Jump to content
IGNORED

Longer driver shaft makes sense ......

Gerald

By Gerald,
in Clubs, Grips, Shafts, Fitting

 Share
Note: This thread is 5020 days old. We appreciate that you found this thread instead of starting a new one, but if you plan to post here please make sure it's still relevant. If not, please start a new topic. Thank you!

Recommended Posts

Gerald Great Member

Gerald

Allthough I like the idea of a shorter shafted driver and have done so myself too, I also can imagine it makes sense for some to have a longer shaft.

Let me explain why .....

25 orso years ago the standard driver length was about 43.5 to 44.0 inches and the heads were about 200 cc. You had to hit them between the screws and the sweetspot was smaller than a dime. Still the better players were able to reach 275+ yds. If you were outside the sweetspot, you lost 20% distance or even more. if you missed it more .... you would damage the wood and you had also a very poor result. Control was everything, so longer shafts .... no way !

Today the actual sweetspot is still the same size, but a a quarter inch off the sweetspot you still have a 95-98% result and if you are more off you still have a fair result.

With this in mind I tried a 48.0 inch shafted driver .... just for fun of course !

I found less fairways, but not a lot less and the ones that did hit the fairway were longgggg

And it was also fun, walking up on the tee, with a driver that is about 4 inches longer than the others, not to mention how it looks when it is only sitting in your bag ..... at the trolley park at the clubhouse

Cal Razr Hawk 10.5 | TM Superfast 3W | Adams Idea Pro Black 20 | MP-68 3-PW | TW9 50/06 + 58/12 | Ram Zebra Putter

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Stretch Super Member

Stretch

Yes, but aren't you also about 7 feet tall? Might be just a touch harder for the shorter guys to handle.

Stretch.

"In the process of trial and error, our failed attempts are meant to destroy arrogance and provoke humility." -- Master Jin Kwon

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Awards, Achievements, and Accolades
1

Gerald Great Member

Gerald

  • Author

About 6'9" and 6'10" (207 cm) ...... hihi ..... a 44" driver looks like a toothpick

Cal Razr Hawk 10.5 | TM Superfast 3W | Adams Idea Pro Black 20 | MP-68 3-PW | TW9 50/06 + 58/12 | Ram Zebra Putter

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Blades4me Dedicated Member

Blades4me

At 6'3" I went thru the longer driver shaft and while I did gain about 10 yds I found that what I had to do with my swing to accomadate the longer shaft was like a virus that krept into the rest of my game. Basically I had to really flatten out my swing with the driver, which wasn't really good for my iron swing.

My dirver shaft is now 44.5" and I'm happy with that and haven't seen that much distance loss. Definetly more controlable and accurate now.
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Zeph Incredible Member

Zeph

I'd rather be in the middle of the fairway at 250 than left and right at 260.

Ogio Grom | Callaway X Hot Pro | Callaway X-Utility 3i | Mizuno MX-700 23º | Titleist Vokey SM 52.08, 58.12 | Mizuno MX-700 15º | Titleist 910 D2 9,5º | Scotty Cameron Newport 2 | Titleist Pro V1x and Taylormade Penta | Leupold GX-1

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Awards, Achievements, and Accolades
1

  • Administrator
iacas Hall of Fame Member

iacas

  • Administrator
Even PGA Tour players use shorter drivers than most of the rest of us. TaylorMade keeps putting 46" shafts in their drivers, while pros still use 44.5" drivers.

Erik J. Barzeski — ⛳ I knock a ball. It goes in a gopher hole. 🏌🏼‍♂️
Director of Instruction Golf Evolution • Owner, The Sand Trap .com • Author, Lowest Score Wins
Golf Digest "Best Young Teachers in America" 2016-17 & "Best in State" 2017-20 • WNY Section PGA Teacher of the Year 2019 :edel: :true_linkswear:

Check Out: New Topics | TST Blog | Golf Terms | Instructional Content | Analyzr | LSW | Instructional Droplets

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Awards, Achievements, and Accolades
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1

JML22 Great Member

JML22

Some people will say choking up is the same but its not
Not at all
I hate my burner with a passion, it feels like a pumpkin on the end of a long stick
I hit shorter drivers thta my friends have MUCH better, they keep telling me its in my head but i cant control the 46.25 inch shaft
And choking up isnt the same mentally, got that stupid butt end sticking up.
And even then, if the shaft is 45 i still choke up

My Clubs:
Ping I3 + blade 3-pw
9.5 09 Burner with prolaunch red
Nickent 4dx driver
Taylormade Z tp 52, 56, 60
YES Carolyne putter

Link to comment
Share on other sites

anthony Dedicated Member

anthony

I disagree. I cut my driver down to 44.5" and hit the ball just as far, but it feels so much better standing over the ball with this length. I still choke down a bit, so I'm probably playing it at 44" or 43.5" in reality. I'm 5'11" with my shoes off, so probably right at 6'0 with shoes on. My 3 wood is next to be chopped down. I choke down a few inches on it and still have plenty of distance.
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Valleygolfer Super Member

Valleygolfer

Even PGA Tour players use shorter drivers than most of the rest of us. TaylorMade keeps putting 46" shafts in their drivers, while pros still use 44.5" drivers.

