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A few thoughts on counterbalancing

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Thousands of photos have been posted to the Lead Tape Chronicles page over the last decade. Those clubs, of course, feature lead tape, which increases swing weight so the player can better feel the club head when making crisp contact. That said, there’s another end of the spectrum when it comes to weighting a club: counterbalancing. Counterbalancing has been around just as long, though it’s not as well known, but it is equally important.

Looking through the archives, a club played by Justin Rose caught my eye in a photo from August 2024. At the top end of the shaft, at the end of the grip, there are four rolls of lead tape. These are about 1/2” wide and, judging by the diameter of most graphite shafts, about an inch in length. Typically, lead tape that is 1/2” wide and an inch long is worth two swing weight points. The GT3 driver head is 195.2 grams at stock weight, and with optional weighting, that can change. From afar, this setup would likely have a swing weight of D0-D1.

When counterweighting is in the equation, the traditional feel of more weight in the club head shifts to the butt end of the club. This allows the player to have a smoother transition from backswing to downswing. The club head may feel lighter, but the weight is more in the player’s hands. Ultimately, it comes down to player preference, as all feel is subjective with the golf club. However, this isn’t commonly seen in clubs designed for a full swing. In putters, on the other hand, counterbalancing is fairly common, especially as longer putters and grips—over 35” in length—have become more popular. That’s one way to counterbalance without adding lead tape.

Through the course of history, we’ve seen counterbalancing as a part of bag setups. Jack Nicklaus played a counterbalanced driver and woods throughout his career. His club maker, Jack Wullkotte, discovered this in the early 1960s while working on Nicklaus’ MacGregor driver. He noticed the driver was traditionally swing weighted to D6, but Jack’s was at D2. Upon further inspection, Wullkotte found that the butt end of the club had a wooden dowel inserted, drilled out, and filled with hot lead to create the counterweight.

Since counterbalancing is all about personal feel and preference, it’s rarely offered as a stock option for clubs. But there are solutions for built-in counterbalancing if you don’t want to apply lead tape each time. Shaft manufacturers now offer counterbalance shaft options as part of their lineups. For example, Justin Rose went on to play a Mitsubishi Tensei 1K Pro Orange shaft, which features counterbalancing technology. Other major shaft manufacturers also offer counterbalance options.

When is it time to try counterbalanced clubs? It’s worth considering if you have trouble with your transition from backswing to downswing, or if you’re simply looking for a new feel in your hands. Most commonly, we see putters as the starting point for counterbalancing. Companies like TourLock provide weighting systems that offer various options. Traditionally, you’d find weights from 10 to 20 grams in woods, while putter weights can start at 20 grams and go all the way up to 100 grams.

We’ve also seen more 17” putter grips on tour and as stock options. That’s a counterbalance solution without custom weighting. The SuperStroke 1.0 17” grip weighs 142 grams, while the Garsen Quad Tour 17 weighs 120 grams. These are common on Tour for putters at the standard 35” length or up to 38”.

In a game of personal preference, counterbalancing provides another option to help you find the right fit for your game. For all the lead tape used to create swing weight in the club head, the opposite approach—counterweighting—is right there to consider as well.

Equipment

Tour Edge unveils all-new Exotics mini driver

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Tour Edge Golf has today introduced the all-new Exotics mini driver, engineered to deliver a powerful combination of speed, control, and versatility in the long game. 

The Exotics Mini combines a titanium face with a stainless-steel body in design to balance ball speed with stability and control, creating a versatile option at the top end of the bag. 

At the core of the design is Tour Edge’s proprietary Combo Brazing technology, a high-precision thermal bonding process that seamlessly fuses a titanium cup face to a stainless-steel body into a single, continuous structure. By eliminating energy loss found in traditional multi-piece constructions, Combo Brazing is designed to deliver faster face response, more efficient energy transfer, and a uniquely powerful yet controlled feel.

The multi-material construction also allows mass to be positioned lower and deeper in the head in a bid to increase stability, while the thin titanium face is engineered to maintain ball speed across a wider impact area.

