Driver shaft length thoughts???

[stratgolf]

Longer isn't always better.....

[BobBC78]

Earlier this year, I had Golfworks make me a Kuro Kage HBP senior flex shaft with the correct adapter for my G400 Max which made the club 44.5" long. I kept using the stock shaft (Alta CB SR) at standard length (45.5") during the season however after recently taking a hard look at my dispersion (which had worsened during the year) I decided to seriously evaluate the shorter driver with the KK. At my first range session last week my dispersion appeared to be significantly improved and smash factor more consistently in the mid 1.4s+. I expect to try in on course shortly and will do Trackman work in the off season here, but initial results look really promising that I will hit more fairways without losing much distance. 

 

[Swood1994]

After coming off of the Mizuno long game test where the ST-X driver came standard at 45” and my Paradym was gamed at standard 45.75” I saw little benefit to going 3/4” shorter. However… I would be curious to see if going below 45” on the driver would help at all especially because I tend to play my 3 Wood at 16.5 for higher launch which widens the gap between driver and 3W.

[bx4026]

I haven’t had any confidence hitting a driver but recently bought a shaft which is 1” shorter. Should have done this awhile ago. Hitting my driver straighter. 

[Shrek74]

On 8/8/2023 at 11:17 AM, KC Golf said:

I really need to look at this. I also got fit and told stock was fine. I am just getting more heel strikes this year and it’s hurting my distance and FIR stats big time. Need to think about another fitting for shaft length. 

I built my current driver based on high spin rates and shorter distances for a swing speed 100-105. The Rogue ST Max LS seemed a great compromise of forgiveness, lower spin, and faster ball speeds. Sadly, the driver is at 46" and I seem to be having the same issues you are - heel strikes. I'm still in the fairway more than not, but spin is still way high and distance is way down still. I am looking for a full bag fitting next Spring, so I won't be cutting this one down now that the season is basically over but length is something I'll definitely be keeping a strong eye on come Spring's fittings.

[mattjamd]

I got fitted for a Titleist driver and because of my tendency to create a lot of spin we shortened my shaft by 1inch and went for a heavier shaft weight. Hitting it lower, straighter and further as a result. 

[Josh Parker]

On 8/8/2023 at 12:35 PM, RickyBobby_PR said:

I’ll save you some money and possibly time. You would need to go to a club champion, TruSpec, type place to do a true shaft lefty fitting as most retail shops and fitters only carry stock length and maybe a few shorter ones

 

https://forums.golfwrx.com/topic/960350-diy-driver-tune-up-diy-fitting/

This was a great write-up!

[Shrek74]

1 hour ago, jdparker said:

This was a great write-up!

I need to find like an hour just to absorb all of this post. That's a lot of info and detail, but it's pretty damn awesome

[BParshall]

I play a Ping G20 driver 10.5* with a 50 gram A-flex shaft. It plays at 451/2 inches. I hit it well but would like to get a little better control. My thought before cutting anything down is to grip down in 1/2 inch increments. My plan is to use different color 1/2 tapes to mark the end of the grip and see what gives me the best results.

[buckpillar]

On 7/31/2023 at 8:35 AM, MIgregb said:

As a club builder, you can cut the shaft to the appropriate length from a raw shaft and glue the proper adapter in place. But is it reasonable to cut down a shaft that it already tipped and fitted with a shaft adapter? I guess I'm asking where you make the cut; the butt section so only a new grip is needed, or the tip end where a new adapter needs to be installed? I have a spare Motore X F3 65R shaft that I'd like to experiment with, but I don't want to hose it by doing something stupid  Thanks!

Cut the butt, if you cut the tip it may change the flex

[buckpillar]

On 7/31/2023 at 12:08 PM, cnosil said:

That is largely based on how you respond to the club.  I cut my g400 max down and it worked fine for me without any adjustments but I don’t notice swingweight changes.   You can always add lead tape or change the weights to be heavier if needed.   Figuring it out is trial and error; there is no “standard” that should be followed.  

You can add a counter balance weight to the butt end which will make the club fill heavier but will lighten the swing weight overall, that being said I added a 30gram counter balance to my driver and I actually gained a couple mph clubhead speed.

you can get them here for through the grip or under the grip.

https://www.tourlockgolf.com/

[cnosil]

51 minutes ago, buckpillar said:

You can add a counter balance weight to the butt end which will make the club fill heavier but will lighten the swing weight overall, that being said I added a 30gram counter balance to my driver and I actually gained a couple mph clubhead speed.

you can get them here for through the grip or under the grip.

https://www.tourlockgolf.com/

Yes,  you can counterbalance clubs.  Why do I want to do this?  There is no guarantee that I will swing faster; some swing slower with counterbalance.  

The point I was making is that people always say you need to adjust the swing weight of clubs when the shaft is extended or cut down.  This isn't always true nor is there a standard amount of weight to add or remove.   

[RickyBobby_PR]

1 hour ago, cnosil said:

Yes,  you can counterbalance clubs.  Why do I want to do this?  There is no guarantee that I will swing faster; some swing slower with counterbalance.  

The point I was making is that people always say you need to adjust the swing weight of clubs when the shaft is extended or cut down.  This isn't always true nor is there a standard amount of weight to add or remove.   

Exactly. Some are more sensitive to weight changes than others and some may need to add some weight back, some don’t need to add any at all, and some will need to ad more than what was removed

[GolferXY]

A bit sideways here, but I've always wondered if having a knob at the end of the grip similar to a baseball bat would have any benefit, like Wouldn't have to grip as hard. Any thoughts? Maybe I should post in a dedicated thread.

[KC Golf]

1 hour ago, GolferXY said:

A bit sideways here, but I've always wondered if having a knob at the end of the grip similar to a baseball bat would have any benefit, like Wouldn't have to grip as hard. Any thoughts? Maybe I should post in a dedicated thread.

I’m not sure that works.  It could work for a putter which is basically type of pistol grip.

[cnosil]

2 hours ago, GolferXY said:

A bit sideways here, but I've always wondered if having a knob at the end of the grip similar to a baseball bat would have any benefit, like Wouldn't have to grip as hard. Any thoughts? Maybe I should post in a dedicated thread.

If might have benefit, but it is against the equipment rules. 

3. The Grip

a. Definition

The grip consists of material added to the shaft to enable the player to obtain a firm hold. The grip must be fixed to the shaft, must be straight and plain in form, must extend to the end of the shaft and must not be moulded for any part of the hands. If no material is added, that portion of the shaft designed to be held by the player must be considered the grip.

b. Cross-section (See Fig. 19)

(i) For clubs other than putters the grip must be circular in cross-section, except that a continuous, straight, slightly raised rib may be incorporated along the full length of the grip, and a slightly indented spiral is permitted on a wrapped grip or a replica of one.

(ii) A putter grip may have a noncircular cross-section, provided the cross-section has no concavity, is symmetrical and remains generally similar throughout the length of the grip. (See Section 3b(ii) explanation in the interpretations).

(iii) The grip may be tapered but must not have any bulge or waist. Its cross‑sectional dimensions measured in any direction must not exceed 1.75 inches (44.45 mm).

(iv) For clubs other than putters the axis of the grip must coincide with the axis of the shaft.

https://www.usga.org/equipment-standards/equipment-rules-2019/equipment-rules/equipment-rules.html#!ruletype=er&section=rule&partnum=2&rulenum=4

 

[GolferXY]

Thanks!