Driver Length

[Billy-Bo-Jim-Bob]

Anyone out there shorten the driver length to gain more control and tighter dispersion? (or maybe even gained a few yards?) Just seems like when I set up my grip about an inch down the shaft I can give it a free swing rip and results are more consistent. My driver length is std at 45.5. Longest driver I ever owned.

[cnosil]

Anyone out there shorten the driver length to gain more control and tighter dispersion? (or maybe even gained a few yards?) Just seems like when I set up my grip about an inch down the shaft I can give it a free swing rip and results are more consistent. My driver length is std at 45.5. Longest driver I ever owned.

Do a search; other threads on this topic

https://forum.mygolfspy.com/topic/36560-driver-length/?tab=comments#comment-597741

https://forum.mygolfspy.com/topic/25772-whos-using-a-shorter-driver-shaft-length/page/2/?tab=comments#comment-553418

[null]

Average driver length on the PGA tour is under 45 inches.  So yes, shortening driver length can definitely provide some benefits.  Just remeber that as you shorten the driver, the swingweight will become lighter, so you may need to compensate by adding headweight depending on how the shorter club feels to you

[dlow206]

I always end up regretting shortening my driver. I don't know what it is, I hit the driver fine when choking up, and then I cut it down and it's not the same.

[therod]

I'm not the tallest person at around 5' 6", but I've never gamed a driver over 44". I tried 45" in a Geek driver several years ago, but couldn't hit it worth a lick. So I cut it back to 44" and went back to hitting it pretty well. I've debated on trying it again this spring with a newer driver and adding some weight to the sole since you can easily adjust head weights with weight kits available for some drivers. But for now, I play a 44" driver, and have for years.

[dlow206]

42 minutes ago, therod said:

I'm not the tallest person at around 5' 6", but I've never gamed a driver over 44". I tried 45" in a Geek driver several years ago, but couldn't hit it worth a lick. So I cut it back to 44" and went back to hitting it pretty well. I've debated on trying it again this spring with a newer driver and adding some weight to the sole since you can easily adjust head weights with weight kits available for some drivers. But for now, I play a 44" driver, and have for years.

I’m 5’5” and tried to play a driver cut down to 44” and it didn’t work as well as choking down on a longer driver. 

[therod]

Might be a weight issue. I'm playing a Cobra F7+ at 44", but I bought a weight kit for it and changed the weights out in the sole, adding 6 grams. Doesn't sound like much, but you can definitely feel it.

[Hoganman1]

Yes, I just bought a Taylormade M6 with a 45.75" Atmos shaft.After several rounds and some work on the range. I replaced the Atmos with an old 45" Aldila NVS. Since doing so my driving has been more consistent and I've gained a few yards due to better contact. 

[Smellis745]

This topic is one that is discussed quite often and the best advice remains the same, it's trial and error to find what works for you.  Some players will benefit from a shorter driver while others won't.  Some players will lose distance, while others find more.  I believe that each swing has a sweet spot length and that's why it's important to try things out.  I've got two drivers that I'll rotate round to round.  One is a 44.5" M3 with a Tour Green 85 TX and the other is a 45.25" M5 with a Synergy Black.  The M5 combo is a bit longer, but the M3 combo is a bit straighter.  The difference between the two is so little though, it's really a wash...for me.

[Hoganman1]

I forgot to add that I didn't change the head weight on my M6 when I put in the new shorter shaft. I know making it 3/4" shorter changed the swing weight from D3, but it didn't feel different to me. I know one can buy heavier head weights. Maybe I should do so. I've been told I would need to add 10 more grams to the 3.5 weight that comes in the head. That seems like a lot to me. Is that correct?

[Smellis745]

51 minutes ago, Hoganman1 said:

I forgot to add that I didn't change the head weight on my M6 when I put in the new shorter shaft. I know making it 3/4" shorter changed the swing weight from D3, but it didn't feel different to me. I know one can buy heavier head weights. Maybe I should do so. I've been told I would need to add 10 more grams to the 3.5 weight that comes in the head. That seems like a lot to me. Is that correct?

