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why shorter golf clubs are better

by Mr. Samson Huel DVM Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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For the average golfer, having clubs that are a bit shorter than normal will produce the most consistent shots. Being closer to the ball and more bent over will give you a better relationship to the ball, which will result in more distance, better trajectory, and increased control.

Full Answer

How to tell if your golf clubs are too short?

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

  • You need to bend too much at the waist before swinging.
  • You also have to bend your knees pre-swing.
  • You keep hitting the ball with the golf club’s heel.
  • The swing path is in to out.
  • The tempo is too quick.
  • The ball tends to veer off to the right.

What Golf Club is used to hit short distances?

It has 4 components basically:

  • Grip- The grip is the part which you will use to hold the club. It has a rubber surface for easy holding.
  • Shaft- The shaft connects the Hosel and clubhead with the grip. It’s one of the most crucial part of the golf club.
  • Hosel- Next comes the hosel. It helps to connect the shaft and clubhead. ...
  • Clubhead- This is the last component of a golf club. ...

Why are golf clubs progressively shorter?

Why Are Golf Clubs Progressively Shorter ? – Golf Tip. The reason golf clubs are progressively shorter when measuring from driver to putter is due to a combination of factors, each is detailed below. Loft One of the main reasons golf clubs are different lengths has do with club loft. The wedges and shorter irons have a high amount of loft and ...

How to shorten the length of a golf club?

  • Remove The Grip
  • Remove The Grip Tape
  • Measure Twice and Cut Once
  • Make The Cut
  • File Off Any Lose Edges On The Cut Line
  • Place A New Grip On The Club
  • Add Weights to balance any change in swing weight
  • Go Try Out Your New Shorter Length Club

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Why are shorter golf clubs easier?

The short irons in your bag are more forgiving because of the higher launch angles and more confidence-inducing look to their setup. Most players can stand with an eight or nine iron in their hand and the club looks like it is going to get up in the air and produce some impressive shots.

Should shorter golfers have shorter clubs?

Shorter golfers are often better served with shorter clubs, while the lie angle (how the club sits on the ground) may also need tweaking. If your clubs are too long and/or upright, you'll be forced to adjust away from a swing that's natural for you.

How do I know if I need shorter golf clubs?

If a player has clubs that are too short, they will usually bend over too much from the waist in their address position. Conversely, clubs that are too long will require the player to stand too erect. Both of these subconscious adjustments could potentially make their swing motion less effective than it should be.

Why are pro golfers clubs so short?

But many golfers fail to find the needed setup and swing positions simply based on the equipment they use, even if they have been “fitted”, and even if they have “standard” clubs. It takes a shorter club for most people to create the desired spine and shaft angles, swing planes, and contact with the ball.

Is it bad to shorten golf clubs?

For most golfers, having clubs that are too short will be better than if they're too long, but can still result in inconsistent shots. Clubs that are too short will make you stand bent over, which can cause back pain. You'll also have the tendency to push the ball a lot.

What happens if I shorten my irons?

If you are shortening irons, every 1 inch you shorten the club will make the iron effectively play 2 degrees flatter. You may need to have the lie angles readjusted after shortening them.

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").

What height is Tiger Woods?

6′ 1″Tiger Woods / Height

Does the length of a golf club matter?

When it comes to golf clubs, size does matter. While correct golf club size can help you become a better golfer and make the game more enjoyable, inaccurate club length will have the exact opposite effect.

Do longer clubs go further?

Golfers are always seeking more distance to their shots, and an easy way to get more distance is to increase clubhead speed. A longer club puts the clubhead on a bigger arc for more speed, so some players will lengthen the shafts on their clubs to gain distance.

Do pros use standard length irons?

I spoke to several Tour reps — Matt Rollins, PXG's director of tournament player relations, confirmed two of the nine staffers he works with play something that's considered standard — who said a large number of players they work with adjust at least one aspect of the club, be it length, loft or lie angle with irons ...

Are 30 year old golf clubs still good?

There is no evidence that golf clubs deteriorate over time. Well maintained clubs will last a lifetime. 10+ year old clubs should be checked for better options but clubs less than 5 years old do not need replacing except for wear and tear issues to which wedges and forged irons are most vulnerable.

Why are short golf clubs better than longer golf clubs?

When you use a shortened club, you will realize that you have more authority against the driver because of the reduced flexibility. The clubs are also lighter and stiffen up a little bit.

Why is it important to have a shorter golf club?

