Does Size Matter?

[Lisanda]

I keep seeing this Ad of a 50+ year old golf instructor. They keep on emphasis that he is short but can hit great distances. I wonder if being tall is an advantage. Do tall Guys generate more force in their swings ?  

[StuM]

I’ve seen many short people out drive taller people.  I think it is more the quality of the swing & contact than the height of the golfer.  

I just pulled the link below, in glancing at the top 10 Bryson & Rory are the top 2 but several below them are taller.

Driving Distance | PGA TOUR Stats

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Strokes Gained | Distance (All Drives) | Distance (Measured Drives) | Accuracy | Scoring |...

 

[iacas]

1 hour ago, Lisanda said:

I keep seeing this Ad of a 50+ year old golf instructor. They keep on emphasis that he is short but can hit great distances. I wonder if being tall is an advantage. Do tall Guys generate more force in their swings ?  

Being tall creates a longer lever, so yes.

[StuM]

All things being equal then leverage from being tall will help but not all things are equal,  Rory is 5’ 10” and avg drive is @ 318.4 while Dustin Johnson is 6’ 4” and averages @ 312.5.

[iacas]

1 minute ago, StuM said:

All things being equal then leverage from being tall will help but not all things are equal,  Rory is 5’ 10” and avg drive is @ 318.4 while Dustin Johnson is 6’ 4” and averages @ 312.5.

Well, at least you used a huge sample size…?</sarcasm>

Tall people have a distinct advantage.

[StuM]

I am not saying they do not have an advantage. I am just saying the quality of swing/contact can offset a difference in height.  And since we can not change our height we should focus on what we can change.

[iacas]

Just now, StuM said:

I am not saying they do not have an advantage. I am just saying the quality of swing/contact can offset a difference in height.  And since we can not change our height we should focus on what we can change.

That's not the question at hand.

So, again… tall players have an advantage, yes.

That's why equipment companies make longer shafts. And why the USGA may be setting the driver shaft limit to 46".