Longer driver shaft makes sense ......

[Gerald]

Allthough I like the idea of a shorter shafted driver and have done so myself too, I also can imagine it makes sense for some to have a longer shaft.

Let me explain why .....

25 orso years ago the standard driver length was about 43.5 to 44.0 inches and the heads were about 200 cc. You had to hit them between the screws and the sweetspot was smaller than a dime. Still the better players were able to reach 275+ yds. If you were outside the sweetspot, you lost 20% distance or even more. if you missed it more .... you would damage the wood and you had also a very poor result. Control was everything, so longer shafts .... no way !

Today the actual sweetspot is still the same size, but a a quarter inch off the sweetspot you still have a 95-98% result and if you are more off you still have a fair result.

With this in mind I tried a 48.0 inch shafted driver .... just for fun of course !

I found less fairways, but not a lot less and the ones that did hit the fairway were longgggg

And it was also fun, walking up on the tee, with a driver that is about 4 inches longer than the others, not to mention how it looks when it is only sitting in your bag ..... at the trolley park at the clubhouse

[Stretch]

Yes, but aren't you also about 7 feet tall? Might be just a touch harder for the shorter guys to handle.

[Gerald]

About 6'9" and 6'10" (207 cm) ...... hihi ..... a 44" driver looks like a toothpick

[Blades4me]

At 6'3" I went thru the longer driver shaft and while I did gain about 10 yds I found that what I had to do with my swing to accomadate the longer shaft was like a virus that krept into the rest of my game. Basically I had to really flatten out my swing with the driver, which wasn't really good for my iron swing.

My dirver shaft is now 44.5" and I'm happy with that and haven't seen that much distance loss. Definetly more controlable and accurate now.

[Zeph]

I'd rather be in the middle of the fairway at 250 than left and right at 260.

[iacas]

Even PGA Tour players use shorter drivers than most of the rest of us. TaylorMade keeps putting 46" shafts in their drivers, while pros still use 44.5" drivers.

[JML22]

Some people will say choking up is the same but its not
Not at all
I hate my burner with a passion, it feels like a pumpkin on the end of a long stick
I hit shorter drivers thta my friends have MUCH better, they keep telling me its in my head but i cant control the 46.25 inch shaft
And choking up isnt the same mentally, got that stupid butt end sticking up.
And even then, if the shaft is 45 i still choke up

[anthony]

I disagree. I cut my driver down to 44.5" and hit the ball just as far, but it feels so much better standing over the ball with this length. I still choke down a bit, so I'm probably playing it at 44" or 43.5" in reality. I'm 5'11" with my shoes off, so probably right at 6'0 with shoes on. My 3 wood is next to be chopped down. I choke down a few inches on it and still have plenty of distance.

[Valleygolfer]

  iacas said:

Even PGA Tour players use shorter drivers than most of the rest of us. TaylorMade keeps putting 46" shafts in their drivers, while pros still use 44.5" drivers.

Well for the amateur golfer, bigger is always better. People see the long shaft and think it will be better for distance.

[shades9323]

  JML22 said:

Some people will say choking up is the same but its not

So cut it down.

[toddmlazarchick]

With a longer shaft on your driver you can increase your swing speed which will give you increased distance but in turn you will notice a lot less accuracy. As stated above its better to be 250-260 in the middle of the fairway then 275 and in the rough.

[BostonSully]

  toddmlazarchick said:

With a longer shaft on your driver you can increase your swing speed which will give you increased distance but in turn you will notice a lot less accuracy. As stated above its better to be 250-260 in the middle of the fairway then 275 and in the rough.

Where Could I go to get my driver cut down???

I am 5'9 bought my driver used not sure of the length of it but it longer than other drivers ive seen. When i am at the range sometimes I am standing like on the very edge of the mat to fit in my driver swing. Although I have hit some 300yard drives heh. I mostly choke up and try to keep it 270 and straight.

[Valleygolfer]

  BostonSully said:

Where Could I go to get my driver cut down???

Most golf courses with a pro will do it. Dick's sporting goods would I am sure.

[Tenacious Deek]

Anthony Kim chokes up on his club and doesn't look goofy! I like my 47" shaft on my driver for those holes have big fairways... I can also choke up on my driver for more accurate drives. A great driving tip that many pro's use at the range is to tee up 5 balls and swing at 20% on up to 100%, then they see which is the most accurate and farthest. That drill has helped me out tons! I am usually my best at 80%, but being a big hitter, I still hit 300 at 80% rather than 320-330 and have no control!

[golfro]

lol. 300 at 80% rather than 320-330 lol. you a funny guy.

[Valleygolfer]

  Tenacious Deek said:

Anthony Kim chokes up on his club and doesn't look goofy! I like my 47" shaft on my driver for those holes have big fairways... I can also choke up on my driver for more accurate drives. A great driving tip that many pro's use at the range is to tee up 5 balls and swing at 20% on up to 100%, then they see which is the most accurate and farthest. That drill has helped me out tons! I am usually my best at 80%, but being a big hitter, I still hit 300 at 80% rather than 320-330 and have no control!

They hate anyone that states they have a drive over 300 on here so you better post proof...

[Leftygolfer]

I'm wild enough now. I don't need help hitting it farther. I don't make doubles b/c I don't hit it far enough.

[sean_miller]

  Valleygolfer said:

They hate anyone that states they have a drive over 300 on here so you better post proof...

Hate is a strong word - a raised eyebrow is all that gets from most people. There are few zealots here, but their own driving stats are typically, well, pathetic really, so you gotta take that with a grain of salt.

Also, maybe he's playing at altitude . . . in Iowa.