Equipment
How and why to add lead tape to golf clubs
Many tour pros apply lead tape to their clubs to alter the weight of the club, how it feels, affect the ball’s trajectory, and to help cure a swing defect.
Despite the increase of weight adjustability features in modern drivers, lead tape’s enduring prominence in today’s game is necessary to note. Here we’ll take a look at the ins and outs of the sticky stuff and how, why and where to add lead tape to your driver, irons, wedges and even putter.
Where to apply lead tape to help your golf game
Lead tape can be applied in a multitude of ways to a golf club, and its function is to increase the swing weight of the club, as a 1-inch strip of lead tape typically weighs about 1 gram. So not only can it help fix a common miss or change shot shape, the added weight can, in theory, help you hit the ball further and straighter.
Driver
Applying lead tape to your driver can help you fix your big miss
Applying lead tape to the big stick in the bag can alter a multitude of different factors. Let’s take a look at where to use an inch of lead tape depending on what your desired goals are/what your primary struggle is with the club.
Reduce a hook or to promote a fade
Add tape to the driver’s toe either outside the driver or beneath the toe, as the tape will slow down the clubhead’s rotation by restricting the release of the toe resulting in the clubface staying open longer.
To stop slicing the ball or promote a draw
Place a strip of tape on the heel portion of the driver, typically on the bottom of the clubhead. In doing so, the heel will be weighed down by the added weight from the lead tape, allowing the toe to release more.
Higher trajectory and more forgiveness
If you’re struggling with a low ball flight and a lack of forgiveness on your drives, you can apply lead tape to the rear portion of the sole away from the face. This will pull CG (center of gravity) more rearward, resulting in a driver offering higher spin and launch.
Lower ball flight and spin
If you want a more penetrating ball flight off the tee, then apply lead tape on the front portion of the sole near the face. Doing so will reposition the CG low and forward, reducing spin rates while giving you a lower ball flight.
Increase Swing speed
Placing led tape on the shaft of the club underneath the grip is a practice which Jack Nicklaus and Sergio Garcia have implemented throughout their careers. The method, known as counter-balancing, is said to make the club feel lighter and is designed to help a golfer gain extra swing speed. This has mostly gone out of fashion in favor of counter-balanced shafts and butt weighting, but it’s still on the menu.
Depending on how big your miss is, use one strip to begin and adjust from there depending on results.
Irons
C/o: @thejdog1. Applying lead tape to irons can help ball striking and shot shaping
The same general rules will apply when using lead tape with your irons.
Blades
Most pros will apply lead tape directly behind the middle portion of the iron with the added weight designed to help with accuracy. However, based on shot shape, using tape on either the heel or toe is certainly not uncommon.
Cavity Backs
If using cavity back irons, then place the lead tape directly into the cavity in the center of the club. Adjust to heel or toe depending on shot shape desire.
Wedges
Phil Mickelson is a lover of lead tape and it often features on his clubs
Since you don’t shape your wedge shots, lead tape is applied directly behind the center of the wedge. In doing so, the heavier swing weight can benefit ball flight and ball striking. Some pros believe placing lead tape lower on the club will help increase launch as well.
Putter
Tiger Woods using lead tape on his GSS Scotty Cameron at the 2019 Open Championship
Yes, you can even apply lead tape to your putter, and it’s something 15-time major champion Tiger Woods has done in the past.
- Sole of Putter: Placing lead tape on the sole of the putter will help square the putter at impact assisting those who struggle with opening or shutting the putter face.
- Behind center of clubhead: Tiger often places lead tape in this position when competing on slower greens, with the added weight helping him hit putts hard enough.
- Shaft: Players will sometimes add tape to the shaft to improve the overall tempo of the stroke.
How to apply the tape
The most important factor in applying lead tape to the club is ensuring the area is clean. Lightly sanding down the area with sandpaper can be beneficial also, to make sure the area is flat. After applying the tape to the desired spot, flatten it out with a golf ball.
Lead tape remains a popular accessory on the PGA Tour
Is lead tape safe?
Yes, but avoid storing the stuff in your golf bag and use gloves when possible. Always store the tape in a safe and dry location.
Is lead tape legal?
Yes, but it must be placed on the club before the start of a round. The USGA states in Rule 14-3 that “Lead tape may be applied to the head or shaft of the club for the purpose of adding weight (see Decisions 4-1/4 and 4-2/0.5)”
Hopefully, now you have a better understanding of the benefits of lead tape, and how you can apply it to help your game.
