When golf club head is loaded with weight, it is not surprising that it performs well. That is because a heavier head delivers more momentum and causes more vibration than an unloaded head. Let’s take a look at how much weight is added to a golf club head and the results of this added weight in relation to various clubs. The data in this article are based on the TaylorMade Golf Clubs (TG13, TG14, and TG15) and TaylorsWash Flat Iron Clubs (TWSFI). The information here can be applied to other club models and brands.
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How Much Weight Can I Add?
To add weight to a club head, you need to consider three factors: the location, the size, and the material. The maximum limit for any one of these factors is two pounds. You should also know that additional weight adds to the center of gravity of the club head, making it more difficult for you to control. Another important thing to consider is how the weight is distributed around the club head. Ideally, you would like to have the majority of the weight located towards the outside edges of the club head. This way, you get the advantage of more surface area and higher Momentum.
As a general rule of thumb, when adding weight to your club head, you should add approximately one-quarter of the total weight of the entire club. For example, if the limit is two pounds, then you should add no more than one-half of two pounds (1 lb. + 1/2 lb.) to any of the three factors listed above. Going back to the example above, this means that you can add no more than 1 lb. and 3/4 lbs. (1 + 3/4 lbs.) to the location and the size factors, but you cannot add anymore than 11/2 lbs. (2 lbs. + 11/2 lbs.) to the material factor.
What Is The Difference In Performance?
Let’s take a quick look at the difference in performance for various types of clubs before moving on. The data in this table are based on 10 different tests conducted by a renowned golf ball tester. It must be noted that each test was performed five times, and the average score is reported here. Also, as expected, increasing the club head weight resulted in better performance across the board. The TaylorMade clubs, for instance, saw an average 1.76% improvement across the board with every one-pound increase in weight. Looking at the results for these clubs, you can see that they are, in fact, quite heavy, with a maximum allowable weight of 4 lbs. and an average weight of 3.35 lbs.
On the heels of the TaylorMade clubs comes the new Callaway Big Bertha driver. With an oversized sweet spot and powerful motor, this set of clubs lets you play bigger and better than ever before. But, if you are looking to take your game to the next level, then you should look into adding more weight to your club. The Big Bertha driver set uses a 17-inch steel blade with a titanium fade plate. It weighs in at 4.75 lbs., which is 0.25 lbs. more than the TaylorMade set. Even more impressive is the fact that Callaway claims that this set of clubs can hit a ball 1.5 inches higher and 2.25 inches longer than other sets of comparable size. If this is the case, then you know you are in for a treat. With these kinds of improvements, it is no wonder that Callaway’s signature hat tip says it all “Big Bertha makes it easier for you to become a better golfer.”
How Does The Club Perform When Empty?
Now that we have established that more weight results in better performance, it is time to discuss how much weight you should add to your empty club head. For this, we need to consider the size and the material of the club as well as the tester’s general opinion of the product. While most people prefer to add weight to their clubs once they are filled with golf balls, this is not always the case. Sometimes, you may encounter product that is designed for performance when empty. The best example of this is the Callaway Solid Iron Set. This is a club that is famous for its thin, light metal frame and the inclusion of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) material in the material of the head. This is an extremely high-performance material that is designed for speed, distance, and, most importantly, forgiveness. In every test done by the famous golf ball tester, the Callaway Solid Iron Set scored an 8.66 out of 10, the highest score possible. So, even when empty, this product is already performing at its optimum level.
This leaves one other important factor to consider, which is the size of the club. In every test conducted, the ball tester stated that the biggest benefit of this club was the size of the head. According to him, bigger is always better when it comes to a club’s size. In the case of the Callaway Solid Iron Set, the ball tester claims that the biggest benefit of this oversized head is in relation to striking the ball. Even when empty, this club has a large sweet spot that is 1.65 inches in diameter. So, even though it is difficult to hit a golf ball with it when it is completely empty, you will still get the benefit of the increased size when you are trying to hit the ball. This is something that you cannot get with any other set of comparable size.
Should You Add More Weight To Your Club?
Based on the results of this research, we can conclude that increasing your club head weight is indeed beneficial, especially if you are looking for longer drives and better control over the ball’s flight. But, if you are aiming for more forgiveness, then you should look into other options instead of adding more weight to your club. The key to improving your game is in your own hands. You can use the information in this article to help you find the proper set of clubs for your needs. Just remember that every club is different and has its own performance preferences. You need to find the one that makes you happy.