Shortening Driver Length for 14 Year Old Daughter

[Learning266]

Hi All,

I was wondering if it is a good idea to shorten the length of my daughter's Ladies Rogue Driver?

and if I need to re weigh it again...I am not sure if this driver can be re weigh?

My daughter picked up golf 1 year ago, her height is 5'3 (with shoes) and wrist to floor is 30.75. She is small and low swing power. Driver Distance is 140 yds to 180 yds. Not consistent. Quite a lot of slice

I did ask the store and 1 person said not to shorten it, another person said to shorten it. I checked the Ping Height Chart and it said to shorten -1 inch. Pretty confusing for me. 

Any inputs would be highly appreciated. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[iacas]

Was she ever fit for anything?

[Piz]

The problem with shortening, or lengthening, a particular golf club is the lie angle of the club head itself.  Grip any club halfway down the shaft and you will immediately recognize that something isn't right.  This is less obvious at the margins...when a club can be off not so much that you notice, at address, but off none the less.  

In other words:  The question is not "can I shorten a driver?" but rather "can this driver be shortened for this golfer?"  Maybe so.  Maybe, however, a 3 or 5 wood  head would be a better candidate.  Either will have a steeper lie angle than a  "typical" driver and permit effective use with a shorter shaft.

[pganapathy]

A one inch reduction/longer shaft is normal when you get fitted.  Making that much of a change will not affect your club much.  However, your daughter is only 14, and I assume will grow a bit more in the next few years.  Also, one inch shorter means she can grip down on the club and play normally.

For now I would recommend leaving the club as is and gripping down on it.  WRT the slice, lessons might be a better use of money and time.

[iacas]

7 hours ago, Piz said:

The problem with shortening, or lengthening, a particular golf club is the lie angle of the club head itself.  Grip any club halfway down the shaft and you will immediately recognize that something isn't right.

That's not necessarily going to be the case for a shorter golfer, though. Set the club down with its natural lie angle and the shorter player will tend to be gripping down on the club anyway.

[colin007]

Isn't the average height for a woman only 5'4"? How tall is the young lady expected to grow to?

[DrvFrShow]

It depends upon the family. You could put some electrical tape on the grip and build up about 1/8" about an inch down and have her try it out before you go about cutting the shaft. That way she won't be able to grip it full length and the electrical tape will ensure the length is consistent. Try it for a week or so and see how it goes. You can always remove the tape.

Edited June 26, 2020 by DrvFrShow

[boogielicious]

To further @DrvFrShow ‘s point, below is Brooke Henderson, one of the best woman players in the world. She grips down on most clubs including driver.

[Mr22putt]

Brooke chokes down a lot due to feel and habit...she grew up choking down on her dad's clubs.

She really chokes down a lot on the driver because her driver is 48".

[Mr Puddle]

My advice is, if you decide to shorten the club, shorten from the top

[dmnoland]

I was custom fit for 1/2" short but got a great deal on a slightly used standard set so I cut them myself. No big deal if you cut from the grip end and if and when you want to return the club to normal just glue in a shaft extension which I have also done when experimenting with different lengths.