With a driver, the longer the club shaft, the further the distance. But while a longer distance may sound like a good thing, using a driver that’s too long has its drawbacks. On average, most golfers use a driver that’s forty-four inches in length, however, a club shaft up to forty-eight inches in allowed for competitions.
Full Answer
Should your golf club shaft be longer?
If the club shaft was longer, you’d hit the bottom hemisphere of the ball on your downward swing and send it flying through the air. That’s not what we want. Sometimes you decide not to use your putter if the ball is 30+ yards from the hole, but you’re still trying to sink it in this next shot.
How long is a golf iron shaft?
This should tell you the length of the shaft. Iron: The one iron club is a little over forty inches in length. Each iron falls half an inch with each size until you reach the nine iron which measures in at a little over thirty-six inches. Differences in irons can also occur due to shaft material.
How long should my golf clubs be?
Here you’ll find the standard recommended measurements for golf clubs based on height: Six feet, six inches and taller-add two inches to the standard length of the club Six feet, five inches-add one and a half inches to the standard length of the club Six feet, three inches to six feet, five inches-add one inch to the standard length of the club
What type of shafts are used in golf clubs?
Graphite is one of the most common shaft types used in golf clubs and can arguably be considered the main shaft material used, beating out steel. Graphite shafts weight between 50-85 grams.
How much longer are XL golf clubs?
With respect to drivers, XL again stands for “extra long,” and again refers to the distance the driver is supposed to achieve, rather than the club's length -- although the term may have a double meaning for a 48-inch driver, which is the longest allowed under the Rules of Golf.
How long should my golf shaft be for my height?
1. Measure Your Overall Height (i.e. “static” fitting)OVERALL HEIGHTGOLF CLUB LENGTH ADJUSTMENTS5'7″ to 6'1″standard length in inches6'1″ to 6'2″plus 1/4″6'2″ to 6'4″plus 1/2″6'4″ to 6'6″plus 1″7 more rows
What is the longest shaft allowed in golf?
48 inchesThe length of the driver shaft in modern products isn't anywhere near the maximum length of driver allowed by the USGA under their equipment rules and regulations. The maximum length a driver can be under equipment regulations is now 46 inches, down from 48 inches before 2022.
At what height should you lengthen golf clubs?
Using the ratio of every 6" of height there should be a 1" change in length then there should be a 1 ½" difference between their 5-irons. For example, recommend 36.5" for the lady and 38" for the man (or 36.75" / 38.25").
How long should golf clubs be for 6 2?
For example, for a golfer that stands 6'2” and has a wrist-to-floor of 39”, the recommendation for proper club length would be 1/2” longer than standard length.
What shaft length should I use?
Driver Shaft Length Based Solely on HeightHeight (feet/inches)Driver Shaft Length5'4″-5'7″45.5″5'2″-5'4″45″5'0″-5'2″44.5″4'10”-5'0″44″6 more rows•May 9, 2021
What is the maximum length of shaft?
The maximum shaft length allowed by the Rules of Golf for competition is 48 inches and common thinking suggests the longer the shaft, the more clubhead speed you can create. This is backed up by the fact two-time World Long Drive champion Joe Miller uses a 50in shaft.
How long is Dustin Johnson's driver shaft?
45.75 inchesSPECS TaylorMade SIM2, 10.5°, Fujikura Ventus Black proto 6X shaft, 45.75 inches.
How long is DeChambeau's driver?
46 inchesBryson DeChambeau can only use a 48-inch driver when he's competing in Long Drive Association events. Golf's governing bodies announced a new “model local rule” available Jan. 1 that would limit the maximum length of all clubs except the putter to 46 inches.
Can I get my golf clubs lengthened?
There are two ways to lengthen your shafts. You may add extenders to your existing shafts or you may replace your existing shafts with longer ones. The effects can be very different. Tom Wishon has written extensively about the effects of changing shafts in "The Golfsmith Practical Clubfitting Program" guide.
Should I add length to my irons?
Sometimes a golfer's height and arm length will negate each other and a standard length is the best option. As length is increased, so is the weight. Increasing the length also changes shaft flex. For every 1" added, the shaft becomes one flex softer; likewise, a shorter shaft plays stiffer.
How much does it cost to lengthen clubs?
