Fowler/Clark putter question

[R5Two]

Been messing around with this build at 38" with the 17" 3.0 grip. I wondered what would be the affect theoretically of curring this down to 35" ( so - 3" from length) and running a normal superstroke grip. 

 

Would the swingweight change dramatically? Any other considerations? Assuming loft and lie could stay consistant due to where I grip the putter currently 

[R5Two]

Anyone? 

[Stuart_G]

Swing weight of a club that is not gripped at the very end of the butt is meaningless.   It's not very useful in general for putters.

 

Only way to answer the question of what you might need to do with the weight - is give it a try and see how it feels.    Yes, loosing all that counterbalancing may certainly effect the feel - but the swing weight scale wont help you fix it (assuming the feel was good at the longer length).  

 

You likely might need to increase the weight at the butt end - just because of the weight that was lost when going from the longer grip to the normal size grip -  but hard to say for sure.   You'll just have to play around with different amounts of grip side weight until you get the best feel.

 

Edited October 16, 2023 by Stuart_G

[cw1209]

Just a suggestion based on what has worked for me. Instead of cutting it down to standard length, I would recommend cutting only 1.5" off and playing slightly overlength. Halfway between the 38" putter you have and your standard length (assuming 35"). Then get one of the Superstroke XL grips that are 13.75" inches long. Unlike the 17", the XL grips have a tech port that allow you to use (or not use) a counterweight. I found the 38" length hard to putt with and prefer 1-1.5 inches over my standard length with a long grip. Similar to Hovland's putter build. Stuart is right, forget about swing weight for now. Try it with and without added weight. If you hate it, cut it down again to standard length. 

[Milfordlefty]

On 10/15/2023 at 11:25 AM, R5Two said:

Been messing around with this build at 38" with the 17" 3.0 grip. I wondered what would be the affect theoretically of curring this down to 35" ( so - 3" from length) and running a normal superstroke grip. 

 

Would the swingweight change dramatically? Any other considerations? Assuming loft and lie could stay consistant due to where I grip the putter currently 

Besides your theoretical inquiry, what do you believe will be the pro & con of shortening? What benefit to you would you hope for by reducing overall length. I believe the putter for Fowler is based around a balance point that 'feels' right for him. What doesn't feel right to you at 38"? As I understand things, taking a std jailbird and lengthening shaft/longer grip would move the cg up, then adding lead to the bottom of the putter would take cg back down. It would be interesting to compare the cg spot between the std vs Fowler/Clark version. I also read the paint design on the head fits Fowler's eye and gives him more confidence ensuring the head is square to his intended line.

[R5Two]

13 hours ago, Milfordlefty said:

Besides your theoretical inquiry, what do you believe will be the pro & con of shortening? What benefit to you would you hope for by reducing overall length. I believe the putter for Fowler is based around a balance point that 'feels' right for him. What doesn't feel right to you at 38"? As I understand things, taking a std jailbird and lengthening shaft/longer grip would move the cg up, then adding lead to the bottom of the putter would take cg back down. It would be interesting to compare the cg spot between the std vs Fowler/Clark version. I also read the paint design on the head fits Fowler's eye and gives him more confidence ensuring the head is square to his intended line.

Yeah good question, really it's a familiarity thing. The extra shaft length is not only in the vision, to be honest I'm not the most slender guy and sometimes it brushes my polo if I am wearing a roomy one. 

 

But mostly it's just to experiment if it was the same length as everything else I play would I like it better for me etc. Really it's wanting to see if the heavy jailbird head helps promote a clean stroke at 35". I know it's only a few inches, but I'm just a tinkerer 

[JungleJimbo]

On 10/15/2023 at 11:25 PM, R5Two said:

Been messing around with this build at 38" with the 17" 3.0 grip. I wondered what would be the affect theoretically of curring this down to 35" ( so - 3" from length) and running a normal superstroke grip. 

 

Would the swingweight change dramatically? Any other considerations? Assuming loft and lie could stay consistant due to where I grip the putter currently 

@R5Two I have the predecessor “Tank” version of this putter at 35” and 38”. Prefer 35”.

 

however… it depends whether you are ok with the heavier 380g-400g heads at the shorter 35” length (I am ok with heavier putter head… some other people aren’t). 

[R5Two]

Just now, JungleJimbo said:

@R5Two I have the predecessor “Tank” version of this putter at 35” and 38”. Prefer 35”.

 

however… it depends whether you are ok with the heavier 380g-400g heads at the shorter 35” length (I am ok with heavier putter head… some other people aren’t). 

Good to know. I like the head to be so heavy other people are like... whatvare you doing. The NP2 I play with came with 15g weights and they have been upgraded to 30s lol. I think I'm just going to do it 

[JungleJimbo]

7 minutes ago, R5Two said:

Good to know. I like the head to be so heavy other people are like... whatvare you doing. The NP2 I play with came with 15g weights and they have been upgraded to 30s lol. I think I'm just going to do it 

here’s a Link to that predecessor Tank putter: https://www.golfwrx.com/421398/odysseys-new-o-works-putters-the-technology-phil-mickelson-had-to-have/

[JungleJimbo]

20 minutes ago, R5Two said:

Good to know. I like the head to be so heavy other people are like... whatvare you doing. The NP2 I play with came with 15g weights and they have been upgraded to 30s lol. I think I'm just going to do it 

IMHO… might be worth searching eBay for a 35” predecessor version. Then you have two putters you can interchange when the mood strikes you. 
 

Also… these longer 13” or 17” putter grips are part of the magic. ie gives ability to grip down & use that counterbalance to steady your stroke.