon your video thanks for validating

[@craigthego2man]

my voice typing gave you the wrong shaft company Paderson I am using the ballistic TP

[@Chris_the_golf_guy]

This stuff is freaking gold... I feel like we've been talking and thinking the same things from miles away. My new favorite channel. I've always toyed with the idea of really investing in my youtube channel and a better camera/studio, but there's really no need, i'll just steer people here.

[@paulkelly5883]

Great vid as always guys really interesting to see differences in balance points. Never taken it into consideration before 👍👍👍👍

[@gbrgolf]

Really great information, as usual!

[@trailcamross4385]

Enjoying these tech comparisons, I’ll need to investigate swing weights now 🤔

[@amolyajnik2727]

At a fitting earlier this year, I had my highest ball speeds with the Rogue Sub Zero but wasn't nearly as consistent with that club as I was with the standard G400, which ended up in my bag. I thought it was harder to feel the head of the Sub Zero. Now it makes much more sense, I had no idea the head weights were so different!

[@LTPGA]

Good stuff, gents. Slow is smooth and smooth is fast.

[@BB-pd4sp]

You guys do golf the correct way.

[@clubchampionmedia]

Thanks Bret!

[@Zf-lt7tv]

Totally agree with everything. OEM's do not and cannot weight every grip, club head and swing weight to the individual. So.....What are we really paying for? Totally love the channel and as ever very informative. Looking forward to the next one :+)

[@samwilliams6241]

That really is a brilliant video 👏

[@CraigalFun]

I cut my Evenflow shaft to 45” and put 6g heavier weight in my 2017 M2 head to balance it out. I’ve never drove the ball as well. It’s took alot of trial and error and alot of 💸💸 over the years but would find this set up hard to surpass. My kind of video guys, thanks

[@barrymills8597]

Another brilliant informative video. Boggling Mat swings slower but gets more ball speed. You guys understanding of golf fitting is unbelievably good. Ian have you been back to sunny Scotland doing some sunbathing (wee cheeky tan on show lol) it’s 30 degrees here today (I kid you not) in Hamilton Scotland not Hamilton Canada

[@ianstyring9602]

Very informative vid. Keep it up guys.

[@robertlogan6379]

Just about to write Monday off as a total waste and decided to check one more time before bed. Voila!!!!! Life is good!

[@joepizza1484]

Yeah, I put a heavier weight on my g400 lst driver, got a higher flight which is great and the feel is more solid, play my driver at 44 3/4 inches, it was shorted a bit so the weight on the head was helpful.

[@reidthompson6272]

Soooo good. Love this stuff.

[@paulbentleymusic]

These videos always fascinate me. We never get this level of detail in a standard fitting session. Question: As amateur golfers, say mid to high hcp, do we need this level of detail in a fit? I love it and I wish I could have a few hours with Ian in Canada today, but do I really benefit from it.

[@garrettsmith4206]

This is great can you go more into kickpoint

[@storieswithaly1247]

Very useful. Was not so aware of the headweight issue and difference combined also with where the weight was on shafts. My fitter has not mentioned this - maybe knows intuitively in what he is recommending me but it is something for me to check now. Thanks guys. Indeed having been to three fitters now have not been so impressed and largely have worked things out for myself including adding or swapping out lower for heavier weight units myself to get better performance on my current gamer - even though it was what one if them originally recommended. Indeed i had a sense that he/they were pushing a particular brand which i largely went with (includes irons and wedges) but have since dumped to much better effect having made some choices myself then got dialed in with a different fitter (speaking of irons especially).

[@harrygood1837]

Great videos, unfortunately it's a long ride from Orlando, Florida to get fitted. Wish you were closer.

[@anthonymckenzie7951]

Awesome video Team TXG! By far the most informative golf channel out there. It's amazing how much variability there is in head weights across the brands. I have never had a fitter discuss the variability in head weights coupled with shaft balance points with me, ever. For clarification - would you say that balance point is another way to explain if a shaft is counterbalanced or not?

[@clubchampionmedia]

For sure Anthony.

[@Milky_Toast476]

Damn 😮. I didn't know the color of the grip could influence swing weight! That's insane. 😅

[@Loggies89]

Thanks for doing this.

