Putter clubhead weight for 30.5 inch putter? Player 60 - 63 inch. 365 vs 320 g. Are Ping or Us Kids correct?

[ShortGameGod]

So we are looking to buy a putter for a 60 to 63 inch junior golfer.

 

US Kids has their TS5 60 Anser style putter length at 30.5 inches, so we will probably go with that length.

 

But what about the clubhead weight? 

 

For example, if we go with Ping, the clubhead weights 320 g. US Kids has their at 365 g.

 

https://ping.com/en-us/clubs/juniors/prodi-g-putter

 

https://www.uskidsgolf.com/ts5-60-dd1-putter-30.5-inch-w5-steel-shaft

 

I guess the reasoning is that juniors are not as strong as grown ups, thus they need lighter clubs. At their 60 inch player size US Kids has their TS5 irons at 5% less weight than adult clubs.

 

But at the same time, cutting the shaft down in length from say 34 inches reduces swing weight (correct?), and it becomes difficult to "feel" the clubhead. 

 

For example, Scotty Cameron usually have their putter clubheads at around:

33 inch 360 g

34 inch 350 g 

35 inch 340 g

 

That would mean around 390 g for a 30 inch putter. Perhaps too much, and does not take into consideration that juniors are not as strong as grown ups.

 

But at the same time, Ping's 320 g seems way to light? The junior player currently has a Ping Prodi G Voss (Anser style) putter cut to circa 29 inches, and complaints that the putter feels way to light, even though it has the really skinny and light grip, Tour Tradition from Golf Pride, similar to the Ping PP58 that the club comes with from Ping.

 

So, what would you recommend regarding clubhead weight for a 30.5 inch Anser style putter for this kid?

 

One note for other parents, also look out for the lie when cutting down putters for juniors. For example the Spider X double bend or short slant could be tricky for the "average" clubmaker to have their lofts changed, I'm not saying it can't be done, but where I live there is a lack of really good clubmakers with proper putter lie loft machines and tools. Good video showing proper tools:

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8nqys9z6Z4w

 

Edited October 21, 2023 by ShortGameGod

[mrshinsa]

Take your kids to a local shop and have him try it out.  

Don't mess with lie angle for flatsticks

Edited October 21, 2023 by mrshinsa

[leezer99]

You might opt for an online fitting through LAB Golf.

 

✔ L.A.B. Golf (labgolf.com)

 

 

[ShortGolfer]

29.5" 2 ball jr weights 464g

31 inch 2 ball blade weighs 502g

My 31 inch 2 ball mallets are all 530g or more, though if I took out the counter weight of my Stroke Lab 2 ball Ten with a counter balanced graphite shaft, it would be closer to the weight of the 2 ball blade, around 506g.

 

If you cut down a normal putter to 31 inches you may need to build up the lower part of a stepped shaft with masking tape.

Edited October 21, 2023 by ShortGolfer

[GoDeacs]

Swapped out the shaft on Scotty Cameron cut to 29" with a 70g regular flex graphite shaft and it really evened out the weight without having to add any head weight. This also got the swing weight pretty close to standard for a 34" Scotty. 

[tatertot]

Whatever the little tyke putts best with? Are there places to test out kids' putters?

[kekoa]

Been at it a while and weight of a putter head has never even been a thought.   Maybe that's why my son sucks at putting.  😞

[ShortGameGod]

On 10/24/2023 at 7:35 PM, kekoa said:

Been at it a while and weight of a putter head has never even been a thought.   Maybe that's why my son sucks at putting.  😞

That's why I'm considering going with a stock US Kids putter, then at least the putter won't be worse than what many of the other kids have!!

[ShortGameGod]

On 10/24/2023 at 5:30 PM, tatertot said:

Whatever the little tyke putts best with? Are there places to test out kids' putters?

Not that I know of around here. Best bet would be to ask other kids at home clubs and at tournaments.

[The Aspidistra in the Hall]

You could at least experiment with lead tape, old skool.

[ShortGameGod]

14 hours ago, The Aspidistra in the Hall said:

You could at least experiment with lead tape, old skool.

I'm not a fan of using lead around kids... 🙂

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lead_poisoning