Golf-FAQ.com

what happens when your golf shaft is too long

by Akeem Hartmann Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago
image

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.

What Happens When Golf Clubs Are Too Long? For most golfers, having clubs that are too long will result in the most inconsistent shots. Clubs that are too long will make you stand too upright, which can cause both heel and toe shots as well as a tendency to pull the ball.

Full Answer

Can I lengthen my golf shafts?

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.

What happens if your club shaft is too flexible?

The opposite is equally a problem, if your club shaft is too flexible the trajectory will be higher also costing distance and a draw or hook shot may result. In this case, the club head is unloading too soon causing the club face to close slightly at impact. Determine what your natural swing shape is and what your priority need is.

How much does weight affect a golf shaft?

He further believes that for every 10 grams of weight added to the shaft the target line on your downswing improves by up to one degree.

Does lengthening your shafts affect your distance?

As you move toward the longer clubs in your bag, however, the increased length can actually result in less distance because lengthening your shafts alters other aspects of the club's performance.

image

How do you tell if your clubs are too long?

How to Tell if Your Golf Clubs are Too LongCompletely upright posture.Improper golf swing.Odd ball flight.Feels cumbersome and unmanageable.Shaft feels weak.Consistency hitting with the toe.The measurements are wrong.

How long should my driver shaft be for my height?

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

How long should my golf clubs be for my height?

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").

Is my driver shaft too long for me?

The longer your driver shaft, the more your swing faults will be exaggerated. Assuming you don't make any other adjustments, your driver shaft will also be stiffer, which will impart less spin on the ball. The result: less curving right and left. More distance.

Should I shorten my driver shaft?

Shortening the shaft will make the club shorter but it will also make the shaft stiffer and adjust the swing weight as well. Plus, the more length you remove, the less flex your club will have. Depending on how much you cut it down, it could move a regular flex to a stiff or a stiff to an extra stiff.

How much does it cost to shorten a driver shaft?

Generally, this fee will be about $15 to $35 depending on where and when you get the work done. Replacing a shaft on a driver is a bit more work than regripping a club.

How do I know if my golf clubs are the right size?

To choose golf clubs that are the right fit, all you need is your height. If you're between 5 ft 9” and 6 ft (1.5 m 23 cm and 1.8 m) tall, you should go with the standard length for golf clubs. If you're taller than 6 ft (1.8 m), you'll need longer clubs.

Does club length matter in golf?

Additionally, shorter length golf clubs can provide more control to the golfer, essentially making the golf club more forgiving. While longer clubs can help increase speed and launch angle, shorter clubs can be easier to hit solid due to the reduction in swing arc.

How long should golf shafts be?

Have a friend or the salesman measure the distance from your wrists to the floor. This is the length of the golf shaft you will need. The average male has a measurement of 43 inches. Depending on your arm length and height, this may vary but it should be around that number.

Why do I hit my 3 wood farther than my driver?

Players who hit their 3- or 5-wood as far or longer than their driver are typically using too little loft with the driver for their clubhead speed. You know, it's a funny thing with the driver and its loft compared to the other clubs in the bag.

Is 45.75 too long for a driver?

“Most manufacturers have lengthened their standard driver from 45 inches to 45.5 or 45.75, because a longer shaft typically results in more club speed and hopefully more ball speed and longer drives,” says Kevin Sprecher, a GOLF Top 100 Teacher based at Sleepy Hollow CC in Scarborough, N.Y.

Is a longer driver shaft better?

All things being equal, a longer driver shaft should generate more clubhead speed and offer more distance off the tee. As I've discussed before, adding distance is an important part of increasing your odds of lowering your score. That is the main reason any golfer would pursue a longer shaft.

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 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.

What happens if you bend forward too much at address?

If a golfer bends forward too much at address then the club’s shaft will fall below their waistline. If they stand too straight at address then the shaft of the club will hit above their waistline. Ideally, the best way to go about sizing for length is to find a length that maximizes accuracy and distance.

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 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 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.

Why do you need a shorter golf club?

It takes a shorter club for most people to create the desired spine and shaft angles, swing planes, and contact with the ball. As would be expected, the shorter club and improved planes create better accuracy with the golf shots.

Why are long shafts attached to melon sized clubheads?

Thank goodness the long shafts are attached to melon-sized clubheads with tons of forgiveness, because the swing planes that result from these long clubs make it nearly impossible for most golfers to hit the sweet spot.

Does a longer club increase distance?

A longer club technically should increase distance. A club that is properly fitted in terms of the length of the shaft will maximize accuracy and distance. What I am saying is that the clubs most golfers are playing with, and even fitted for, are too long to maximize either; even when we call them “standard” in length.

Is a golf club too long?

There is a good chance that your golf clubs are too long. Over the past twenty years, golf club manufacturers have been making clubs stronger (meaning they have less loft on the face), and longer so that they can sell hopeful golfers the newest “hot” weapon that will knock the ball unimaginable distances. But when golfers arrive at the driving ...

How many points does chopping the shaft change?

Also, chopping the shaft will alter the swing weight by 5 to 6 points - you'll need quite a lot of tape, especially for a set. Check the correct length first. Might save you from an ugly experience. According to a ping fitting at Golfworks, I should be playing my irons at standard length & maroon (4.5* upright).

How to make a pencil longer?

Make a fist around a pencil and stand up straight. With your shoulders level and your left arm extended, point the pencil at a yard stick. If the pencil in your fist points to anything taller than 33.5 inches, you are a good candidate for longer than standard.

