Are your clubs too long?

[Lihu]

In general, that is.

Over the past year, I've watched a lot of pro and collegiate players both short and tall, and noticed one thing that appeared to be odd. They all used short clubs. In almost every case, the butt of club would barely reach halfway between their hips and knees. It looked almost as if they were using kids clubs.

I googled this topic a little and came up with one interesting article .

Do you think your clubs are too long? Would you benefit from shorter clubs?

The average player, on the other hand, looks like he is swinging a flag pole when he picks up a 4-iron. He stands almost vertical in his posture, the club reaching across two time zones to reach the distant ball, and the shaft points at his belt-line and sometimes lower (except for beginners, who tend to stand upright and reach their arms straight out, which raises the handle much higher at address).

[SoundandFury]

Hard question to answer.  I think most drivers now are 46" off the rack (some might be even longer).  I cut mine to 45.5"; my miss with the driver is an open club face, which produces blocks, but I hit the center of the face almost every time (if I didn't, I would probably play it 44").

The article is well written and raises some good questions, but there's one conclusion he posits that I think is missing something.  He opines that tour guys who are on a different planet skill-wise from the rest of us play 44" drivers on average, so it doesn't make sense that the average amateur play anything longer.  I don't think you can make that conclusion without discussing swing speed.  Those guys average something like 115 mph, with the big hitters getting into the 120's.  They can afford to give up distance.  You're average amateur is WELL below that.  No question you need to find a balance between distance and accuracy, but to a guy with a 90 mph or lower swing speed, they need all the distance they  can get.

[Lihu]

Hard question to answer.  I think most drivers now are 46" off the rack (some might be even longer).  I cut mine to 45.5"; my miss with the driver is an open club face, which produces blocks, but I hit the center of the face almost every time (if I didn't, I would probably play it 44").

The article is well written and raises some good questions, but there's one conclusion he posits that I think is missing something.  He opines that tour guys who are on a different planet skill-wise from the rest of us play 44" drivers on average, so it doesn't make sense that the average amateur play anything longer.  I don't think you can make that conclusion without discussing swing speed.  Those guys average something like 115 mph, with the big hitters getting into the 120's.  They can afford to give up distance.  You're average amateur is WELL below that.  No question you need to find a balance between distance and accuracy, but to a guy with a 90 mph or lower swing speed, they need all the distance they  can get.

This was more or less what I was hoping to discuss more of. I don't even think it's a matter of giving up distance for accuracy. It seems like more solid contact with all your clubs will give you more distance with accuracy.

So, do you think you can get both by shortening your clubs? I can make decent contact with my 46" driver most of the time, like 51%? But it seems like if it were 43" or 44", maybe I could make even more solid contact and the swing could feel more or less like that of a 6 iron, but give me more yardage on average than I do now? I'm thinking that my average distances will increase without the shanks?

[rkim291968]

So, do you think you can get both by shortening your clubs? I can make decent contact with my 46" driver most of the time, like 51%? But it seems like if it were 43" or 44", maybe I could make even more solid contact and the swing could feel more or less like that of a 6 iron, but give me more yardage on average than I do now? I'm thinking that my average distances will increase without the shanks?

I experimented a lot with driver shaft length.   At least for me, shaft length directly impacted distance.   Accuracy, not so much.   In fact, I can OB with shorter driver just as much as I do with longer one.   But I have high FIR for my handicap - around 65% these days.   So, I can take more risk with accuracy when it comes to driver shaft length.    Ditto for all my other clubs.  I lose distance with shorter shaft but not so much in accuracy.

[SoundandFury]

This was more or less what I was hoping to discuss more of. I don't even think it's a matter of giving up distance for accuracy. It seems like more solid contact with all your clubs will give you more distance with accuracy.

So, do you think you can get both by shortening your clubs? I can make decent contact with my 46" driver most of the time, like 51%? But it seems like if it were 43" or 44", maybe I could make even more solid contact and the swing could feel more or less like that of a 6 iron, but give me more yardage on average than I do now? I'm thinking that my average distances will increase without the shanks?

Definitely depends on the person (in my humble opinion).  If you have say a 45" driver and hit the center half the time, then I'd say yes, you'd likely see more distance simply because you (presumably) would be making better contact more of the time.  For me personally, I don't see the point in going shorter.  I put impact tape on my driver yesterday and had maybe 4 or 5 balls off center out of 30.  Doesn't mean I'm super accurate or anything, but I'm not losing distance that often from off center hits, or spraying it right or left because I hit it off the heel or toe.  If that was the case I'd definitely go down another inch.

