Cutting down driver shafts

[FourPutt]

Now that I have my replacement R9 SuperTri, having s=cracked my first one, I find myself with a spare shaft. I was considering cutting it down by an inch or so to see if it would help with accuracy.

Just wondering if anyone had any experience of this and whether they noticed a significant loss of distance or increase in accuracy?

Anything else I should know, before I get the pipecutter out?

 

[bobmac]

If you cut it down and you dont like it, you can extend it again
He who dares Rodney

 

[ScienceBoy]

I had a custom driver fitting and my shaft is now an inch and a half shorter.

I now struggle to hit REALLY big drives but I went from hitting 4 fairways a round to missing 4.

My average is now about 240 and my longest is about 270 rather than 250+ and 280.

My scores have gone from mid 90s to mid 80s and I have started to play significant parts of the course in only a couple over gross.

 

[Losttheplot]

I did something slightly different last week. I shortened my driver shaft but I 'tipped' it which is shortening it at the hosel end. It was an intentional thing as I wanted the shaft stiffer and a more penetrating ball flight.

I shortened it by 1 1/4 inches and I have noticed this at address. But it was a long shaft anyway so it's probably normal now.

From choking down on the shaft I do notice it's slightly shorter in distance off the tee but is more accurate.

Try choking down on your shaft and see how you get on as that will be what it's like when you shorten it.

 

[viscount17]

I had my driver butt trimmed by the guy who built my irons. He basically said 'there is no-one on this planet needs a driver this long and once you've got your swing smoothed out we'll change the shaft 'cos that's wrong too.'

I have been hitting straighter much more consistently, and even bad ones tend to be pushes. I'd lost a lot of length over the winter but some of that is coming back.
mind you I can now sometimes outhit my driver with the 3-wood (and not work as hard doing so) but whether that's because the shaft is better for me is another question

 

[stevek1969]

My mate has a 3 wood Aldila NV shaft in his Titliest 905 driver and he hits it a long way and accurate,oh he plays of 2 that might help

 

[Hookedgolf]

Anything else I should know, before I get the pipecutter out?

Yes - Dont ever use a pipecutter on a graphite shaft, it will splinter the shaft and affect its performance. Take it to a local club builder who will cut it and swing weight it quickly and properly. If your going to do it you might aswell do it right.

 

[Wildrover]

Agree with the above, if you are shortening it you will need to swing weight it to get it to stay the same.
Most pro's on tour now use a shorter than standard driver as they are happy to give up some distance to find more fairways.
Mine is half an inch shorter and my accuracy has definately improved.

 

[shagster]

as i and several others have mentioned, read some of tom wishons articles, very interesting.
also when pros are asked about there gear, thats the sort of information we want, shaft lengths etc; not just this club or that club.
putter lengths are another subject that brings up debate

shagster

 

[FourPutt]

Thanks guys, I will try it and let you know how it goes.

 

[Mongoose]

Its really worth trying a shorter driver. I cut all mine down, they vary, from a driver I use often which is just 42 inches, up to 45 inches, but most I play are about 43.5 inches. You'll lose a little carry distance, but not much, and will probably gain a slightly lower more penetrating ball flight.

You can take it to a club fitter to be done, or DIY it. If you want to DIY it I recommend starting with taking no more than an inch off it at the butt end. If after playing a few rounds you feel you would like it shorter, take off another half inch. Controlled whittling of it is generally better than going mad straight off!

To shorten the driver, cut the grip off but leave the grip tape on (for now). Measure where you want to cut it and use a hacksaw. The grip tape will help stop it splintering. Once cut remove the old grip tape and if there are some small shards and fibres as a result of the cut, then clean them up with sand paper. Remove the old grip tape, re-tape, put new grip on. If you feel you have the need to re swing weight it, then take it to a club fitter, but if thats the case you may as well get them to do the whole job. Personally I find the very small swing weight changes not to be relevant to the performance of the club.

I've yet to see anyone who has reduced their driver length regret it. 44 inches seems about the right balance between length and control, which is why most pro's who earn their living from playing golf use that length or similar. Modern super long 46 inch drivers are too hard to control for most golfers. The extra few yards difference isnt worth the loss of controlability and accuracy.

 

[SimonC]

I'm thinking of cutting my driver shaft down too, it's currently 45.5 inches I'm thinking oif going to 44.5 inches. Hopefully it will make my push fade/slice less destructive.