Putter Swingweight?

[turnbowm]

Ran across an interesting Ralph Maltby video (link below) recently which talked about the importance of putter swingweight, especially with regard to distance control. I found that interesting since swingweight is such an important consideration in drivers, woods and irons, but is hardly mentioned (or speced) by the putter manufacturers.

 

http://www.ralphmaltby.com/videos/240

 

Curiousity got the best of me and I checked the SW of my current putter (Maxfli TM-S4) and found that it was C7.7, slightly less than the Maltby-preferred minimum. Adding 14gm to the head brought the SW up to D2.8, which really seemed to smooth my stroke out. A quick trip to the practice green and, as Maltby suggested, distance control was definitely improved. In fact, every aspect of my putting was improved with no downside. Only time will tell how long the "magic" lasts. (LOL)

 

The search never ends...

[golfnut5438]

I've heard that Bob Bettinardi recommends your putter have a similar SW as your wedges. I know many want certain headweights, but I agree that the SW makes a bigger difference and headweight is only one factor towards that. The other is the shaft, grip and length of the stick.

[chickenpotpie]

I think there is some truth to this. I found I control distance better with a lighter head. Similarly, if I counterweight a heavier head, it smoothens my stroke out as well.

[DaveLeeNC]

[quote name='chickenpotpie' timestamp='1321317324' post='3801105']
I think there is some truth to this. I found I control distance better with a lighter head. Similarly, if I counterweight a heavier head, it smoothens my stroke out as well.
[/quote]



Interesting. I have always packed a TON (slight exaggeration) of weight on my putterhead simply because I could precisely define the advantages and the disadvantages were unclear to me.

Not long ago I took all that lead tape off. I then spent a couple days practicing with it and played two rounds with it (at D3). My distance control was HORRIBLE. Based on practice results I was shocked.

So the 50'ish grams of lead tape went back on.

dave

[turnbowm]

[quote name='golfnut5438' timestamp='1321316330' post='3801045']
I've heard that Bob Bettinardi recommends your putter have a similar SW as your wedges.
[/quote]
That makes sense. Wedges, by design, have a higher SW to provide enhanced feel and the putter, IMHO, is the most feel-sensitive club in the bag.

[jdhallissey]

My putter is a E-0. 33 1/2 in long with a 375 gram mallet head I designed. The heavier the better for me and the faster the greens better for me too.

[Breaker999]

I prefer the putter 4-5 swingweight points lighter than the wedge swingweight. For greenside feel shots, I grip down half an inch to an inch on the wedge making the club play to a lighter swingweight. My putters are around D0.

[vietnameeh]

i think its preference and your own "theories"

i use to think i liked a heavier head.... it worked ok

then i realized i liked overall more weight... heavier shaft... with a slightly heavier head and a grip that added weight and it really felt smooth