How to Add Weight to Your Putter: A Step by Step Guide

How to Add Weight to Your Putter: A Comprehensive Guide

A putter’s weight can have a significant impact on your performance on the greens. Some golfers find that adjusting the weight of their putter can help improve their stability, control, and overall confidence when putting. 

Whether you’re looking to add more stability, enhance control, or fine-tune the feel of your putter, there are several methods you can use to add weight to your putter.

In this guide, we’ll explore the various ways to add weight to a putter, including using weight kits, adding lead tape, installing grip weights, changing the shaft, and modifying the putter head.

We’ll also look at the pros and cons of each method, the tools you’ll need, and how to test your modifications to ensure they’re effective.

Why Add Weight to Your Putter?

Before diving into how to add weight, let’s take a moment to understand why some golfers choose to modify their putters. The main reasons people add weight to their putters are:

• Increased Stability: Adding weight to your putter, especially in the head, can increase its stability during the putting stroke. This can help you make more consistent and accurate putts, especially when faced with challenging or longer putts.
• Better Control: For golfers who have a tendency to push or pull their putts, adding weight can help in controlling the direction of the ball. This is particularly useful if you have an inconsistent stroke.
• Personalized Feel: Putter feel is subjective, and adding weight can help you achieve the balance and sensation you prefer. Some golfers feel more comfortable with a heavier putter, while others prefer a lighter feel.
• Counterbalancing: Adding weight to the top of the putter (near the grip) or to the back of the head can also help with counterbalancing the putter, improving the overall balance and making the putter feel more stable in your hands.

Let’s break down the different methods to add weight to your putter, starting with the most straightforward options.

1. Using Weight Kits

Weight kits are designed for specific putter models and provide an easy way to adjust the weight of your putter. Popular brands like TaylorMade, Odyssey, and Ping offer weight kits that are compatible with their putters, allowing you to swap out the weights to customize your setup.

What You Need:

• A weight kit that is compatible with your putter model
• A wrench or tool to remove the existing weights
• Replacement weights of varying mass (usually included in the kit)

How to Add Weight:

1. Remove the grip: If necessary, you might need to remove the grip from the putter to access the weight system. This step is often required if you’re adjusting the weight near the grip.
2. Unscrew the weights: Use the wrench or tool to unscrew the current weights from the sole or back of the putter head.
3. Install the new weights: Choose the appropriate weight from your weight kit. Some kits offer a range of weights, allowing you to fine-tune the putter’s weight and balance. Screw the new weights into place, making sure they are tightly secured.
4. Reinstall the grip: If you removed the grip in the first step, reattach it to the shaft, ensuring it’s positioned properly.

Pros:

• Precise weight adjustments based on your preferences
• Simple and easy process if you have a compatible weight kit
• Many kits are designed to allow for fine-tuned adjustments

Cons:

• Limited to certain putter models that offer adjustable weights
• May require professional assistance for some models, especially if grip removal is involved

2. Using Grip Weights

Grip weights are an excellent option for golfers who prefer to add weight to the top of their putter to achieve a counterbalance effect. These weights are typically placed inside the grip or at the butt end of the shaft to create a more stable feel and a smoother stroke.

What You Need:

• Grip weights or counterbalance weights (available in various weights)
• Grip removal tool (optional)

How to Add Weight:

1. Remove the grip (optional): If you don’t want to cut your grip, you can use a grip removal tool to carefully take it off. This step is necessary if you plan to add the weight inside the grip.
2. Insert the grip weight: If you’re using a grip weight, insert it into the butt end of the shaft, ensuring it fits securely.
3. Reinstall the grip: Slide the grip back onto the shaft. If you cut the grip earlier, you’ll need to reapply grip tape and reinstall the grip, making sure it’s properly aligned.

