For some golfers, but not all, lighter clubs can help them hit the ball farther.
We examine the heated argument between hybrids and utility irons in this article. Which one works best with your game? Here are some things to think about.
Manufacturers of golf equipment have been experimenting with weight for many years. There are several methods to alter mass in a club’s construction, such as club weight, swing weight, internal weighting, perimeter weighting, changeable weighting, or even counterweighting.
More precisely, a club’s weight has a significant impact on both its feel and performance.
Nevertheless, there is one constant that is generally acknowledged: the lighter the club, the quicker you will swing the club. This is true despite differences in how clubs are weighted and the various results connected with various weight schemes.
It makes sense, but is it really true? Occasionally, using a lighter club will enable you to hit the ball farther. But occasionally, no, it won’t. Now let’s get started.
Lighter clubs are really easier to swing more quickly, whether the lightness comes from a lighter clubhead, shaft, grip, or any combination of these. However, there will be some repercussions. The first has to do with spin. Lighter clubs typically generate higher spin rates. Furthermore, too high spin rates may cause you to actually lose distance. Second, you may find it harder to manage a lighter club at times, which can seriously impair your ability to speed through the ball with a clean, rhythmic swing.
So am I saying that golfers should avoid using lighter clubs? Not at all. Some players can benefit greatly from lightweight clubs; they are often individuals with moderate to medium swing rates. Players who are good strikers but who don’t smash the ball high enough or far enough might also benefit from it. It’s true that there are exceptions to this general rule, so you’ll need to do some research to decide if cutting back is best for you.
We provide the following tips if you’re prepared to diet your clubs:
1. To begin, use a lighter shaft that functions similarly to your heavier one.
Think about changing the shaft(s) in a few clubs before adding more weight to the rest of your set before jumping on the lightweight bandwagon. This is to make sure the feeling is pleasing to you. Try a driver shaft that weighs 60 grams and has a torque rating and kick point comparable to your heftier 75-gram shaft, for instance. Avoid making a sudden change. Proceed gradually. The lighter shaft won’t usually result in significant benefits, but let’s assume it does, and you increase your swing speed by three to four miles per hour. That may make a difference of up to ten or fifteen yards off the tee.
2. It’s never been simpler to convert an iron’s steel shaft to a lightweight graphite shaft.
Since then, composite iron shafts (Insert Link) have improved significantly, frequently outperforming their steel equivalents in terms of performance (graphite iron shafts were once quite difficult to manage, but that is no longer the case). But keep in mind that even if the club is lighter overall, a lighter shaft will make the clubhead seem heavier. This is a reference to what is known among clubmakers as swing weight, which is a measurement of a club’s perceived weight rather than its actual weight.
3. There are drivers, woods, and lightweight irons available that are already adjusted.
Alternatively, you might get a set of clubs that are lightweight right out of the box, saving yourself the trouble of cutting weight from your current equipment. XXIO’s X Series is among the brands that is leading the way in this trend.
Better players who desire more clubhead speed without exerting more force will find great appeal in the X’s series of lightweight, finely balanced clubs that feel heavier than they actually are.
4. You don’t have to travel farther just because it’s lighter.
Hey, you just decided to use a lighter driver shaft, so why not extend it by one inch to strike bombs that are even longer? This isn’t a fantastic idea for the following two reasons: the left and right rough. Not only may lengthening your shafts make up for your weight loss, but you also run the danger of losing accuracy. Although I can’t guarantee that will happen to everyone, I’d be willing to wager $5 with most people that it will.
5. Beastmode calls for more than simply little clubs.
I’m not sure how much faster you’ll be able to go with lighter clubs. How was I able to? However, as No. 1 said, your findings may differ and it’s far more probable that you’ll notice little increases rather than a significant increase in distance (I genuinely hope you prove me wrong). Additionally, there’s a good chance you’ll lose some control and pick up spin unless you’re a player who consistently hits it solid and straight. Developing stronger foundations, increasing your range of motion, and strategically adding muscle are the only ways to genuinely generate longer shots.