While a shorter club may reduce your distance or yardages, it comes with several advantages . To some golfers, these are their desired accomplishments, while to others, they are added benefits to what they expected. Most golfers are on a mission to better their performance and, while at it, enjoy the game as much as they can.

Why shorten a golf club?

A short golf club is expected to give you better accuracy and control of the ball, while the long club gives you more distance.

What happens when you shorten a golf club?

When you shorten your club, there are a few things that happen. First, the club becomes stiff and loses flexibility. It will require you to use more swing speed to hit like before. Short clubs have lower swing speeds, and this makes it hard to achieve long distances.

What percentage of golfers do not use standard length clubs?

What will surprise you is that about 90 percent of golfers do not use standard-length clubs. It is a marketing technique for them to sell you more expensive custom fit clubs. We hope that you now have a better understanding of the effects of shortening your golf clubs.

Why does my golf club become lighter?

The golf club becomes lighter due to the weight loss, and the remedy is adding more weight using lead tape so that you do not overpower the club.

Why do manufacturers recommend long clubs?

Manufacturers advocate for long clubs because they offer better distances, but the sad reality is that their accuracy is usually off for most golfers. With short clubs, you are likely to improve your accuracy, which is the most important aspect when trying to improve your performance.

Increasing the speed limit

The champion of the 2020 U.S. Open and former physics major Bryson DeChambeau exemplifies the effort to increase driving distance. Using dietary and training techniques, he bulked himself to a level of size and strength that has made him one of the game's longest drivers ever.

Maintaining speed

Golfers' abilities are ruled by physics. Most weekend golfers lack sufficient strength in their wrists to maintain speed until the clubhead hits the ball. "You have to have a very late unhinging of the wrist angle to get maximum speed," Wishon said. "For the average Joe, the angle of release by the wrist falls."

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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 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 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.

Why is dynamic fit measuring more reliable?

The dynamic fit measuring technique is more reliable because the measurement is taken as a player swings a club with the help of a launch monitor. A launch monitor is used to determine the correct head and shaft that will best suit the golfer’s playing style.

Is Accuracy One Cut Away?

The purpose of Golf Myths Unplugged is to challenge the accepted wisdom of golf, but even we have blind spots. One of those was revealed recently when we realized that we had never tested the concept of shorter driver shafts being more accurate.

How We Tested

For this test, we brought together five golfers with a range of swing speeds and handicaps. Each player hit seven drives with each of three driver shaft lengths: 44″, 45″, and 46″. The shaft ( Nippon Regio Formula B) and head were the same in each test, and the swing weight was held constant.

Conclusion

If you’re in search of more consistency from the tee, don’t be so quick to shorten your driver. While it’s entirely possible that a shorter driver will help you hit it straighter, our data shows that a longer driver could also be the solution.

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 ...

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 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 are heavier golf clubs better than lighter golf clubs?

Whereas heavier golf clubs may provide more power upon impact and result in greater distance, they can affect swing mechanics and make it more difficult to control the ball flight. On the flip side, lighter golf clubs are easier to manage and may result in fewer errant shots, but distance may be sacrificed.

Why is it harder to swing a heavier golf club?

However, a heavier club will be more challenging to swing at higher speeds because there is more weight involved.

What is the force of a golf club?

The force is the face of the golf club striking the stationary ball as the golfer swings the club. To put this concept another way, the particular manner in which the golf ball is launched into the air and how far it goes is determined by how much force the golf clubhead is carrying at the point of impact.

How does the golfer generate torque?

As the legs and torso unwind and rotate in the direction of the target, they generate a tremendous amount of torque, and the arms and golf club are just coming along for the ride. Throughout the downswing, the golfer generates club speed, which peaks as the swing bottoms out where the clubhead meets the ball.

Why is there no magic formula for determining the proper golf club weight?

Because golfers encompass all age groups, sizes, statures, and athletic abilities, there is no magic formula for determining the proper golf club weight that can apply to all individuals, just as body type does not dictate distance.

What are the benefits of lighter golf clubs?

Benefits of Lighter Golf Clubs. With tremendous advancements in golf equipment technology , there are lighter materials available to manufacture golf club shafts and heads. Graphite and other composites are much lighter than steel and are also more flexible and forgiving.

Why are graphite shafts longer than steel shafts?

Lighter golf clubs allow people to swing freely and naturally, which is helpful for older players for whom swinging heavy clubs may be challenging, Because they are lighter, graphite shafts are often longer (by an inch or so) than steel-shafted clubs and can, therefore, generate higher swing speeds.

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