Considering shortening my Driver (Help)

[Golfingdad]

5 hours ago, SavvySwede said:

You risk splintering the shaft that way but whatever works.

Yeah, I splintered the first one a did a little bit, but it's covered up by a piece of tape and the grip.  After that I did two more and I just didn't go all the way through ... when I got near the end, I turned it to 90* and then went smooth and slow.  Seemed to work fine.

1 hour ago, dbuck said:

Don't just whack your club off though; take it to someone that knows what they are doing, and preferably, replace the shaft instead of just cutting it. That way you can taylor the weight of the shaft to the new total weight of the club.

 

16 minutes ago, Tee2Trees said:

Cutting down the stock shaft always carries the risk of ruining the feel, to the point where you realize you can't find the center of the face anymore when all you wanted to do is improve in that area and now it's too late.  I recommend buying a second shaft with a tip adapter for your head and making it shorter and heavier than stock with a tip weight or what have you.  Use a club-fitter or buy the shaft, tip, glue, and weight on the 'bay and do it yourself.

These were not my experience.  Weight (or swingweight at least) didn't noticeably change at all, and in all three cases, the center of the face was easier to find and the feel of the club improved quite a bit.

[Baog]

5 hours ago, SavvySwede said:

You risk splintering the shaft that way but whatever works.

If you put masking tape around the shaft where you will cut it, it won't splinter when cut with a hacksaw.

[iacas]

19 minutes ago, Golfingdad said:

These were not my experience.  Weight (or swingweight at least) didn't noticeably change at all, and in all three cases, the center of the face was easier to find and the feel of the club improved quite a bit.

I think the key part there is that it didn't change noticeably… but it clearly would change. Simply physics.  (You could put a lighter weight grip on to help offset that some, too, I suppose.)

[SavvySwede]

6 hours ago, Baog said:

If you put masking tape around the shaft where you will cut it, it won't splinter when cut with a hacksaw.

In a pinch, but there's nothing quite like having the right tool for the job. Tools are always a good investment.

[baw1]

I am 5'7" and considered doing the same thing a while back (having received this advice to improve my drives). My instructor advised against it though citing the laws of physics (longer club/arc more speed/distance) and pointing to the LPGA players who are shorter in stature yet use the full length drivers. So I think you actually want/need the extra shaft length if you are shorter in height.

I have since improved my driving considerably with the standard length shaft by improving my swing mechanics: tempo, not coming over the top, weight shift, balanced finish..

[inthehole]

On ‎11‎/‎16‎/‎2015‎ ‎9‎:‎03‎:‎07‎, SavvySwede said:

Shortened my driver shaft this year. Went down to 44.25" after a fitter's recommendation and the club feels much more in control. Probably needed a stiffer shaft as well so it was a win-win. You'll need an abrasive blade if you plan on doing it yourself in the garage.

agree ...  a dremel tool with cut off wheel works great for shortening both graphite and steel shafts.

[ghalfaire]

14 hours ago, baw1 said:

I am 5'7" and considered doing the same thing a while back (having received this advice to improve my drives). My instructor advised against it though citing the laws of physics (longer club/arc more speed/distance) and pointing to the LPGA players who are shorter in stature yet use the full length drivers. So I think you actually want/need the extra shaft length if you are shorter in height.

I have since improved my driving considerably with the standard length shaft by improving my swing mechanics: tempo, not coming over the top, weight shift, balanced finish..

For full disclosure I am not a pro I am a hacker pretty much.  But your pro is basically saying the with a longer driver you can develop more club head speed (more speed is more kinetic energy) which can be transferred to the ball at impact.  All true but only part of the story as dynamics of the golf swing are more complex than that.  So what your pro said is true only if the only change in the dynamics is the length of the club.  I don't want to teach a physics class here but it all boils down to the "quality" of the impact with the ball or how much of club head energy can you transfer to the ball.  If you find the "sweet spot" more often with a slightly shorter club you likely will hit the ball further than before.  I could go on some with what all dynamics change with the length of the club  but the biggest contributor to how much energy is transferred to the ball (other than the ball and club designs) is finding the sweet spot.  It is entirely possible that you will hit the ball further with a shorter club just because you find the sweet spot more often.  Experiment and see what works for you.  

Just a closing note here.  A good buddy of mine has a saying "if you have to choose between straight and long, choose straight".  300 yard drives are not helpful if OB, unplayable, or make your second shot a chip out of trouble.  The game is about how many.  Just for my critics I do think 300 yard drives are great and helpful if you can control them, but until you can "pick straight".