Swing-weight in itself is not a measure of weight (in units of grams). It is a concept that measures the moments of various components (head, shaft, grip, epoxy, tape, etc.) of the club around a fulcrum 14" from the butt of the club and converted into a table of alpha-numeric A to G and 0 to 9, e.g. C9 or D0.

Head Heavy and Head Light are two terms which describe the feel of the clubhead to the rest of golf club. Head Heavy and Head Light are not precisely defined measurements, rather they are and may be different for golfers of different ability and physical strength.

A club develops a Head Heavy-Feel when the amount of head mass, compared to the weight of the grip end of the club becomes so great that the golfer immediately has an increased sense of feeling the weight in the head, regardless of the total weight of the club. Likewise, a club develops a Head Light-Feel when the amount of head compared to the weight of the grip end of the club decreases so that the golfer immediately has a sense of feeling the weight at the grip end, regardless of the total weight of the club.

Effects on Golf Shotmaking Performance Factors

The higher the swing-weight the heavier the clubhead Feel, the more the resistance to swing motion will be noticed by the golfer on the end of the shaft. For golfer suffering from tempo problems in terms of being too fast, a higher swingweight can help by offering a feeling resistance to a fast tempo. But for less physically strong golfers who possess a smooth tempo, a Head Heavy-feel can promote fatigue later in the round

From a feel standpoint, shaft flex and swing-weight go hand in hand because each has a definite effect on the other. The lower the swing-weight (or less head-weight), the stiffer the shaft will feel, and the higher the swing-weight (or more head-weight), the more flexible a shaft will feel.

• Could cause an increase in distance, as long as the total weight of the club is not high for the golfer. If the total weight is high and the swingweight is high, a slight loss of clubhead speed could develop from the overall of the club being too heavy, From that could come a slight loss of distance. If the total weight is low and the swingweight is too high, the golfer could experience the feeling of the club being too "Head Heavy" which could disrupt rhythm and tempo.

• Could cause an increase in clubhead feel and slight increase in the feeling of solid impact with ball.

• Could cause the golfer to become tired during the round, especially if the total of the club is too high as well.

• Could slow down a quick swing tempo and help prevent "Hitting from the top'.

• Could increase distance just from a simple increase in head mass.

• Could cause an increase in distance, but if the total weight of the club is not too low for the golfer. If the total weight is too low and the swingweight is too low, this will could cause unsolid impact, off-center hits and a general loss of distance and feel. If the total weight is too high and the swingweight is too low, the golfer could experience the feeling of the club being too "Head Light" and the difficulty to repeat and control the rhythm and tempo.

• Could cause a decrease in distance, particularly if the total weight of the club is too high for the golfer.

• Could cause a decrease in clubhead feel and a noticeable decrease in the feeling of solid impact with ball.

• Could help prevent the golfer from becoming tired during the round.

• Could in increase clubhead and swingspeed.

• Could promote a faster tempo, and could accentuate "hitting from the top'.

• Could possibly decrease distance because of the decrease in head mass.

WHO would prefer a more head-weighted club?

Golfers using the hitting method will actively thrust the club with their hands and arms. Their body moves more laterally back and through, and are less rotational. The stronger the golfer, the more thrust is applied to the club. Such golfers will benefit not only with a high swingweight and more head-weighted club but also need a slightly stiffer and heavy shafted club.

Golfer with a swing style that enable the rotation of their bodies in such a way that the club is pulled outward or thrown out towards the ball, will find that the power he generates comes not strictly from the strength of their hands and arms, but from the rotary motion of the body. Such golfers will find that a high swingweight and a more head-weighted club will feel too heavy and cumbersome.

FAST FACT

A high swing-weighted club is better than too low, as long as the total weight is not too high at the same time. It is advisable to follow Golfsmith Swingweight recommendation based on the shaft weight, swing tempo, clubhead speed and length of the club.