How much does it cost to lengthen golf clubs? On average, it will cost $8-9 per club plus the cost of a new grip to lengthen your clubs. If you're looking to save your old grips, you'll avoid the cost of new grips, but you'll have to pay a save grip fee of around $10 per club.
How does a lengthened golf club work?
A longer distance can be achieved with a lengthened club if you have the ability to swing it with the same force and speed that you did with a shorter club . This increases the ball’s velocity upon impact, and you can hit it farther. Flex: The flex of the shaft will be altered. This happens for a few reasons.
What happens if you play too long in a golf club?
If the club is too long for you, then you’re spending extra time during ramp up which is the amount of time spent during your initial downswing. You want a balance between your abilities, ramp up, and momentum while cutting through the wind with as little resistance as possible.
Why are golf clubs made the way they are?
The reason clubs are made the way they are is to gather momentum as you swing down. If your club is too short, you’re going to build momentum while having resistance, meaning you will push too hard against the wind and not just swing naturally. There’s not enough weight to the club.
What happens if your woods aren't longer?
If your woods didn’t have the length that they do, and they were shorter, you’d be sending your ball almost straight up and they wouldn’t close much of a distance. It’s not always about the angling of the golf club head; sometimes it’s about the length and force to make it meet the ball.
Why do you have to swoop on your golf club?
Because the club is longer, you have to swoop on your downward swing, causing the force of your wood – if you’ve hit it correctly – to be applied to the bottom of the ball and send it upwards. A wood without enough length just doesn’t cut it. You’d be sending the ball higher but with almost no distance.
When shortening a golf club, do you have to remove the crown?
When you shorten a golf club, you have to remove the crown, and safely disconnect the shaft from the head.
Why did Lars start golfing?
Father of six and long-time golfer, Lars started golfing because of a summer job when he was nineteen, where he caddied for a Virginia state official. From that moment on, he fell in love with the sport, and made it a core staple in his life. Thirty-five years later, with thousands of games under his belt, he’s here to teach you the fundamentals and master techniques of golf, while recommending proper golfing gear and equipment for every step in your journey.
How to determine the length of a golf club?
To determine the approximate length of clubs that are right for your height, you need to know how tall you are and how far your wrists hang from the floor. As Golf Components explains, you can obtain your wrist-to-floor measurement by standing on a hard, level surface in regular shoes or golf shoes. Relax your shoulders and let your arms hang down.
What happens if your golf clubs are too short?
In fact, if your clubs are too short or too long, expect to spend lots of time in the rough, bunkers and water hazards, if not out-of-bounds. As club equipment guru Tom Wishon explains, the length, loft, lie of your clubs are critical factors in determining how far and high your shots will fly.
How long is a 5 iron?
Clubs other than drivers gradually get shorter -- if a 44-inch steel shaft driver is indicated by the chart, your 5-iron will measure 38 inches and sand wedge 35.5 inches. Graphite clubs are slightly longer, with a standard driver at 45 inches, 5-iron at 38.5 inches and a sand wedge 36 inches. Standard club lengths for women are one inch shorter ...
How tall is a golf club?
Manufacturers usually make clubs to account for golfers anywhere between 4’8” to 6’7” inches tall. The second measurement is wrist-to-floor distance. This is done by standing on a flat surface with your arms relaxed and pointing down. You then measure the distance between the ground and the line where your wrist meets your hand.
What factors affect the size of a golf club?
Here’s another factor that affects the appropriate golf club size. The angle and the grip size of the club are as important as the height and wrist-to-floor measurements . However, this means more to serious professional golfers than to someone just starting out.
Why do manufacturers make golf tables?
Manufacturers create such tables to help everyone from beginner golfers to pro golfers choose the right club size for their play. Here’s how your size affects the dimensions of your needed golf club size and why it matters. Last but not least, the grip size should also be determined for the club to fit perfectly in your hands.
What is the difference between men's and women's golf clubs?
The difference between men’s and women’s clubs is generally noticeable on the grip. Men’s golf clubs have larger grips and are also about 2.5 cm longer than women’s golf clubs. Kids’ clubs are even smaller than women’s for the most part. Knowing what type of golf club you need is the first step in determining the appropriate size.
What is plus and minus golf clubs?