Typically you lose 3 swing weight points per half inch.  May not be exact, but it's in the ball park.  To add one swing weight back, you need to add 2 gr of weight to the head.  Best thing I always recommend is lead tape.  Play around til you find what you like.  At that point, you can either buy a heavier weight or take it to someone who can hot melt the weight for you, or just leave the lead tape in place.  Some people are more sensitive to these changes than others.

ETA:  YMMV since you didn't cut the original shaft and simply replaced it with another one that was shorter.  Depending on shaft weights, balance point, etc...this could all make your swing weight different.  If the new shaft is heavier, it can make the SW reduction not as severe.

[Hoganman1]

20 hours ago, Smellis745 said:

 

ETA:  YMMV since you didn't cut the original shaft and simply replaced it with another one that was shorter.  Depending on shaft weights, balance point, etc...this could all make your swing weight different.  If the new shaft is heavier, it can make the SW reduction not as severe.

This is a good point. My guess is the NVS is heavier. Also, it has a 350 tip. Most shafts now are 335. Anyway unless I have problems in the future I'm not going to worry about it. What's the old saying "if it ain't broke; don't fix it".

[revkev]

On ‎2‎/‎24‎/‎2020 at 5:04 PM, dlow206 said:

I always end up regretting shortening my driver. I don't know what it is, I hit the driver fine when choking up, and then I cut it down and it's not the same.

We've pretty much beaten this topic to death but this is a question that doesn't often come up.  I knew this anyway but had it confirmed while listening to the fitting room the other day.  Drivers are built for the stock shaft that they come with - that length as well - granted they are a one size fits all proposition but that shaft/head combo will fit a number of people quite well.  You mess with a club's integrity when you do something like cutting down the shaft after purchase.  Most OEM's will make adjustments so that swing weight and lie angle are proper if you are fit for a shorter shaft prior to purchase so you should just get fit up front if this is something that you want to consider.

A shorter shaft will work great for some, perhaps even many, it will stink for others, it could even depend upon the type of driver so that a player might do well with a shorter shaft in one driver but a longer shaft in another.  Move away from what arrives from the factory without the help of a professional and you've introduced a variable.  I wouldn't do it - I've already ruined a really good driver trying a number of years back. 

Good luck

[RetiredBoomer]

On 2/24/2020 at 5:04 PM, dlow206 said:

I always end up regretting shortening my driver. I don't know what it is, I hit the driver fine when choking up, and then I cut it down and it's not the same.

Mine, which is still quite new,  came standard at 43.75" with a 275cc head. 

When I ordered it with a slightly heavier shaft that matches my fairways,  I requested 43.5"

I hate the huge drivers, but that's just me. They seem to work fine for most players.

[Hoganman1]

On 2/26/2020 at 11:02 AM, Hoganman1 said:

On 2/25/2020 at 2:24 PM, Smellis745 said:

 

ETA:  YMMV since you didn't cut the original shaft and simply replaced it with another one that was shorter.  Depending on shaft weights, balance point, etc...this could all make your swing weight different.  If the new shaft is heavier, it can make the SW reduction not as severe.

 

Well, I just learned that my NVS shaft weighs 56 grams and the Atmos that came with the club weighs 53 grams. So my guess is the swing weight only dropped a couple of points if any. Just in case I run into problems later, I bought an 8 gram M6 head weight I can use to compensate. Like I said before the club is performing well. I sometimes get way too anal about this kind of stuff. I just need to practice and play rather than tinker.

