How much lead tape does it take to change the shot shape? We found out

Adjustable weights are ubiquitous these days. They can be found in drivers, fairway woods, hybrids and even irons. Tune ball flight or corral a slice with a wrench has never been easier.

It all sounds so easy, doesn’t it? But what happens when you’re packing an older model rider that doesn’t have adjustable sole weights or still has a bonded hosel? For those looking to adjust launch, shot shape, or spin, there are a few ways to address the issue.

You can find a shaft with an ideal kick point, apply hot melt to the head, or stick strips of lead tape to get the job done. Of the three options mentioned, lead tape is probably the most economical and allows you to move the tape around the sole to optimize performance characteristics.

While most pros tend to rely on adjustable weights and internal hot melt to make changes, a select few continue to take advantage of lead tape, including former Masters champion Hideki Matsuyama. It’s important to note that most professionals use lead tape in small doses to make incremental changes.

Of course, a significant amount can also turn your neutral-biased rider into a slice killer—provided you know what the heck you’re doing.

In the latest installment of GOLF’s RoboTest series, the equipment crew went to the extreme to find out how much lead tape it takes to produce a noticeable change in shot shape. With massive assistance from Golf Laboratories’ swing robot, almost 16 grams of lead tape (approximately 8 swing weight points) was attached to the toe and heel of a 10.5 degree Ping G430 driver to allow the ball to move in either direction.

Exactly how much did the ball move? Check out the video above to see the final results.

Looking to overhaul your bag for 2023? Find a suitable location near you at the GOLF subsidiary True Spec Golf. For more on the latest gear news and information, check out our latest Fully Geared podcast below.

Jonathan Wand

Golf.com Editor

Jonathan Wall is GOLF Magazine and GOLF.com’s Senior Gear Editor. Before joining the team in late 2018, he spent 6 years covering gear for the PGA Tour.