will shortening iron shafts change the swingweight?

[oneaugusta]

A friend of mine wants me to shorten his ping irons 1/2 an inch when I regrip his clubs. He is only 5 ft 7 and feels this will help his ballstriking. I'm thinking I should ad some tip weight to compensate, do you think thats the right thing to do? Any thoughts appreciated

[ifixclubs]

+/- 1/2" on a club will usually produce a +/- 2-3 points change in swingweight...i'd let him try it 1st without adding tip weight and if he feels it's too light just put lead tape on the head...or worse comes to worse add tip weight if he doesnt like the look of lead tape...but usually mass behind the ball is way more functional than weight inside the hosel...

[frozen_rope]

Ping irons are already a 1/4 inch shorter in length than any other brand.

I advise against shortening them, the balance and swingability will get thrown out of kilter, and the swingweight will significantly decrease, probably from c9 to c5 or c6.

 

A friend of mine wants me to shorten his ping irons 1/2 an inch when I regrip his clubs. He is only 5 ft 7 and feels this will help his ballstriking. I'm thinking I should ad some tip weight to compensate, do you think thats the right thing to do? Any thoughts appreciated

[cmhgreg]

At 5' 7" he would more than likely be better served leaving tham at standard length and getting them bent 1-2 degrees flat. Cutting them 1/2" short might improve his ability to make center hits, but it will decrease distance. I'm the same size as your friend and I chart out to standard and 1 to 2 degrees flat. Since they are Pings, adjusting the lie angle should not be a problem. Of course it all depends on his setup and his swing, so it would be best for him to get a dynamic fitting before he does any modifications to his clubs.

 

To answer your question, a 1/2" reduction in length usually equates to a reduction of 3 swingweight points. This would require the addition of 6 grams in the head (or a tip weight) to achieve the same swingweight. The general rule is 1" equals 6 swingweights. 2 grams in the head equals 1 swingweight. This of course can vary from shaft to shaft, but if we are talking standard steel shafts that should get you in the ballpark.

[oneaugusta]

At 5' 7" he would more than likely be better served leaving tham at standard length and getting them bent 1-2 degrees flat. Cutting them 1/2" short might improve his ability to make center hits, but it will decrease distance. I'm the same size as your friend and I chart out to standard and 1 to 2 degrees flat. Since they are Pings, adjusting the lie angle should not be a problem. Of course it all depends on his setup and his swing, so it would be best for him to get a dynamic fitting before he does any modifications to his clubs.

 

To answer your question, a 1/2" reduction in length usually equates to a reduction of 3 swingweight points. This would require the addition of 6 grams in the head (or a tip weight) to achieve the same swingweight. The general rule is 1" equals 6 swingweights. 2 grams in the head equals 1 swingweight. This of course can vary from shaft to shaft, but if we are talking standard steel shafts that should get you in the ballpark.

 

Thanks, that what I was looking for. According to the ping fitting chart he should be 1/2 short and 1 degree flat. I have told him he will lose some distance and he is ok with that. Larry