Putter grip question?

[delc]

I purchased a 'Yes' belly putter very cheaply in the Jan sales with the intention of cutting it down to make a short counterbalanced putter. As it has quite a nice one-piece grip on it, could I just cut straight through the grip and the shaft and leave a hole in the top (which I could live with), or is a requirement to have a cap on the end? The grip would still extend to the end of the shaft. Could I cut the cap off and re-glue it onto the shortened end, or would that be regarded as a two piece grip (it's not circular in cross section)?

As far as I can find out from the rules, they state:

"The grip consists of material added to the shaft to enable the player to obtain a firm hold. The grip must be fixed to the shaft, must be straight and plain in form, must extend to the end of the shaft and must not be moulded for any part of the hands. If no material is added, that portion of the shaft designed to be held by the player must be considered the grip."

Thanking you in anticipation of any sensible advice. If my grip does break any rules, I will just have to buy and fit a new one.

 

[pbrown7582]

Is the grip not heavily weighted with tungsten powder on a counter balance putter?

 

[delc]

Is the grip not heavily weighted with tungsten powder on a counter balance putter?

I was planning to stick a lead plug or lead tape inside the top of the shaft. However I will need to check the putter's swing weight after I cut it down first. If it's reasonable I probably won't bother.

 

[duncan mackie]

A putter grip may have a non-circular cross-section, provided the cross-section has no concavity, is symmetrical and remains generally similar throughout the length of the grip.

Two bits glues together are one piece.

Get your pro to remove and replace the grip for you - if you want to play with the length and weighting take it home between the two elements!

 

[delc]

A putter grip may have a non-circular cross-section, provided the cross-section has no concavity, is symmetrical and remains generally similar throughout the length of the grip.

Two bits glues together are one piece.

Get your pro to remove and replace the grip for you - if you want to play with the length and weighting take it home between the two elements!

Er, it's a one piece belly putter grip and will need to be much shorter for a more or less standard length short putter. Plan A was just to buy and fit a new grip, but as the existing grip seems to conform to the rules and is a nice size, wondered if I could go on using it in cut down form as described. I can't find a rule that says a cap must be fitted to cover the hole in the end of the shaft.

 

[Foxholer]

You may be causing yourself some headaches!

Head weight of Belly putters are normally considerably more than normal ones anyway, so to go to standard length would probably require some counterbalancing in the first place - unless you like a heavy head!

And the shaft on Belly putters is often greater diameter, which means that 'normal' grip wouldn't fit anyway!

You might get lucky and just be able to do some slicing and gluing, but if the shaft tapers that probably wouldn't work.

Could end up a pricey experiment!

 

[rulefan]

Er, it's a one piece belly putter grip and will need to be much shorter for a more or less standard length short putter. Plan A was just to buy and fit a new grip, but as the existing grip seems to conform to the rules and is a nice size, wondered if I could go on using it in cut down form as described. I can't find a rule that says a cap must be fitted to cover the hole in the end of the shaft.

There is no specific need for a 'cap'.

Incidentally, Bridgestone's new True Balance putters are now head heavy.

http://www.bridgestonegolf.com/product/clubs/true-balance-putters

 

[delc]

You may be causing yourself some headaches!

Head weight of Belly putters are normally considerably more than normal ones anyway, so to go to standard length would probably require some counterbalancing in the first place - unless you like a heavy head!

And the shaft on Belly putters is often greater diameter, which means that 'normal' grip wouldn't fit anyway!

You might get lucky and just be able to do some slicing and gluing, but if the shaft tapers that probably wouldn't work.

Could end up a pricey experiment!

I have already considered these issues. I like my putters to be shorter than standard, and generally have to add weight to the heads to achieve a sensible swing weight. The heavier head might actually be perfect, but if too heavy I will back weight the putter by adding weight to the butt end. The shaft is 42" long and appears to be about 3-wood size and normal diameter, so no problems with fitting a new grip. I want to keep the existing grip if possible to keep the cost down.

 

[backwoodsman]

As per Rulefan, no need for a cap.

But if you're worried, you could always fix a ball retriever on the end of it, to save you bending to pick it out the hole

 

[Foxholer]

I have already considered these issues. I like my putters to be shorter than standard, and generally have to add weight to the heads to achieve a sensible swing weight. The heavier head might actually be perfect, but if too heavy I will back weight the putter by adding weight to the butt end. The shaft is 42" long and appears to be about 3-wood size and normal diameter, so no problems with fitting a new grip. I want to keep the existing grip if possible to keep the cost down.

That's Ok then.

Btw. By reducing the length, you are already increasing the Swing Weight. Adding more weight to the head increases it still further - which some folk like.

I have a New in Pack Iomic Putter grip available quite cheaply. Won it as part of a bet (along with a crisp Scottish tenner) over whether Anchoring would really be banned, so quite appropriate - and the colour might be too!
http://s155.photobucket.com/user/fo...-2859a2360002_zps59800c88.jpg.html?sort=6&o=1

 

[delc]

That's Ok then.

Btw. By reducing the length, you are already increasing the Swing Weight. Adding more weight to the head increases it still further - which some folk like.

I have a New in Pack Iomic Putter grip available quite cheaply. Won it as part of a bet (along with a crisp Scottish tenner) over whether Anchoring would really be banned, so quite appropriate - and the colour might be too!
http://s155.photobucket.com/user/fo...-2859a2360002_zps59800c88.jpg.html?sort=6&o=1

Er, generally speaking reducing the shaft length will decrease the swing weight of a club, as it's really a measurement of the moment arm around a defined point, usually somewhere near the bottom of the grip. Total weight will also be reduced by cutting down the shaft, unless you add weight somewhere to compensate

 

[Foxholer]

Er, generally speaking reducing the shaft length will decrease the swing weight of a club, as it's really a measurement of the moment arm around a defined point, usually somewhere near the bottom of the grip. Total weight will also be reduced by cutting down the shaft, unless you add weight somewhere to compensate

Doh! You are correct! I keep getting the effect backwards on Length changes!

 

[delc]

As per Rulefan, no need for a cap.

But if you're worried, you could always fix a ball retriever on the end of it, to save you bending to pick it out the hole

I've done the deed and capped the butt end with insulating tape, just so it looks a bit nicer and other players won't question its legality. Keeping the bottom half of the original grip avoids any problems with shaft diameter. Might fit a ball retriever when I get to seventy (if I'm that lucky)!

 

[Oddsocks]

Why not just reshaft it properly. A good club fitter will have i done for £25 with a new grip