Back/Counter weighting

sdandrea1

There's probably a thread in here, but I seem to be challenged at effectively searching. Who is the Golfbuzz expert on counter weighting clubs (not putters), the pros, cons, how much weight to add, etc.? Can it be done with heavier grips, DIY weights, or do I have to spend more than $12? Thinking about starting with the driver.

Eguller

sdandrea1 how much weight to add, etc.?

I've done a bit of testing. Seems like the sweet spot with drivers is 30 - 50 grams added. Most
players will hit it higher with backweighting, but results depend on many swing factors. It is fun
to experiment. Start with a 30 gram, but have a 50 ready to plug in. Yep, bolts wrapped in tape
from the hardware store is a good place to start for a handyman like you. 😀

colej

sdandrea1

not sure about here but Howard Jones in Golfwrx has experience with it. If I remember right, his own clubs had 85 gram graphite shafts with 40 gram counter weights in them.

I think I’ve bought lead counterweights from hireko before? So I’d think there is a affordable option out there.

colej

sdandrea1

here’s a affordable option

https://www.golfworks.com/lead-counterweights-for-steel-shafts/p/cw/?country=US?country=US&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI8JuthYGX7AIVAeWzCh3PiAbNEAQYASABEgLaSPD_BwE

Taki27

sdandrea1 I was going to start the same post. I switched from steel to 115 gram graphite and now am switching to 95 gram graphite. I have a over the top move now with the lighter weight. I had ordered a few counter weights (16, 20, 24 and 28 grams) from Hireko a few years ago. I used them and I definitely feel more weight in my hands. I picked up some 5/16 carriage bolts the other day which are slightly wider than the top of the graphite shaft. 5/16x1.5 is 18 grams, 5/16x1.25 is 16bgrams and 5/16x1 is 14 grams. The stem of the bolt gets wrapped with tape. I am putting those in tonight to try. I may hold off a couple of days and try some 1/4 carriage bolts, which should have a slightly smaller cap that may not need sanding and hopefully nuts will fit on the bolts and still fit in the butt end of the shaft. I blow grips on and off, so it is only time and not money for grips.

ptjn1201

I've tried it -- I didn't see much difference in results with irons or drivers. I use fat and heavy grips to begin with, so maybe I didn't have enough weight in there to notice. Cheapest method -- get a couple of different length bolts with a 3/4"-1" inch round/flat heads from the hardware store that will fit in the shaft, put tape on the threads to prevent scratching and to get a snug fit. If you don't mind a big hole in the end of your grip, you can experiment with a few different weights for under $12

backinit

Typhoon has done a bit. The red supercharged (and the blue) are both counterbalanced. I am not sure how much is BS and how much is science, but I think there must be a formula that suggests who might benefit from it.

sdandrea1

Eguller
Thanks!
I guess I need to take my scale to Lowe's, unless someone knows a specific bolt that weighs 50g's.

Natpharm

I put weights (Tour Lock) in all clubs except the wedges. I think I have 50gm in driver, 25gm in hybrids and irons, and 100gm in the putter. Started doing it several years back just to try something different and found that I liked the feel. I’ve tried taking them out a few times, but tend to get a little wild (wilder than usual) with my hands. There’s also a very good chance that’s it’s mostly mental. But the game is 90% mental with the other half being skill and luck. 😉

Par4QC

sdandrea1 https://www.valuegolf.com/swing-weight-tip-weights/golf-shaft-counterweights

I've got some of these. They will take a wrap of tape, or 2, so they don't rattle around. Only goes to 32 gr. though.

Like many others, they made no difference to me. I do have other, more costly ones, that go up to 50 gr., but they also did nothing for feel or performance. YMMV. imo, it comes down to shaft design, weight and flex as to whether one sees a difference.

azgreg

sdandrea1
Just use coins like Jack Nicklaus.

fatshot

I don't have a ton of experience (when I was a member at 4GEA, somebody started a long discussion about it, so
I tried it without any noticeable results). But, I bought a Ping G driver earlier this summer, equipped with the Alta shaft. In reading about the Alta I found out that Ping moved weight higher up in the shaft, which allowed them to
add more weight to the head (marketing hype???). I don't know if that's the reason, but I noticed about 10
yards extra distance immediately over any of the component drivers I had been using, and that's held true all season. Just my observation, FWIW....

LogicalOne

I think I still have plastic butt end inserts and lead powder/granules from about 15 years ago. Lol

sdandrea1

Taki27

I use air pressure to install/remove grips as well, so this is a low cost experience. Thanks!

Typhoon

I bought Clevis pins at Lowe’s. Perfect fit and easy to cut with a hacksaw.

2” pin is 50 grams
3” pin is 70 grams

i cut a 1/2” off a 2” pin to get it to 40 grams. I had the #3 Balance certified weight in my 455/vs339 combo and loved it... really accurate at 46”. The #3 weight was 40 grams.

i have some Tour lock weights if you want. I used a couple of paddle drill bits on the grip cap to get them to seat correctly.

Taki27

Typhoon Are they expensive at Lowe’s? I looked at Clovis pins in Home Depot and they were crazy expensive. I looked back at some old golf forum threads and they said online suppliers are much cheaper.

Rickochet

Typhoon I bought Clevis pins at Lowe’s. Perfect fit and easy to cut with a hacksaw.

I was about to recommend the 1/2" OD clevis pins. The lip on the end works perfectly.

sdandrea1

Clevis pins......genius! Heavy and short, just like my...........

😆

Weirfan

My experience is that there are no absolutes and different amounts of weight need to be experimented with. It does work for many though , its been my Anecdotal observation that smooth and slower ss swingers achieve the best results

Eguller

Weirfan its been my Anecdotal observation that smooth and slower ss swingers achieve the best results

I was just about to post the exact same comment. Maybe smoother/slower ss players have time to feel it more
and involuntarily react.

Typhoon

I think I used a 70 gram 3” clevis pin in my Scotty Futura project a few years back.

scotts33

If you make any changes document them so you can replicate it. ie. playing length, head weight, shaft weight, shaft balance point, grip weight, added back weight. This is why poon voids itself over time and you can't get it back as you can't replicate. Just adding a back weight and testing and not finding any performance change without documentation is a fools playground. Also use impact decals so you can document. Impact is always the best way to understand best performance.

sdandrea1

Taki27

I just paid ~$3 each for some 3" and ~$2 each for the 2" ones.

They're called Clevis pins, not Clovis. 😉

colej

Taki27

I would think online would have to be cheaper...Amazon or grainger.

Typhoon

Taki27

My spell check or whatever you call it changed Clevis to Clovis... I had to go back and fix it.

There are cheap at Lowe’s/Home Depot, just a couple bucks