“Longer driver shafts can create more clubhead speed, resulting in additional ball speed and overall distance gains,” says Custom Lab Golf founder Gavin Hay. “That’s why manufacturers have continually increased their standard spec driver shaft lengths over the years. They want their drivers to outperform other brands on raw distance.”
Full Answer
What happens when you Lengthen Your Golf shafts?
The flex of the shaft changes if you lengthen or shorten the shaft. The swing-weight and balance will change effectively requiring the golfer to make adjustments to the swing. The lie-angle will change by forcing the golfer to stand closer or further from the ball at the address.
Do longer shafts make you hit farther?
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.
How to choose the right shafts for your golf clubs?
Shaft flex is another very important factor that will influence every shot played. A most common problem is that golfers believe they are stronger than they are and go for stiff shafts. Depending on your height, build and strength determine what shaft should be played. Swing speed is another factor in determining the choice of the shaft.
Do shorter golf clubs hit the ball longer?
We usually have to swing in the opposite of the direction we want the ball to travel. And in many cases, shorter sticks lead to longer shots. As Wishon said in his book, “It appears that, in the hands of real people…the shorter club might very well hit the ball not just with more accuracy, but farther as well.”
Why is my driver head bigger?
Is there a standard length for a golf driver?
Do you need a longer shaft for golf?
About this website
Why are driver shafts so long?
“Longer driver shafts can create more clubhead speed, resulting in additional ball speed and overall distance gains,” says Custom Lab Golf founder Gavin Hay. “That's why manufacturers have continually increased their standard spec driver shaft lengths over the years.
Do pro golfers use longer shafts?
Pagel explained that the model local rule, MLR G-10, not only wouldn't affect recreational golfers, as it applies to only the game's highest levels, but it would have minimal impact on the pros; Pagel cited data that determined that just 3% of professional golfers use or have used driver shafts longer than 46 inches ( ...
How long should golf club 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.
What happens if golf shaft is too long?
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.
How long is Tiger Woods driver?
Tiger Woods – 498 yards at the 2002 Mercedes Championship.
Do longer clubs go further?
Distance. 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.
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").
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 irons be for 6 1?
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
How long is Dustin Johnson's driver shaft?
45.75 inchesSPECS TaylorMade SIM2, 10.5°, Fujikura Ventus Black proto 6X shaft, 45.75 inches.
Do pro golfers use shorter clubs?
Tour players, who play golf courses that are hundreds of yards longer than the courses we play, and play for millions of dollars, have drivers that average about 44 inches in length.
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.
Driver Shaft Length Guide (Read This Chart!) - Golf Circuit
The standard driver shaft length for men is 43.5 inches when the shaft is steel. If it is made of graphite, 44 inches is the norm. But in recent times, 45 inches has become the standard.
GolfWRX - Golf news, equipment, reviews, classifieds and discussion
Zach Johnson gets revenge on controversial sports writer over 15-year-old insult. When Zach Johnson won the 2007 Masters, he had the likes of then-world number one Tiger Woods, Retief Goosen, Justin Rose and Vijay Singh behind him....
Why is my driver head bigger?
Put a bigger head on the same length shaft you’re used to and it looks huge because your eye isn’t used to it, so shafts have increased to look more aesthetically pleasing. And second – the biggest factor – the way we buy drivers has changed.
Is there a standard length for a golf driver?
1. There is no standard length. “There’s no golden length that is right for everyone, it’s totally individual,” says Derek Murray. “A lot will depend on timing, hand-eye co-ordination, individual ability and how you like a driver to feel. It’s not about your handicap, your swing speed or your height.
Do you need a longer shaft for golf?
You may even need a longer one. But, as our experts and test have shown, a good number of golfers would benefit from a shorter shaft. You may actually increase distance and there’s a good chance you’ll hit more fairways.
What is the biggest misconception about golf shafts?
One of the biggest misconceptions about shafts is that there are standards out there that manufacturers adhere to. Most golfers assume that a shaft marked regular or stiff will be the same across the board, no matter who they buy it from.
How much weight should a golf shaft be?
Weight. Getting the correct weight of your shaft is an important factor to consider as well. Shafts can range anywhere from 40 to 135 grams. Typically the rule of thumb is that a golfer with a slower swing speed will benefit from using a lighter shaft, and you would add weight as swing speed increases. As you might expect at this point, there are ...
What is the difference between stock shafts and aftermarket shafts?
The difference between stock shafts and aftermarket shafts is usually found in quality control. Many times the bigger OEMs will strip off the paint of last year’s model and give them a new exterior. The graphics look attractive, but you really have no idea what is beneath it.
Why didn't Nick Price find a stiff shaft?
Regardless of the similarity in their swing speeds, Nick Price couldn’t find a shaft stiff enough for his swing because he would apply such an enormous amount of force, whereas Couples didn’t need as stiff of a shaft because of his smooth tempo.
