Anything wrong with cutting down a putter?

[ontario]

I have a Guerin Rife Two-Bar. I'm putting great with it but it's about an inch too long. I'm wondering, does cutting down a putter affect balance or swing weight, if there is such a thing on a putter?

[Carlton]

Swingweight will be affected. You will loose approx 2sw points.

[TourIQ]

I don't think swt. matters much with either putter or driver.
I'm more concerned with head weight and total weight here.

[Greywolf]

There will be a slight difference but not much, go for it. I have done it many times and the results have always been better, at least for me.

[avidgolfer]

If you are concerned about the swing weight change, you can always get the putter counter-balanced. It helps some people with their putting.

[laxgolf]

I don't think swt. matters much with either putter or driver.
I'm more concerned with head weight and total weight here.

I have to agree with Harry.

[XQSmi]

I don't think swt. matters much with either putter or driver.
I'm more concerned with head weight and total weight here.

But aren't head weight and total weight components of swing weight? I know for myself personally I like the feel of a heavy but balanced putter, to accentuate the pendulum feeling.

[danscustomgolfshop]

I have to have some head heaviness (decent swing weight) or I don't like the feel of the putter. I'm down to 33" but have 15g down the shaft. Like it now - didn't then.

[pir2]

Since it's a two-bar putter, you should have some included weights that will allow you to modify the total weight anyways :)

[ontario]

I took it into Golftown today but they couldn't pull the grip off. Something about the Winn grips being two-piece. I guess I'll have to wait until I get a replacement Rife grip before I cut it down. I wonder if I can just do it myself with a pipe cutter.

[TourIQ]

But aren't head weight and total weight components of swing weight? I know for myself personally I like the feel of a heavy but balanced putter, to accentuate the pendulum feeling.
Hi XQSmi

A putter and driver are 2 different clubs, which don’t resemble anything else in the set of clubs:
Ø Most drivers are made with significantly lighter shafts and longer in length than their fairway metal counterpart.
Ø Most putters have significantly heavier heads and shorter in length than most other clubs in the bag.

I’ve yet to see anyone ask for a specific length driver built to a predetermined swingweight. But good players know what head weight and length they want.

Some guys and gals are now going to counter balance weight systems in their putter and it can drop the swingweight a full 2 letters [like from D6 to B6 swt.]. Nobody says, gee this putter now feels terrible since it is only B6 swingweight.

Swingweight can be artificially manipulated just by changing to a heavier or lighter grip, etc. Swingweight is more influenced by head weight, shaft weight and grip weight, all of which add up to total weight.

I am concerned with swingweight when matching matched clubs like fairway woods, irons, and wedges, but rarely [if ever] am I concerned regarding a putter or a driver.

Has anyone ever bought a putter based on specifying a particular swingweight?

[Jake_Golf]

I think it won't matter! a putter isin't AS advanced as a driver, and you are not like trying to get maximum distance here. That is what I think.

[simar]

I think there is a science to putting and putter making. Its not obsessed with COR or movable weights, but it is concerned with feel and balance. Like harry says, swingweight is not as important as the total weight. To me, toe flow/face balance is key in looking at putters, i like a little toeflow say like a rossa monza or a lot like a 8802, they both bring out different putting strokes. While its okay to cut down a putter, just be careful that it isnt cut down too much or it may feel too light for your putting stroke causing you to lift the head quicker, in turn possibly making a sharper decending stroke on the way forward. If that is the case, it would cause the ball to skid a bit before it rolls.

[TourIQ]

I think there is a science to putting and putter making. Its not obsessed with COR or movable weights, but it is concerned with feel and balance. Like harry says, swingweight is not as important as the total weight. To me, toe flow/face balance is key in looking at putters, i like a little toeflow say like a rossa monza or a lot like a 8802, they both bring out different putting strokes.

Simar is absolutely correct in that the amount of toe flow [hang] / balance is critical in putter fitting.

