Shorter Driver Length

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Lifter

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Does anyone have any thoughts on this? How hard would it be for clubfitters to add weight to any of the new TaylorMade / Titleist driver heads out there?

Ask Tom Wishon - Part III Clubfitting Q&A Series | Golf Gear Select

Since 2005, the average driver length on the PGA Tour has been 44.5”. Not the 45.5” to 46.5” being sold to millions of golfers. On Tour you have a collection of golfers who you would think could very well control a longer length driver because of their incredible swing skills. But the reason the average driver length on Tour has been 1” to 2” shorter than what is sold off the rack is because as good as these guys are, they know even they cannot control a longer length as well as one that is a little shorter. Now think about how this applies to all the regular golfers out there.

If a golfer has a smooth tempo, inside out path, later release, and good control over their swing, then fine, go with the longer length to try to maximize distance. But if the golfer has any of the following – faster, more aggressive tempo, early to midway release, outside in path, and average to below average golf athletic ability, the best driver length will be in the area between 43.5 and 44.5 for men, 42 to 43 for women.

As to cutting down your driver, very definitely when you do this you MUST add weight to the head to restore the swingweight balance and headweight feel. Not doing that ensures a very high percentage of off center hits because you won’t be able to feel the presence of the head’s weight during the swing.

~ Tom Wishon​
 
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Lifter

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Hmm. Noticed this from Haney. Seems very questionable.

HankDHaney Hank Haney
Manufacturers design clubs so that they perform the best as they are made, don't going cutting inches off your drivers u ruin the club​
 
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softconsult

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Lifter, you are a perfect example of why the manufacturers can sell the longer is longer marketing ploy. But you are now challenging the idea and doing some research. Good for you. The average Joe golfer is clueless about the concepts involved in club design.

One of the guys I played with on Monday showed up with a stiff shafted 9.5 degree Taylormade Driver that he had traded for last week. After several holes it was clear that this club was too stiff for him. We were riding together, and he was frustrated. I told him he had the wrong shaft and probably the wrong loft. I asked hiim if he knew his driver swing speed. Nope (I would guess 90 mph max). His old driver was regular flex and 10.5. He hit it much higher and farther. Maybe he still has it. He needs to go get fitted, but I doubt that's going to happen.

So can you go to a fitting and try out 44.5 Drivers? Unlikely, unless you are dealing with a custom club maker. The manufacturers fitting carts don't have various lengths, because that would exponentially increase the number of shafts and alter the swingweights because the head weights are designed for the stock lengths.

I would be interested to know whether the high end fitters like Hot Stix and Cool Clubs can fit into shorter Driver lengths. I have a business trip later this summer that overnights in Dallas where Cool Clubs has a location. Might give them a try.
 
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dcg1952

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Two years ago a local clubfitter, who sells mostly Wishon clubs, was talking to me about most players using drivers that are way too long for them. He measured my Adams driver at 45 3/4 inches! So I had him build me a driver at 43 3/4 inches which is what he measured for me---5' 11"(don't remember my wrist to floor measurement but I know it was average). Also had me hit balls with different length clubs. The new club felt like a club for a midget! Struggled with it for a week or so and then it seemed great. Same if not better distance and the ball marks on the face were in the center and more tightly clustered than my longer driver. Shorter driver length means better and more consistent contact which leads to better and more consistent distance. D J Trahan is 6' 3" and, according to his father, plays a 44 1/2 inch driver and he wants him to cut it down to 44".
 
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sharkey35

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I did a driver fitting two years ago with a reputable fitter on Trackman. If I hadn't brought up the subject of a "shorter" length, I doubt he would have. Got the Titleist 909 and they swingweighted it according to the lenth. Last week I was getting fit (different place, but on Trackman) for a 3/4 wood. The fitting went well and I started hitting some drivers for fun. Ball speed on the new drivers was higher, BUT, the length was probably at least an inch longer. As I continued to hit, it became apparent to me that the contact was not as consistent with the new drivers, but the fitter kept talking ball speed. As a once or twice a week player, I think I'm sticking with the shorter length. I think the Tman newsletter even states the fastest way to increase driver distance is with center hits. Play it shorter if it works for you, they can weight it anyway you want.

(BTW, wound up with a stock Cally Razr Hawk 3 wood, silly easy to hit and great ball flight for me. Stock stiff shaft. Seriously worth a look if you are in the market. First Cally wood I ever really got along with. So good, I may have to go back and hit the driver once the season starts and I have some rounds in on the course.)
 
Jwat

Jwat

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softconsult said:
Lifter, you are a perfect example of why the manufacturers can sell the longer is longer marketing ploy. But you are now challenging the idea and doing some research. Good for you. The average Joe golfer is clueless about the concepts involved in club design.

One of the guys I played with on Monday showed up with a stiff shafted 9.5 degree Taylormade Driver that he had traded for last week. After several holes it was clear that this club was too stiff for him. We were riding together, and he was frustrated. I told him he had the wrong shaft and probably the wrong loft. I asked hiim if he knew his driver swing speed. Nope (I would guess 90 mph max). His old driver was regular flex and 10.5. He hit it much higher and farther. Maybe he still has it. He needs to go get fitted, but I doubt that's going to happen.

So can you go to a fitting and try out 44.5 Drivers? Unlikely, unless you are dealing with a custom club maker. The manufacturers fitting carts don't have various lengths, because that would exponentially increase the number of shafts and alter the swingweights because the head weights are designed for the stock lengths.

I would be interested to know whether the high end fitters like Hot Stix and Cool Clubs can fit into shorter Driver lengths. I have a business trip later this summer that overnights in Dallas where Cool Clubs has a location. Might give them a try.
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Hey Soft,

Been to the cool clubs in Dallas. Great facility and fitter. He will take the trackman outdoors to fit you as well. Since it is located at the Hank Haney center, fight the urge of getting a lesson from Haney. Before you know it, you will be rolling your forearms and hands open :)

Jerad
 
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