MartinKB

I'd like to weigh in on GolfTec specifically, because I think they offer an interesting in-between. I worked with a teacher at my local GolfTec for the past 1.5 years. I had a self-taught swing, so I felt that in order to get better, I needed to get rid of the old, and do it right. It seems like this goes against the typical advice I have heard from golf professionals that you should work to improve what you have. GolfTec is also great for learning and practicing indoors over the winter. But for me, it hasn't been just about making my swing look better, it has resulted in getting two clubs longer, and moving from a fade/slice to having control of my ball flight. So far my handicap has dropped from 18 to 12, and I just broke 80 for the first time (76 on a par 70). An important part of this process for me was getting fit for new clubs. It is true that GolfTec offers fewer choices than a Club Champion-type store. But what they do offer is the chance to get fit by your teacher, if you are taking lessons there. This is similar, in a way, to the old model where your teaching pro fits you. But although GolfTec doesn't try to match Club Champion's club selection, they do have a lot more clubs to offer than "your old club pro", who might have been a Ping guy, or a Titleist guy, etc. So I think if you are going to take lessons at GolfTec, then getting fit there is a great option. In fact, fitting is included as part of their bigger plans. You don't have to buy the clubs. You will learn about the process and be better "equipped" to work with fitters at a Club Champion, or even PGA Tour SS or Golf Galaxy.

It looks like my post didn't strike a chord with anyone, so I'll post what I think the answer is. We know that: Adding weight at grip end decreases swing weight Swing weight is a measure of weight above and below the balance point Most of a shaft's weight is above the balance point The above means that decreasing the shaft weight actually increases swing weight. So I need 12g at the handle end to bring the swing weight back to where it was with the original shaft and grip. I've done this by spiral-wrapping 12" of lead tape, and the club is finished. I'll give it a try this weekend, and see how it compares to the other Hogan 5h I have, still with its original shaft. I'll also be comparing to my 26 degree 6i, which this new club would replace if I'm having trouble with the 6i (which is my longest iron).

In the last year I have been fitted for new clubs and replaced my old set, which included Hogan CFT irons and hybrids. I particularly loved the Hogan 5h, and at some point I acquired an extra one in case something would happen to the first. As a fun project, using the extra 5h club, I'm installing a new graphite shaft and grip. Here are the specs for new and old... Original Hogan shaft: Graphite R 80g Grip 48g New Recoil ES: Graphite R 69g Grip 41g New shaft was trimmed to exactly the same length as the original, 37 11/16". I tipped it per GolfWorks instructions as if it's a 6h rather than 5h, because the original club is shorter than today's hybrids. I did not try to measure swing weight before disassembling the original club, because I didn't not realize I could measure/estimate it. I have already glued the head to the new shaft and ferrule, and I would rather not take it apart again. I assumed I would adjust swing back to original using the following guidelines I found on the Web: +4g grip => -1SW (some sources indicate +5g instead of +4g) +9g shaft => +1SW +2g head => +1SW Note the following changes from new to old: Grip -7g Shaft -11g I have lead tape I can use to adjust the weight at the grip and head. My question: Regarding "+9g shaft => +1SW", I found conflicting information about the direction +/- that SW is changed when shaft weight changes; which is it??!! Based on the direction of the shift in swing weight (SW) due to shaft weight, I have one of the two situations: * Negative change in SW due to lighter shaft => +0.5 SW => add 2g lead tape at grip end * Positive change in SW due to lighter shaft => +3 SW => add 12g lead tape at grip end A huge difference! Thanks! Martin