Jerry, > I can find lots of stuff on how to increase swingweight. I can't seem to find anything on how to reduce swingweight. Did I miss something in all these online sources? What do I > do if I need to reduce?
You can reduce the head weight, shaft weight or club length. Add an inch to club length and you increase S/W 6 points. Shorten the club length an inch and you reduce S/W 6 points. You can also use a heavier grip or backweight to reduce swingweight. >Dave T. says that adding weight to the butt of the club doesn't work, it only > modifies the feel, but doesn't do anything to the MOI. I'm sure Dave's correct that backweighting has no effect on the performance of the club with the same swing, but IMO any change in swingweight affects your release timing. A longer club with higher swingweight requires more time, or more strength, to accelerate the head to a square face position at impact. If you want more distance on a driver, you can get it by building the club longer and lighter. BUT, you have to change your swing timing to hit it consistently on the fairway. Any player with a late release will not get the club head square unless he adjusts his release point a bit earlier. You can still swing hard and fast, but you have to get the wrists releasing sooner and play the ball more forward. When I went from a D0 46" driver to an E0 48" driver 7 years ago, it took me two hours on the practice tee to find the correct timing. I gained about 20 yards from 240 to 260. And, it's kind of like riding a bike...once you find the timing and play with the club a couple of months, you can pick up the long driver and remember how to hit it. I'm more accurate at 48" than I ever was at shorter lengths because, I think, the high swingweight gives me a better feel for the head position during the swing. Others find a shorter club with lower swingweight easier to control. Most players like a swingweight around D2-D4. You'll have to experiment and see what works for you. If you want a small swingweight estimating program for your computer, you can find several to download free of charge. Plug in the correct weights and lengths, and I've found most of these programs will be close. Bernie Write to: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