Edited March 23, 2020 by Hoganman1

[TR1PTIK]

I've played about seven different drivers over the past decade (most of which were older Titleist models). All came in at various lengths and I've never had an issue with it. Most recently I went from a Nike Vapor Pro driver with a stock length of 45.5" to a Ping G25 with a stock length of 45.75", and now to a Mizuno ST190 with a stock length of 45". The Nike was the first driver I ever used that could consistently find fairway, but I gave up some distance (ball speeds off the face weren't ideal). I picked up about 10 yards with the Ping while maintaining my ability to find fairway, and preliminary results with the Mizuno suggest another 10 yard gain (minimum) while remaining fairly accurate. The biggest reason I see for the changes in distance all boil down to head design and have very little to do with shaft length. I still find the center of the face at a similar rate and also maintain the same miss - low heel. 

[jnewstro]

On 2/24/2020 at 10:58 AM, jlukes said:

Average driver length on the PGA tour is under 45 inches.  So yes, shortening driver length can definitely provide some benefits.  Just remeber that as you shorten the driver, the swingweight will become lighter, so you may need to compensate by adding headweight depending on how the shorter club feels to you

This!

About 3 years ago I went to a 43.5 driver and added lead tape to get my SW back. I'm actually hitting it longer on average because of better contact.

The only downside is trying out a new driver... they're all standard length shafts at the big stores so I never feel quite comfortable.

[RobotDoctor]

On 2/24/2020 at 3:04 PM, dlow206 said:

I always end up regretting shortening my driver. I don't know what it is, I hit the driver fine when choking up, and then I cut it down and it's not the same.

 

The overall swingweight of a club is affected.  Cutting even 1/2" off will lower the swingweight a couple of points and affect the overall feel of the wood.  It is best to just choke down 1/2 inch and leave the length alone if you have a decent driver.

[KKD-31]

Been reading /watching videos on this subject, ended up tossing 3w shaft in (Cobra F7s) driver with 3w loft sleeve.......not looking good for testing as we still have over a foot of snow on the ground here. No idea if sims are still open.......spring cant come soon enough!!

[Hoganman1]

Well I finally was able to get my driver weighed. I bought an 8 gram weight from GolfWorks and replaced the stock weight in my M6. The swing weight is D3.8 with the 45" NVS shaft. I've only been able to play twice since I made the change, but I think it's going to work just fine. Once the weather gets warmer and drier, I fully expect to gain maybe ten yards off the tee.

[TShaffer]

On 2/24/2020 at 8:43 AM, Billy-Bo-Jim-Bob said:

Anyone out there shorten the driver length to gain more control and tighter dispersion? (or maybe even gained a few yards?) Just seems like when I set up my grip about an inch down the shaft I can give it a free swing rip and results are more consistent. My driver length is std at 45.5. Longest driver I ever owned.

I just barely cut off 2 inches from my 2014 big Bertha driver. I added some cut up lead tape to the hollow interior of the perimeter weight (added the desired weight while maintaining looks and I can now adjust the full weight amount without hastle) and it was the best decision I have made recently. I used to work a wicked slice and it's now a baby fade. Just as long and more fairways.

I put a new lamkin calibrate grip on it, similar to the golf pride align grips and just out the alignment ridge a touch closed so when I grip the club I don't have to hold a crazy strong grip to get the desired closing of the face. 

I definitely agree that it is a trial and error thing, my driver was so bad before I had nothing to lose and everything to gain, but it worked out for me. I would say if possible swing a friend's or hit the local shop and see if you can get your hands on a shorter driver shaft with your head to see if you like it, because I think it is a little different to have a shorter shaft vs choking down on a longer one.

[Hotdocta]

I don’t know why, but the shorter shaft does not work for me.  I keep losing it to the right.  I do not square up the shorter shaft for some reason.

[MALyons31]

Billy-Bob, 

Yes! I recently got fitted and as soon as he pulled the driver out of my bag, he said it was to long for me. I had a TM M2 that was 45.75” and I could only hit it at best 250. After trying about a dozen different drivers, what ended up working for me was a 45” TM Sim Max D-type with a VA Vylyn Shaft. He shortened my driver 3 quarters of and inch and I gained about 25 yards. Now carrying 250ish and 275 total. Also, after that, I looked up the PGA tour average for driver length and it is 44.75”. Reason being that it’s easier to find the center of the club face resulting in more yards and better control.....

