Shaft length? is longer better?

[RoverRick]

Ok, the answer is go get fitted.

 

Now the set up, then the question,  For the sake of this discussion, we will say that there are 14 yards difference between clubs, and half of that is due to loft changes and half is due to shaft length.  Of course, changing the loft will effect launch angle, spin rates, etc...  We disregard that for now.  Since the average difference between club lengths is a 1/2" and 7 yards, we can extrapolate that to mean 14 yards per inch.  Of course the lie angle will change if you add an inch to your shaft and the longer the shaft gets the harder it gets to make center contact.

 

So, if I can make center contact and have the proper loft angle, why not have clubs that are 1" over length?

 

This came up because I sold a set of irons that when I put the shafts that came in them back in them to sell they were 1" over length.  I usually play over length clubs.  I have some new heads that will be here today and I will install them tonight and go visit my pro tomorrow and we will check the lofts and lies.  Just wondering about shortening the shafts, and why. 

[SMRT]

I experimented with this last year after doing the review for the Cobra Amp Cell  Irons. When I replaced the stock shafts with a used set, the new clubs were a little over an inch shorter than the stock Cobras. I did not noticed much difference in distance but I was a lot more inconsistent with how I was striking the ball. I was hitting a lot of really fat shots also. I tried choking down a little more but that made the fat get fatter. It did not make sense. I thought, maybe I should lengthen them and maybe not bend over as much and see what happens. I actually lengthened them 2" to start and figured I could always cut them down if they were too long. It did exactly what I wanted. I was not bending over as much and I was hitting the ball better than ever. Since then I have been working on stance and address and I am not hitting the ball clean and farther than ever before.

 

For me, lengthening helped a ton. As far as getting fit, I had done that also and they wanted to lengthen 1" not 2". I am glad I experimented with my own plan because it worked out great. This time.

[Blade]

Don't forget, an inch of extra length will add about 6 swing weight points.  It will drastically change the feel.  Could be for the better or worse.  Just depends what feels right to you.

[whiskey golf]

I like to have my irons and wedges over lengthened. I was fit for these specs and it is a lot more comfortable to me because I stand pretty upright when I swing so these make my setup more comfortable. Plus I don't feel like I have to dip down in order to hit the ball.

[RookieBlue7]

And in irons length also makes the clubs play more upright. My clubs are based off of a 1/2" over 5 iron. I am also 2 degrees up on top of that. To get to the same place at standard length it's at least. 4 degrees upright for me. Length in irons is a fitament issue more than a distance issue. Who cares about the distance when talking irons? As long as the gaps are even and they're closer to the centerline, the distance is the 3rd concern. I can hit x flex shafts further, but I prefer the feel of s flex hardstepped as well as the accuracy difference being substantial.

[TheHacker]

For me longer shaft means that I tend to hit the ball more towards the toe for my irons. It's very hard to make solid contact that way when the sweet spot is very near to the heel.

 

So my irons are always cut 1/2 inch shorted and 2 degrees flat. I guess one man's meat is another man's poison applies here.

[HighFade]

My wife likes a long shaft. Hehe

[sp0rtsfan86]

My wife likes a long shaft. Hehe

There's always one. Haha.

 

I'm relatively short (5'5) and played with regular length shafts in the last few sets. Went to get fitted and tried regular and shorter shafts and compared the results. (The clubs I wanted didn't have a shaft length that was the same, so ended up using Tmag's to judge shaft length, despite getting Callaways.)

 

 Almost all pure shots were ten yards longer with the regular shafts, it wasn't even close.  However, it took me 2-3 shots to make great contact and get that distance with longer shafts. Decided that consistency was more important so went shorter. Going shorter ended up producing even better results on the course than on the simulator. On my 5 irons I've gained 25 yards, which beat the upgrade I got from the regular shafts.

Long story short: Get fitted, and don't worry about shaft length.

[McGolf]

I would have to say that If you are hitting the clubs with a length that is 1" over well then it is probably the proper length for you.

You are correct the fitting is the thing to do, it may find that the one inch over is just right.

 

Adding length to the club can add to the swing weight, as previously posted, add weight to the total weight which is as important, take a bit extra time to deliver the club to square. Although not as a apparent as in a iron as a driver. Again, if YOU are hitting better then by all means use it.

 

Using the wrong length can cause you to lose distance via off center hits, poor contact etc. Length is an important spec in a golf club for better golf

 

[TheHacker]

For my irons, length and correct lie angle is everything, while accuracy and distance control matters more than anything.

 

However modern drivers have better MOI and large forgiving faces. What matters is comfort and with square face contact. 

 

A small miss towards the toe or heel, near crown or near the sole shouldn't cause too much damage.