Shorter Driver Length on Tour

[golfjedi777]

Does anyone know if any one on tour are using driver shafts shorter then 44 inches? Cheers

[Lihu]

Doesn’t Bubba use 43”?

[ChetlovesMer]

Jimmy Walker uses a 42 inch.

Rickie Fowler has a 43.5 inch driver. 

[golfjedi777]

22 hours ago, ChetlovesMer said:

Jimmy Walker uses a 42 inch.

Rickie Fowler has a 43.5 inch driver. 

think Xander Shauffle, not sure if i spelled that right. is using a shorter driver? saw some guys in Hawaii and looks like a shorter driver around 43"

[Buckeyebowman]

I'm sure that if all the numbers were presented in a table, there would be a lot of Tour pros who do. It's a balancing act. What length Driver gives you max distance as well as control? 

I read an article many years ago, when the long Drivers were getting popular, about how many Tour pros were continuing to swing traditional length Drivers! Or, just slightly longer than standard. The main point of the article was that if a Tour pro couldn't control an ultra long Driver, what chance did an amateur have? 

What sense is there in hitting the ball 10 yards farther if it's 10 yard farther into the woods! I know I hit my current Driver the best if I choke up at least an inch on the grip! 

[Mozgolf]

Yep always bemused me that supposed GI drivers aimed at the higher handicapper largely came with 46" and plus drivers. I guess so the one miracle shot on a simulator was gonna be 17yards longer!

[billchao]

1 hour ago, Mozgolf said:

Yep always bemused me that supposed GI drivers aimed at the higher handicapper largely came with 46" and plus drivers. I guess so the one miracle shot on a simulator was gonna be 17yards longer!

The extra length is to help amateurs generate more speed. The guys on the PGA Tour don't need help there.

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The average driver length is 44.5" so logic dictates that there are guys playing shorter drivers than that.

[MarvChamp]

4 hours ago, Mozgolf said:

ep always bemused me that supposed GI drivers aimed at the higher handicapper largely came with 46" and plus drivers. I guess so the one miracle shot on a simulator was gonna be 17yards longer!

I am 5'8", old and a slow swinger. I have two drivers that came stock 46+ inches, advertised as adding yardage  for us amateurs. My fitter cut down to 44 and adjusted swingweight accordingly. I hit them much better, straighter, longer. That's always a perennial discussion, but I think the adage that longer is better is just hype for most especially us high caps. Best, -Marv

[LMoore]

Driver shaft length is fueled by big brand marketing. It's the same philosophy with a 30 degree 7 iron with a cast head.

Look how far I hit that thing...........

Consistent distance and dispersion will help your score.

[billchao]

20 minutes ago, MarvChamp said:

I am 5'8", old and a slow swinger. I have two drivers that came stock 46+ inches, advertised as adding yardage  for us amateurs. My fitter cut down to 44 and adjusted swingweight accordingly. I hit them much better, straighter, longer. That's always a perennial discussion, but I think the adage that longer is better is just hype for most especially us high caps. Best, -Marv

That seems to be the experience for a lot of people. A shorter driver is easier to hit more consistently near the sweetspot so they end up gaining more from better contact than they lose with the speed from the extra shaft length.

[Mr22putt]

I've been choking up 1" on my 45" driver and hitting it much better, accurate and solid...what took me so long?....lol.

[FLOG4]

I have been having issues with my driver. Watched the women play and saw one gal choke her driver like 3 inches....So went to the range and choked it up an inch or so. My driver is 45"....Anyway, It feels so much lighter choked up and my contact is much more solid. Confidence is back too.