Chapter 15
An Optimized Balance
- Counter-weighting and balance fitting
Counter-weighting is a custom fitting application that has
been pursued off and on for many decades. For a period
of time it may be in style, and just like any other fashion
experiences a loss in popularity because those
responsible for influencing it moved on to another
performance enhancing specification. Such a pattern
does not lead to much credibility for any product
however as golf equipment has evolved it is time to take
a look at the counter-weighting of golf clubs once again.
Lighter weight components have been the biggest reason
why counter-weighting should be a consideration for every
fitting. When a golf club is properly counter-weighted to an
individual there are distance and accuracy improvements
that can be realized through better club control and
improved equipment dynamics.
There are two different approaches to follow when it comes
to counter-weighting. The first I will refer to as ‘counter-
weighting’. Counter-weighting lightens a club’s swing weight without removing mass from the head and makes it easier to control the club, especially at the top of the swing. This approach is best suited for slower swingers who do not have the physical strength to generate a lot of clubhead speed.
The second method I explain is called ‘balance fitting’. It is the optimization of the club's weight distribution along its entire length. First a light enough shaft is selected and then extra weight is added to both the butt end of the club in addition to the head to create a weight distribution that can be handled best by the golfer. Imagine a bar bell with its weights distributed out towards the ends and very little weight in the middle. In essence this is the type of weight distribution targeted in a balance fit.
Both methods of custom fitting are an enhancement to the traditional fitting. As with MOI matching, execute all of the procedures for the custom fitting and fine tune the fit with the counter-weighting or balance fitting at the end. All other specifications and customization arrived at through The Perfect Fit need not be affected by the weighting optimization.
been pursued off and on for many decades. For a period
of time it may be in style, and just like any other fashion
experiences a loss in popularity because those
responsible for influencing it moved on to another
performance enhancing specification. Such a pattern
does not lead to much credibility for any product
however as golf equipment has evolved it is time to take
a look at the counter-weighting of golf clubs once again.
Lighter weight components have been the biggest reason
why counter-weighting should be a consideration for every
fitting. When a golf club is properly counter-weighted to an
individual there are distance and accuracy improvements
that can be realized through better club control and
improved equipment dynamics.
There are two different approaches to follow when it comes
to counter-weighting. The first I will refer to as ‘counter-
weighting’. Counter-weighting lightens a club’s swing weight without removing mass from the head and makes it easier to control the club, especially at the top of the swing. This approach is best suited for slower swingers who do not have the physical strength to generate a lot of clubhead speed.
The second method I explain is called ‘balance fitting’. It is the optimization of the club's weight distribution along its entire length. First a light enough shaft is selected and then extra weight is added to both the butt end of the club in addition to the head to create a weight distribution that can be handled best by the golfer. Imagine a bar bell with its weights distributed out towards the ends and very little weight in the middle. In essence this is the type of weight distribution targeted in a balance fit.
Both methods of custom fitting are an enhancement to the traditional fitting. As with MOI matching, execute all of the procedures for the custom fitting and fine tune the fit with the counter-weighting or balance fitting at the end. All other specifications and customization arrived at through The Perfect Fit need not be affected by the weighting optimization.
