Driver 46" vs 45"

Topanga · July 28, 2009

I spoke to my club fitter today regarding driver shaft length. I recently put in a UST AXIV Tour black in my Titleist 909 D2, love the shaft. I'm hitting it very straight but it seems I'm losing some distince. He said that from a 45" to 46" would take it from a D2 to D8. The longer shaft doesn't always mean longer distance. What are your opinions???

Rick

**Msokol13** · July 28, 2009

Well, it makes sense.

try swinging a sledge hammer and then swing a broom...which one can you swing faster?

**flanagan** · July 28, 2009

Less control and the distance gain, if any, should be marginal. Pretty good body of research out there suggesting most people play drivers that are too long. If PGA pros could control 46" drivers, they'd be hitting them, most use drivers much shorter, at least that is what is reported.

**patriot07** · July 28, 2009

Yes, longer shaft only means longer distance if you can swing it almost as fast as the next shortest shaft. If you can control it and swing it just as fast, there isn't any problem in swinging a longer shaft. If not, stick with the shorter length. You'll tend to find more fairways with the shorter one.

**ControlJunkie** · July 28, 2009

I spoke to my club fitter today regarding driver shaft length. I recently put in a UST AXIV Tour black in my Titleist 909 D2, love the shaft. I'm hitting it very straight but it seems I'm losing some distince. He said that from a 45" to 46" would take it from a D2 to D8. The longer shaft doesn't always mean longer distance. What are your opinions???

What do you think is the reason you're losing distance? Is the ball flight too high or too low? What shaft did you have in it before? Also, what is the flex profile of the AXIVCore and of the previous shaft? And how much distance are we talking about here?

Topanga · July 28, 2009

I think I'm losing distance because my swing speed is lower with the long shaft. The flight is perfect higher launch that levels out and gives me some roll. I was using the UST V2 76g (AXIV 77g) and the distance was good but but the flight was too low The flex point of the AXIV is low for a higher launch and the flex point of the V2 is higher for a low to mid launch. The new shaft feels like a very heavy shaft whipping around even though it's only 1 gram difference. The V2 felt great I was just looking for a higher launch to give me more distance. The distance loss is about 15-20 yards, too much. I really think the long shaft is a negative. I'm not a small guy 6'2" 205 with a 100+ swing speed. I just think 46" isn't working, we'll see.

**deronsizemore** · July 28, 2009

I think I'm losing distance because my swing speed is lower with the long shaft. The flight is perfect higher launch that levels out and gives me some roll. I was using the UST V2 76g (AXIV 77g) and the distance was good but but the flight was too low The flex point of the AXIV is low for a higher launch and the flex point of the V2 is higher for a low to mid launch. The new shaft feels like a very heavy shaft whipping around even though it's only 1 gram difference. The V2 felt great I was just looking for a higher launch to give me more distance. The distance loss is about 15-20 yards, too much. I really think the long shaft is a negative. I'm not a small guy 6'2" 205 with a 100+ swing speed. I just think 46" isn't working, we'll see.

46" shaft is really long. I've got a 45" currently and am thinking about taking it down to a 44.5"

An inch does make a pretty big difference but I can't see you losing 20 yards because of it. Something else has to be going on...

**tricky** · July 28, 2009

What do I think? I think: "Are you mad?". It wouldn't be unusual to swing slower with a longer club, in order to come through the ball more consistently. It's harder to put the sweet spot on the ball, the longer the shaft is. You will be able to swing more consistently with a shorter shaft, and the likely improvement in your ball striking/contact will probably compensate for the loss of clubhead speed with a shorter shaft (swing at the same tempo and a longer shaft gives a higher clubhead speed). My three woods are 42.5" (and dreamily easy to hit), my drivers (I have more than one of each) are 45". I'm definitely considering cutting one down to 43.5" or 44". Possibly the 10.5° to 43.5", the 9.5° to 44", and leaving my 8.5° at 45" - because with the lower loft I will need more clubhead speed to get the ball flight. I bet I end up using the 10.5°.

My understanding is that many top players play with a 43.5" or 44" driver. Of course they are swinging that faster than I ever could, but the principle about control remains. If they struggle to control anything much longer, it seems reasonable that it would be unlikely that I could.