“While the initial goal was to enhance control and versatility in the long game, Combo Brazing ultimately drove measurable gains in ball speed and distance within the mini driver category. In robot testing, we’ve documented higher ball speeds, higher launch, reduced spin, and increased carry and total distance compared to leading models.” – Vice President of R&D Matt Neeley

In addition to distance performance, the Exotics mini emphasizes forgiveness through a heavier stainless-steel body that shifts mass toward the perimeter. This configuration increases MOI relative to traditional all-titanium mini drivers, helping preserve ball speed and directional stability on off-center strikes. Paired with Pyramid Face Technology from the Exotics metalwood line, the design is intended to support consistent speed across the face.

To further enhance MOI, a lightweight carbon fiber crown frees additional mass that is strategically repositioned low and deep in the head in design to improve stability and promote optimal launch with controlled spin.

“We designed the Mini to be about five millimeters shallower than other mini drivers on the market. That change improves playability off the deck. From a clean fairway lie, it can function as a strong 3-wood alternative while still providing control off the tee.” – Tour Edge CEO David Glod

An adjustable hosel system allows for loft and lie tuning to dial in trajectory and shot shape, while a fixed 13-gram rear weight helps stabilize the head through impact to improve dispersion consistency. The Exotics Mini Driver is available in 11.5 and 13.5-degree lofts in right-handed models.

Pricing & Availability

The Exotics Mini Driver is available for pre-order beginning today for $399.99 USD at touredge.com, and will be available for purchase at retail outlets worldwide on May 22, 2026. 

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Equipment

Srixon ZXi combo or TaylorMade P7CB/770 combo? – GolfWRXers discuss

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In our forums, our members have been pitting a Srixon ZXi combo against a TaylorMade P7CB/770 combo. WRXer ‘edutch22’ is on the hunt for a new set of irons and kicks off the thread saying:

“Looking at picking up a new set of irons and think I’ve narrowed it down to Srixon ZXi combo or Taylormade P7CB/770 combo. I am currently a 5 cap and allbeit I feel irons are my weakness. My miss is a little to the toe side. I am decently steep at 4-5 down. Always thought I am high spin but recently on trackman my 7 was spinning at 5800 roughly. 

My question or looking for thoughts on which one would benefit me more from a forgiveness standpoint? Or is there another iron is should be looking at entirely? I only get to play about once or twice a week, if I am not playing a 2-3 day event. Thanks in advance.”

And our members have been sharing their thoughts and suggestions in response.

Here are a few posts from the thread, but make sure to check out the entire discussion and have your say at the link below.

  • manima1: “You just can’t go wrong with Srixon ZXi7.”
  • MattM97: “You have to hit them to know, the V-Sole on the Srixon can be make or break for many.”
  • dmeeksDC: “P7CB is more forgiving for me than ZXi7 because my main miss is low middle and the P7CB still flies and spins great on that miss. These are both really nice irons but I like the P7CB more than the Zxi7 and the P770 (or P790) more than the Zxi5. The Srixons are larger so if that gives you confidence that is the way to go. I don’t feel like I get any benefit from the V-sole and the P7CBs live up to their high Maltby forgiveness rating so the TaylorMades have been great for me.”

Entire Thread: “Srixon ZXi combo or TaylorMade P7CB/770 combo? – GolfWRXers discuss”

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Equipment

From the GolfWRX Classifieds: 2024 Wilson Staff CB/Blade combo

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At GolfWRX, we are a community of like-minded individuals who all experience and express our enjoyment of the game in many ways.

It’s that sense of community that drives day-to-day interactions in the forums on topics that range from best driver to what marker you use to mark your ball. It even allows us to share another thing we all love – buying and selling equipment.

Currently, in our GolfWRX buy/sell/trade (BST) forum, @pianoman0123 has a 2024 Wilson Staff CB/Blade combo up for grabs.

From the listing: “2024 Wilson Staff CB/Blade Combo.  4-8 irons are CB’s and the 9,PW are Blades.  5-PW have Project X 6.0 Shafts and the 4 Iron has a Steelfiber CW110 Stiff Shaft.   Standard Length, Lie and Lofts.  These are in very good condition the shafts just don’t work for me.  Like new Lamkin Grips on the 5-PW and a stock Golf Pride on the 4 Iron. $525 OBO.”

To check out the full listing in our BST forum, head through the link. If you are curious about the rules to participate in the BST Forum, you can learn more here: GolfWRX BST Rules

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