Long drive head weight?

handycraftsman · April 18, 2023

So, Im pretty new to this and to be honest I have 0 expectations but was twisted into this path so Im gonna make a go at it.

I am starting out with a 43 inch finished length G425 @ 7.5 degrees with a 757 Speeder X stiff ... yes far from ideal but I can keep this one on the fairway much easier than the alta CB Stiff it came with.

My numbers

129mph club head speed, 314 yards carry 17.6 launch angle

This was on a gcquad as well at the qualification location which Im not sure what system they had.

Now I ordered a house of forged ninja in XX as its the only shaft I could find and get shipped to me. The guy was super awesome to talk to highly recommend btw.

Its supposed to be 58 gram, so significantly lighter than the speeder at 75 grams.

I'm gonn have to either take the 26 gram head weight out or add weight to the grip to get the swing weight down which ideally I would like to see in the d1 to d3 range.

I am competing in the 45+ age bracket.

Just looking to optimize the G425 as much as possible until I can fund a lower lofted head. Its hard as a lefty only so many options. I actually bought the G425 as a replacement to my callaway X tour I had been rolling for a dozen or so years maybe longer lol. I didnt buy it with the intent of doing long drive. I wanted forgiveness and to hit the fairway more often.

My question I guess is how light is too light for the head and what would you guys rec for trying to swing weight this once the shaft arrives, backweight the grip? LIghten the head?

Ri_Redneck · June 21, 2023

If you're planning to stay at 43", you may find you don't need to do anything. Ping heads typically run close to 200g, which would give you a SW close to that unless the shaft is a HBP shaft. It will be more of a total weight change than a SW change, which COULD have an affect on your timing. But, I have found that making a big move lighter in total weight sometimes takes a bit heavier SW to get the feel right. It all depends on the balance point of the shafts and I have no idea what it is for the HOF shaft. Their website has nothing at the moment. My best recommendation is to build the club and test it. Then, if weight is needed, add it slowly using lead tape till you have the right amount, then hotmelt the head to that weight.

BT

jda · June 24, 2023

Try it an see. You never know. You don't want to be swinging a drinking straw and most high speed players do like to feel some resistance to keep everything in check. You might love it. I am a big fan of more weight - as my SS has gone done, my strength has not, so I can swing heavier clubs the same speed and smash it better.

Don't even look at swing weight or swing speed, IMO. Ball speed, strike and feel are far more important. I swing a pretty balanced 384g driver and it performs better than it did stock. Swing the club, add weight under the grip until you like the balance. See if the shaft will stay stable (it might not with the weight on the ends). Add a bit of weight to the head until the ball speed comes down or you hate it, then back it off a bit. Once you do this, then see what the swing weight is... and then laugh about it. 🙂

Trying to have the same swing weight for a club with a different swing is kinda foolish, IMO.

Don't throw that 757 away... still an all-time shaft and you might like it more than the new one.