[@HabsFan64]

WOW! Impressive. I hope I am going to get this kind of fitting when I come next month!? 😎

[@clubchampionmedia]

👍👍

[@jduncanm3golf]

what you brought up at 19:10 is exactly what I just went thru getting new Callaway irons -- with the fitting head KBS $-Taper felt great, but when I ordered the clubs with that shaft they're way too light and I can't hit them. I read online fitting clubs with large sleeves can swingweight in the D4-D5 range, my clubs I am told came in at D1. Do you have any suggestions for how to manage the problem I have now? it's ruining my 2021 season!!!

[@cjwenger]

Every video I watch makes me more upset with just how bad/ignorant 99% of club fitters are. This information is available and today's technology makes it possible to customize and optimize but no one takes the time to understand a golfer and the equipment with this level of detail or carry the amount of head and shaft options necessary to provide a reasonable fitting. Keep up the great content, wish I could make it to Toronto!

[@stevesjohnson4902]

More knowledge to apply to my next Driver fitting. Excellent as usual!

[@mitchd949]

I do understand the affects related to weight, swing weight, balance point, and shaft construction (I have a STEM background so math and science has always appealed to me) Where this vid falls very short is the test method. For a valid test you need 1) consistent swing and 2) proper data sample size. You didn't go into either of these points. The results shown at 10:17 and 14:40 show minimal difference which would probably be within the error of the test methodology and measuring equipment. Frankly, the biggest disparity between the match ups is with the Standard Deviation!? This shows the flawed nature of the data you collected. I'd be interested to see this type of test with an "Iron Byron" or similar swing machine/robot.

[@johanmelander4521]

Can I add lead to the head and silicone inside the butt end of the shaft in order to make the club heavier but keeping the balance point?

[@neilmckie2511]

Hi just coming back to golf on a budget, got a brand new Mizuno ST180 at a crazy cheap price but with a Tensei Orange 50 shaft. Goes for a mile but is light in the head and I feel like I lose the head sometimes, plan to experiment with lead tape how many grams would be a good place to start? Also found a GolfWRX thread suggesting I could put TaylorMade JetSpeed weights in the back port for a more elegant solution, do you think this would work?

[@clayfleming6286]

Interesting video. I have the G400 max and bought some heavier weights for it. The Ping Tour 75 X is too counterbalanced, dispersion is all over the course. Tried and LZ 7.0 and everything is dead straight but 10 yards shorter. Went to an EVO IV 757 X with 8 extra grams in the head and am now accurate and 15+ yards longer. I am a shaft addict and was still shocked by the distance gains from the Evo IV.

[@zacharymilos392]

It's important for a guy like me to get this stuff because I'm beginning to build my own clubs. At $35+ a build at the local shop...It's worth it for me to start to learn myself. I got a digital weight scale and a swing weight scale, I'm on my way to building myself!

[@mikelaverty217]

Love all the tech info. Hreat video.

[@gilmermartin3786]

Hey Ian, I have a Ping G425 with Rogue white 70g shaft. I have been playing the stock grip with arcoss. I want to put the white 2g tour wrap on it. Is that going to make a big difference for my swing?

[@roycesteffen6132]

Can shaft profile affect strike location more than head profile. Recently went to try out some new drivers and really loved the new Mizuno ST200 but kept coming out of the heel no matter any adjustments I made. Generally out of the center of the face on current driver. Unfortunately the shop I was at only had the diamana 60 stiff so nothing I could test with another shaft. Currently playing G400LST with tour 75 stiff shaft, 99mph club head, 13 launch, 2900 rpms, trying to knock off a few more and make some distance gains

[@crazysocer]

I would like to see your take on different flex of shafts both for irons and driver/fairway woods

[@johnforsyth4287]

What do you tip these shafts? Or are the put straight in?

[@kourt2469]

Random question for Matt. After doing your club fittings, irons/driver/putter etc, what improvements have you seen out on the course? I know we see the changes on the gc quad but would be interested to hear what it’s done for your golf game/score/confidence. Maybe a quick response or even a new short video where you talk about the real benefits you’ve seen out playing with the new clubs?

