Driver Length

[TShaffer 10]

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 10]

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 53]

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 35]

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 307]

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 13]

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 15 hours ago by braveheart

[Camille Bissarro 8]

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 3,392]

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 8]

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 40]

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!

[silver & black 4,161]

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.