TShaffer 34 Posted March 25, 2020 Share Posted March 25, 2020 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. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Hotdocta 91 Posted March 26, 2020 Share Posted March 26, 2020 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. Quote Driver: Taylormade SIM Max d 9 with graphite design tour ad xc 6s Fairway Wood:Taylormade Sim 15 with Graphite design Tour ad iz 6s Hybrid: Pxg gen2 19 with hand crafted hzrdus black 85 6.0 and Adams super ls xtd 22 with Diamana s+ stiff Irons: 5-pw Miura Mc501 with modus 120s pured Wedges: Callaway md2 gold 50 Dg tour issue s400 black onyx, Taylormade MG 54 with DG tour issue s400 black onyx, and Taylormade hi toe 59 with modus 120r Link to post Share on other sites
MALyons31 198 Posted March 29, 2020 Share Posted March 29, 2020 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..... Quote Elizabeth City, North Carolina Right Handed Handicap: 18 Driver: Taylor Made Sim MAX D-type 9.5 / VA composites Vylyn Shaft 65G Stiff Irons: Mizuno JPX 919 Hot Metals / KBS C-Taper Shafts Regular Link to post Share on other sites
Hoganman1 145 Posted March 31, 2020 Share Posted March 31, 2020 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. Quote Drive for Show; Putt for Dough Link to post Share on other sites
Smellis745 529 Posted March 31, 2020 Share Posted March 31, 2020 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. Quote TaylorMade SIM2 9.7* - Graphite Design Tour AD-HD 7 TX TaylorMade M6 15.9* - PX HZRDUS Green 80 6.5 TX Callaway XForged UT 19* - Aldila Rogue Black 105 TX Srixon Z965 4-P - PX 6.0 LS hard stepped Vokey SM8 51F / SM7 55M / 59K - TI DG 400 Scotty Cameron X7 Phantom 34” Titleist Pro -V1X Link to post Share on other sites
braveheart 19 Posted April 4, 2020 Share Posted April 4, 2020 (edited) 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 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Camille Bissarro 89 Posted April 5, 2020 Share Posted April 5, 2020 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... Quote Callaway Epic Speed + Mitsubishi MMT TaylorMade SIM Titanium + Mitsubishi Tensei AV Raw Blue Titleist U510 20* + Paderson Kinetixx Ballistic Mizuno 919 Forged + Paderson Kinetixx TS-I Cleveland CBX2 54*, Vokey SM8 58* TaylorMade Spider Tour Black Pro V1 Link to post Share on other sites
RickyBobby_PR 5,792 Posted April 5, 2020 Share Posted April 5, 2020 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. 1 Quote Driver: PXG 0811 X+ Proto w/UST Helium 5F4 Wood: TaylorMade M5 5W w/Accra TZ5 +1/2”, TaylorMade Sim 3W w/Aldila rogue white Hybrid: PXG Gen2 22* w/AD hybrid Irons: PXG Gen3 0311T w/Nippon modus 120 Wedges: TaylorMade MG2 50*, Tiger grind 56/60 Putter: Scotty Caemeron Super Rat1 Ball: Titleist Prov1 Link to post Share on other sites
Camille Bissarro 89 Posted April 5, 2020 Share Posted April 5, 2020 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. 2 Quote Callaway Epic Speed + Mitsubishi MMT TaylorMade SIM Titanium + Mitsubishi Tensei AV Raw Blue Titleist U510 20* + Paderson Kinetixx Ballistic Mizuno 919 Forged + Paderson Kinetixx TS-I Cleveland CBX2 54*, Vokey SM8 58* TaylorMade Spider Tour Black Pro V1 Link to post Share on other sites
braincramp 231 Posted April 5, 2020 Share Posted April 5, 2020 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! 4 Quote Ping G410, 10.5 5.5 Evenflow , Titleist 917 3 wood/ Titleist 818 H2 hybrid 19/Wilson V6 3-GW/ Ping Glide 58ES/ Bettinardi Queen B Link to post Share on other sites
silver & black 5,740 Posted April 5, 2020 Share Posted April 5, 2020 I'm thinking of cutting the shaft down in my TS3. It's 45.5"... about 1" longer than I have been used to playing for the last 6 years. Before I do that, I'm going to put my other shaft in and see if it helps. This driver is a go left machine for me right now. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
zrumble 550 Posted April 5, 2020 Share Posted April 5, 2020 I wonder if choking down on the grip working for some and not others is due to the feel of the grip? On a tapered grip if you have shorter fingers, like myself, some of that control might come from allowing a more natural grip? Compare that to when you butt trim a shaft and are now holding onto the grip where it’s the thickest diameter? Just a thought. 1 Quote Stats: 5'4", Male, R-Handed, Moderate Tempo, Driver SS 115mph Driver: Taylormade SiM Max 9*, TM Ventus Blue 6X 3w/5w: Callaway X-Hot, S-flex Fubuki shafts 3h: Tour Edge EXS Pro, Smoke Black 80g 6.0 4i-PW: Mizuno MP-4, DG S300 Wedges: Titleist SM7 56* Wedge: Callaway Jaws w/ 12* of bounce Link to post Share on other sites