That being said, I think 46" is too long for almost everyone.  45" is perfect to me.  I cut a driver once to 43" and hated it so bad I got a new shaft after a couple days.

In terms of irons, I haven't a clue.  I've always been fit by pros into standard length, so I just assume that's right.

[Lihu]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lihu

This was more or less what I was hoping to discuss more of. I don't even think it's a matter of giving up distance for accuracy. It seems like more solid contact with all your clubs will give you more distance with accuracy.

So, do you think you can get both by shortening your clubs? I can make decent contact with my 46" driver most of the time, like 51%? But it seems like if it were 43" or 44", maybe I could make even more solid contact and the swing could feel more or less like that of a 6 iron, but give me more yardage on average than I do now? I'm thinking that my average distances will increase without the shanks?

Definitely depends on the person (in my humble opinion).  If you have say a 45" driver and hit the center half the time, then I'd say yes, you'd likely see more distance simply because you (presumably) would be making better contact more of the time.  For me personally, I don't see the point in going shorter.  I put impact tape on my driver yesterday and had maybe 4 or 5 balls off center out of 30.  Doesn't mean I'm super accurate or anything, but I'm not losing distance that often from off center hits, or spraying it right or left because I hit it off the heel or toe.  If that was the case I'd definitely go down another inch.

That being said, I think 46" is too long for almost everyone.  45" is perfect to me.  I cut a driver once to 43" and hated it so bad I got a new shaft after a couple days.

In terms of irons, I haven't a clue.  I've always been fit by pros into standard length, so I just assume that's right.

Yeah, 46" is kind of long.

The kind of accuracy I am hoping for in my driver is like +/-1/2" or less if possible.

Physically, I'm losing about 10 yards on a 1/2" off center shot a little more than half the time and off center by +/-3/4" almost half the time with an occasional crown, toe or heel shot which happens roughly 1 per round.

Pretty sure that I lose 20 yards with a +/-3/4" dispersion or more than 30 if it slices or hooks.

[Dave2512]

The distance amateurs lack is because they make poor contact most of the time. A longer driver may help them when they hit a good one but that's what maybe once a round.

I mentioned this a few months ago in one of the distance/consistency threads. At the time I was playing decent golf [for me] was breaking 80 often trending towards a high 6 handicap. I posted that on any given day my best to worst drive varied as much as 100 yards +/-. Someone playing bogey golf thought that was very strange for a 7 handicap golfer. Another member playing around 5 handicap golf posted a picture of marks balls had left on their gap wedge while at the range showing the strikes all over the face. That's what a 35-36 inch club for most.

I am not even using a driver, have a 12.5* Blast Driveway that is 43". Call it a 2w or strong 3w. My longest drive with this club is 303 and my shortest that didn't hit a tree or something weird is 186. I can honestly say I hit maybe one really good drive every three rounds or so the rest are a mishit that doesn't get me in too much trouble.

[Pigems]

I play my driver at 44", and my fairways at -1" from stock. My irons are -.5" and really like it this way. Tom Wishon wrote a really good 12 part series of articles about club fitting and length was one part of it. I highly suggest reading it. There is a lot of great information on the subject in there. Have a great season :)

[Lihu]

I play my driver at 44", and my fairways at -1" from stock. My irons are -.5" and really like it this way. Tom Wishon wrote a really good 12 part series of articles about club fitting and length was one part of it. I highly suggest reading it. There is a lot of great information on the subject in there. Have a great season :)

This makes some sense.

The distance amateurs lack is because they make poor contact most of the time. A longer driver may help them when they hit a good one but that's what maybe once a round.

Makes sense. . .

[Mr. Desmond]

Me?

I was fitted - 5i is 37.75 in a graphite Recoil 95

Driver -- I do better at 44.5-45, and get them at 45 inches. I've hit one recently at 45.5, put in cb weights ... but heck, it did not work. Back to 45.

3 wd -- had success with a lightweight shaft and head at 43.5 inches.

5 wood - like it at 42.5.

7 wood - 41.5

It works.

But generally, yes, I think off the rack clubs are too long. It's all about theoretical distance ....

[Dave2512]

More than being too long I think far too many buy clubs based on what they think will look good in their bag. I call it club fashion. People like to mimic the pros.

[Pigems]

This makes some sense. Makes sense. . .

Sorry about that, was sending that add to a buddy looking for a wedge lol. Here's the proper link to the article :) http://www.golfwrx.com/261559/wishon-what-length-should-your-golf-clubs-be/

[Lihu]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lihu

This makes some sense. I think the link is for a Vokey wedge, though. I can look up the Wishon article series. Thanks.

