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Choking Up vs. Shorter Shaft


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I'm curious on opinions regarding choking up on driver against having a shaft cut down by a bit. I'm relatively short (5'6"), and it goes without saying that I have much more control when I choke up about 1-2" (the shaft on my burner is a bit long at 45.75"). As I'm still in the process of refining my ability to hit the driver, I'm hesitant to cut it down as I don't want to sacrifice potential distance for when I'm grooving it a bit better. I know the best thing will be to go for a professional fitting, but I'm curious to hear thoughts on this short of that.

Thanks,
Andy

Wuzzinmebag:

Driver: Burner Draw 10.5°, Reg Flex
Hybrid: Rescue Dual 19°, Reg Flex
Hybrid: Rescue Dual 22°, Reg Flex4-GW: S9, Nippon 900 XH Steel ShaftSW: 588 DSG, 56°; 14° bouncePutter: White Hot XG #3 33"igolf GPS caddie(Somewhat) lowering that handicap one round at a time...

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I'm curious on opinions regarding choking up on driver against having a shaft cut down by a bit. I'm relatively short (5'6"), and it goes without saying that I have much more control when I choke up about 1-2" (the shaft on my burner is a bit long at 45.75"). As I'm still in the process of refining my ability to hit the driver, I'm hesitant to cut it down as I don't want to sacrifice potential distance for when I'm grooving it a bit better. I know the best thing will be to go for a professional fitting, but I'm curious to hear thoughts on this short of that.

Unless you are already consistently hitting the sweet spot on your driver you will probably gain distance by shortening the shaft. I can't remember the rule of thumb for distance loss per inch cut, but it's not that much. There are plenty of Tour players using drivers shorter than 45".

Shortening the shaft will make it play a few swingweight points lower, so if you are sensitive to this it may be something to consider. Also, the shaft will probably play slightly stiffer. Everardo could help you more with these particular issues...
Callaway FT-9 Tour I-mix 9.5° Driver (Fujikura Zcom Pro 65 stiff)
Mizuno F-50 15° 3w (Exsar FS2 stiff)
Bridgestone J36 19° Hybrid (Aldila VS Proto 80 stiff)
Adams Idea Pro 23° Hybrid (Aldila VS Proto 80 stiff)
Adams Idea Pro Forged 5-pw Irons (DG Black Gold stiff)Nike SV Tour Black Satin...
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Andy,

I just had my driver trimmed almost half an inch. It's performing exactly at the CPM and Flex that I was fitted for. Additionally, the swingweight did not change. It's still D7. I'm hitting the ball consistently better and have not lost any distance.

I recommend going to your fitter and having this done.

FWIW, I'm six feet tall and my driver length is 44 3/8 inches.

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Nike SQ 4W Accra T70 M4 Shaft
HB001 17* Hybrid with Mitsubishi Diamana Thump X Stiff Flex
Baffler Pro 20* Accra Axiv 105 Tour Hybrid Shaft

Taylor Made 24* Burner Accra Axiv 105 Tour Hybrid Shaft

Mizuno MP-32 5-PW Black Oxide Finish Project X 6.0 Shafts

Vokey 52* Oil Can Finish TTDG S400 Shaft

Cleveland 588 60* TTDG S400 Shaft

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  • 3 months later...
Unless you are already consistently hitting the sweet spot on your driver you will probably gain distance by shortening the shaft. I can't remember the rule of thumb for distance loss per inch cut, but it's not that much. There are plenty of Tour players using drivers shorter than 45".

True, last I saw the average driver length on the PGA and other male tours was 44 3/8" so a premium should be placed on making solid consistent contact first

Shortening the shaft will make it play a few swingweight points lower, so if you are sensitive to this it may be something to consider. Also, the shaft will probably play slightly stiffer. Everardo could help you more with these particular issues...

The swing weight can be easily accounted for by counter balancing

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I would choke up on the driver and slowly move back up as you become for confident with the driver. The lenght of the shaft will aid in your distance.

Titleist 910 D2 9.5 Driver
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Titleist 910 hybrid 24 degree
Mizuno Mp33 5 - PW
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the rule of thumb was 1 in = 8 swingweight points. counter weights will just make it worse. Weight plugs can be placed in the tip if necessary. Choking up is a good idea. Look at professionals and you'll see that most choke up on everything.

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I'm 5'7" and I got my g10 cut down to 44.50" and my Cleveland Launcer 3 wood cut down an inch as well. Working out great so far. More control for sure.

Driver Ping G10 10.5*
Hybrids Ping G5 (3) 19* Bridgestone J36 (4) 22*
Irons Mizuno MP-57 5-PW
Wedges Srixon WG-504 52.08 Bridgestone WC Copper 56.13
Putter 33" Scotty Cameron Studio Select #2

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I would choke up on the club. The problem with cutting the shaft is it can really effect swingweight and shaft flex, especially if you get a lazy clubfitter or a clubfitter who doesn't know what they are doing. If you're playing well by choking up on the club, just stick with what's working.





3JACK
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Okay I'm pretty short just like you...well i'm about 5'3" maybe 4" on a good day but around there. I bought a driver and had it cut down to 44" thinking since I am short I need a shorter club. Well I hit it good, and straight, but I wanted more distance(I was averaging about 250). I changed to a Ben Hogan 8.5 stiff shaft 70g driver with a 45" shaft. I still hit just as straight, and I gained quite a bit of yardage(now I average about 275). To me it didn't make a big difference. I do feel like I have a little more control with the shorter driver, but as long as I keep it in the fairway thats good enough for me. So choke up for now, and start moving back as someone said. Hope this helps.

Driver: Nike Sumo 5000 8.5 stiff V2 shaft
Woods: IDrive 3 & 5 square (Callaway Clone)
Irons: Callaway X Forged 3-PW w/Rifle 5.5
Wedge: Titleist Vokey 2009 spin milled 52 degree Adams 60 degree
Putter: Maxfli BlackMax TwoBag: Nike Sasquatch Tour Stand BagBall: Whatever is in my bag that day

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