RickyBobby_PR 5,792 Posted April 5, 2020 Share Posted April 5, 2020 7 minutes ago, zrumble said: I wonder if choking down on the grip working for some and not others is due to the feel of the grip? On a tapered grip if you have shorter fingers, like myself, some of that control might come from allowing a more natural grip? Compare that to when you butt trim a shaft and are now holding onto the grip where it’s the thickest diameter? Just a thought. Depending how far down one grips the change in diameter does change and bother people. The mcc +4 is a great option to overcome that or using more wraps under the right hand 1 Quote Driver: PXG 0811 X+ Proto w/UST Helium 5F4 Wood: TaylorMade M5 5W w/Accra TZ5 +1/2”, TaylorMade Sim 3W w/Aldila rogue white Hybrid: PXG Gen2 22* w/AD hybrid Irons: PXG Gen3 0311T w/Nippon modus 120 Wedges: TaylorMade MG2 50*, Tiger grind 56/60 Putter: Scotty Caemeron Super Rat1 Ball: Titleist Prov1 Link to post Share on other sites
chisag 12,105 Posted April 5, 2020 Share Posted April 5, 2020 On 2/25/2020 at 8:47 AM, Smellis745 said: 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. ... While it is true that every golfer is different and some do better with a shorter length and some do better with a longer length, it isn't an equal equation. There really is no stock answer but that said: 1. Even those that hit it farther with a longer shaft, the majority are not longer than 45-45.5". It is a very rare player that hits a stock 45.75-46" driver long and straight. There is a reason (other than loft) that the average golfer hits the center of their pw more often than their 5 iron. Shorter is easier to control. Add to that, quite a few golfers actually swing a shorter shaft faster, because it is not as unwieldy and/or they just have more confidence with a shorter length. On the flip side, some women or senior golfers with slow and smooth swing speeds can handle a longer length driver and might find additional yards with a longer shaft. And of course there are players like you that have no problem with longer length drivers and can reap the benefits of a longer shaft. 2. But the majority will do much better with a shorter shaft. How short is the big question and as you said, every swing is different so it's important to find out. There will be a point of diminishing returns or we would all be playing 42" drivers. 43-45" is a great experimental length. As others have already stated missing the center is punitive, even by as little as 1/2" has a huge effect on distance and off by 1" on the toe, a reasonable miss for the average golfer, can lose you 20-28 yds. 6 Quote Driver: TaylorMade SIM2 Max ... Diamana Limited 60R Fairway: Cobra SZ 14.5* ... Atmos Blue TS 7S Utility: Callaway Super Hybrid 17* ... Diamana Limited 65R TaylorMade DHy 19* ... Diamana Limited 65R Irons: 4-Pw Cobra King Tour MIM ... Nippon 950gh r-flex Wedges: Cobra Snakebite 50* ... Nippon 950gh r-flex Mizuno T20 58* ... Nippon 950gh r-flex Putter: Cleveland Hunting Beach Soft 11S 33.5" Ball: TaylorMade TP5x (2021) Link to post Share on other sites
RetiredBoomer 98 Posted April 6, 2020 Share Posted April 6, 2020 On 4/5/2020 at 8:52 AM, RickyBobby_PR said: Including 99.9% of all professionals. Very few play less than 460cc. Probably true, but I don't follow golf as sports entertainment. It's just my recreation, so I play what I enjoy playing. I'm looking into a hickory-shafted persimmon brassie--spoon--cleek set from Louisville Golf. Expensive, but they'd probably be my last set of woods. I do go back to when woods were sold in sets, by the way. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RollingGreens 881 Posted April 6, 2020 Share Posted April 6, 2020 On 4/5/2020 at 10:24 AM, silver & black said: I'm thinking of cutting the shaft down in my TS3. It's 45.5"... about 1" longer than I have been used to playing for the last 6 years. Before I do that, I'm going to put my other shaft in and see if it helps. This driver is a go left machine for me right now. I am in the same boat at 5’6” I’m choking up a good 1.5inches. Always going right though off the tee. Let me know how it works out if you do change the shaft or cut it down. Always worried how the weight will feel 1 Quote TS3 9.5 Hzrdus Smoke Black 6.0 TS3 15.5 3W Fuji Speeder Tour Spec 818 H1 19deg Hybrid Fuji Atmos White or King Cobra UT 18.5 with KBS C Taper JPX 921 Hot Metal 4-GW Nippon Modus 120s SM7 54 and 58deg Dynamic Gold Wedge Flex stiff Double Wide Stroke Lab 2019 with Super Stroke Tour 3.0 MTB-X Golf Ball or Vice Pro Plus Hoofer Stand Bag V8 3 Wheel Push Cart Leupod Gx2i3 Rangefinder Link to post Share on other sites