[@clubchampionmedia]

Good idea. We'll do that for sure this season.

[@wally6193]

I'd like to see you do one on a 44" driver. Most if not all drivers(heads/shafts) are designed to be the typical 45" length to keep the SW in the D2 to D4 range. Driver fitting becomes more of a challenge for the fitter when trying to get the 44" driver working at optimum, lets see that one done. Because it's a well known fact that most should be playing 44" +/- 1/4"drivers.

[@BamaAMT79]

I would also like to see a video on this subject. I have had a drive shortened to 44.5 in the past at a local shop and I know for a fact he just cut the shaft and put a new grip on it. I recently got fitted for driver at true spec in Orlando. I was not able to purchase the driver at the time of the fitting. I will be purchasing the exact driver/shaft combo soon and I know I want it to be 44.5". In the fitting I just choked down on the club. How do you shorten the club and still make it the same swing weight as the 45" version?

[@MrDougslink]

Can talk about adding tip weight and how much is too much, when you want to match swing weight

[@melantheoszimurri9981]

I wish somehow you guys could do virtual fittings

[@hi2meb]

Ian, Matt, thanks again, another super interesting, thought provoking video. You guys are the smartest on the planet!! Question for you; I have Callaway Rogue driver with an Accra shaft, customer fit by Cool Clubs. The swing weight is D0. I've been experimenting with lead tape, adjusting the swing weight to D2. I get a better result, better sense of where the club head is in the swing, better swing tempo. Is there any alternative to lead tape? I'm a little concerned about hot melt, that it may dislodge inside the head or that the weight won't be evenly distributed.

[@clubchampionmedia]

There is a changeable weight in the Rogue, your best bet would be to get the heaviest weight in that port to bring the swingweight heavier.

[@gregorygonzalez422]

Hello - which recommendation do you have for this match? Tensei orange pro TX 60 , 9 degree SM TaylorMade driver, wondering if I should put more weight in the head and grip should I used to find the correct balance , the shaft is cut to 45”. Could please advise - Cheers

[@dazgrey1]

as old as this video is my biggest annoyance on fitting is explaining to people the difference a grip can make on swing weight and explaining why it will effect the overall feel of the club to them

[@mikecook8059]

I love the video but I'm on information overload in terms of what this means to an old man swinging 90-95 MPH????

[@ss1597]

Need some/much help. I swing a Ping g400 SFT driver with a Alta CB regular flex. I am a senior golfer who swings in the 90-92 mph range. I don’t “feel” the head when I am swinging which I believe leads an inconsistent path. The head actually feels light. Do you think adding the heavier weight you showed in the video to the head would give me more feel and help with a more controlled path? Would the additional weight lead to a slower swing speed decreasing my distance? Thanks for all your great content.

[@markjones4795]

Really interesting. I ordered a ping g400 max driver prior to lockdown with the standard length Tour 75 shaft. I’ve struggled to feel the head and not been accurate. Head only weighs 196g and that includes the weight (7g) and the adaptor? Ping website says it should be total of 206g? Could this be causing an inconstancy? Cheers guys.

[@shanoneva]

Playing the Tensei Pro Orange at a slightly shorter length in an Epic Subzero and added 6 grams to achieve a suitable feel/SW.

[@retired8123]

Callaway's lighter heads also means they can use longer shafts to come to the same swing weight.

[@MARTIN-xt5zk]

Had a few fittings ( demo days and manufacture fitting centres) in the past and have never had one with balance point ever bing discussed... assuming balance point is an important part of timing the swing are we being short changed... or is it not that important... great content as always

[@shaunmoore9121]

I've just gone to Jumbo Max Xl Grips. All clubs. Made all heads feel very light. Grips weigh 122g. I do need those grips though. Not sure what to do next. Off to a fitter I guess.

[@hitman7070]

When you changed the weight in the head, didn't that change the center of gravity or MOI on the head?

[@pegteam1714]

Guys....did the adding of 7g at the head not soften the cpm and flex of the Tensei Orange?

[@mootrail9487]

You missed an important step; you should have tested both shafts with the identical head weight first. Would Matt really feel a D2 to D6 difference between the two shafts? Then add extra weight to the head with the Tensei, would he prefer the D2 feel or the heavier head and higher swingweight?

