Equipment
Talking counterbalancing with Steve Boccieri and Tom Stickney
Could counterbalancing be the next technology major OEMs market? Steve Boccieri of Boccieri Golf thinks so. “The next frontier is counterbalancing,” he boldly declared.
Boccieri, the inventor of the Heavy Putter a decade ago, admittedly has a vested interest in the resurgence of counterbalancing taking over the market. His company recently released the Secret Grip: a (nearly) standard grip with a weight in the butt end. The Secret Grip, at 92 grams, is about 40 grams heavier than a traditional grip, such as the Golf Pride Tour Velvet, which is 50 grams. Thus far, the grip has been well-received both on Tour and by the general public.
Although the numbers have likely increased, Boccieri Golf’s website states:
“Over 3,000 golfers have tested the Secret Grip, with 97 percent preferring it to a conventional grip.
Golf Labs conducted an independent test of the Secret Grip and found 87 percent of golfers, using a 6-iron, increased their ball speed, the leading factor in distance.”
Boccieri indicated that counterbalancing has been popular for years, stating that Ben Hogan and Jack Nicklaus both counterweighted their clubs.
Boccieri reports that Secret Grips can be found in every major OEMs’ tour van right now and that players are requesting the grips. Already on Tour, the following players (among many others) are using the Secret Grip or counterbalancing their clubs: Sergio Garcia, J.B. Holmes, Retief Goosen, Bo Van Pelt, Rory Sabbatini, Ernie Els, and Ryan Moore.
The next step for Boccieri: offering the Secret Grip in more styles, such as the ribbed reminder version Thomas Bjorn has requested. Presently, the company is working with Lamkin to give golfers more Secret Grip options.
At the retail level, the Secret Grip has been well received. And at the Boccieri facility, the company offered golfers who purchased at least six Secret Grips the following deal: try the grips for 30 days. If you aren’t satisfied, we’ll regrip your clubs with the grips of your choosing for free. More than 90 percent of golfers stuck with the Secret Grips. Thus, according to Bocccieri, “the consumer is accepting the product.” Here’s a look at the Secret Grip specs and options.
Secret Grip Original: $12.99
- Injection molded tungsten cap
- Heavier rubber compound
- 92-gram total weight
- 1-inch longer than standard grip
- Built-up lower hand
- Sizes: Standard or Midsize
- Styles: Multi-direction pattern and cord
- Colors: Black, Red, White or Blue
Secret Grip Putter: $19.99
- Injection molded tungsten cap
- Heavier rubber compound
- Sizes: Classic, Midsize or Jumbo
- Colors: Black or Black/Green
- Weights: 100 grams, 155 grams or 165 grams
- Note: Black is only available in Midsize
So, what are the benefits of counterbalancing a club?
According to Boccieri, “When you raise the balance point you make the club more efficient.” Beyond that, Boccieri claims that counterbalancing a club (and using the Secret Grip in particular):
- Creates a better plane on the takeaway
- Allows the hands to set more quickly
- Allows for a smoother transition
- Helps a golfer “hold the angle” longer
- Contributes to a fuller extension
Using the Secret Putter Grip:
- Contributes to overall stroke stability
- Quiets the hands during the stroke
- Facilitates a pendulum stroke
Offering his own take, Golf Magazine Top 100 Teacher Tom Stickney II indicated that counterbalancing a club makes the head feel lighter.
Stickney, who counterweights his wedges and putter, believes that the demise of backweighting over the past couple of decades is mostly a function of the fact that OEMs didn’t want to add to the cost of the golf club and decided instead to market other technologies.
In search for comparative advantages, he sees the return of counterbalancing as a real possibility. He believes further that the recent popularity of counterbalanced putters could lead to a spillover of the technology into other club types.
Stickney’s only cautions: Adding weight to the end of the club increases static weight and decreases swingweight. Further counterbalancing a club may make it was to release more quickly, particularly in the woods, which promotes a draw.
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Equipment
Coolest thing for sale in the GolfWRX Classifieds (4/18/24): TaylorMade BRNR mini driver head
At GolfWRX, we are a community of like-minded individuals that 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, there is a listing for a TaylorMade BRNR mini driver head
From the seller: (@lasallen): “For sale is a BRNR mini 11.5 deg head only in brand new condition. $325 shipped.”
To check out the full listing in our BST forum, head through the link: TaylorMade BRNR mini driver head
This is the most impressive current listing from the GolfWRX BST, and if you are curious about the rules to participate in the BST Forum you can check them out here: GolfWRX BST Rules
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Equipment
Coolest thing for sale in the GolfWRX Classifieds (4/18/24): Ping PLD Limited Anser – 1988 Open Championship – #2 of only 88 Made
At GolfWRX, we are a community of like-minded individuals that 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, there is a listing for a Ping PLD Limited Anser – 1988 Open Championship – #2 of only 88 Made.
