Driver Length: Is Yours Correct? | The Golf Paradigm
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- Опубліковано 15 лип 2020
- Is your driver the length it should be for you to optimize distance and direction? What happens if you shorten your driver? How about if you lengthen it? All these questions are answered and explained in this short video.
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Thanka for the detailed explnations!
Great information! I’ve been considering a new driver and wondering about the best length. All the new drivers I’ve seen are at least 45 inches.
every time i have suggested this to a pro at a fitting or a lesson i have been steered away from it. today my 3 wood was great off tee but my driver as most of the time was awfull in the summer i was not driving to bad but i was chocking down the grip but i have gone back to full length recently and its crap i have a bad slice with driver or a hard pull when i fight it being left handed in the uk there are not many places with enough lh clubs to try my own club has none in their shop but i will now persue this in some way my driver has a fixed hossle so hard to tinker with it so i guess i need to buy an adjustable head maybe a radspeed to get this idea started
Thank you very much for the tip.
🤜🤛
Started as a kid at 10 yrs old in 1973. The standard length driver was 43.5" steel....44.5" graphite. My father was a pro. He had a 44.5" graphite shaft Tony Penna Persimmon driver. He had strip of lead tape at toe bottom. Equipment has come a long way amigos....🤗
I had the same driver! A beautiful piece of art - but the new stuff is easier to hit. Penna used to be the head clubmaker for MacGregor, I believe.b Cheers.
Thanks!
100 % Correct and very good and TRUE info... ;) THX ...
This makes sense! I have long arms and a 46 in driver this combination is killing my driver success. I can hit my irons consistently. Thanks
Thanks for watching and taking the time to give us positive feedback.
After practice golf for four months, my perception is that my shaft clubs are too long for me, i grip down a few inches, and i am hitting more at center, very consistent, less effort, and when I want more distant, i increase my speed but still in control. Club fitting is a must for everyone even at the beginning and it helps me to fix overswing issue. Cheers!
Thanks for watching and your post 🤜🤛
Stock drivers are perfect for tall people.. I'm 5' 7" and cut mine to 43.5" 45.5" driver to me is like someone 6ft hitting a 48" driver. I think it boils down to height, comfort and experience.
I'm 5'7" and have been having trouble. first blocking them straight to the right around 250-280 total distance on average. I have a stock sim max2 10.5 degree which is 45.75 inches long (Fujikawa blue 5 Regular). I'm getting better but now on the course I'm snap hooking them! On the range I never snap hook, but on the course its starting to happen. I tried my friends driver which is a sim2 max 10.5 blue fujukawa 5 stiff. Hit hit a few solid drives about 240 right down the middle. He said he cut 2 inches off his so it should be at 43.75. When I swung it it felt like an iron. I felt much more in control of it but it was 10-40 yards shorter. So would I rather be in the rough (or other fairway) 20 to 40 yards down the course- or in the fairway and shorter... I don't know. Its a tough one. Also, my friend said that if I have swing speed of 101 I should consider going to stiff. So that is a whole other factor. Last thing- if we cut the driver down how to they adjust for swing weight / balance and should you also cut down 3 wood and hybrids? If I got fitted for the Titleist T100s at 1/2 inch shorter that stock how does that translate to my driver? Ok too many questions sorry about that.
A lot to unpack there. There is a give and take with the length of your driver and a combination of distance and directional control is better than being out of play one out of every X swings. Based off your comment it seems like 45.75 is too long for the control you’re looking for and 43.75 gives up more distance than you want. We suggest measuring yours to 44.75, marking it with a piece of tape and see how that plays.
As far as swing weight and shortening a club it’s true when shortened the swing weight will change. But remember it also changes when adjusting the lie angle. Not often done on a driver but on the irons. Adding lead tape to the head will throw off the balance of the club but before going there I would use it to see how you adjust. If you adjust well no need for tape. If not, tape can be a solution. Hard to say where to place it without knowing your swing but one thing we found was putting it on the shaft, near the nosel, gets a similar effect without the weight being on the head. Different feel but the results can be beneficial. The best part is getting to play with the different options, longer/shorter, tape placement on top/bottom/or side of the shaft, etc. Best of luck and enjoy tinkering but keep us posted on where you settle in. We’d love to hear.
@@Thegolfparadigm Thanks! can't wait to try your advice. Its been raining or too hot to play the last week so haven't been able to get out.
I choke down on my driver about 2”. The shaft length is about 45 3/4”s.If I cut my shaft by let’s say 1 3/4”s which will make my positioning of my hands more consistent. Wouldn’t my launch be very similar to what it was when I was choking down on the club?
You can cut it but if you want to save a few bucks on the grip simply put a piece of athletic tape or electrical tape at the length you want and you’ll remember where to grip it each time. Especially if you’re accustomed to the balance of the club at this point. Launch would be similar whether you hold it at that length or cut it to the same.
