virtuocity
Tour Winner
At 46 inches, are they setting up us hackers to miss the effective sweet spot more often than not? Do they only serve their own distance-enhancing marketing?
Is it time to downsize?
Is it time to downsize?
Are driver shafts too long?
- Thread starter virtuocity
- Start date
ScienceBoy
Money List Winner
I am one for keeping the drivershaft the right length for the person. At one time it made a big difference to me, with my improved swing and new driver it probably wouldn't as I am happy with my good swing dispersion.
For some 46 is fine and causes no issues, for others its the cause of the problems, another group just blame it for their swing faults when it would make no difference either way!
Only way to find out is to either grip down for a few rounds and see if it makes a difference (cutting a shaft just makes that more comfortable right?) or go ahead and make the reduction.
Don't endlessly blame the length if you have yet to try gripping down on it for a few rounds...
For some 46 is fine and causes no issues, for others its the cause of the problems, another group just blame it for their swing faults when it would make no difference either way!
Only way to find out is to either grip down for a few rounds and see if it makes a difference (cutting a shaft just makes that more comfortable right?) or go ahead and make the reduction.
Don't endlessly blame the length if you have yet to try gripping down on it for a few rounds...
I have tried going down the shaft on a driver but it was not comfortable so it did not work as an experiment. I understand the physics of lengthening shafts but for many, shorties like myself included, it is a problem rather than a benefit. Maybe we will start to see an expansion of the mini driver option or 3 woods will develop bigger heads? Unfortunately the obsession with driver distance is taking over everything else, control, forgiveness, so lengthening the shaft is a logical next step as they run out of other ways to add that magical extra 10yds.
ger147
Tour Winner
Very few if any drivers come with a 46in shaft as standard.
But in general, yes driver shafts are too long. 44.5 to 45 max would be a step in the right direction but the robots wouldn't hit them as far.
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Dan2501
Tour Winner
The average driver shaft length on the PGA Tour is 44.5".
And29
Head Pro
TM shafts are.
Ping appear to be 'normal' and you can feel the shorter shaft promoting a feeling of more control.
I remember noting how some Driver shafts on tour looked very short, but when you swing at 120mph theres no real loss in distance and certainly more control.
Ping appear to be 'normal' and you can feel the shorter shaft promoting a feeling of more control.
I remember noting how some Driver shafts on tour looked very short, but when you swing at 120mph theres no real loss in distance and certainly more control.
ger147
Tour Winner
Ping G25/30 shafts come in at 45.75, some of the longest on the market and longer than the 45.5 of the SLDR and the R15. The standard Aero Burner is 45.75, the same length as the Ping G series.
3565
Journeyman Pro
I got fitted for 44" shaft, I feel more in control, accuracy has improved and no loss of distance. In fact I feel I can be more aggressive with it. So answer is, Yes.
Dan2501
Tour Winner
Think you'd have to be fitted tbh.
Feels weird using my new Titleist 910, feels really short. Don't think there's much of a difference between it and my X Hot, but the X Hot feels so much longer. I imagine, once I get it regripped I'll feel much more in control than I do with my X Hot!
Keeno
Challenge Tour Pro
I would say they are too long and to make matters worse drivers aimed at "Better Players" seem to have shorter shafts than those aimed at players looking for more forgiveness.
I've never understood that one?
I've never understood that one?
Hacker Khan
Yurt Dwelling, Yoghurt Knitter
I'd say most amateurs should sacrifice a bit of distance to get hit the fairway more often with their driver, so a shorter shaft seems sensible. But as there is such a culture of 'distance is king' in golf then it is very difficult for someone to be honest and actually do that.
I know Crossfield has expressed this a bit when testing drivers saying he fears the stock shaft is too long for a lot of amateurs on a few of them. I've always though that for the vast majority of amateurs having driver shafts at different lengths when getting fitted is probably better than choosing from different brands of shafts. But what do I know.
I know Crossfield has expressed this a bit when testing drivers saying he fears the stock shaft is too long for a lot of amateurs on a few of them. I've always though that for the vast majority of amateurs having driver shafts at different lengths when getting fitted is probably better than choosing from different brands of shafts. But what do I know.
Dan2501
Tour Winner
Most people wouldn't lose any distance from a shorter driver though, they'd gain it. The shorter driver should lead to more consistent strike, which would result in better consistent distance. Effective strike > Slightly faster clubhead speed.
didnt know that but I've never looked at Pings G series, aimed at the higher h/cap yet longer and less controllable shafts.
Dan2501
Tour Winner
As a comparison, the Titleist 915D3, which is seen as a "better players" driver, is 45" in length. Pretty baffling.
Jimaroid
Journeyman Pro
I cut the shaft down on my Cobra Amp Cell to 44.25 and it has been a great help, hitting the ball much better with it than I had before. I never accurately measured distance before the change, so I can't say if it's worsened or improved overall distance, but I get more consistent strikes with it being shorter and that's helped me hit more fairways which is what I was looking for.
A couple of weeks ago, my father-in-law was visiting and he had my Taylor Made Burner Superfast that's in my old bag at the range. I think it's stock 45.75" and I had a quick go with it again after not touching it for a couple of years. I found it completely unplayable after becoming used to the shorter Cobra. I could probably get used to it again but I think it would put me back into a lot of trouble.
A couple of weeks ago, my father-in-law was visiting and he had my Taylor Made Burner Superfast that's in my old bag at the range. I think it's stock 45.75" and I had a quick go with it again after not touching it for a couple of years. I found it completely unplayable after becoming used to the shorter Cobra. I could probably get used to it again but I think it would put me back into a lot of trouble.
ger147
Tour Winner
Like Bubba?
The i25 is 45.25 as standard, 0.25 longer than the Titleist 913/915 and 0.25in shorter than TM R15 and 0.5in shorter than its G series cousins.
The only 46in as standard driver I know of is the new Callaway XR. Not sure how a 46in shaft weighing only 50g is going to help anyone find the sweet spot more consistently.
Sats
Challenge Tour Pro
The shafts are getting longer and I've noticed that instead of changing this more and more Mini Driver woods are appearing instead
fundy
Ryder Cup Winner
Currently have a 3 wood shaft in my driver and cant see me returning, just need to shorten the shaft in the 3 wood lol
not sure how long the TP Shaft is my SLDR is but it doesn't feel that long, unlike the Xhot pro i had, struggled to control that.
