Hi Ted, David, Arnie:
I build all my putters to Stiff – XStiff range, otherwise I’m afraid as Arnie pointed out you begin to run out of butt diameter at the throat of the putter grip. This we found out the expensive way with a brand-new LH Scotty Cameron Newport II Pro Platinum, which we bought for eldest son as a high school graduation gift. When we received the putter (as any good clubmaker would do) we took it apart in our attempt to make it better. Here is the data collected from this 35 inch long model (although now its 34 inches long):
- Shaft wt = 103.4 grams at 32.05 inches
long
- Butt cpm 5 inch clamp (GS unit) = 449
cpm
- Tip diameter 0.355 inch parallel (that measurement for several inches)
- Distance to first step 10.5 inches
- Grip weight = 71.0 grams
- Head weight = 335.3 grams
- Butt diameter = 0.580 inch
I remember we wanted to install DG-SC X100 but didn’t want to ream out hosel (see not below). This expensive putter had the cheapest looking shaft I have ever seen. I’ve seen far nicer commercial iron shafts at $2.45 each. Since the distance to the first step was so long then the butt diameter needed 4 to 8 wraps of build-up tape before the GP Pro Score Cord grip was ready to be installed, otherwise the throat of the putter grip would resemble a regular grip installed on a junior shaft. Titleist in their wisdom cut most of the length off the butt and the factory Cameron grip was installed over all the shaft steps. Maybe the OEM cord grip had accounted for this since it is 71 grams in weight.
The junk OEM shaft was aligned NBP down target with homemade sensicore added.
Prior to reusing the OEM shaft, I took a True Temper X100 Dynamic Gold Sensicore shaft (330 cpm, 125.4 grams, 40 inches) and cut it to 32.05 inches with 5 inch tip trim (4 5/8 inch to first step) >>> it now has a weight of 100.6 grams, and 484 cpm with 5 inch butt clamp.
Since I started making clubs, I have always cut 5 inches off S300 or X100 shafts and 7 inches off of TT R/S combo shafts. At least I don’t run out of butt diameter to put the grip on without a ton of masking tape, and nobody has complained about the feel being overly stiff.
I didn't know this at the time but the Cameron putter had a non-standard tip diameter. Would of been nicer to throw out the junk shaft and rebuild with a better shaft. After this whole exercise, he still loves his Harvey Penick Riverside (Newport style) now discontinued. His old putter still favours his putting stroke. So much for progress. He will probably sell the left hand Newport II Pro Platinum on e-bay. His email is [EMAIL PROTECTED]
He also tried out 4 new drivers and he loves the KZG RBT/325 (8*) that will stay in his bag for a long time. Slightly longer and extremely accurate. It's mated to a Alpha Platinum X graphite shaft, D5 at 45 inches, lasered for FLO, with Lamkin Xline Classic Sof-Cord grip.
Thanks HarryS
-----Original Message-----
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
[mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]]On Behalf Of
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
Sent: July 2, 2002 1:55 AM
To:
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
Subject: Re: ShopTalk: Putter Shaft
Trimming
In a message dated 7/1/2002 8:58:22 PM Pacific Daylight Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes:
This is such a basic question I'm almost afraid to ask it ... are there any
protocols for tip trimming a steel putter shaft as a function of length?
I've been buying the inexpensive steel shafts and installing them without
thinking much about it until I made up an extra long putter (37") for a real
tall fellow. The finished putter seemed much more flexible than any of the
34 or 35 inch putters that I have put together. I've been conscious of
getting swingweight into right ranges, but have not even thought about shaft
tip trimming, at least until now.
If any of you have trimming guides, I'd really appreciate the info. Better
yet would be examples of how much to trim for various stiffness shafts.
Thanks in advance,
Ted Way
Hi Ted, Interesting question, I have always built putters by butt cutting only with whatever shafts are around unless I need a bent one of course.
I have been told that over 90% of PGA pros have putters that swing weight to d-3, I wonder what they freq. to on average, I suspect all over the place.
Just out of curiosity I "ll check a few, assuming I can clamp them.
The graphite driver shafts that have done well over the last several year "s have something in common, the hm-series, pro-lights, and pf gold's are all about 3.5 torque when measured at about a 40" beam length, its possible that the best selling putters such as Answers, Odyseys's, Cameron's etc. may share common frequency's, maybe someone out there knows.
David