[@justinm4801]

Hey guys awesome work as usual. When were talking high balance point are we talking like actully at the grip end on a standard driver shaft? I have one that is 32” from the balance point to grip end, i am sure that wouldnt qualify as “high” would it?

[@clubchampionmedia]

Not as high as the grip, correct. Usually the difference between a high balance point shaft and a low balance point shaft can be a few inches at most

[@justinm4801]

TXG Tour Experience Golf awesome thanks for the response. I am buying a swingweight scale and some heavy duty lead tape to get my weight dialed in!

[@scotty_teee4226]

I love this stuff!!! I was waiting until matty had swung the tensei orange with normal head weight and then with head weight added. Did it feel better to you once the head weight was added to the head to bring the swing weight back up? Did it feel stiffer or softer with the added head weight? Buying my own swingweight scales has been something i have wanted to do for a while. I can see the benefit if i was to find out what swing weight i prefer and be able to change weights and test different shafts and heads at the same swing weights ect. I want to come and work for you guys!!! Haha

[@clubchampionmedia]

Definitely liked it better once Ian had it configured with a heavier swing weight, very subjective in terms of feel but I would say yes it did feel less stiff in this test.

[@scotty_teee4226]

TXG Tour Experience Golf that really spikes my interest more. I have a tensei white to try out first and then i reckon i will give it a whirl. It seems to be so popular and i guess this test helps demonstrate why. Same swing weight and can create a little more ball speed. Pretty good for no change in swing. Your new favourite? Haha

[@davidlum8313]

Do graphite iron shafts also have similar variances in balance points like the longer shafts for driver/fairway shafts? Which iron shafts have balance points more toward the grip section?

[@emmettschuster3921]

Do a counterweight mini series!

[@Samec37]

What would be the swing weight difference between Hzrdus Red RDX vs Hzrdus Blue RDX?

[@frogginbullfish8777]

Another great informative vid guys!! One comment, any thoughts on doing a blind test a la Mark Crossfield? Blind at least for Matt, or Ian if he's hitting, just so there's less chance to adjust to faults in the swing. Just turn the projector off and record the screen so we can still see the shots.

[@clubchampionmedia]

We find the effect of having no target to swing at to be really detrimental, it's really hard for a player to make a positive swing without the screen on. We definitely want to experiment with blind tests as much as possible, but we believe in maintaining a view of the target and ball flight in order to let the tester perform properly.

[@frogginbullfish8777]

TXG Tour Experience Golf ahhh yeah that's a very good point.

[@hbspencer5527]

Interesting stuff, my M2 when I bought it felt really good. I bought it and the sales guy says, you usually use a mid size grip, what grip would you want, I picked that Winn grip you showed in White, He put it on with 2 wraps and the club has never felt the same as when I originally tested it. Could there be enough weight change in that grip to change the swing weight?

[@blue_mountains28]

great info guys... I tried the rouge std and was hitting my current driver better (epic std) i wonder if the epic head is heavier and if it was the swing wait i was feeling?? thanks for the enlightenment.

[@clubchampionmedia]

Possibly Allan!

[@iMc404]

My eyes have been opened

[@bigsisterSuzy]

Ping states in their website that generally, lighter swing weight makes it easier to square the club face. I guess that explains all their d0 or d1 clubs. Do you find the first statement to be true?

[@simonhobbs9097]

Another great video guys. Ian, if you order a new set of irons custom fit from the manufacturer with say shafts half an inch longer and midsize grips, will the manufacturer make sure swing weight is the same as a regular set on their website. Secondly if you then wanted to move the swing weight up from say D2 to D4, how would they do that on an iron ? Understand Mizuno have three different head weight options, but unsure whether other manufacturers have that option ? Thanks Simon

[@clubchampionmedia]

Would recommend having clubs built with a reputable builder if you're going that route to be sure you get everything spec'd exactly how you want.

[@wally6193]

I'd like to see the same test with the much lighter Rogue head with these same shafts, D1.5 vs C7.5. Well you be doing that test

[@clubchampionmedia]

walter s maybe in the future Walter.