Shaft Length

[Alf. S 681]

I've always used 44.5" or longer driver,my recent gamer is an Epic 10.5' with a Fujikura Pro 62 Stiff shaft. I was fitted for a Maverik and the fitter convinced me that I should go for the Maverik Max head with a 43.5" HZRDUS Snoke 60. HIs main selling point was that I won't lose much distance and should get better dispersion. I've now played with it for 6 weeks and on the course I felt I was losing distance (even though it is winter conditions).

I took both drivers down to the range and using my Mevo, measured the Maverik at 7mph slower head speed and about 20 yds shorter. I'm now using the Maverik Max head on the Fujikura shaft and seem to be getting a lot better results. 

I would be interested on anyone else's experience with shorter shafts!

I'm turning 60 and can't really afforded to give up 20 yds in a season!

[bellairemi 114]

As was confirmed in my fitting last week, I have a faster swingspeed at 44" than I do at anything longer.  It's odd given that I am 6'3" and play my irons at longer than standard length.  I would think this to be such an individual fitting aspect though that my experience would not be germane to yours.  It appears you have solid evidence that a shorter shaft did not work for you.

The only question I would have is whether the Maverik had weight added back to the head and how overall weight affects you.  I knew shorter was better for me but adding weight only to the head did not work.  I needed a heavier shaft (70+ grams) and already use a slightly heavier grip due to it being midsize.  Total weight and how it was distributed was key for me.  My swingspeed hovers right around 100 so not superhuman :).

 

 

[cnosil 16,820]

I cut down the shaft in my G400, went to a lighter shaft, an No weight added.

I am seeing faster clubhead speed, better contact location, better dispersion, and more distance.

The question I would ask is that while your clubhead speed is down how does ball speed compare?

[tony@CIC 18,597]

I as well have a cut down shaft - but only 1/2" (fitter's recommendation) and I'm getting longer distance with the same driver than I did the previous season. However, I can't attribute the longer distance that I getting to the shortened shaft or swingspeed protocols. I can tell you I'm getting better contact (center) on the face of the club and tighter dispersion. Have you looked at face contact using impact tape or foot spray? It's my understanding that for every 1/4" off center = 7 yds. 

[NRJyzr 575]

Similar to @bellairemi, my swingspeed is at its maximum well short of the modern 45"+ driver lengths; discovered the "sweet spot" in a clubmaker fitting a few years back.  I've spent most of the last few years playing driver at 43.5", sometimes 43.25" or even 43".  I get much better results overall at these lengths.

I spent a month this year trying clubs at 44" or even longer, and it wasn't pretty.  Certainly no additional length, and the rest of my tee game was devolved.

Meddling PSA coming.... 

It's important to note...  this is how it works for ME.  It's the result of experimentation and fitting.  What works for me may not be right for you.  A good fitting, from a good fitter, will give you the correct answer for your game.

Try to keep an open mind, you can't assume you need 60-something gram shafts, or a certain flex, because of your age or swingspeed.  Your swing governs what you need.  You could find yourself surprised.

I didn't expect that my best would come from a 100g shaft at 43", certainly, and I was predisposed towards heavier wood shafts already.

(If it matters, I'm 57 yrs old)

Edited November 13, 2020 by NRJyzr
because my grammar and editing are not always good, LOL

[Kansas King 270]

7 MPH and 20 yards less sounds more like a fitting or building error than consequences from a purely 1" shorter shaft. If the weight and shaft profile are off, it could certainly impact your ability to swing fast. I do believe there could be many strokes to be saved by the golfing community if we all used shorter driver shafts but it can be a little challenging to fit because it is so different from how the clubs are designed by OEMs. 

[braincramp 231]

I actually gained 10-15 yards going to a 43.25" driver from a 45.75". Better yet, if I miss a fairway it isn't by much.

[revkev 22,919]

Everybody is different - Just look at the variety of shaft lengths on tour and then between guys on tour and gals on the LPGA - you will find from 43 - 48.  I'm surprised he wouldn't have had you try the head with a shaft that was 43.5.  It's one thing to say that dispersion should be better when you're not the one laying out $500.  