There is nothing on earth that would get me to put a longer shaft in - unless I was intent on specialising in long driving competitions. That wont ever happen.

Topanga · July 28, 2009

Maybe the swing speed isn't slower but sure feels like it. Actually my distance loss is probably closer to 10 yards than 20 but I thought it would 10 yards more not 10 yards less. I don't seem to have a problem hitting it square it's just not feeling right. All said I will probably cut it down to 45". I'll give it one more try first.

**tricky** · July 28, 2009

Maybe the swing speed isn't slower but sure feels like it. Actually my distance loss is probably closer to 10 yards than 20 but I thought it would 10 yards more not 10 yards less. I don't seem to have a problem hitting it square it's just not feeling right. All said I will probably cut it down to 45". I'll give it one more try first.

If your swing tempo is exactly the same, then your club head speed is bigger with a longer club. I wouldn't be at all surprised if you were slowing down, in order to control the ball contact better....but hey, what do I know...you're twice the player that I am.

I do know that when I hit a shorter shafted driver I hit the ball marginally further than a longer shafted driver. It is simply because my ball striking improves.

**ControlJunkie** · July 28, 2009

I think I'm losing distance because my swing speed is lower with the long shaft. The flight is perfect higher launch that levels out and gives me some roll. I was using the UST V2 76g (AXIV 77g) and the distance was good but but the flight was too low The flex point of the AXIV is low for a higher launch and the flex point of the V2 is higher for a low to mid launch. The new shaft feels like a very heavy shaft whipping around even though it's only 1 gram difference. The V2 felt great I was just looking for a higher launch to give me more distance. The distance loss is about 15-20 yards, too much. I really think the long shaft is a negative. I'm not a small guy 6'2" 205 with a 100+ swing speed. I just think 46" isn't working, we'll see.

I know it's probably too late, since you already have the new shaft in, but I'm pretty sure UST makes a V2 high launch. I'd have to double check that though. It's definitely wierd that you're losing distance with the longer shaft. The only thing I could think is that maybe you're getting off center with it? Maybe get some impact tape to verify where you're making contact on the clubface?

Topanga · July 28, 2009

The AXIV Black is actually a high launch shaft with less torque. I'm hitting the range today to give it one last try before I cut it to 45"

**ControlJunkie** · July 29, 2009

The AXIV Black is actually a high launch shaft with less torque. I'm hitting the range today to give it one last try before I cut it to 45"

I realize the Black is a higher launch shaft than what the V2 is, but you said you were looking for a higher launch than what the V2 you had was (which you said you liked the feel of), so that's why I say check out the V2 HL. I've looked into all of UST's current offerings because I want something with a lower launch than the AXIVCore Blue that's in my Str8-Fit, and I'm going to either end up with the AXIVCore Tour Red, or the V2.

Prior to cutting it, try choking down on it to make sure the results of cutting it will be what you're looking for.

Topanga · July 31, 2009

I cut down the shaft to 45" and played a round yesterday and "boy howdy" did I gain distance with the new shaft. The ball flight was a higher launch then levels out with a good roll. I have now gained 20 yards instead of losing 10 yards with the 46" What a great shaft!!

**mhodar13** · July 31, 2009

Well, my shaft is 46.25 inches. I know it's long, but I don't really have much of a problem controlling it.

**tricky** · July 31, 2009

Well, my shaft is 46.25 inches. I know it's long, but I don't really have much of a problem controlling it.

Yet you're playing off 35? With that awesome driving game, should you not be a little better than that?

Perhaps what you mean by control, isn't the same thing as what a 10 handicapper means by control? Hell, I'm off 21 and I think I'm doing well if I make a decent-ish strike somewhere I can find it.......

**TMburner09** · July 31, 2009

Well, my shaft is 46.25 inches. I know it's long, but I don't really have much of a problem controlling it.

I thought the 07 Burner is 45 inches and the 09' was 46.25"

**mhodar13** · August 1, 2009

Yet you're playing off 35? With that awesome driving game, should you not be a little better than that?

Well, that was moreso my point. I don't hit any absolutely lost shots at all anymore. And my driving game is ood, it's my short iron game that kills me. A lot of times i'll score higher on a par 3 than on a par 5 and that's no joke. But, I am slowly but surely working at it.

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Driver 46" vs 45"

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