What Does Lead Tape Do in Golf?

Ever notice those small metallic strips on a pro's driver or irons and wonder what they're for? That’s lead tape, and it's one of the simplest and most effective ways to customize your golf clubs without spending a fortune. This guide will walk you through exactly what lead tape does, where you should place it, and how you can use this simple tool to fix your slice, add a little pop to your drives, or just find a better feel for your clubs.

What is Lead Tape, Exactly?

In its simplest form, lead tape is just what it sounds like: a roll of tape made of lead with a self-adhesive backing. You can find it in most golf shops or online, usually sold in strips or rolls. Golfers and club fitters use it to add a small amount of weight to a specific area of the club head.

You might be surprised how much of a difference a tiny amount of weight can make. A single four-inch strip of lead tape typically weighs around two grams. While that doesn't sound like much, adding just a couple of grams to a 200-gram driver head is enough to alter how it feels and performs.

The main concept at play here is swing weight. Don't let the term intimidate you, it's just a measurement of how “head-heavy” a club feels when you swing it. Most clubs from the factory have a standard swing weight, but every golfer’s tempo and feel are different. If you feel like you can't sense where the club head is during your swing, adding a little weight can make the head feel more present and lead to a smoother rhythm. Conversely, if a club feels clunky or heavy, you can (though it's a bit more advanced) add weight under the grip to counterbalance it and make the head feel lighter.

The Two Main Jobs of Lead Tape: Feel and Ball Flight

When you start experimenting with lead tape, you’re primarily trying to change one of two things: the feel of the club or the flight of the ball. Thinking about it this way simplifies the process a great deal.

• Altering Feel (Swing Weight): This is all about personal preference. Some golfers like a heavier-feeling club head because it helps them establish a smoother tempo and prevents them from getting “quick” at the top of the swing. If your driver feels too light and you have trouble keeping it on a consistent path, a few strips of lead tape spread evenly across the sole might give you the stability you're looking for.
• Altering Ball Flight (Center of Gravity): This is where things get really interesting. The club head has a balance point known as the Center of Gravity, or CG. By strategically placing lead tape on different parts of the club head, you can shift this balance point ever-so-slightly. Moving the CG changes how the club head behaves at impact, and that in turn influences your launch angle, spin rate, and shot shape (whether the ball curves left or right). This is how you can use tape to actively fight a slice or a hook.

The Ultimate "How-To" Guide: Placing Lead Tape for Results

Alright, let's get down to the practical application. Before you start wrapping your clubs in tape, here’s the most important rule: start small. Apply one strip at a time, hit some balls, and observe the results. It's an experiment, not a one-time fix. A good baseline to remember is that every 2 grams of tape adds approximately one swing weight point. Now, let’s look at some common goals and where to place the tape to achieve them.

To Fix a Slice or Promote a Draw

This is probably the most common reason amateur golfers turn to lead tape.

• Where to Place It: On the heel of the club head. For a driver or fairway wood, this is the area on the sole closest to the hosel (where the shaft enters the head). For an iron, you'd place it on the back of the club toward the heel portion of the cavity.
• Why It Works: A slice is most often caused by an open clubface at impact. By adding weight to the heel, you effectively make that part of the club head heavier. Physics then does its job - this added mass helps the toe of the club "release" or close faster through the hitting area. This helps you square the clubface more easily, turning that left-to-right banana ball into a much straighter shot, or even a gentle draw.

To Fix a Hook or Promote a Fade

If you have the opposite problem and are battling a hook, the solution is just as simple.

• Where to Place It: On the toe of the club head. This is the very end of the club, furthest from the hosel and shaft.
• Why It Works: A hook is typically caused by a clubface that closes too quickly through impact. By placing weight on the toe, you make that section heavier. This has the effect of slowing down the club's rate of rotation. The face is less likely to slam shut before impact, which helps you keep it "open" relative to your swing path for a longer period. This will straighten out a nasty hook and can even help you produce a soft, controlled fade if that’s your desired shot shape.

To Increase Launch Angle (Hit the Ball Higher)

Struggling with low, diving drives that don't carry far enough? Lead tape can help you get the ball airborne.

• Where to Place It: Low and toward the rear of the club head. On a driver, this would be on the sole, as far back from the clubface as you can get.
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Placing weight low and deep in the club head pulls the Center of Gravity (CG) down and away from the face. A lower, deeper CG makes the club more forgiving and helps increase the dynamic loft at impact. In simple terms, it helps you launch the ball higher with more spin, which is especially useful for players who don't generate a lot of club head speed and need help maximizing carry distance.

To Lower Launch Angle and Spin (Get a Piercing Ball Flight)

On the other hand, if you're a player who hits the ball too high and loses distance because it "balloons" in the air, you can use tape for the opposite effect.

• Where to Place It: Low and forward on the sole, directly behind the clubface.
• Why It Works: Placing weight here moves the CG forward and closer to the face. A forward CG reduces dynamic loft at impact, which results in a lower, more penetrating ball flight with less backspin. This is a common adjustment for high-swing-speed players or golfers who play in very windy conditions and want a shot that cuts through the wind and gets more roll on the ground.

Other Creative Uses for Lead Tape

The applications don’t just stop with fixing hooks and slices on your woods. Lead tape is a versatile tool you can use on any club in your bag.

Irons: The same principles apply. If you’re slicing your 7-iron, try a strip on the heel of the club head, inside the rear cavity. To promote a fade, place it on the toe. Because iron heads are smaller, the effect can sometimes be more subtle, but it's definitely noticeable.

Putters: This is a huge one. Feel is everything in putting, and adding weight can make a massive difference. If your putting stroke feels shaky, adding tape to the sole of the putter increases the overall head weight, which can make the club feel more stable through the stroke and promote a better tempo. Many golfers experiment with putting 10 grams or more on their putter to find their ideal feel.

Counterbalancing: A more advanced technique involves adding weight under the grip of a club, rather than on the head. This is called counterbalancing. Adding weight to the butt-end of the club makes the head feel lighter and can quiet down handsy, overactive swings or putting strokes. It’s a trick used by many pros seeking a very specific feel.

Practical Tips for Your Experiment

Ready to try it yourself? Here are a few simple tips to follow for a successful experiment.

• Go to the Range: This is not a change to make on the first tee. You need to hit a good number of shots to see if the adjustment is working. What feels good in a practice swing might not produce the results you want at full speed.
• Start Small and Be Methodical: Don’t cover your driver in tape right away. Add one or two strips, hit 15-20 balls, and assess the change in ball flight and feel. If you want more of an effect, add another strip. Only change one thing at a time.
• It's Completely Reversible: The best part about lead tape is that it’s not permanent. If you don't like the feel or the result, just peel it off. There's zero risk.
• Is It Legal? Yes. Under the Rules of Golf, lead tape is a permissible addition to your club, provided you put it on before you start a competition round. You cannot add or remove it during a round. So, do all your tinkering at home or on the range.

Final Thoughts

Lead tape is an incredibly simple, affordable, and effective tool for any golfer looking to fine-tune their equipment. Whether you're trying to tame a slice, launch the ball higher, or just discover a putting stroke that feels smoother and more stable, a few small strips of tape give you the power to customize your clubs to fit your swing.

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