Cutting down driver

[steadyon]

Called at range this afternoon to try a couple of drivers.

Adams Speedline 10.5 regular shaft.

Titleist 909 DComp 10.5 degree regular shaft.

The Adams went further about 15 - 20 yards but I was not so consistent.

The Titleist, bit shorter but could strike it middle every time and sweep rather than chop, work the ball both ways, just a hell of a lot more control.

Upon inspection I notice that the Titleist shaft is a good 30mm shorter, this explained a lot.

At the minute I play with an Adams speedline HL model and do struggle for a bit of control but am really after more distance. The Titleist gave me control but not distance.

Is it reasonable?sensible to buy a brand new club and then hack a lump of the end of the shaft or are they engineered to work as they come.

 

[RGDave]

Upon inspection I notice that the Titleist shaft is a good 30mm shorter, this explained a lot.

Not 15-20 yards. No way Jose. The shaft itself (as opposed to the length) is more relevant i.m.h.o.

You could buy a driver and chop an inch off, but if you ask me, better to do this with an existing one if you want to try it.

You could always order one made to measure.

How far do you hit it anyway?.....unless you are under 230 on a sweet one, you probably don't need to hit it further.

 

[RGDave]

or are they engineered to work as they come.

oh, and b.t.w. they are engineered to work as they come. If you chop an inch off, you effectively make it stiffer (which won't help distance, but might help accuracy) and you'll change the swingweight. 1/2" is 6 swingweight points. 1" would be 12, 12 would make it a ladies driver.

 

[brendy]

Do not cut the shaft, they were designed for specific kick points etc, lopping an inch of is going to chsnge the characteristics of the club totally and I would wager for the worse as it would make the shaft a little stiffer.

 

[TonyN]

Just get properly fit for one, dont pick a make, let the make pick you.

No point working out a decent driver to only go and cut it down, will be a different driver altogether if you do.

 

[GasMan]

Totally in the face of everybody's comments here but I had 1" taken off both my driver + fairway wood and it's the best thing I ever did.

Swingweight change - couldn't even tell you if it has nor do I care.

Shaft flex - stiffer they may be but not noticably and they were both stiff/low launch trajectory shafts (fujikura fit on red).

I've lost no difference whatsoever and tightened my dispersion to the point where they are both equally safe off the tee and near enough as accurate as my trusty bladed 3 iron.

It's the same as gripping down an inch minus the negative effect of gripping the thinner part of the grip and risking getting handsy with it.

I had my set of MP32 irons plus my vokeys all shortened by 1/2" at the same time even though custom fit says I should be on standard length - why? I still hit them the same distance but with far more control.

Personally I'd go ebay hunting for a baragin in the driver spec you want then regrip it whilst knocking an inch off. Tend to see loads of the Nike Sumo 5000s pop up for peanuts and I shortened my 1 of them when I had it by an inch also.

 

[brendy]

Gasman, not doubting it may have helped you but you kind of contradict yourself by saying cutting the shaft is like gripping down a little. Why did you get the clubs cut then?

 

[Macster]

.......to save himself having a 1/2" of shaft above his hands on every shot perhaps ?

I know I dont like it if ever I grip down on my Driver......

 

[steadyon]

I do occasionally grip down on my driver and woods, especially if I'm on a tight hole or have had a couple of bad drives and need to get one away to restore my confidence.

Not the most comfortable thing but almost guaranteed to produce a respectable shot. Never notice much difference in swing weigth etc just feel more control.

I sed to think it was a load of cobblers, what difference could an inch make, then I played a shot with my sons junior club, half speed because of very soft junior flex, swear, it was best drive I've ever it in my life!!!

 

[GasMan]

Gasman, not doubting it may have helped you but you kind of contradict yourself by saying cutting the shaft is like gripping down a little. Why did you get the clubs cut then?

To let me grip the club where I should be rather than on the thinner part of the grip - how is that contradicting myself???

In my opinion it's always better to have your clubs 1/2" shorter than the "ideal" length if you're measured for them as everybody I've ever spoken to who's had their clubs like this raves about how accurate it makes them in comparison to longer clubs. The swingweight and shaft flex thing makes sweet FA difference to anybody bar professionals who could tell you the difference by swinging them in a side by side comparison. All of us would have jack all chance of even knowing 2 drivers of the same make/model have a different swingweight let alone be able to identify which is which.