Swing weight D1, D2,D3,D4

[juansky]

How do the manufacturers adjust swing weights on irons?

 

Also, what's the difference in weight between each weight category?

 

Thanks!

[*sigh*]

Well to answer your second question, swingweight really isn't about the actual mass of the club. Its much more affected about where the mass is distributed throughout the club.

[thewitt]

Swingweight is adjusted by changing head weight. During assembly, this is done by adding tip weights.

 

The numbers D1, D2 are simply the scale, and are historical in nature.

 

It takes roughly 2g of weight in the head to move from D1 to D2.

 

5 SW points equals 1/2 a flex, so if you add 10g to the head, you add 5 SW points and soften the shaft by 1/2 a flex.

 

-t

[juansky]

Very cool, thanks for info fellas!

[HoosierGolfer]

Swingweight is adjusted by changing head weight. During assembly, this is done by adding tip weights.

 

The numbers D1, D2 are simply the scale, and are historical in nature.

 

It takes roughly 2g of weight in the head to move from D1 to D2.

 

5 SW points equals 1/2 a flex, so if you add 10g to the head, you add 5 SW points and soften the shaft by 1/2 a flex.

 

-t

Hi "thewitt". Can you answer a question for me? In another thread there was some questions about swingweight after cutting down a driver shaft.

If my driver has a SW of D2 and I cut off 0.5" from the butt end and the cutoff weigh's 3 grams, can I add 3 grams of lead tape at the butt end and still maintain the D2 SW?

Thanks,

CO

[JeremyFXDWG]

So if 5 SW points reduce the flex by 1/2... What swingweight is used to determine a shaft flex..say a s300?

 

Just my curiosity..

 

JP

[belote]

It doesnt really work like that jeremy. Shafts come in a flex based on the shaft alone, so every s300 is (almost) the same flex. What the rule of thumb that you are using is that if you load up the head so much that it changes the swing weight, this will cause the shaft to go softer. So for example, you have two superquads - one you play at d2 with a stiff 65 gram shaft with the regular weights (i think its 12-1-1-12) and the other you load in 12-14-14-12 (not recommended, could cause structural integrity issues) and it plays at d7 with the same shaft. This will cause your shaft to play to less than a stiff in your second driver, even though the shafts are exactly the same.

So basically, while that is probably a true rule of thumb, it isn't really practical. With exception of wedges, you are probably never going to add enough weight to the head to change 5 SW points.

[thewitt]

Hi "thewitt". Can you answer a question for me? In another thread there was some questions about swingweight after cutting down a driver shaft.

If my driver has a SW of D2 and I cut off 0.5" from the butt end and the cutoff weigh's 3 grams, can I add 3 grams of lead tape at the butt end and still maintain the D2 SW?

Thanks,

CO

No.

 

The change in length is what changed the swingweight, not the removal of a 3g piece of shaft butt.

 

You would have to add weight to the head to bring the swingweight back up - approximately 6g - since shortening the shaft will reduce the swingweight by 3 points.

 

I wouldn't worry about it though.

 

Go hit it first before you think you need to change the swingweight.

 

Shorter clubs simply have a lower swingweight... If the shaft flex is soft enough for you, you'll still feel the head just fine.

 

-t

[HoosierGolfer]

Thans "thewitt". Everything still feels fine in my case. I actually cut my FT-i down from 45.75 to 44.50. It had a SW of D0 at the regular length, but the feel is OK wiht me at the shorter lenght.

[linkerpan]

Can someone clarify me regarding Manufactured heads? I thought when a top fitter requested a set of D2 heads, the manufacturer had them sorted out of the production process by weight and could answer that request. Like not all heads are the same weight exactly. Am I right?

[Awalkspoiled]

You’re right that there is a fairly wide tolerance for weight - 5gm out of spec is not unheard of and a 5gm spread (2.5 either way) is really pretty good. You’re also right that some manufacturers (Mizuno) will sort for weight, especially if they know that a certain head is going on graphite rather than steel or is going to be built under or overlength. They will also sort out specific heads for Tour players. Guys like Dana Upshaw who have a special relationship with Mizuno may be able to ask for specific tolerances, and any Wishon fitter can ask for handpicked heads from TWGT at a small upcharge.

However, any competent fitter can adapt heads to get smooth weight progression, even if they’re pretty far out of whack when they first get to him.

[dunn]

2 grams at head =1 sw pt
9 grams at shaft =1 sw pt
5 grams at grip = 1 sw pt
1/2 inch in length is 3 sw pts

Adjust accordingly.......and yes most manufacturers clubs are not to spec.....always have your clubs checked whether custom ordered or off the rack, do not assume because mizuno says their D2 that they are......this goes for every company....

[dunn]

[quote name='JeremyFXDWG' timestamp='1191588654' post='743499']
So if 5 SW points reduce the flex by 1/2... What swingweight is used to determine a shaft flex..say a s300?

Just my curiosity..

JP
[/quote]D2-D3

[Stuart_G]

There is not actually a direct relationship between swing weight and the shaft performance (or flex). The flex or the performance of the shaft is really a function of the head weight, not the swing weight. The distinction is important because, while adjusting head weight is a common way to manage swing weight, there are other factors that can impact the swing weight without impacting the performance (or flex) of the shaft. e.g. if you change the playing length through a different amount of butt cutting, then the swing weight can change significantly but the change in flex will be negligible. Same goes for changes in shaft weight or even shaft balance point. It's not a guarantee by any means but the designed performance of the shaft is generally based on a the 'standard' head weights. e.g. 200 gm driver, 210 gm 3wd, ... etc.

Also, categorizing this change as a percentage of a flex rating can be quite misleading (e.g. X gm == 1/3 or 1/2 of a flex). Keep in mind it is only a very rough generalization. It's not really the same as going down or up a different flex for that same shaft model.

[cristphoto]

Slight swingweight changes are not noticeable for amateurs.  For example - setting a dollar bill on your clubhead adds just under one SW point (I just measured .8 of a SW point).  Probably not a lot different than having dirt-filled grooves (but that causes a different issue).  As I always jokingly ask friends that are crazed with their clubs' swingweight, "Is that while wearing a watch or without"?