Changing Club Height Weight

KieranM26 · July 15, 2012

Will adding lead strips to parts of my driver help reduce spin or give me a lower, straighter ball flight? I normally hit a slice and its a Taylormade R9 460 driver with a standard reg shaft if that helps.

The Grifter · July 20, 2012

It’s possible but I’d try a couple of other things first. Have you hit with another shaft besides the one you’re playing now ?

Stuart_G · July 20, 2012

[quote name='KieranM26' timestamp='1342384609' post='5280718']
Will adding lead strips to parts of my driver help reduce spin or give me a lower, straighter ball flight? I normally hit a slice and its a Taylormade R9 460 driver with a standard reg shaft if that helps.
[/quote]

That would be a definate maybe, but probably not in the way you might be thinking. Adding weight to the toe or heel will not really affect the ball flight just because of the different weight distribution over the club. However, adding weight - and thus changing the swing weight could result in a change to your swing. In some people the biggest impact can be a positive effect on controlling tempo, smooth out the release, and give a more positive feel of 'where' the club head is during your swing. For example, if you slice because you're too quick in transition and the timing of the clubhead release is late, then extra weight might help. If you're an outside in swinger, some people say the extra weight helps them drop the club down instead of taking it outside.

A shaft change, in itself, generally wont help a slice or straighten out the ball flight (unless it's due to a heavier shaft weight resulting in a higher swingweight). For most, the shaft can change dynamic loft and thus launch angle and spin. So if the goal is for lower with less spin, then a shaft change might be helpful. If the primary goal is straighter, then (other than the obvious reply of take some lessons) try the weight or find a driver with a more closed club face.