[Kim Maengnyoung's Golf English Conversation] "What Is Swing Weight?"

Swing weight is the perceived weight and balance of the club head during a swing.

In golf, the motion of swinging the club is called a swing.

The weight and balance of the club head felt during this motion is referred to as "swing weight." Along with factors such as loft and lie angle, swing weight has a significant impact on distance and ball flight during impact, making it a crucial consideration when purchasing or selecting golf clubs. Swing weight essentially represents the ratio of the weights occupied by the club head and the shaft. It is important to remember that the head weight and shaft stiffness can vary depending on the golfer's physique and swing style.

The concept of swing weight originated 60 years ago with Kenneth Smith, a custom golf club manufacturer and fitting specialist, who developed the swing weight scale. The measurement method involves placing a fulcrum 14 inches (35.6 cm) from the end of the grip and then determining the balance point where the club is level. Smith defined this unit using English alphabet letters and numbers, and measured it with his scale.

The scale is divided into five letter categories-A, B, C, D, and E-in order from lightest to heaviest, and each letter is further subdivided into ten numerical steps from 0 to 9. The higher the letter and number, the higher the swing weight. If the balance point is closer to the club head, the swing weight falls into the heavier D or E categories. Conversely, if the balance point is closer to the grip, the club head is relatively lighter, resulting in a swing weight in the B or C categories. Typically, swing weights of B0 to B9 are for juniors, and C0 to C5 are for women or senior men.

The standard swing weight for regular men's clubs (R, regular shaft) is C6 to C9, while S (stiff) shafts are usually D0 to D3. For professional golfers or long hitters, the swing weight ranges from D4 to D7, and for those with exceptional power, it can be as high as D8. Naturally, it is advisable to check factors such as strength and swing speed through proper fitting. For reference, changing the clubhead, grip, or shaft will alter the swing weight of the club (Changing the weight of the clubhead, grip, or shaft will change the swingweight of the club).

A: What is swing weight of a golf club?

B: It specifies how heavy the club feels to a player swinging it.

A: What is ideal golf driver swing weight for men and women?

B: For men, typical swing weights are in the D0-4 range, and for women in the C2-5 range.

A: Thank you. That's very kind of you.

Written and photographed by Kim Maengnyoung, golf columnist