If you are hitting the ball good with a 46.5" or 46" driver. Why would you want to go down to 45.5" driver. Then add loft. You will get the same numbers? Right? I play a 46 to a 46.5" driver. I hit it at 9* and sometimes go down to 8*. but i have to line up more left. The club face will open. I have tried a 45 and 45.5" driver. i loose 10 yrds. Lofting it up doesnt help. Pro's swing a lot faster than the weekend golfer. So they can go low with the driver. Weekend golfer with a mid hcp. No way. I am 6'4" so that may make a diff? Good advice. I like the video.
You aren't hitting down on the ball with a shorter driver if you play the ball off your left heel or instep.
That was my thought too… if Im swinging well Im hitting up on it.
Where do you actually measure from? The tip of the handle to the point where the shaft meets the head? Or?…
Best to use a 48”, or longer ruler. Set the club down as you would to hit a ball (playing position). Put the ruler on the bottom or underside of the shaft. One end will touch the ground where the sole of the club does and the other comes past the grip.
I have been having trouble hitting under the ball even if it is on a tee. I have a stand driver at about 45". I have tried everything, but consistently i hit under the ball losing tremendous distance. I think i may be alright if i shaved 1/2" off of it. That's about how far under the ball i am usually. I have tried everything and this is my achilles heel in golf. Been playing over 40 years and i have trouble even hitting it 200 yards total distance off the tee with my driver. I am still a fairly strong guy and can lift 100lbs over my head. So 250 yards total distance off the tee is within my capabilities i think. I am out hitting the ball every other day. So i wouldn't call me a weekend golfer. Guess we will see what happens when i shave 1/2" off my driver. Oh...when i do hit my drives it is not uncommon for me to have 4000 to 5000 rpm in backspin on the ball. I max out right now at about 130 mph ball speed off the tee. Not sure what my club head speed is though.
Sounds like you’re coming in really steep. The club length may help but at spin rates that high a flatter angle of attack seems like it would help more. You’re definitely leaving distance on the table. If you’re going to be in the Hilton Head area anytime in the near future let us know and we’ll get you shallower out and hitting it longer.
Besides the loft increase, is there any weight consideration?
Not sure what you’re asking about the weight, could you elaborate a bit more?
@@Thegolfparadigm swing weight i think Jim means. Shortened shaft would reduce swing weight.
@@Brewtal2009 yes a shortened shaft would reduce swing weight but so long as the club maintains balance unto itself it will be fine. If someone shortens and doesn't like the feel after using it for a few weeks then by all means add some tape. Moving it around to various places on the head and hosel will give completely different feels so it can be a fun experiment. There are some that believe the lighter swing weight also allows for the speed to pick up and negate any loss in distance by the shorter level. It's different for everyone and finding out how to tweak it best for each is a fun endeavor. Hope this helps.
Hey sir, I appreciate the video. I’m 5’8 with about a 6ft wing span. What length driver do you recommend for me?
Also, if I already have a stiff shaft, does it make it more stiff as I cut it down more?
The answer to your first question is whatever length allows you to get the distance you want without giving up too much accuracy. If you have a 46” driver now and are not getting the accuracy you want, drop down to 45” to see if it improves without giving up much distance. Then even to 44.5” and do it again. Also try 46.5” and see how that works. Everyone’s going to be different and it’s dependent upon what someone needs more of; distance or direction. The most fun is doing the testing. What some fail to understand is shortening doesn’t automatically give up distance bc often times the player will hit it closer to center.
The overall stiffness of the shaft does become stiffer because it’s shorter but the playability changes as the kick point moves higher so it may feel softer. It’s why it’s better to grip down on a longer shafted driver, and mark it with tape at the desired length, before cutting. You can always shorten easily. Best of luck with the testing.
Thanks for your response and time!
Is there a difference in length suggested for female vs male? I am a 5'5" female begginer
No. Length of club has zero to do with gender and everything to do with ratios of the body. As far as drivers we recommend hitting the longest driver you have some control with. If you’re hitting it too crooked, use a shorter driver to gain accuracy. If you’re accurate but lacking in length, lengthen it. There’s not a formula for everyone and understanding what you need then moving in that direction is most important.
After playing this game for way too many years, I finally thought that my driver might be too long. Don't know why it took me this long to figure out.
same here, I went to the club fitting, they told me, okay, everything standard. but now I found it's too long for me.
is shaft flex also something to be aware of. For example, if I have a 45.75in (stiff) driver with a swing speed of 90mph, should I play a (SR) flex on a 44in shaft?
Would be better if you had the frequency correct and not just go by the label on the shaft. Labels fit into a range. Frequency is dialed into the individual. But to answer your question the longer club would need a higher frequency, or as you refer to it stiffer due to the length. Don’t forget a longer driver will also require less loft than a shorter one to equal similar launch numbers.
go down to regular first from stiff
What size should I get if I’m 5 foot 5
Depends on what you’re looking for. If you’re looking for more control go down to 44.25 or 44.5. If you want more length try 45 or 45.5. A lot of the fun is seeing which works best for you. We often recommend having two drivers; one for tighter courses and the longer length for longer courses.
