A closer look at the CoG or CG (Centre of Gravity) of a golf club

It all starts quite innocently. One minute you’re searching for a used golf club online by your favourite brand, or perhaps the length of the shaft. But before you know it, you’re agonising over the physics and engineering of golf club manufacturing, wondering if and how the slightest tweak to your equipment could take your game up a notch.

At golfclubs4cash, it’s our mission to make golfing accessible to all, and that includes demystifying some of the terms that are bounced around on the golf course so that your understanding reaches new levels. So, we look at the jargon and technicalities of golf and try to explain them in a way that’s easy to understand, and also to apply to your game. In another article, we talk about the Moment of Inertia (MoI) in a golf club, and what that means to you, and we’ve also written a guide to golf club loft and lie.

And in this article, we’re taking a deep dive into the Centre of Gravity of a golf club. You may also see it written as CG, or CoG - it all means the same thing. So, let’s dig in.

WHAT IS CENTRE OF GRAVITY?

In physics, the Centre of Gravity (sometimes called the centre of mass) is the imaginary point of an object where the total weight of an object appears to be located. If you were listening in Science, you’ll know that gravity is the downwards force that keeps us all on the planet. Imagine you’re balancing a pen on the end of your finger - the point where it balances perfectly without wobbling or falling off is the pen’s Centre of Gravity (which we’ll call CG from now on). We all have one, and it stops us wobbling around and falling over. So, fairly important then.

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HOW IS CG IMPORTANT TO A GOLF CLUB?

The CG of a golf club is the point of the club head where the weight is most evenly distributed during your swing. It’s important for balance, stability, forgiveness and the trajectory of your ball flight, as well as general performance and feel. So, while it’s a minor adjustment, it can make quite a difference, and we always recommend that our customers experiment with lots of different types of clubs to find the one that feels most natural to them. You can pop into our golf stores in Edinburgh or Warrington if you’d like to try some out.

WHICH CG SHOULD I CHOOSE FOR MY GAME?

You can usually estimate a club’s CG by the shape of the club head. If the sole of your club is thick and wide, then the CG of the club will be low. Low CG golf clubs are best for beginners, and you’ll find that a low CG will launch the ball higher and generate less spin. If your club head looks like it’s thicker and wider at the top, then it’s probably got a higher CG. High CG golf clubs will generate a lower ball flight and more spin and are better for more experienced players.

IS CG IMPORTANT FOR ALL CLUB TYPES?

Yes - it’s an important consideration. For example, a driver with a low CG might give you more height and distance, whereas a higher CG will reduce spin. An iron with low CG lifts the ball higher, while a high CG will help you control ball flight. In either case, most amateur golfers opt for a mid-CG which offers the best of both worlds. You can experiment yourself, but it’s always best to consult an expert who can help you adjust the weights in your club so the CG falls at an optimum point for you. Call into one of our stores and try a few different CGs out for size.

That concludes our article on the Centre of Gravity of golf clubs, but if there is anything else you’d like to know, just get in touch!

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