Am I losing lots of distance because of the shaft?

[andef]

I play a 40.5" Wilson driver with 10* of loft. Since the shaft is a lot shorter than the stock shafts of good drivers, I'm thinking that I'm loosing quite a bit of distance. I'm also thinking that the shorter shaft is the reason why I normally fade the ball and that a longer shaft will make me swing wider and therefore straighten my shots. My driver clubhead speed is in the high 90s/ low 100s (with this driver/shaft combo) but wouldn't a longer shaft make it higher? When I hit the Titleist 909 D2 I wasn't really able to judge my distance because there was snow on the range and I couldn't see the ball landing but my shots were straighter and the trajectory was also much better.
With this driver I normally drive around 230/240 yards but in the summer I can go as far as 260/270.
To those who played a low quality driver and switched to a good driver, have you noticed a big change?

[Cody Hancock]

You are definitely losing some yardage. However, switching to a longer shaft may cause a loss of accuracy.

[James_Black]

Are you hitting fairways with your current driver?
A longer driver will help you hit it further but you may lose accuracy.

[Three Putt]

I play a 40.5" Wilson driver with 10* of loft. Since the shaft is a lot shorter than the stock shafts of good drivers, I'm thinking that I'm loosing quite a bit of distance. I'm also thinking that the shorter shaft is the reason why I normally fade the ball and that a longer shaft will make me swing wider and therefore straighten my shots. My driver clubhead speed is in the high 90s/ low 100s (with this driver/shaft combo) but wouldn't a longer shaft make it higher? When I hit the Titleist 909 D2 I wasn't really able to judge my distance because there was snow on the range and I couldn't see the ball landing but my shots were straighter and the trajectory was also much better.

What kind of shaft...steel? Did you cut it down?

Seems like any normal 460cc driver would improve your game, you can find some real bargains at TGW and Rock Bottom Golf. Bigger doesnt always mean longer, longest driver I ever hit was my old Burner Bubble 2, 7.5*. If I hit that sucker on the screws it was 20 yards longer than my current driver....if I hit it on the screws.

[jpalermo]

Get fitted on a launch monitor. General rule of thumb is shorter shaft, more accurate but less distance. Long shaft, more distance less accuracy. Hence the wedge being the shortest clubs in your bag.

[mrt10x]

Oh I think you are definately giving up distance. Without a doub a modern driver with a 45" shaft will generate more club head speed.. .plus you can maximize COR and MOI, something that all major manufactureres do these days. I would bet that given the better technology in the heads you will not give up too much in accuracy with the longer shaft. I prefer the Burner series of drivers from Taylor Made, i hit either an 07 Burner with a 50 gram shaft and a 9.5 degree head or an 09 Burner with a 65 gram shaft and 8.5 degree head.. depending on how I am swinging.

[andef]

What kind of shaft...steel? Did you cut it down?

It's a graphite shaft that's also too soft and light for me since it's a "Men's Flex" instead of the stiff I need.I didn't cut it down, it's the stock shaft for the driver.

It comes from my beginner set, as u can see i've replaced all my clubs other than my woods so all the other clubs are right for my game. And I'll definately use Trackman and get custom fit before I purchase the Titleist driver, i just have to be patient and wait until April when we have the Titleist demo day.