From the seller: (@DLong72): “Ping PLD Limited Anser – 1988 Open Championship – #2 of only 88 Made. ?: $1150. ?? 100% milled collectors item from the limited releases commemorating when Ping putters won every major in 1988 (88 putters made). This was the model Seve Ballesteros used to win the 1988 Open Championship. Condition is brand new, never gamed, everything is in the original packaging as it came. Putter features the iconic sound slot.
Specs/ Additional Details
-100% Milled, Aluminum/Bronze Alloy (310g)
-Original Anser Design
-PING PP58 Grip
-Putter is built to standard specs.”
To check out the full listing in our BST forum, head through the link: Ping PLD Limited Anser – 1988 Open Championship – #2 of only 88 Made
This is the most impressive current listing from the GolfWRX BST, and if you are curious about the rules to participate in the BST Forum you can check them out here: GolfWRX BST Rules
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As you probably know by now, Collin Morikawa switched putters after the first round of The Masters, and he ultimately went on to finish T3.
The putter was far from the only change he made last week, however, and his bag is continuing to change this week at the 2024 RBC Heritage.
On the range of The Masters, Morikawa worked closely with Adrian Reitveld, TaylorMade’s Senior Manager of Tour at TaylorMade, to find the perfect driver and 3-wood setups.
Morikawa started off 2024 by switching into TaylorMade’s Qi10 Max driver, but since went back to his faithful TaylorMade SIM – yes, the original SIM from 2020. Somehow, some way, it seems Morikawa always ends up back in that driver, which he used to win the 2020 PGA Championship, and the 2021 Open Championship.
At The Masters, however, Rietveld said the duo found the driver head that allowed “zero compromise” on Morikawa’s preferred fade flight and spin. To match his preferences, they landed on a TaylorMade Qi10 LS 9-degree head, and the lie angle is a touch flatter than his former SIM.
“It’s faster than his gamer, and I think what we found is it fits his desired shot shape, with zero compromise” Rietveld told GolfWRX.com on Wednesday at the RBC Heritage.
Then, to replace his former SIM rocket 3-wood, Morikawa decided to switch into the TaylorMade Qi10 core model 13.5-degree rocket head, with an adjustable hosel.
“He likes the spin characteristics of that head,” Rietveld said. “Now he’s interesting because with Collin, you can turn up at a tournament, and you look at his 3-wood, and he’s changed the setting. One day there’s more loft on it, one day there’s less loft on it. He’s that type of guy. He’s not scared to use the adjustability of the club.
“And I think he felt our titanium head didn’t spin as low as his original SIM. So we did some work with the other head, just because he liked the feel of it. It was a little high launching, so we fit him into something with less loft. It’s a naughty little piece of equipment.”
In addition to the driver and fairway wood changes, Morikawa also debuted his new “MySymbol” jersey No. 5 TP5x golf ball at The Masters. Morikawa’s choice of symbols is likely tied to his love of the Los Angeles Dodgers baseball team.
Not enough changes for you? There’s one more.
On Wednesday at the 2024 RBC Heritage, Morikawa was spotted with a new TaylorMade “Proto” 4-iron in the bag. If you recall, it’s the same model that Rory McIlroy debuted at the 2024 Valero Texas Open.
According to Morikawa, the new Proto 4-iron will replace his old P-770 hollow-bodied 4-iron.
“I used to hit my P-770 on a string, but sometimes the distance would be a little unpredictable,” Morikawa told GolfWRX.com. “This one launches a touch higher, and I feel I can predict the distance better. I know Rory replaced his P-760 with it. I’m liking it so far.”
See Morikawa’s full WITB from the 2024 RBC Heritage here.
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steve parrott
Sep 12, 2014 at 1:03 pm
A much easier and cheaper way to counterbalance is to add a carriage bolt(about 10-15 cents each a any hardware store)to the grip end of the shaft. Then re-grip with your favorite grip. The bolts come in different lengths (longer is heavier) and the head of the bolt is nearly the same size as the outside diameter of the shaft. The rounded end of the bolt does not cause any issues with the re-grip. The new grip installed will hold the bolt in place so no wiggles or rattles. I’ve even experimented with adding lead tape wrapped around the bolt to increase the weight. Very simple, very cheap and very easy to install.