I know from fittings that best shaft length for me will vary based upon shaft weight, COG of driver, etc.  I've been fit for shafts anywhere between 44.5 to 45 7/8's over the course of the past six years - only one of those was a misfit but it wasn't because of the length.

 

Twenty yards lost seems like a lot for an inch though - there might be something else wrong.

 

[jaskanski 1,276]

Sounds like a bad fitting to me.

The Hzardus Smoke is a stiffer overall shaft anyway, but if the swing weight isn't restored to the head in cutting down an inch, the cpm goes up and makes it even stiffer - no wonder you're losing distance.

It's important to evaluate the whole club build as a whole in fitting and even though the shaft length is very important, the flex at a given swing weight and combined shaft profile is critical in getting the correct launch parameters with the available loft. The Hzardus is generally a low spin and launch shaft, so even at the same length as the Fujikura it would probably cost you yards if it isn't a decent match to your swing. 

The next time anyone tries to sell you a concept - tell them to prove it! Only when you can see the performance gain is it time to part with your money.

[NRJyzr 575]

1 hour ago, jaskanski said:

Sounds like a bad fitting to me.

The Hzardus Smoke is a stiffer overall shaft anyway, but if the swing weight isn't restored to the head in cutting down an inch, the cpm goes up and makes it even stiffer - no wonder you're losing distance.

It's important to evaluate the whole club build as a whole in fitting and even though the shaft length is very important, the flex at a given swing weight and combined shaft profile is critical in getting the correct launch parameters with the available loft. The Hzardus is generally a low spin and launch shaft, so even at the same length as the Fujikura it would probably cost you yards if it isn't a decent match to your swing. 

The next time anyone tries to sell you a concept - tell them to prove it! Only when you can see the performance gain is it time to part with your money.

The cpm's go up, but that doesn't necessarily mean it's stiffer.  Each flex follows a slope, as length decreases, frequency must increase to stay on the same flex.  

In the Rifle shaft inspired 2.875" (or so) clamp length, this was 4.3 cpm/half inch.  In the 5" clamp world, it's roughly 5cpm per half inch.

[mwr57 37]

Has a fitting and it recommended to have a 1/2 inch taken off my M4.  Can say was hitting it straighter, length is about the same as before.

[MadMex 354]

You guys got me thinking ( very dangerous thing!!!)

 

I tried my wife's Cobra F-8 with the the stock Aldila NV 2KXV Blue, I was carrying the restricted driving range balls  about 15-20 yards shorter than with my driver, but they were all med-high (which I loved) and baby draws and fades when I did not hit them dead straight.

So I bought the same driver, same shaft BUT with a regular shaft at 45.5 inches, not near the same results, was hitting the same balls 15-20 yards LONGER BUT fades and slices were the most common flight.

So is it the flex or length of the shaft? 

[LeafBoy 0]

On 11/13/2020 at 6:43 AM, bellairemi said:

As was confirmed in my fitting last week, I have a faster swingspeed at 44" than I do at anything longer.  It's odd given that I am 6'3" and play my irons at longer than standard length.  I would think this to be such an individual fitting aspect though that my experience would not be germane to yours.  It appears you have solid evidence that a shorter shaft did not work for you.

The only question I would have is whether the Maverik had weight added back to the head and how overall weight affects you.  I knew shorter was better for me but adding weight only to the head did not work.  I needed a heavier shaft (70+ grams) and already use a slightly heavier grip due to it being midsize.  Total weight and how it was distributed was key for me.  My swingspeed hovers right around 100 so not superhuman :).

 

 

Curious if you know your release point?  Guessing about a mid release guy?  Also searching for answers and so far i have learned that i release the club 

too early to take advantage of a longer driver shaft.  Nice work getting the 44  up to 100 though!  Hit it flush.

[bellairemi 114]

3 hours ago, LeafBoy said:

Curious if you know your release point?  Guessing about a mid release guy?  Also searching for answers and so far i have learned that i release the club 

too early to take advantage of a longer driver shaft.  Nice work getting the 44  up to 100 though!  Hit it flush.

Yes, mid-release.  I grew up in the persimmon era and my driver was 42.5" for all my seminal golf years.  I suspect that has affected my golf DNA to some degree.