Help with driver fitting

[Jayrad]

Hi all,

Some quick help needed - im a tight-ass from way back so buy my gear second hand. So some help choosing a driver shaft to look for would be great full.

Im 187cm (just over 6"1) fairly strong guy with a moderate tempo swing. Swing a 6 iron about 90mph and driver probably 105-110 (dont know for sure but was clocked doing 117 when really going for it so this more realistic).

With current driver with a Pro Launch Red stiff I get a moderate ball flight. That driver was a clone thing and subsequently the head flew off the shaft at the range. But I did like the shaft. I can hit it 300 on a hot day.

Id like to try a shorter shaft - something like a 910 D2. Would the Diamana Low to Mid 72 be a good option? Any other suggestions?

[BombTechGolf]

Hi all,

Some quick help needed - im a tight-ass from way back so buy my gear second hand. So some help choosing a driver shaft to look for would be great full.

Im 187cm (just over 6"1) fairly strong guy with a moderate tempo swing. Swing a 6 iron about 90mph and driver probably 105-110 (dont know for sure but was clocked doing 117 when really going for it so this more realistic).

With current driver with a Pro Launch Red stiff I get a moderate ball flight. That driver was a clone thing and subsequently the head flew off the shaft at the range. But I did like the shaft. I can hit it 300 on a hot day.

Id like to try a shorter shaft - something like a 910 D2. Would the Diamana Low to Mid 72 be a good option? Any other suggestions?

Jayrad,

Can you tell me more info about your ball flight, spin and what club head you were using? Driver length is not talked about as much as it should. Since most manufacturers can't adjust shaft length they build to one length and hope for the best. That length is typically way too long too!

But there is reason pros are playing 44.5 inch drivers and Tiger plays a 43.5 inch driver. Shorter shafts give more opportunity for consistent ball striking..Pretty common sense, but most amateurs don't think to go shorter because the loss in distance "potential."

Don't be afraid to go shorter.... Be surprised how many more fairways you hit and how little distance you may lose. At 95mph, you may lose 2-5 yards for each .5 inches. If you hit it square with each.

[Gianluca]

Maybe u can buy one of last seasons drivers for a discount price new? I rarely buy the latest equipment i normally go 1 year back on equipment get it new for a good deal. This year i bought the X hot driver with a free hybrid and have to say it has changed my game completely. Im sure u can pick up a G20 or a RBZ for half the price they originally sold for without a problem. A lot of shops have excessive stock left over that they want to get rid of so they sell them fairly cheap.

[PirateJim]

Not sure where you live, or the availability, but it might be a good idea to visit a golf equipment dealer like Golfsmith, Edwin Watts, etc. if available and try out some new drivers in their practice/testing/fitting booths.  Tell the guy there you don't know what stiffness shaft you really need.  I would think they would help you with that and tell you your swing speed without paying for a full fitting.  Then you would have at least a base idea where to go.  Some of those stores have used clubs you could look over too, though probably not as cheap as EBay.

[Bobtrumpet]

Physical height means virtually nothing when it comes to club fitting - wrist to floor measurement (left wrist for a RH golfer, and vice versa) means more, but only as a starting point. FWIW, here are Tom Wishon's starting guidelines for WTF measurement versus driver and 5 iron lengths.

Wrist to Floor     Driver Length     5-iron Length

27" to 29"          42"                    36 1/2"
29+" to 32"        42 1/2                37
32+" to 34"        43                     37 1/2
34+" to 36"        43 1/2               38
36+" to 37"        44                     38 1/4
37+" to 38"        44 1/4               38 1/2
38+" to 39"        44 1/2               38 3/4
39+" to 40"        44 3/4               39
40+" to 41"        45                    39 1/4
41+" to 42"        45 1/2"             39 1/2
over 42"            46 and up         39 3/4 and up

Finding a good fitter will help more than trial an error, and one should be willing to help even on used sticks. Good luck.