Jonzy
Sep 8, 2014 at 1:22 pm
I got a couple of these 2 years ago when they offered them free thru GG, Dick’s and Edwin Watts and put them on my wedges. I loved them and I feel that I got more accurate with them, but I’m not paying that price per grip. I’ve ended up buying the Tour Lock Pro weight that weighed about the same as the Boccieri one to see if I would get the same result and so far I’m happy with it. Plus, when I regrip, I can re-use the weight.
Mark
Sep 6, 2014 at 10:50 am
I just installed The Secret putting grips on a two old Ping Anser and B-60 putters as an experiment. and LOVE them. I’ve become pretty “yippie” as I’ve aged (57) and the counter-balancing has taken my hands significantly out of my stroke. I used a long putter for years, but have regained confidence with the added weights.
If you suffer from the yips, I’d absolutely give it a try…..not sure on the irons though
Eric
Sep 6, 2014 at 10:33 am
So, does counterbalancing promote a draw or a fade??? I am hearing differing opinions on this. Tom, you state at the end of your article that it promotes a draw, but some of the responses are saying the exact opposite……what is the correct answer?
Tom Stickney
Sep 6, 2014 at 3:27 pm
It promotes a draw for most people that I’ve seen professionally.
Try one
Sep 7, 2014 at 2:27 am
Which is not a good way to show that a person like Nicklaus, a perennial cutter of the ball is promoting it. Confusing, to say the very least. The science needs to be explained further.
S
Sep 6, 2014 at 8:32 am
Balance Certified is another company who makes counter balance weights for all clubs. They are a bit more expensive but you only have to buy them once which makes the cost negligible.
Try one
Sep 6, 2014 at 2:58 am
It’s not for everyone, just like anything else.
If you’re a hooker of the ball and want to correct it, the counterbalance will work for you nicely.
But with too much counterbalance, for a lot of people, it also robs them of the traditional swingweighted feeling of the clubhead at the end of the stick, so most people will struggle to fire the club through enough and lose all kinds of speed and control.
It’s not for everyone. Try one grip on a mid iron that you normally don’t hit very often and see what happens before you do the whole set.
Eric
Sep 6, 2014 at 10:27 am
I am a bit confused about your statement regarding someone being a hooker of the ball, that counterbalancing will help with that……Stickney specifically states that counterbalancing promotes a draw……..who is correct? Your statement is a direct contradiction of his….
Tom Stickney
Sep 6, 2014 at 3:28 pm
It depends where the wt is located. Deeper in the grip promotes a fade. Higher a draw
Try one
Sep 7, 2014 at 2:25 am
Eric,
I was specifically talking about the Boccieri grip, NOT the other counter-balance weight kits that allow you to move weight down into the shaft more. The Boccieri grip has a fixed 17 gram weight at the very end of the grip (therefore the shaft), in addition to the heavy rubber grip weight total.
The other aspect of the counter-balance that is not mentioned is the fact that it also makes the shaft play much much stiffer. That probably won’t help people that need a softer, more whippier transition as the counterweight will take that away.
Jason
Sep 5, 2014 at 9:44 pm
Why shouldn’t I just by the tour lock stuff counterweight system? When these grips are ready to be changed, do I throw the grip and weight away? If I bought the tour lock system , I could make the weight investment once, and choose any grip I want.
Jeffcb
Sep 5, 2014 at 9:06 pm
I tried them and what I noticed is that they slow my hands down. I like to hit a draw but with the weights it was harder for me personally to release correctly. Nicklaus hit a fade, Hogan struggled with a hook, both good reasons why back weighting might be beneficial to slow one’s hands. Just wasn’t for me.
Kevin
Sep 5, 2014 at 5:49 pm
Tom,
How does the counter weights effect your wedges in trajectory and distance ? Also if one was installed on a driver how may this effect the ball flight ? I tend to create a 3400/3500 spin rate with a driver
Tom Stickney
Sep 5, 2014 at 7:02 pm
It feels more stable to me personally but that’s only my opinion. I’ve noticed no changes in yardage.
Snowman
Sep 5, 2014 at 5:47 pm
I rigged a very heavy ~80 gram counter weight into my putter and like it very much. Interested in trying in some other clubs (not 80 grams), but grips are already too expensive in my opinion and I am a dedicated player that regroups at least twice a year. $12 is way high!.. + call it vanity or whatever, I do not want to play a grip that has “Secret Grip” plastered on it. I’ll buy some weights and do it myself.
Side note: great grip for the price: Lamkin X10, very similar to GP Tour velvet and significantly less expensive.
Snowman
Sep 5, 2014 at 5:49 pm
I also regrip twice a year……
Tom Stickney
Sep 5, 2014 at 7:03 pm
Try tourlock.com
steve
Sep 5, 2014 at 5:37 pm
Why use the Secret Grip, like said in the article this is nothing new. Why not just add weight to the butt end and use the grip you want
pilot25
Sep 5, 2014 at 5:20 pm
$12 per grip!! No thanks unless they last 2 seasons.