The adjustments on a size chart are made with reference to the standard clubs. Therefore, the plus and minus values show how much shorter or longer your golf club should be compared to the standard, according to your measurements, ...
What is the second measurement of a grip?
The second measurement is the length of your middle finger from the tip to its base. When you have these two measurements, you can then find the appropriate grip size on a manufacturer’s size chart. Note that we only use the middle finger as an example as it applies to most people.
Can you play golf with an off size club?
Because there are plenty of variations, it’s unsurprising that a lot of people sometimes play with off-size clubs. Most pros recommend that even beginners should opt for a perfectly sized golf club in order to have the best learning experience.
How much does a golf shaft weigh?
If a golfer used a longer shaft and did nothing to remove weight, all potential benefits would disappear. He told me that most shafts weigh around 65 grams at 46 inches. But with a 47″ or 48″ shaft, he believed that going down to 50-55 grams was necessary.
How far from the tip of a 46 inch shaft should you balance?
If you were to balance a standard 46″ shaft on your finger, it would be about 24 inches from the tip. However, by adding more weight to the “butt” of the shaft, you can further shift the balance in that direction.
How many yards does a golfer have to drive to get a handicap?
Most golfers still average 220-230 yards with their drivers. As such, adding distance is even more important for “normal” golfers. If you gave an extra 10 or 20 yards to a 15 handicap, it would have more influence on their scores than a professional golfer. We need all the help we can get!
Does a longer shaft help with curvature?
Golfers who fight with a slice often see an improvement in their club path, and the longer shaft can help reduce excessive ball curvature. However, the opposite can be true for players who draw the ball. He’s seen golfers with in-to-out swing paths really struggle.
Do you need to adjust the loft of a driver?
You will need to adjust the loft of the driver properly. Most golfers need to reduce loft with a longer shaft. A longer shaft can help certain golfers deliver the clubhead more efficiently, and for others, it could make their current problems worse. No rule of thumb fits all!
How many inches to a standard length golf club?
Six feet, five inches-add one and a half inches to the standard length of the club. Six feet, three inches to six feet, five inches-add one inch to the standard length of the club. Six feet to six feet, three inches-add half an inch to the standard length of the club.
How to tell if a golf club is too long?
Below you’ll find common signs that indicate the clubs you’re using are too long: 1 You have to stand up almost completely straight. 2 You’re unable to move your lower body using proper swinging mechanics 3 The ball often flies off to the left and too high. 4 The club’s shaft feels very weak 5 You’re constantly hitting the ball with the toe of the golf club.
How long is a standard iron club?
Standard Club Sizes. Iron: The one iron club is a little over forty inches in length. Each iron falls half an inch with each size until you reach the nine iron which measures in at a little over thirty-six inches. Differences in irons can also occur due to shaft material.
How long is a golf driver?
On average, most golfers use a driver that’s forty-four inches in length, however, a club shaft up to forty-eight inches in allowed for competitions.
How tall should a golf iron be?
Height Recommendations for Irons. Here you’ll find the standard recommended measurements for golf clubs based on height: Six feet, six inches and taller-add two inches to the standard length of the club. Six feet, five inches-add one and a half inches to the standard length of the club.
How long is a three wood putter?
Putter: The standard length of a putter is thirty-four inches, however, the length of a putter is measured much differently than irons. It often depends on the putter’s construction.
Do beginners need to size their golf clubs?
These are questions many newbies have but don’t know the answer to. Beginners usually struggle with sizing their golf clubs correctly. Unfortunately, when it comes to clubs, size is very important. In fact, the right size of clubs can significantly improve your game, while the wrong size of clubs can negatively impact your performance, ...
How does lengthening a shaft affect swing?
Timing and Feel. In many ways, the biggest effect of lengthening a club shaft is how it affects your ability to swing the club. The combined changes in length and swing weight make the club feel different. In turn, these changes will affect your timing and even your mechanics, perhaps without you even realizing it.
What does swing weight mean?
Swing Weight. Swing weight isn't an actual weight so much as a comparison of the difference in weight between the club head and the butt end of the shaft. It's expressed as a letter-number combination, such as C9 or D2. Lengthening the shaft increases the swing weight, which makes the club head feel heavier. It may even make the club too heavy ...
Can you add extenders to your golf shaft?
