Why did lead tape straighten my driver?

[2left]

I tried a Cleveland XL270 in stiff at a range. It was straight, but I clearly wasn't getting good distance. The clubfitter at GS recommended a reg flex since I'm in the mid 90s swing speed. I got one, and it was months of often missing high and right (I'm right handed). I shortened the shaft 3/4" at the butt, to gain control, and was told by the Cleveland rep that it decreases stiffness since the butt is the stiffest part, but is countered by the lower swing weight. Still high and right for months.

 

Yesterday, I added two stickers of lead tape (I think 8 g) to the underside, because I thought I was missing the feel of the clubhead. I was told the extra weight would make the shaft more flexible, so I was expecting more high and right. Surprise -- I was back to straight and decent trajectory. I took the tape off, and was back to high and right. I put the tape back on, and I was back to straight.

 

I'm going to keep the tape on, but was wondering if anyone had ideas why it's working for me? I'm not a very experienced golfer with ultra-sensitivity, so instead of increased "feel" I thought there might be some mechanical explanation of what the shaft and head are doing.

[dbogeyguy75]

For many golfers too light a swing weight will cause the golfer to lose the head in the swing. This can cause swing faults which lead to poor shots. Shortening the shaft and re weighting the head for swing weight is often time what the doctor ordered for straighter tee shots. 3/4" is about 4.5 swing weight points (6 per inch), which would mean a driver with a C8 final swing weight, assuming it was D2 before cutting. Adding 8 grams is putting 4 of those 4.5 back (2 gr. per point.) You instincts were correct and it suggests your body prefers D2 or so swing weight. Just keep that in mind.

Good luck and hit 'em straight!

[Pepperturbo]

Swing weight influences overall tempo. Too light, people tend to incorrectly help the club through the swing, and over swing; maybe even get too handsy.

[Fourmyle of Ceres]

Or in my case with too-light long clubs like drivers, I overcompensate and get too un-handsy. You're describing my common miss with an XL270 as well. That high left (I'm lefty) floater with maybe just a touch of slice on it but mostly just a weak flare with no juice on it. When I can't feel the clubhead on a driver, I just kind of drag my hands through the without loading or unloading any angle at all in my wrists.

Either way, shorter length and heavier weight in the head is a big improvement. When you shortened the club, you didn't happen to put a standard weight grip on there did you? The stock grip is 25g, if you lose 4.5 SW points from the shortening and then put a 40-50g grip on there (losing another 4 or so SW points) you'll end up at like C-6 or something. In that case at least 8g of lead tape if not more would be needed to get any kind of clubhead feel.

[2left]

"High floater with a touch of slice" sounds just like it. Funny thing, in the middle of my round last week the same thing started happening. I checked my club, and a tape tab had apparently flown off the club head. I'll be experimenting more in the future.

[quote name='Fourmyle of Ceres' timestamp='1342098035' post='5261508']
Or in my case with too-light long clubs like drivers, I overcompensate and get too un-handsy. You're describing my common miss with an XL270 as well. That high left (I'm lefty) floater with maybe just a touch of slice on it but mostly just a weak flare with no juice on it. When I can't feel the clubhead on a driver, I just kind of drag my hands through the without loading or unloading any angle at all in my wrists.

Either way, shorter length and heavier weight in the head is a big improvement. When you shortened the club, you didn't happen to put a standard weight grip on there did you? The stock grip is 25g, if you lose 4.5 SW points from the shortening and then put a 40-50g grip on there (losing another 4 or so SW points) you'll end up at like C-6 or something. In that case at least 8g of lead tape if not more would be needed to get any kind of clubhead feel.
[/quote]

[BrianMcG]

The more flexible the shaft the more you will tend to hook it. If the shaft is too stiff you will lose it right.

The lead tape helped since it created a more flexible shaft.

[Pepperturbo]

[quote name='BrianMcG' timestamp='1342330674' post='5278122']
The more flexible the shaft the more you will tend to hook it. If the shaft is too stiff you will lose it right.

The lead tape helped since it created a more flexible shaft.
[/quote]

Lead tape does not change flex, or make it more flexible. It influences swing tempo.

[ALIF]

So Pepperturbo, if my 220 lbs team mate gets on my 790 gram frame and tries to sprint you' re saying weight won't have any affect on BB deflection? He won't tell me my wussy bike feels like a noodle? Weight matters.

The was a sticky somewhere in the clubmakers forum that dealt w/ shafts and SW which stated something to the effect that for so many SW point the flex of the shaft will become one flex softer (of course that is a dynamic value not static). I think the number might have been about 8-10 SWPoints.

[SHIVAN]

[quote name='BrianMcG' timestamp='1342330674' post='5278122']
The more flexible the shaft the more you will tend to hook it. If the shaft is too stiff you will lose it right.

The lead tape helped since it created a more flexible shaft.
[/quote]

I swear, though maybe I am going loopy, I just read here recently that losing the ball a little right indicate a shaft that was not stiff enough.

[Pepperturbo]

[quote name='chiva' timestamp='1342641794' post='5301476']
So Pepperturbo, if my 220 lbs team mate gets on my 790 gram frame and tries to sprint you' re saying weight won't have any affect on BB deflection? He won't tell me my wussy bike feels like a noodle? Weight matters.

The was a sticky somewhere in the clubmakers forum that dealt w/ shafts and SW which stated something to the effect that for so many SW point the flex of the shaft will become one flex softer (of course that is a dynamic value not static). I think the number might have been about 8-10 SWPoints.
[/quote]

hum.. your 790 gram frame (I presume you mean bike?)... converted, that's only 27.8664 oz. As you know, bikes in TDF are 15-17lbs. Did you mean 7257(16lbs)+ grams or more? I weight 215lbs and my Ti/Carbon frameset weighs 2.67lbs, bike with full Campy Record weighs a shade under 16lbs. That combination has handled climbing and sprints. If your bike is made out of similar materials his weight shouldn't flex that frame in any derogatory performance sense. Sure someone could go to non-sensible extremes by adding lead weight, and possibly influence flex; however, IMO, not in any good way. I still maintain my SW position.

[Pepperturbo]

[quote name='SHIVAN' timestamp='1342643512' post='5301684']

I swear, though maybe I am going loopy, I just read here recently that losing the ball a little right indicate a shaft that was not stiff enough.
[/quote]

That's the problem I face. My hands are so fast though the impact area, if the shaft isn't stiff enough, I get high 200yd+ floaters that slice right. Reason I play shafts with stiff tip and butt sections.

[A C]

With the tape your club is fitting just right with your swing. It does change how the flex plays with added weight, not the physical profile of the shaft...like soft or hard stepping the club...it also changes the swing weight, it changes just the whole dynamics.

Impossible to draw a conclusion without high speed camera, but if added weight is giving you straight shot with no loss of distance, just play it that way.

Awesome you found a good combo with your driver, shaft and lead weight.

[Indacup]

[quote name='BrianMcG' timestamp='1342330674' post='5278122']
The more flexible the shaft the more you will tend to hook it. If the shaft is too stiff you will lose it right.

The lead tape helped since it created a more flexible shaft.
[/quote]

Brian is right.....you corrected shaft flex by adding weight.