driver length

[Sandwedge74]

What's the length of your driver and why - discuss. I am moving from 45 inches to 44 & 1/2 for more control and to able to let it rip a bit more

[cwcaesar]

The driver that I have now is a 45", but when I get fitted for one (soon) I suspect that it will be 44 1/2" or 44" as I normally choke up on the long club.

[bobsuruncle]

unfortunately if you buy off the shelf, the standard offerings are 45-inches. with the latest quest for distance, many are moving upwards of 45-inches. i'd agree with sandwedge74...moving to a 44 or 44.5-inch driver gives us more control and confidence, and more likely greater distance (on average vs individual drives). more importantly, it also keeps us in the short grass more often and hence lowers our overall scores.

[chingali]

My current driver (have been using it for 3 years) was built by my clubfitter at 43.5", and no I'm not a midget I'm 6'1". I have found that if I go any longer I don't hit the ball in the middle of the clubface as often, and hitting the ball right on the sweetspot is worth more to me in terms of average distance than a few more mph from a longer shaft. Even with this length shaft - considered quite short by modern standards I carry the ball 260yards with a medium to high trajectory. And yes I do know my average carry distance, the 17th hole where I play once or twice a week has a water carry of 252yards from the back tees and I can happily stand there all day and clear the hazard very comfortably, the carry isn't even something I think about. Even better more often than not I'll be in the fairway.

So why not try your driver with a slightly shorter shaft, get it cut at say 44.25" to begin with because it's easier to remove a bit than it is to put a bit back on.