[TourIQ]

I think it won't matter! a putter isin't AS advanced as a driver, and you are not like trying to get maximum distance here. That is what I think.
Some putters are no less advanced, but its not for hitting the ball long :rofl:

[Special_K]

I took it into Golftown today but they couldn't pull the grip off. Something about the Winn grips being two-piece. I guess I'll have to wait until I get a replacement Rife grip before I cut it down. I wonder if I can just do it myself with a pipe cutter.

Unless you really want to save the grip, just take a knife to it and cut it off. Put another grip on it, The stock rife is just a winn anyways. Yep, you can use a pipe cutter to trim the putter down after you have removed the grip and residual grip tape. If you have the tools (grip tape, solvent, grip, pipe cutter) it's easy to DIY.

[Fore The Golfer]

We have had success pulling the Rife grips if you would like some help.
As Pir2 mentioned you should be able to adjust the weights with the additional weight kit.
I wouldn't worry about how it's going to feel after you cut it. You know it is not correct the way it is, so what do you have to lose?
Rife does not use a heavier head in the shorter head in there shorter length models, so I say go for it.
I have mine at 33.5" with an Iomic grip and it has been in the bag for 2 years.

[Forged5]

I've done this many many times.
When cutting a putter it WILL feel lighter. Example: Scotty Cameron makes his putter heads LIGHTER as the shafts get longer.

Making a putter shorter is easy, just cut and then add some lead tape/stickers to the head. Personally always have done this and it works very well.

Now making a putter longer is problematic. You end up with the head feeling TOO HEAVY. Aside from grinding off metal (which can hurt the integrity of the head) there's nothing that can be done.

As far as back weighting. I've done that too and with my current putter. Can give that a try but it's much more expensive and takes a lot of trial and error until it's just right. Lead tape/stickers is a much easier route.

Good Luck!

[ontario]

We have had success pulling the Rife grips if you would like some help.
As Pir2 mentioned you should be able to adjust the weights with the additional weight kit.
I wouldn't worry about how it's going to feel after you cut it. You know it is not correct the way it is, so what do you have to lose?
Rife does not use a heavier head in the shorter head in there shorter length models, so I say go for it.
I have mine at 33.5" with an Iomic grip and it has been in the bag for 2 years.

Jeff:

Do you have extra Rife grips in case the removal doesn't work? I'm putting well with the original grip so I don't want to mess with success.

Henry

[danscustomgolfshop]

I think it won't matter! a putter isin't AS advanced as a driver, and you are not like trying to get maximum distance here. That is what I think.

I think for me its all about feel. Too light - no feel.
There has to be enough head weight to get it.

[xander.uk]

the one thing i havent noticed anybody mentioning is that it might make it harder to sell if you cut it down and then ever decide to sell it in the future.

it certainly is simpler to make it shorter than longer and i personally wouldnt be interested in buying a shorter length putter.

if you aint interested in its resale value then my point is irrelevant :)

[laxgolf]

the one thing i havent noticed anybody mentioning is that it might make it harder to sell if you cut it down and then ever decide to sell it in the future.

it certainly is simpler to make it shorter than longer and i personally wouldnt be interested in buying a shorter length putter.

if you aint interested in its resale value then my point is irrelevant :)

Then do what I did. Pull the OEM shaft with grip and shaftband still new, and reshaft with a $4 putter shaft and $10 putter grip. When reselling, swap shafts and problem is solved. I also have lead tape strips on the sole of my putter, so even the sole isn't getting scratched. If ever I sell this putter, it will be in better condition than most putters at Golftown.

[Fore The Golfer]

Jeff:

Do you have extra Rife grips in case the removal doesn't work? I'm putting well with the original grip so I don't want to mess with success.

Henry

The only extra RIFE grips I have are in the MIDSIZE

[TourIQ]

Then do what I did. Pull the OEM shaft with grip and shaftband still new, and reshaft with a $4 putter shaft and $10 putter grip. When reselling, swap shafts and problem is solved. I also have lead tape strips on the sole of my putter, so even the sole isn't getting scratched. If ever I sell this putter, it will be in better condition than most putters at Golftown.Great idea laxgolf :D