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A final word from our friends at @leadtapechronicles about the sticky silver stuff.
“Lead tape on each club serves a purpose. Not every club has the same weight in the set so it is a great way to get a matched feel throughout your set, or help a certain club accomplish a certain tendency with ball flight.”
Cameron Young’s WITB from his win at the 2025 Wyndham Championship. Cameron is a Titleist staff player but his bag is definitely filled with some unique clubs. Here are the clubs he used to secure his first PGA Tour win!
Driver: Titleist GT2 (9 degrees, A1 SureFit setting)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Tensei 1K Pro Orange 70 TX
3-wood: Titleist GT3 (15 degrees)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Tensei 1K White 80 TX
Hybrid: Titleist GT2 (21 degrees)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus HB Black VeloCore+ 10 X
Irons: Titleist T200 (4), Titleist T100 (5), Titleist 631.CY Prototype (6-9)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold X7 (4-9)
Wedges: Titleist Vokey Design SM10 (48-10F, 52-12F, 56-14F @57), WedgeWorks (60-K* @62)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold X7
Putter: Scotty Cameron Phantom 9.5 Tour Prototype
Grips: Golf Pride Tour Velvet Cord
Ball: Titleist Pro V1x Prototype
- Peter Malnati what’s in the bag accurate as of the Wyndham Championship. More photos from the event here.
Driver: Titleist GT3 (10 degrees, C2 SureFit setting)
Shaft: Project X Denali Blue 60 TX
3-wood: Titleist GT3 (15 degrees, A1 SureFit setting)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus TR Blue 7 X
7-wood: Titleist GT2 (21 degrees, D1 SureFit setting)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus TR Blue 8 X
Irons: Titleist T150 (4, 5), Titleist T100 (6-9)
Shafts: True Temper AMT Tour White X100
Wedges: Titleist Vokey Design SM10 (48-10F @47, 52-12F, 56-08M @57, 60-04T @62)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue S400
Putter: Scotty Cameron Studio Style Fastback 1.5 Tour Prototype
Grips: Golf Pride Tour Velvet
Ball: Titleist Pro V1x Yellow
We’re proud to once again partner with 2nd Swing Golf to bring you GolfWRX Members Choice 2025! 2nd Swing has more than 150,000 new and pre-swung golf clubs available in six store locations and online. Check them out here.
What is the best driver in 2025? At GolfWRX, we take great pride in our online community and the cumulative knowledge and experience of our members. When it comes to the best driver of 2025, we want to know what our forum faithful think.
Since our founding in 2005, the bedrock of GolfWRX.com has been the community of passionate and knowledgeable golfers in our forums, and we put endless trust in the opinions of our GolfWRX members — the most knowledgeable community of golfers on the internet. No other group of golfers in the world tests golf clubs as frequently or as extensively, nor is armed with such in-depth information about the latest technology.
Below are the results of GolfWRX member voting for the 2025 best driver, along with the vote percentage for each club.
Best driver of 2025: The top 5
5. Callaway Elyte Triple Diamond: 6.02%
Callaway’s pitch: “For golfers looking for a fast, forgiving, yet workable driver, the Elyte Triple Diamond features a tour-inspired shape and is the preferred model by most Callaway tour players.”
You can read what other golfers are saying about the driver in the GolfWRX forums, and see our launch piece here. Shop the Callaway Elyte Triple Diamond here.
4. Ping G440 Max: 6.86%
Ping’s pitch: “The most forgiving G440 model, MAX has a hotter face to generate speed and distance, and a lighter overall system weight with a longer shaft (46″) for faster clubhead speed, higher launch and longer carries. The Free Hosel and Carbonfly Wrap crown save weight to create our lowest CG ever and increase forgiveness while contributing to a more muted, pleasing sound.”
You can read what other golfers are saying about the driver in the GolfWRX forums, and see our launch piece here. Shop the Ping G440 Max here.
3. Ping G440 LST: 9.53%
Ping’s pitch: “LST is an especially good fit for faster swings, offering less spin and more control with a penetrating trajectory. A hotter face, lighter overall system weight and longer shaft (46″) deliver more speed and distance while maintaining tight dispersion.”