Well for the amateur golfer, bigger is always better. People see the long shaft and think it will be better for distance.

"My ball is on top of a rock in the hazard, do I get some sort of relief?"

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Awards, Achievements, and Accolades
1
1
1

toddmlazarchick Dedicated Member

toddmlazarchick

With a longer shaft on your driver you can increase your swing speed which will give you increased distance but in turn you will notice a lot less accuracy. As stated above its better to be 250-260 in the middle of the fairway then 275 and in the rough.

taylormade.gifR11S 9* Driver Aldila RIP Phenom 60 R Flex

taylormade.gifRBZ 3W 15* Matrix Ozik XCon-5 R Flex
taylormade.gif'11 Rescue Hybrids 3 (18*), 4 (21*) Aldila RIP 65 HB R Flex
taylormade.gifR11 5-PW KBS Steel R Flex | taylormade.gifTP XFT 52* 56* 60* KBS Steel

cameron.gif California Coronado 35" | ogio.gif Grom Black Plaid Bag |  Penta TP

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

BostonSully Dedicated Member

BostonSully

With a longer shaft on your driver you can increase your swing speed which will give you increased distance but in turn you will notice a lot less accuracy. As stated above its better to be 250-260 in the middle of the fairway then 275 and in the rough.

Where Could I go to get my driver cut down???

I am 5'9 bought my driver used not sure of the length of it but it longer than other drivers ive seen. When i am at the range sometimes I am standing like on the very edge of the mat to fit in my driver swing. Although I have hit some 300yard drives heh. I mostly choke up and try to keep it 270 and straight.
 Driver:callaway.gifBig Bertha 460cc 10* Hybrids: adams.gif A7 3-4H  Irons: adams.gif A7 5i-PW
Wedges: cleveland.gifCG 12 50*, CG 14 56*, CG12 60* Putt Putt:odyssey.gif White ICE Tour Bronze 1 Putter
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Valleygolfer Super Member

Valleygolfer

Where Could I go to get my driver cut down???

Most golf courses with a pro will do it. Dick's sporting goods would I am sure.

"My ball is on top of a rock in the hazard, do I get some sort of relief?"

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Awards, Achievements, and Accolades
1
1
1

Tenacious Deek Member

Tenacious Deek

Anthony Kim chokes up on his club and doesn't look goofy! I like my 47" shaft on my driver for those holes have big fairways... I can also choke up on my driver for more accurate drives. A great driving tip that many pro's use at the range is to tee up 5 balls and swing at 20% on up to 100%, then they see which is the most accurate and farthest. That drill has helped me out tons! I am usually my best at 80%, but being a big hitter, I still hit 300 at 80% rather than 320-330 and have no control!
In my Bag:

Driver: R9 460
3 Wood: HiBore XLS
3i-PW: VR Blades52°: VR V Groove Black56°: VR Black60°: VR BlackPutter: XG Rossie
Link to comment
Share on other sites

golfro Great Member

golfro

lol. 300 at 80% rather than 320-330 lol. you a funny guy.

DST Tour 9.5 Diamana Whiteboard
909F3 15* 3 FW stock Aldila Voodoo
909F3 18* 5 FW stock Aldila Voodoo
'09 X-Forged 3-PW Project-X 6.0 Flighted
CG15 56* X-Tour 60* Abaco

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Valleygolfer Super Member

Valleygolfer

Anthony Kim chokes up on his club and doesn't look goofy! I like my 47" shaft on my driver for those holes have big fairways... I can also choke up on my driver for more accurate drives. A great driving tip that many pro's use at the range is to tee up 5 balls and swing at 20% on up to 100%, then they see which is the most accurate and farthest. That drill has helped me out tons! I am usually my best at 80%, but being a big hitter, I still hit 300 at 80% rather than 320-330 and have no control!

They hate anyone that states they have a drive over 300 on here so you better post proof...

"My ball is on top of a rock in the hazard, do I get some sort of relief?"

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Awards, Achievements, and Accolades
1
1
1

sean_miller Incredible Member

sean_miller

They hate anyone that states they have a drive over 300 on here so you better post proof...

Hate is a strong word - a raised eyebrow is all that gets from most people. There are few zealots here, but their own driving stats are typically, well, pathetic really, so you gotta take that with a grain of salt.

Also, maybe he's playing at altitude . . . in Iowa.

Mizuno MP600 driver, Cleveland '09 Launcher 3-wood, Callaway FTiz 18 degree hybrid, Cleveland TA1 3-9, Scratch SS8620 47, 53, 58, Cleveland Classic 2 mid-mallet, Bridgestone B330S, Sun Mountain four5.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Note: This thread is 5020 days old. We appreciate that you found this thread instead of starting a new one, but if you plan to post here please make sure it's still relevant. If not, please start a new topic. Thank you!

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
 Share
Go to topic listing


×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

Welcome to TST! Signing up is free, and you'll see fewer ads and can talk with fellow golf enthusiasts! By using TST, you agree to our Terms of Use, our Privacy Policy, and our Guidelines.

  I accept
The popup will be closed in 10 seconds...