Makes sense. . .

Sorry about that, was sending that add to a buddy looking for a wedge lol. Here's the proper link to the article :)

http://www.golfwrx.com/261559/wishon-what-length-should-your-golf-clubs-be/

Interesting article. . .thanks. . .

What's interesting is I went to 3 club fitters a few months ago. One told me I needed to add 1" to my clubs, 2 told me to take off half an inch. The half off seem to be more correct.

[Pigems]

Interesting article. . .thanks. . . What's interesting is I went to 3 club fitters a few months ago. One told me I needed to add 1" to my clubs, 2 told me to take off half an inch. The half off seem to be more correct.

Go with with what "feels" right and what gives you the best results. Sometimes it's requires a lot of testing to find that best setup, good luck in your search :)

[Lihu]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lihu

Interesting article. . .thanks. . .

What's interesting is I went to 3 club fitters a few months ago. One told me I needed to add 1" to my clubs, 2 told me to take off half an inch. The half off seem to be more correct.

Go with with what "feels" right and what gives you the best results. Sometimes it's requires a lot of testing to find that best setup, good luck in your search :)

Thanks. One thing I noticed is that the standard place to grip is 2" below the butt of the club? This might be a better starting point than shortening my clubs. I tend to hold them to the ends. However, I just re-watched some videos and many people are holding the grips where I hold it? Interesting.

[No Mulligans]

Thanks. One thing I noticed is that the standard place to grip is 2" below the butt of the club?

Where did you get that from?

These players hold as far back on the club as reasonable possible (look at the heal of their left hand not the fingers).  These are the first three and only players I just looked up.

[Pigems]

Here is a link to each article in Toms series of articles on club fitting, He has over 30 years of experience in club design and fitting. They are a very good read for any interested in learning more on the subject. :-) [spoiler=Links] [URL=http://www.golfwrx.com/261559/wishon-what-length-should-your-golf-clubs-be/]http://www.golfwrx.com/261559/wishon-what-length-should-your-golf-clubs-be/[/URL] [URL=http://www.golfwrx.com/261563/wishon-what-lofts-should-your-clubs-be/]http://www.golfwrx.com/261563/wishon-what-lofts-should-your-clubs-be/[/URL] [URL=http://www.golfwrx.com/275825/wishon-face-angle-is-crucial-for-a-proper-fitting/]http://www.golfwrx.com/275825/wishon-face-angle-is-crucial-for-a-proper-fitting/[/URL] [URL=http://www.golfwrx.com/277293/the-best-way-to-fit-lie-angle/]http://www.golfwrx.com/277293/the-best-way-to-fit-lie-angle/[/URL] [URL=http://www.golfwrx.com/277859/wishon-how-to-choose-the-right-club-head-design/]http://www.golfwrx.com/277859/wishon-how-to-choose-the-right-club-head-design/[/URL] [URL=http://www.golfwrx.com/279517/tom-wishons-keys-to-set-makeup/]http://www.golfwrx.com/279517/tom-wishons-keys-to-set-makeup/[/URL] [URL=http://www.golfwrx.com/280523/getting-the-right-grip-size-time-after-time/]http://www.golfwrx.com/280523/getting-the-right-grip-size-time-after-time/[/URL] [URL=http://www.golfwrx.com/284141/wishon-what-shaft-weight-should-you-play/]http://www.golfwrx.com/284141/wishon-what-shaft-weight-should-you-play/[/URL] [URL=http://www.golfwrx.com/285239/wishon-what-swing-weight-should-your-clubs-be/]http://www.golfwrx.com/285239/wishon-what-swing-weight-should-your-clubs-be/[/URL] [URL=http://www.golfwrx.com/286911/wishon-what-shaft-flex-should-i-use/]http://www.golfwrx.com/286911/wishon-what-shaft-flex-should-i-use/[/URL] [/spoiler]

[flopster]

This was more or less what I was hoping to discuss more of. I don't even think it's a matter of giving up distance for accuracy. It seems like more solid contact with all your clubs will give you more distance with accuracy.

So, do you think you can get both by shortening your clubs? I can make decent contact with my 46" driver most of the time, like 51%? But it seems like if it were 43" or 44", maybe I could make even more solid contact and the swing could feel more or less like that of a 6 iron, but give me more yardage on average than I do now? I'm thinking that my average distances will increase without the shanks?

Lihu... How do you shank a driver by the way?