@phizzy30: “Not a fan of Ping drivers in general, but 440 LST takes the cake. It’s super forgiving across the face for a low spin head, looks and sounds good and the ability to make it play neutral or slightly fade biased through the hosel settings is very appealing.”
You can read what other golfers are saying about the driver in the GolfWRX forums, and see our launch piece here. Shop the Ping G440 LST here.
2. Titleist GT3: 16.55%
Titleist’s pitch: “The GT3 Driver offers Titleist’s boldest combination of power and personalization through adjustable performance. Dial in the CG Track to your frequent contact location to make your biggest drives even bigger while taking total control over flight and shaping.”
@mrmikeac: “I’ve been Anti-Titleist for years and years and years (outside of Vokey, of course). With that being said, HOLY BEGEEZUS the GT3 driver is an absolute NUCLEAR MONSTER! This thing blew my G430 10K Max out of the water in every single category. Forgiveness is the biggest thing that stands out of me, the 3 model has always been one of the less forgiving models in the past but this GT3 can take bad shot after bad shot and still end up in the fairway, I think a ton of that has to do with the adjustability, it’s actually effective. Feel and sound is perfect, that solid crack is so addicting to hear and when you hit it out the screws this thing can absolutely bomb it. Titleist, I’m sorry for doubting you. You have converted me.”
You can read what other golfers are saying about the driver in the GolfWRX forums, and see our launch piece here. Shop the Titleist GT3 here.
1. Titleist GT2: 22.91%
Titleist’s pitch: “Delivering impressive distance from any impact point, the Titleist GT2 Driver extracts maximum performance through a forgiving design. Get the stability and added confidence of a high-MOI driver without sacrificing speed.”
@DTorres: “The Titleist GT2 has proven to be the best driver of the year. Packaged in a classic profile, GT2 perfectly balances performance and forgiveness while consistently being a high performer across all categories.”
You can read what other golfers are saying about the driver in the GolfWRX forums, and see our launch piece here. Shop the Titleist GT2 here.
Other drivers receiving >2% of the vote
| Driver | Vote percentage (%) |
|---|---|
| Cobra DS Adapt Max K | 4.85% |
| Ping G430 Max 10K | 3.85% |
| Callaway Elyte Triple Diamond | 3.68% |
| TaylorMade Qi35 | 3.51% |
| Callaway Elyte | 3.18% |
| Cobra DS Adapt X | 2.34% |
| Cobra DS Adapt LS | 2.17% |
| TaylorMade Qi35 LS | 2.17% |
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Peter Malnati WITB 2025 (August)
Peter Malnati what’s in the bag accurate as of the Wyndham Championship. More photos from the event here. Driver: Titleist...
Cameron Young’s winning WITB: 2025 Wyndham Championship
Driver: Titleist GT2 (9 degrees, A1 SureFit setting) Buy here. Shaft: Mitsubishi Tensei 1K Pro Orange 70 TX 3-wood: Titleist...
Camilo Villegas WITB 2025 (July)
Camilo Villegas WITB accurate as of the Wyndham Championship. Villegas was undecided on a 3-wood when we shot his bag. ...
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Pingback: How to use lead tape on your driver – GolfWRXers discuss – GolfWRX
Tony Dyck
Dec 14, 2020 at 9:39 am
Here we go again. Some guy (who should know better) perpetuating this myth that a few grams of lead tape is going to change your shot shape. Expected better from an editor on WRX.
hoganben
Jul 26, 2023 at 10:32 pm
you dont think it helps on say the toe of a driver..seems to work for me..$2 for 21 grams (used 3) on amazon for my non adjustable driver vs $800 or so for a new driver
garrick
Dec 6, 2023 at 12:47 pm
Why do you think so many pros use it?
Nihonsei75
Dec 13, 2020 at 7:02 pm
A few layers of thick Gorilla tape with nail polish for the edges gives cool color and shaping to contours and cavity options, cut to precision! Can’t add pics 🙁
geohogan
Dec 12, 2020 at 2:18 pm
An alternative to lead tape for hollow woods and irons
is poly stuffing. The kind used to stuff cushions.
Weighed in advance, a measured amount can be stuffed.(doesnt retain moisture)
It expands equally when pushed inside the cavity of woods and hollow irons
to increase weight equally without upsetting center of gravity.
Can also be used to muffle sound of some irritating sounding clubheads.