You may add extenders to your existing shafts or you may replace your existing shafts with longer ones. The effects can be very different. Tom Wishon has written extensively about the effects of changing shafts in "The Golfsmith Practical Clubfitting Program" guide.
Does lengthening the shaft make the club head heavier?
Lengthening the shaft increases the swing weight, which makes the club head feel heavier. It may even make the club too heavy for you, which will slow down your swing speed and actually reduce your distance.
Does lengthening a golf club shaft affect accuracy?
Accuracy. As a general rule, lengthening any club's shaft will reduce your accuracy with that club. The longer the club, the more difficult it becomes to hit the ball solidly. This is especially true when the ball is on the ground rather than on a tee, since hitting the ball fat is more likely.
Is shaft length a factor?
Shaft length is certainly a factor in how far you hit a given club. However, some clubs benefit more than others. Installing longer shafts in wedges and short irons will almost always result in more distance, as most players have little trouble swinging the shorter clubs.
Do golf clubs have longer shafts?
Effects of Lengthening a Golf Club Shaft. Tall players like Bubba Watson have to use longer shafts in all of their clubs. Most players consider using longer shafts in their clubs at some time or another, believing that longer shafts equal more distance, although that isn't necessarily true. There are two ways to lengthen your shafts.
What to know about golf shafts?
In today’s guide we will review everything you need to know about golf shafts. Picking out the proper golf shaft is very important as it will impact several components of your golf swing. For example, picking the wrong golf shaft flex can cause you to hook or slice the golf ball. It also can hinder the total distance the ball flies by having too much spin or too low of launch. But don’t worry, at the end of reading today’s guide you’ll be much more educated on the buying process and how to pick out the right golf shaft. Lets Get Started!
How to determine golf shaft flex?
Start by using a launch monitor to analyze your golf swing speed. If your swing ranges between 85 mph and 95 mph then you should start with a regular flex. If your swing speed is faster than 95 mph, then you should try a stiff shaft.
What is the best shaft for golf?
Steel – A steel golf shaft is usually stronger and more durable (less likely to snap) than a graphite shaft. It’s also less expensive and sometimes stainless steel is used in the creation of the steel shaft. There is also two variations, stepped steel and rifle steel.
Why does my golf shaft have a slice?
When the golf shaft is too stiff, it doesn’t unload properly at impact. This can lead to the face staying open and result in a slice golf shot. Beware, a slice isn’t always an indication the shaft is too stiff so if you already have a slice, it could be caused by another fault in your golf swing.
What shafts do golfers use?
For most golfers, a graphite shaft works great. Most iron sets are made with graphite shafts as well so you get that material type by default usually unless you specifically seek out steel shafted irons. With steel shafts, you may find that golf shots are easier to control.
Why do golf clubs have shafts?
During the golf swing the shaft causes deflection (bend) that causes the clubhead to be in a forward and toe downward position relative to the grip of the club.
What is the most common shaft material used in golf clubs?
Graphite Shafts. Graphite – this type of shaft is usually lighter weight compared to a steel shaft but it’s less durable and more expensive to make. Graphite is one of the most common shaft types used in golf clubs and can arguably be considered the main shaft material used, beating out steel.
Charting The Right Height
The Tall and Short of It
- A standard golf industry chart, such as the one found at The Club Shack, applies your wrist-to-floor measurement to your height to generally determine the length of the clubs that fit you best. For example, if you are 6-feet tall and your wrist-to-floor measurement is 35 inches, a standard length driver -- 44 inches for a steel shaft driver and 45 inches for a graphite shaft driver -- woul…
Drivers and Other Clubs
- Clubs other than drivers gradually get shorter -- if a 44-inch steel shaft driver is indicated by the chart, your 5-iron will measure 38 inches and sand wedge 35.5 inches. Graphite clubs are slightly longer, with a standard driver at 45 inches, 5-iron at 38.5 inches and a sand wedge 36 inches. Standard club lengths for women are one inch shorter th...
Roughly The Right Height
- The height and wrist measurement charts used to determine club length are a crude instrument that doesn't take into account your posture, swing speed or a number of other factors. The best way to get precisely the right length clubs for your particular height requires a professional club fitting. As Paul John Newport explains in "The Wall Street Journal," club fitting helps both high-h…