5 Signs Your Golf Clubs are Too Long

Additionally, if you experience any of the following while playing, chances are your golf clubs are made too long for you:

6 Signs Your Golf Clubs are Too Short

On the other hand, below are the common red flags that your clubs are too short for you:

4 Steps to Measure Your Golf Clubs

To learn how to tell if your golf clubs are too long or too short, you first need to know how to measure its length. Below are four steps to help you properly measure a golf club. Start with the set of clubs you already own. That way, you won’t have to replace all of them (provided some of them have the right length for you).

Recommended Length Adjustments for Golf Clubs

Aside from the club’s length, your height will also come into play when learning how to tell if your golf clubs are too long or too short. Below is a table of the recommended adjustments for golf clubs based on height:

Other Things to Know About Golf Club Lengths

Lastly, you should know that other factors can affect your golf clubs’ lengths, including:

Golf Club Length Matters

Like it or not, the length of your clubs will affect how you play golf. Too long, and your swings will lose their accuracy. But too short, and the ball might not fly at long distances. By learning how to tell if your golf clubs are too long or too short, you can improve your stay on top of your game at the golf course.

What does higher ball speed mean?

Higher ball speed means more distance. That’s the equation. And that’s how they’ve been fooling us for years. In fact, testing shows an inch of extra shaft length equals roughly 10 yards in distance. So a driver with a 43-inch shaft vs. a driver with a 45.75-inch shaft – same golfer, same club head, same ball, same shaft type – could equal 20-25 ...

Does a shorter shaft help you find the sweet spot?

Write for us! In fact, a shorter shaft should help you find the sweet spot more often and may even add distance. Who thought the simplest of golf tips could make such a difference. If you can check your ego, you may find lower scores and more 19th hole payouts.

How to tell if your golf club shaft is too stiff?

There are a few telltale signs that might give you an indication that your club shafts are too stiff. If you have a good swing, but your distance is lacking it may be the shaft is too stiff. It may also be that you tend to either slice the ball or fade towards the rough on the right of the fairway, for the same reason.

What is the shaft of a golf club?

The golf shaft is known as the ENGINE of the golf club. On the downswing, as the hips rotate, the weight transfer takes place and the body uncoils, the shaft of the club bends. This bend is also known as flex, and as this flex straightens out, power is transferred from the shaft to the club head and through to the ball.

What to use to reduce fade off tee?

Mix and Match. There is nothing wrong with the idea of mix and match and is becoming more common. Using graphite shafts on your driver, woods and long irons will help reduce the fade off the tee, increase the distance and soften the feel if you are to slightly miss-hit.

What is stiffness in golf?

The stiffness or flex of the shaft is a much-neglected aspect of your golfing equipment as most golfers are more interested in the brand, or technical features, or looks of their clubs. What most golfers fail to appreciate is the effect that ‘swing speed’ has on selecting the correct amount of flex of the shaft.

How many irons do you need to hit 150 yards?

If you can hit 150 yards with a wedge, 9, or 8 iron you probably need stiff shafts. Using a 6 or 7 iron on 150 yards, go for a Regular flex, and 5 iron or more than Senior or Ladies shaft flex would be the way to go.

How fast can a pro swing?

Pros are top athletes and would have a swing speed of 110 mph on average, while amateurs would be swinging between 80 to 95 mph. There are various ways to determine your swing speed, from clip-on devices, iPhone Apps, range monitors, and at the pro shop.

Who is the founder of GolfSpan?

Golf Shafts – The Ultimate Guide – All You Need To Know To Choose The Right Shaft. Nick Lomas. Nick Lomas is the founder of GolfSpan, an avid golfer, not quite a pro but has over 15-years of experience playing and coaching golfers from all over the world.

What happens if your golf shaft is too soft?

Golfing Youtube legend, Rick Shiels suggests that when your shafts are too soft it kicks the clubhead up at impact and angles it left, for right-handers. That results in unwanted hooks. Furthermore, if a shaft is too soft it can cause faster-swinging players to sky tee shots, and prompt excessive spin. YouTube.

Why is my driver shaft so heavy?

If you are struggling to swing through the ball, and are pushing your shots, it is likely the driver shaft is too heavy for your swing. A heavy driver shaft will further reduce your clubhead speed, which will limit your ability to generate sufficient ball speed.

Why do golfers use lighter shafts?

It will cause the shaft to veer off its swing path, resulting in hooks and slices. Lighter shafts help slower swinging players increase their swing speed, and get the ball up in the air.

How to tell if driver shaft is too light?

What Are The Signs Your Driver Shaft Is Too Light? Golf Digest coach Liam Mucklow has found that when a shaft is too light “it causes an unhinging of the wrists, which impacts your swing path. ”. That leads to duck hooks and excessive draw.

Why is my golf shaft so light?

If you are constantly hooking your shots or achieving excessive draw, your shaft may be too light and flexible. If you can relate to this problem, I recommend getting fitted to find the right shaft for your swing. It is advisable to test shafts with stiffer flex than you are currently using.

How fast should a golf driver be?

They will analyze your swing and determine the best flex for your driver. However, as a rule of thumb, golfers with swing speeds above 100 mph should test a stiff shaft, while swing speeds above 110 mph are better suited to extra stiff shafts. Those of us with moderate swing speeds may consider a regular flex.

What happens if the shaft weight is not in sync with the driver head?

Furthermore, if the weight of your shaft is not in sync with that of your driver head, you may have a club that is too heavy or light. Therefore the shaft weight of a driver is important to consider, but cannot deliver the desired results on its own. This is the stance taken by Golf Digest’s Liam Mucklow, who says “it takes more than ...

image
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9