Driver Length ??

Hi everyone

A snowy sub zero week in Ireland so no golf for me this week, even the range is closed so im just going to query something thats been troubling me since i stopped playing and started spending most of my time at the range.

Its really annoying for me but the distance between my recovery and driver is after getting increasingly small since iv started back working on my swing this autumn. My driver is somewhat inconsistent to say the least.My stats from the summer show about average 4/5 fairways per round.I use a G15 9* Stiff. My usual distance at the range is about 230y.

My recovery is a Bay Hill 3i model of some description thats i quite a few years old and it is also reg flex.My problem is that i hit this usually about 210/220y.I really doubt that this club was ever top of a list technology wise but it really flies for me.

My recent swing changes (a long list) include improved posture and really loading up on my back foot before releasing onto a really planted front foot.I have found this has improved my power immensely but the change that i think has made the most difference if in my hands i now release like crazy with no resistance anywhere.I hold the club very gently and let the grips and gloves do their work.My club head speed has really increased thats for sure.

So anyway im nailing this distance problem back to me not being in control of my driver and having to manipulate somewhat so i cant release as much as i do with other clubs.My driver inconsistency is really the problem.The thing is my driver is 5" longer that my recovery but only a few yards longer at the other end.So what im really wondering is has anyone ever successfully shortened a driver for control so they could swing harder? I would imagine that if i put the same swing on the driver as i do the recovery the technology of G15 head would lead to it going further that the recovery head ? Ok so this a long post so i will leave it at that im sure you can understand what im getting at..

When I need an accurate shot from the tee with my driver , I just choke down a couple of inches and put a smooth swing on it.
Most people think they have to lash the driver for length , which of course is not true, take a look at the ladys driving the ball.
Lorena ochoa weighs 125 pounds is5,5 tall and gets it out there 270.
Ok so she is a pro , but look how smooth her swing is.

One more thing, I use to play with the very same driver you have now and I found it almost impossible to hit, I could hit my 3 wood further , I tried a mates driver out and with the same swing was getting it out there 30 to40 yards extra ,I kid you not.
That driver is still in my bag and I wouldn't get rid of it for the world. ( call away ft3 11 degree stiff flex)
With the higher loft it was so much more accurate .

What is your Height and what is the distance from your wrist to the floor? I ask those questions because depending on your height you may be playing a shaft that is too long. The lie angle of a G15 is 58* and the callaway is 56.5*, this also comes into play because if you are not playing a shaft length that allows you to properly set the club the way it was designed you will loose great lengths. A longer shaft does not mean you will hit the ball farther. I have my shafts shortened to play 44.75 when from standard being 6'1 and wrist to floor 36" so I should be getting my shaft lengthened but the control is much better for me with a shorthed shaft. I also have greater control over the club face and the club in general allowing me to close the face properly. So what I would suggest is attempting to Demo some clubs of various lengths to see what is right for you. The current situation does not seem the best set up. Your G15 also is 45.75" long presumming it is still stock. I play a Cleveland Launcher DST Tour with a Whiteboard shaft (44.75) that if came stock would be 45.125. So its all about getting fit properly, to fit your swing.

Some good replies here thanks guys. 1st thing is you might be onto something here sweetswing. Maybe the driver is not the one for me i didn't get custom fitted and going on what was about at the time (probably what was hyped more) i just tried R9 and the G15 and decided to go with the G15.

minger I really never took into consideration the lie angle's of drivers but now that i think about it i do often notice other golfers looking strange at set up because the driver dose not lie level.Also my irons are standard and they really do seem to lie properly so i presumed that i would be standard with a driver.Its starting to become apparent that its not working out like that. Im 5 11 and my wrist to floor standing up straight is only 33" im not sure where that leaves me but im using the stock G15 shaft so im guessing it probably too long.??

Just about the swinging smooth sweetswing.I actually feel that my recovery swing is a lot smoother than my driver swing.I do swing fast and more powerfully but iv really been working on balance and legwork, that combined with a shorter backswing (i was over swinging a mile) makes it really consistent for me. Its almost as if because i loose control with my driver i have to make so many adjustments im barley moving when i hit the ball and with so many contrived body positions that its very inconsistent.(edit; also iv taped it up to check if im hitting the sweet spot and the marks are all over the place, im pretty consistent with all my other clubs)

Anyway 33" wrist to floor i know its hard to say for sure but in your opinion too long a shaft at 45,75".

Thanks for the help

How does your ball flight compare with the driver and the rescue? Which shaft do you have in the G15? And do you know roughly what your swing speed is with the driver?

Hi stretch . The shaft on the G15 is the stock TFC 149 stiff.Im not sure what my swing speed is with my driver actually is but i would imagine its above average at the moment as iv been working out the last few months so im as strong as iv ever been and im really letting the club go (been working on my release alot).

In regard to the ball flight between the two clubs they are actually quite similar but the driver is not near as consistant shape wise with the occasional hook. My driver gos slightly higher . My recovery is really predictable with a 0/10y draw (same as my other long irons). Im not sure how else to describe the ball flights.

So what im really wondering is has anyone ever successfully shortened a driver for control so they could swing harder? -\[/QUOTE]

I shortened my driver 3/4 an inch for the very reason you state, drives in the fairway. It was a stock Cobra LD 9* with stiff shaft. For me it worked and while I don't keep drive distance stats I can't see it cost me any distance off the tee and I gained a couple of fairways a round. But I have friends that lengthened their drivers and seemed to work for them for both accuracy and fairways hit (they say). So just try it, if it doesn't work it can be reversed.

My guess would be low and short.

Based on your 3h distance, you should be hitting a driver >250. Just not this driver. There is no way you need a 9 degree driver with a PING stock stiff shaft. I don't care what it felt like in the shop: if you can't carry a G15 >250, then that is the wrong head/shaft combo for you. There, someone had the ba*** to say it.

I agree 100 percent.

You are a 14 handicapper, this to me says you can play a bit= have a pretty good swing. So off to the shops with you and do your part to get us out of this recession mate.

lots of good info above.
Have you tried different ball positions with the driver? With it being 5" longer the timing of your release might be different than with the shorter club especially with the stiff shaft. It's also possible that the kick point of the shaft could be too high or low for your swing.
Sorry to add another wrench or 2 to think about.

Ok so thats it ye guys are definitely right .. To be honest I think i should have had more cop on when I was buying my driver. I see it posted up here all the time, people giving people advice and saying that getting fitted is the way to go.Always felt i was going to be working on something so my swing would be changing and it would waste of money. Anyway considering I spend so much time trying to learn how to use it i should have paid more attention what i was getting and not just reading reviews ect...

Im going to give these guys a shout asap www.foregolf.ie . Won World Clubmaker of the year award this year. Sounds pretty impressive and fitting only 50e so.. Il post up here after i get it done let ye know how i get on. Thanks guys

I got my whole bag fitted by fore golf, the lads are fantastic, I was really looking foreword to getting a few more yards out of a new custom fit driver, but it was the only club they said they couldn't improve on.
I can't reccommend these guy enough, they work with what you have, and explain everything in detail.