Why is shaft profile important?
Getting the right shaft profile for your swing is very important. It will greatly affect your ability to hit quality shots on the course . There is a lot of confusion in the golf shaft industry. With no standards for performance, the quality greatly varies, and often you get what you pay for. We hope that we have cleared up some ...
What is the most important thing about a driver shaft?
One of the most important things about shafts is how they handle the force that a player’s swing will apply. Generally speaking, there are two extremes. Some players apply a late load to their swing, which would require a stiffer tip of the driver shaft. Conversely, a player that extends early in their swing (most recreational golfers) ...
Is the shaft of a truck the same as the transmission?
It absolutely has an effect on how well you can play. The shaft is similar to the transmission of a car. While it’s not the engine, it’s still extremely important. If you are driving a truck you want a transmission that can handle its particular demands.
How to lengthen a golf shaft?
The most common way of lengthening a shaft is by placing a “plug” in the top of the shaft which is covered by the grip. See the chart below that gives an idea of the actual length of shaft required for the average player. (men)
What is the function of the shaft in golf?
The shaft is the engine of the “car” and determines how far, straight and the trajectory of the ball flight. The dynamics of the shaft. The flex of the shaft changes if you lengthen or shorten the shaft. The swing-weight and balance will change effectively requiring the golfer to make adjustments to the swing.
Why is distance important in golf?
Distance may be important, but will not win you games unless you can control the direction and flight of the ball. Control and accuracy should and will be the factor that lowers the handicap and improves the all-around performance on the golf course.
How does the lie angle change in golf?
The lie-angle will change by forcing the golfer to stand closer or further from the ball at the address. And finally the real “kicker”, control.
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.
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 ...
What is the other concern that keeps player in shorter driver shafts?
Consistency is the other concern that keeps player in shorter driver shafts. There is a concern that the best shots will be great, but the worst shots will be worse. We found that, contrary to popular belief, the longer driver led to superior consistency . First, we looked at the consistency of club head speed.
Where is Matt from Plugged In Golf?
He's worked in nearly every job in the golf industry from club fitting to instruction to writing and speaking. Matt lives in the northwest suburbs of Chicago with his wife and two daughters.
Why is my driver head bigger?
Put a bigger head on the same length shaft you’re used to and it looks huge because your eye isn’t used to it, so shafts have increased to look more aesthetically pleasing. And second – the biggest factor – the way we buy drivers has changed.
Is there a standard length for a golf driver?
1. There is no standard length. “There’s no golden length that is right for everyone, it’s totally individual,” says Derek Murray. “A lot will depend on timing, hand-eye co-ordination, individual ability and how you like a driver to feel. It’s not about your handicap, your swing speed or your height.
Do you need a longer shaft for golf?
You may even need a longer one. But, as our experts and test have shown, a good number of golfers would benefit from a shorter shaft. You may actually increase distance and there’s a good chance you’ll hit more fairways.
Pros
Cons
- Loss of control.
- Changes stance distance from the ball.
- Lie angle changes.
- Shaft flexand swing weight change.
Professional Club Fitment
- This is the answer to all the technical questions about increasing shaft length. By going this route, it will improve every aspect of your swing and results on the course. Most golf outlets and teaching professionals make use of the latest technology available to sell clubs and game-improvement ideas. Listed below are the basic fundamentals that will remove the guesswork an…
Understanding
- All the factors mentioned above have an impact on your golf game andshaft length. Let us discuss shafts concerning theconsmentioned earlier: The shaft is the engine of the “car” and determines how far, straight and the trajectory of the ball flight. Increasing the length of a shaft has the following effect: 1. The dynamics of the shaft. The flex of...
Irons
- Height Measurement of Wrist at Address to Floor Recommended Length 6ft-2 to 6ft-4 38 to 40 inches + 0,25 to 0,5 6ft-1 to 6ft-2 37 to 38 inches + 0,25 5ft-7 to 6ft-1 34 to 37 inches Standard 5ft-4 to 5ft-7 32 to 34 inches – 0,25 For shorter or taller players use the above chart to pro-rata the requirement. A reduction of 1 inch is suggested for women golfers.
Drivers
- The club that most golfers aspire to hit far and straight, is also the most difficult. Modern technology has improved so much in recent years that the distances attained by professionals and good amateurs are scary! To increase the swing arc, and thus the distance off the tee, longer shafts became fashionable. But an interesting fact is that the average driver shaftlength on the …
Fairway Metals and Hybrids
- Use the Iron chart for suggested lengths. Final Thoughts All the factors mentioned in this article will help the player to determine whether lengthening the shaft, is the right way to go. Irrespective of the decision take the time to test the new shaft on the range. It is a fact that most amateurs hit and swing harder when testing indoors with a monitor showing distance and speed. We just can’…