Putting is a vital skill in golf, and a weak putting stroke can impact your scoring.
If you’re having problems with your putting stroke, can adding weight to your putter head be a valid solution?
In this article, you’ll learn how adding weight to the putter head can improve your putting stroke, and the two simplest ways to do it.
Stick around until the end of the article, where we’ll be sharing our favorite heavy putters!
Adding Weight to Putter Head
Adding weight to the putter head can help to improve balance and stability in the putting stroke. It also has an impact on speed control, improving your rhythm. To add weight to putter heads, you can use either lead tape or heavier tungsten weights for putters with adjustable weight inserts.
Why Add Weight to the Putter Head?
Traditionally, putter heads were built fairly light. Good players relied on developing an excellent feel of the ball through hours of practice on the greens.
However, with a variety of putter designs on the market today, plenty of modern putters feature significantly heavier heads.
So, what are the benefits of a heavy putter head?
Distance Control
The major benefit of a heavy putter head is better distance control.
With a heavier putter head, the putter feels more like a pendulum. This helps you make a smoother stroke, as gravity does the work.
Lighter putter heads require more accuracy in the timing of the stroke to achieve consistent distance control. This is particularly challenging for amateur golfers, who have less time to practice their putting stroke.
Directional Control
Another benefit of a heavy putter head is improved directional control.
Heavy putter heads make it easier to find the center of the putter face. This improves direction control, reducing the frequency of pulled or pushed putts.
Convinced by the benefits? Read on to learn how to add weight to your putter head.
How to Add Weight to a Putter Head
If you’re content with your putter and don’t wish to switch to one with a heavier head, there are two simple ways to add weight to the putter head:
- Lead tape – works with all putters
- Weight inserts – only for putters with removable weight inserts
Read on to figure out which method works best for your putter.
1. Lead Tape Method
Lead tape is a simple and effective way of adding weight to any putter head.
A one-inch strip of self-adhesive lead tape adds 2 grams weight to the putter head.
Tiger Woods opts for lead tape on his Scotty Cameron rather than using a heavier putter. If that won’t convince you to give it a try, then I’m not sure what will!
There are a few areas of the putter head to consider when adding lead tape:
Option 1: Sole of the Putter
When adding lead tape to other clubs in the bag, the sole of the club is best avoided as it makes repeated contact with the ground. This causes the tape to wear quickly.
However, it’s perfectly fine to add lead tape to the sole of the putter head as the putting stroke is much slower.
To apply, simply cut a strip of self-adhesive lead tape to your desired length, peel off the backing tape, and stick.
The main benefit of utilizing the sole is that it keeps the tape out of sight – using a good-looking putter is important for having the confidence to make good putts.
Option 2: Back of the Putter
If you’re looking to add more weight or wish to avoid taping the sole of the putter, you can also tape the back of the putter head.
Despite being effective, this option is more visually intrusive and can make the putter look ugly if not applied neatly.
Option 3: Around the Hosel
The final option is to wrap the lead tape around the hosel – à la Phil Mickelson.
Once again, this option can impact the putter’s looks. However, it’s a valuable spot to consider if you wish to add extra weight or avoid taping the putter head entirely.
2. Weight Insert Method
If your putter contains removable weight inserts – like a Scotty Cameron or an Odyssey – there’s an even better way of adding weight to the putter head.
Simply purchase a set of replacement weight inserts at your desired weight, and swap them in for the existing lighter weights.
Aftermarket weight inserts are available in various weight options for a custom feel.
PRO TIP: Make sure the weights are compatible with your putter model!
The video below demonstrates the weight insert method:
How Much Does a Putter Head Weigh?
Traditionally, putter heads were much lighter than they are today.
For example, when Ping first introduced the Anser blade putter in 1966, the head weighed only about 300 grams. However, modern versions of the Ping Anser feature an almost identical head, yet weigh 345 grams.
Most tour players use putters with heads weighing around 340-350 grams.
Modern mallet putters feature a larger footprint and can be even heavier – the TaylorMade Spider Tour Putter features a 355-gram putter head.
Is It Legal to Add Weight to a Putter?
Having explained the benefits of adding weight to putter heads, is it actually legal?
In short, yes. The USGA does not place restrictions on the weight of putters. Therefore, you can add as much weight to the putter head as you like.
However, you can’t modify the weight of a putter during an official round of golf according to Rule 4.1a(3). The rule states that a player “can’t make a stroke using a club whose performance has been deliberately changed during the round.”
Best Heavy Putters
If you’re looking to replace your putter rather than modify your current one, there are several heavy putters on the market that provide all the benefits mentioned in this article.
Here are some of our favorite heavy putters:
TaylorMade Spider Tour Putter – Best Overall
With a head weighing in at 355 grams, our top pick is the TaylorMade Spider Tour Putter.
Featuring a modern mallet design, the TaylorMade Spider Tour Putter is one of the most forgiving putters on the market, offering excellent balance and stability through the stroke. This makes it a great pick for any golf amateur, whose budget will stretch to it.
Reasons to Buy
- Very well-balanced and stable
- Excellent forgiveness
- Useful ball alignment guide
- Available in right and left-handed versions
Reasons to Avoid
- Lie angle can take some getting used to
Rating: ★★★★★
>> You can order your TaylorMade Spider Tour Putter here
Pinemeadow Golf PGX Putter – Best Value
With a head weighing a whopping 380 grams, the Pinemeadow Golf PGX Putter is a great affordable choice for beginner golfers.
The increased putter head-weight help to stabilize the putting stroke, improving distance and directional control. A useful alignment guide helps you locate the center of the putter face.
Reasons to Buy
- Heavy weight helps guide the putting stroke
- Useful and clear alignment guides
- Very well priced for beginners
Reasons to Avoid
- Ball doesn’t feel too soft off the face
Rating: ★★★★☆
>> You can order your Pinemeadow Golf PGX Putter here
Scotty Cameron Special Select Putter – Best Premium
Featuring a weight-adjustable head weighing up to 362 grams, the Scotty Cameron Special Select Putter is an excellent premium choice for golfers who want the opportunity to modify the head weight over time.
The Scotty Cameron Special Select Putter is the latest iteration of the solid stainless steel putter, featuring a milled face pattern precision milled in the USA. Tungsten sole weights provide balance through the stroke for a larger sweet spot and greater stability.
Reasons to Buy
- Prestigious putter used by many pros, including Tiger Woods
- Sleek and timeless design
- Customizable sole weights for the perfect feel
- Available in a variety of putter head styles
Reasons to Avoid
- Not suitable for golfers on a tight budget!
Rating: ★★★★★
>> You can order your Scotty Cameron Special Select Putter here
Conclusion
In conclusion, adding weight to the putter head is a great way to improve distance and directional control in your putting stroke.
With a heavier putter head, the putter feels more like a pendulum. This helps you make a smoother stroke, with better distance control. It also makes it easier to find the center of the putter face, helping you consistently roll putts on your target line.
You can add weight by using self-adhesive strips of lead tape, or replacement tungsten weight inserts for compatible putters.