B.Boston 10,321 Posted April 21, 2020 Share Posted April 21, 2020 Yup! played my G30 at 44.5 and currently the m5 is at 45. The G30 we swapped the weight in the head to add 2 grams. I'll evaluate the M5 at 45 inches once the driving ranges open up, but don't think it should be a problem since I was fit this time at 45 inches. I may play around with headweight a little too, but the shaft I'm using now is less counterbalanced that before, and it already feels pretty good. I'll also note that I don't feel like I've given up anything distance wise. my strikes are much better and have a more consistent flight than I did before the switch. YMMV but if you like chocking up a bit you'll probably like it at that playing length too. Let us know what you end up doing! 1 Quote #COBRACONNECT CHALLENGE 4 ALUMNUS Speedzone Driver 10.5 - Ventus Blue 6x | Speedzone 5-wood - Ventus Blue 8s | Speedzone 4-Hybrid - KBS Proto 85s KING Forged Tec 5-GW - Nippon Modus 120x | KING MIM Black 52.12C, 56.10V, 60.04W - Nippon Modus 125 Wedge ER2B | MTB-X | NX9 HD Slope #cuetheduckboats Link to post Share on other sites
Quigleyd 674 Posted April 21, 2020 Share Posted April 21, 2020 I like my driver at 45.25. But I naturally grip down a smidge so I am probably playing it at 45 or less in actuality. I just feel more comfortable gripping down. If I played it at 45 I would still grip down and potentially get too short. 1 Quote Driver: SIM 9 Motore X F1 7X tipped 1 inch Utility Iron: Cobra King Utility irons 18 degree Aldila rogue 90 X Irons: Cobra King forged CB 4-PW KBS $ Taper 130 X Wedges: Cleveland 49,52.58.64 Putter: Kronos Release. Link to post Share on other sites
Welshy 4 Posted April 22, 2020 Share Posted April 22, 2020 Hi everyone, Having been a professional for around 10 years and someone who has built clubs for around 20 years driver length is something that has interested me for years. Always trying to find that extra 5 or 10 meters has been of interest to me. Recently I have reshafted my Callaway epic flash sub zero with a Fujikura Ventus 7x at 44.5. This has seems to be the length I find I don't loose heaps of yards but pick up a tremendous amount of accuracy. Before the reshaft it was playing at 45.75 which was great for length but not so much accuracy. The shorter length has increased the fairways I've hit by around 20% with only loosing 5 meters. In my opinion getting the length right is really important in scheme of things for you driver. Happy golfing Cheers 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
chisag 12,105 Posted April 22, 2020 Share Posted April 22, 2020 7 hours ago, Welshy said: Recently I have reshafted my Callaway epic flash sub zero with a Fujikura Ventus 7x at 44.5. This has seems to be the length I find I don't loose heaps of yards but pick up a tremendous amount of accuracy. Before the reshaft it was playing at 45.75 which was great for length but not so much accuracy. The shorter length has increased the fairways I've hit by around 20% with only loosing 5 meters. In my opinion getting the length right is really important in scheme of things for you driver. ... Are you losing 5 yards on your longest drives that stay in the fairway or are you averaging 5 more yards? I find my longest drives come from a 45" or longer shaft, but that length also produces my shortest drives due to missing the center and like you, also less accurate. While I have never tried to put a number on it, there is no doubt I average longer drives with a 44.5" driver. 1 Quote Driver: TaylorMade SIM2 Max ... Diamana Limited 60R Fairway: Cobra SZ 14.5* ... Atmos Blue TS 7S Utility: Callaway Super Hybrid 17* ... Diamana Limited 65R TaylorMade DHy 19* ... Diamana Limited 65R Irons: 4-Pw Cobra King Tour MIM ... Nippon 950gh r-flex Wedges: Cobra Snakebite 50* ... Nippon 950gh r-flex Mizuno T20 58* ... Nippon 950gh r-flex Putter: Cleveland Hunting Beach Soft 11S 33.5" Ball: TaylorMade TP5x (2021) Link to post Share on other sites
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