Chuck
Sep 5, 2014 at 4:48 pm
I’m very interested in counterweighting and especially in counterbalanced shafts.
I appreciate all that Boccieri is doing. As well as other manufacturers and club builders.
Great to hear the news (new news to me) that Boccieri is working with Lamkin.
My grip of choice is a .580 Lamkin Crossline; rib version. THAT is why I would never use one of the current Boccieri products; they ARE ALL ROUND GRIPS!
I have always been mystified why there are so few rib-model grips on the market. Dear OEM’s: among all of your exotic designs, colors, et cetera, just start all of your choices, please, with a rib-versus-round option.
PM
Sep 5, 2014 at 2:21 pm
I use the grips now for more than 6 months and I love them. I strike the balls better than before and my putting has improved amazingly. I really can recommend them to everybody.
You don’t have to live in the US as Boccieri ships them all over the world. Sorry to see so many negative comments from people who not even have tried them. It says more about them than the grips.
nikkyd
Sep 5, 2014 at 2:21 pm
I just make my own slugs out of melted down bullets i find in gravel pits. Cheaper,custom and more adjustable (fun too) Pretty boys buy 20$ grips. Good for them! They keep the companies in business!
adam
Sep 5, 2014 at 3:47 pm
Restate that please: “pretty dumb boys” pay $20/grip. Look for deals and you’ll find them. I paid $57 CAD shipped for 5-pw.
Jeff
Sep 5, 2014 at 2:05 pm
Line 1 Resurgent counterbalancing or resurgence of counterbalancing. Not resurgence counterbalance.
Shawn
Sep 5, 2014 at 1:56 pm
$13 for a grip just sounds high. $169 just to regrip is a little steep to me.
PaloAltoPlaya
Sep 5, 2014 at 1:27 pm
I’ve tried this grip at my club on a Miura MB001 9 iron- the pro asked me to take a couple swings with it. He didn’t let on anything about the grip I just figured he wanted me to try his new blades. I hit a couple of balls with it and said, no offense but my Mizunos blades feel a hell of a lot better than these Miuras. I then hit the 7 iron with stock Pure grip…yeah that’s more like it.
You guys getting paid to write favorable articles?!? Uneffinbelievable!
Tom Stickney
Sep 5, 2014 at 7:04 pm
I get paid zero! They didn’t work for me in my irons thus the reason why I use them only in my wedges.
steve
Sep 5, 2014 at 7:50 pm
You use different grips in your wedges? I kinda like using the same grip through out.
Chuck
Sep 5, 2014 at 8:59 pm
I use rib grips in Driver-PW and round grips in my 52-Gap wedge and my 59-Sand/lob wedge.
Lamkin Crossline ribs/rounds. They match perfectly.
I do this because I prefer rib grips, but I tilt “open” my 52 occasionally, and my 59 often.
Ed
Sep 5, 2014 at 1:26 pm
This isn’t anything new.. Sergio has been doing this for a while (I know I’ve seen pics on this site even)
I counter balanced my putter years ago to quiet the hands at takeaway.. same principle here in all clubs I suppose..
It’s a great idea to bring mainstream but it’s nothing new. Tour pros have known about this for w while..
Chuck
Sep 5, 2014 at 4:43 pm
I think we all know that, Ed, and that this article specifically acknowledged the practice dating back to “Ben Hogan and Jack Nicklaus.”
I frankly don’t get your point.
steve
Sep 5, 2014 at 7:48 pm
Frankly he means you dont need to buy the secret grip to get the job done.
Scooter McGavin
Sep 5, 2014 at 1:11 pm
I don’t understand the opening sentence/question. Every major OEM already markets counterbalancing. They all have counterbalanced putters. Ping’s TFC wood shafts are “high balance point”, which is the same general idea as counterbalancing – moving the cg closer to the hands. Only discussing Boccieri the way it’s done here just makes it a Boccieri commercial. Did Boccieri pay for this ad?
Kevin
Sep 5, 2014 at 1:02 pm
Unfortunately not available in the UK as usual. Tried last year and couldn’t get anyone to post one over.
dot dot
Sep 5, 2014 at 12:49 pm
Bocceri website states “97% preferred the secret grip over a conventional grip” Ya, I’m thinking that’s just a wee bit overstated. If they are going to lie at least make it believable.
MC
Sep 5, 2014 at 1:06 pm
Agreed. I’ve done Secret grips for more than a few customers and 100% have gone away from them.