[Hoganman1]

After several rounds I've found my drives tend to go left with the heavier head weight. I'm going back to the 3.5g weight that came in the club. My guess is dropping the head weight by 4.5g will make the swing weight around D1.  

Now, I promise to stop boring you guys with this because I know you're sick of hearing about it.

[Smellis745]

I was just going to report back that my 44.5" driver test didn't work out as good for me.  Some days it was ok, others it wasn't.  I find I hit the center of the face and square things up at 45.25" better though.

[braveheart]

On 2/24/2020 at 10:43 AM, Billy-Bo-Jim-Bob said:

Anyone out there shorten the driver length to gain more control and tighter dispersion? (or maybe even gained a few yards?) Just seems like when I set up my grip about an inch down the shaft I can give it a free swing rip and results are more consistent. My driver length is std at 45.5. Longest driver I ever owned.

I am doing the same thing and getting better results. Makes me think to cut off 1/2”, but I hesitate due to it possibly having less trade in or sale value. Also, maybe choking up is the way to go and just leave it alone. I know I’ve hit 45” better and did not like 44.5”.

Edited April 4, 2020 by braveheart

[Camille Bissarro]

On 3/31/2020 at 2:52 PM, Hoganman1 said:

After several rounds I've found my drives tend to go left with the heavier head weight. I'm going back to the 3.5g weight that came in the club. My guess is dropping the head weight by 4.5g will make the swing weight around D1.  

Now, I promise to stop boring you guys with this because I know you're sick of hearing about it.

Tales of apparently pointless equipment tweak tail-chasing never bore me... they're like fables I see myself in, yet never learn from...

[RickyBobby_PR]

On 2/26/2020 at 1:47 PM, RetiredBoomer said:

Mine, which is still quite new,  came standard at 43.75" with a 275cc head. 

When I ordered it with a slightly heavier shaft that matches my fairways,  I requested 43.5"

I hate the huge drivers, but that's just me. They seem to work fine for most players.

Including 99.9% of all professionals. Very few play less than 460cc.

 

13 hours ago, braveheart said:

I am doing the same thing and getting better results. Makes me think to cut off 1/2”, but I hesitate due to it possibly having less trade in or sale value. Also, maybe choking up is the way to go and just leave it alone. I know I’ve hit 45” better and did not like 44.5”.

I’ve never had anyone measure my club before trade in. The longer one holds onto a club the value decreases anyways. 
 

Current trade in value on a mavrik and sim are just under $180. 

[Camille Bissarro]

13 hours ago, braveheart said:

I am doing the same thing and getting better results. Makes me think to cut off 1/2”, but I hesitate due to it possibly having less trade in or sale value. Also, maybe choking up is the way to go and just leave it alone. I know I’ve hit 45” better and did not like 44.5”.

I much prefer to not grip down; the club never feels right when I do (unless it's a little punch shot). Consequently, I'm not averse to trimming the butt.

Also, shaft extensions, are a viable correction if you want to go back. They tend to be heavier than the original shaft material, but that can be offset with head weighting if necessary. They also can afford a small counter balance effect to the shaft, which, admittedly adds another variable into the mix.

For example, I've trimmed my current favorite driver shaft (ahina 60g stiff), then added an extension, then trimmed a bit off of that. The swing feel is great and the results pretty consistent, although I'm not a long hitter. 

If nothing else, tinkering gives you a different rapport with your equipment.

[braincramp]

I've played all my drivers for the 30 years at 43 1/2". I play with lead tape until I get the feel and performance I'm used to. Keeps me in the fairway and that's all I care about because I ain't gonna win no long drive contests ever!