Can't hear you
instead of worrying about changing the loft, why not just move ball forward in stance? I hit the old cobra driver (44 "s) much better than the newer Ping G400. I'm gonna have the ping cut down. Only difference is to move ball from inside heel to inside arch (flared left foot stance) with the shorter cobra. No confrontation please...lousy player loving the game trying to learn. :)
Oh, and I understand a little about swing weights and how altering anything on the club will affect that. I'm in the C6 category (old man) and am ok with that light swing weight.
You could move the ball forward so long as it doesn’t negatively effect the path to face relationship. Typical if the balls further forward in the stance, especially with a driver, the path is moving to the left (for a right handed) as it ascends. The further forward the ball is placed in the stance the more the clubs path will be moving up and left by the time it reaches the ball. Be sure to adjust your stance and body alignment accordingly.
@@Thegolfparadigm
Thanks for tip. I typically slice, I guess the more common beginner's problem. Because of bad back/arthritic left hip I typically have a narrow stance with all clubs and a decidedly open stance. Creates problems, of course, but man oh man, when I tag it...lol!
Im 5ft 6in.... how long should my driver be?
Any length you want. The fun part is the experimentation. We usually recommend having two; one that is shorter (with more loft) that you will hit straighter, and one that is longer (with less loft) for more distance (and likely more dispersion). Depending on what you're looking for and where you are with your swing and game it maybe a good idea to start at 44 1/2" and adjust from there.
Remember. Shorten your driver you also lower your swing weight. Say from d2 to c6.
That would be aprx 1 1/2" inches removed from the driver shaft. Aprx 1 swing weight per 1/4" removed. Ask me how I know
My driver is up to my chest and all my balls are swinging right. I definitely hit better direction when its shorter.
Im 5”7, My driver height is to my chest, is this too long?
Good chance it is. Do you know the length? But...if you can control to the point the extra length is a good trade off then by all means keep with it. Most don’t have the horsepower to move a club 45.5”+ enough to see the benefit and it often slows their swing speed. This leaves them short and crooked which is a bad combo. Experiment with marking 44, 45, etc on he grip and hold it at each length while hitting balls. See which you hit best and if you have a swing speed device, which are becoming more affordable, you can get some very useful info to dial it into what works best for you.
@@Thegolfparadigm Thanks for your advices. My driver length is just like others on the market. The problem is Im short so I just hold it at the middle of the grip. I can’t control the club if I hold it way out.
QUESTION: If all Pro Golfers use the same 45" shaft, does that mean that there are no Tall Pro Golfers? OR, do the Tall guys bend over more?
For many years and as far as we know the average driver length on the PGA Tour is less than 45”. That may have changed in the last couple of years. Length is not determined by height. There are many other factors that come into play such as body ratios. If you use a longer driver > 45” and can increase swing speed and keep a decent amount of accuracy then by all means use it. Just don’t fall into the fallacy that taller automatically needs longer and a longer length driver automatically equals more speed.
@@Thegolfparadigm The G.O.A.T. Jack Nicklaus used a 43" driver and won a long-drive contest with it. Watch him in slow motion - he was a sports prodigy, creme de la creme - use what works best for you.
Because average height of pga tour player is only 5’9”.
You hit down on the ball? Good luck
I'm 6ft 4in and slice the ball need help
Send us a message via our website and we’ll be happy to help you.
Very easy to answer. Pga pros can use drivers from 44.5-44.75 inches BECAUSE they generate tremendous club head speed already and don't gnereally need the extra speed a longer shaft can give. Amateurs on the other hand, do NOT generate club head speed well and CAN use the extra speed that inch or so can provide.
The answer doesn’t cover the entire issue. Pros also hit the center of the face more often which will yield faster ball speeds, amateurs don’t. Amateurs can get closer to center by shortening from the industry standard of 46” to
We amateurs use the longer drivers because we aren’t Pros!!!!!Duuuuuuh!
And have limited progress because of it.
Not very informative, surely it all depends on how long your arms are and how tall you are.....
There is a ratio component to fitting but as far as drivers it’s not as imperative as with the irons. The point was to make sure if you modify your driver to be certain to also adjust the loft.
Half this info is wrong lmao
Care to elaborate on what half?
I've definitely seen videos that clearly show that a shorter driver shaft (or choking down) does decrease the launch angle. But I'm not sure if increasing the loft is the only thing you should be looking to do. Swing weight is the biggest change so correcting that first is essential. You need to increase the club hear weight. If you put more weight at the back then that will increase the launch angle. Furthermore, a short shaft results in an increase shaft stiffness. This also reduces launch angle. So your solution is probably not the right answer to the problem.