Pros:

• Adds a counterbalancing effect, which can improve control
• Ideal for golfers who have a tendency to “overhit” or “underhit” their putts
• Can be a quick and relatively simple solution for adjusting feel

Cons:

• May alter the overall grip feel for some golfers
• Can require a grip replacement if you decide to use internal grip weights

3. Adding Lead Tape

Lead tape is one of the most common ways to add weight to a putter, and it’s a great option for golfers who want flexibility in making small adjustments. Lead tape is available in different thicknesses and lengths, allowing you to gradually add weight until you reach the desired feel.  — here’s a full guide on where to put lead tape on a putter.

What You Need:

• Lead tape (available in different thicknesses and lengths)
• Scissors (for cutting the tape to size)
• Rubbing alcohol (for cleaning the putter before applying tape)

How to Add Weight:

1. Clean the putter: Wipe down the area where you plan to apply the lead tape with rubbing alcohol to ensure a clean surface.
2. Cut the lead tape: Use scissors to cut small strips of lead tape. Start with a small amount of tape and gradually add more if necessary.
3. Apply the tape: Stick the tape onto the sole or the back of the putter head. You can experiment with different placements (such as toward the heel or toe) to see how it affects the feel.
4. Test and adjust: After applying the lead tape, take your putter to the practice green and test how it feels. Add more tape if needed.

Pros:

• Highly customizable and flexible weight adjustments
• Easy to apply and remove without damaging the putter
• Inexpensive and widely available

Cons:

• Can affect the appearance of the putter
• Might leave a sticky residue if not properly applied

4. Changing the Shaft

A heavier shaft can add weight to the putter and alter its feel. This method is typically used by golfers looking for a more drastic weight change. A heavier shaft can help slow down the overall movement of the putter during the stroke, promoting smoother, more controlled putts.

What You Need:

• A heavier putter shaft (compatible with your putter model)
• A shaft removal tool (if you need to replace the existing shaft)

How to Add Weight:

1. Remove the existing shaft: Use a shaft removal tool to carefully loosen and remove the current shaft from the putter head.
2. Install the heavier shaft: Once you’ve chosen a shaft of the desired weight, insert it into the putter head and secure it using a shaft adhesive or epoxy.
3. Reinstall the grip: After the shaft is securely installed, replace the grip onto the shaft, making sure it’s positioned properly.

Pros:

• Significant change in weight distribution and feel
• Can be paired with a grip weight for added control

Cons:

• Requires specialized tools and knowledge
• May require professional help if you’re unfamiliar with shaft replacement

5. Modifying the Putter Head

If you’re looking for a more permanent solution, you can add weight directly to the putter head. Some putters have removable weights, and others allow for custom weight modifications. This process is typically more complex and might require professional assistance.

What You Need:

• Custom head weights (from the manufacturer or aftermarket suppliers)
• Wrench or tool to adjust head weights (if applicable)

How to Add Weight:

1. Remove existing weights: If your putter head already has removable weights, unscrew them and replace them with heavier custom weights.
2. Install custom head weights: If you’re modifying the head itself, you may need to work with a clubfitter to get the correct weights and have them installed in the head.
3. Test and adjust: As always, testing the feel and performance of the putter is essential after making these adjustments.

Pros:

• Highly effective for achieving a customized weight distribution
• Can significantly impact the overall feel and stability of the putter

Cons:

• Requires professional assistance if your putter doesn’t have removable weights
• More expensive than other methods

Testing the Feel

After adding weight to your putter, it’s important to test it on the course or practice green. Adjusting the weight of a putter is all about finding the right balance and feel for your stroke. Make sure to experiment with different placements and weight amounts to find the perfect setup for your game.

Conclusion

Adding weight to your putter can dramatically improve your stability, control, and overall performance on the greens. Whether you choose to use weight kits, add lead tape, install grip weights, replace the shaft, or modify the head, each method offers unique benefits.

By personalizing your putter’s weight, you can fine-tune your equipment to better suit your stroke and enhance your confidence. The key is to experiment, test, and make gradual adjustments until you find the optimal setup for your game.

Read More: research behind adjustable putter head weighting on the putting stroke

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