Dear Neville,
Here's the word on your question from Swingweight.com:
Scales & Swingweight Formulas
We often receive emails requesting formulas that will tell a player what swingweight he will attain with the use of this component combination or that. Such formulas are available, but we don’t use them. They can provide a very incorrect result. Why? Because heads, shafts and grips can, and often do, vary from their listed specs. A catalogue may state that an 8-iron head weighs 275 grams, but that does not mean that it does. It may be 271 grams, or it may be 279 grams. Also, shafts and grips can be any number of grams left or right of stated weights. If all three of these primary components are off in contrary directions, a very sizeable swingweight variable can occur.
In addition to those problems, weight distribution within a shaft and the length of a hosel can also influence final swingweights. Any accurate formula would be complex and would necessitate a thorough knowledge of weight distribution patterns. There are formulas and calculating systems, but we suggest reading the following article by Jeff Jackson concerning other ways to calculate a rough swingweight. Go to: Swingweight: Why, What and How
The only good way to achieve accurate and consistent swingweights is to buy a swingweight scale. Simple beam balance scales begin at about $45.They may not give the precise readings of more expensive swingweight scales, but they will suffice. Professional clubmakers need highly accurate scales; individual players do not. What is most important to them is that all of their clubs match in terms of relative swingweight. What matters is that all clubs have the same swingweights, not that the actual swingweight is D2.3 instead of D2.5.
For those amateurs who do some assembly or refitting of clubs it helps to have a small, digital scale for weighing components, lead tape strips and powder doses. That way, all components can be adjusted for weight prior to assembly.
Swingweight and component scales may be found at Golfsmith, Dynacraft and GolfWorks.
Cheers!
Geoff Mangum
Putting Theorist and Instructor
Geoff Mangum's PuttingZone
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