Anyone try trimming their driver shaft a bit on the butt end in an attempt to gain better control. I have heard that most Tour players play with shorter than standard Driver shafts...not sure if this is accurate or not. Would love to hear from the expert club fitters on this one as well as anyone who has tried it.
I shorten a heap of drivers for most average golfers. 45" is great if you can middle it every time but a 44" driver is often longer on average than a 45" because of the better control.
It is important to forget what you see on TV and concentrate on what gets your ball further, straighter and into the hole faster
hg:
I've been playing with a 44" driver for 7 or so years and found it to be the best thing I could of done. For every 1/2" you miss the sweet spot you lose 7% of the distance value of the club not to mention the lack of control you suffer too. It may sound strange, but whatever swing speed I lost in the length I made up for by hitting it solid. It worked for me!
Pat
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"Practice mechanics into a feel, play a feel into computer dependability."
I have played a 441/2 for the last 2 years.Some manufacturers spec their shafts at 46!.
Just remember if you are trimming to add weight to the head to get the swingweight back up.
Back in the day...I played a 11 degree Mizuno persimmon with a 42 inch x100 True Temper Dynamic Gold shaft. I have NEVER hit anything more consistently. I flighted the ball nice and low with a good bit of run, but of course I did not hit it as far at the oil can I am currently hitting! I was the only fella still using a persimmon headed driver in tournament play (1994 ish)...I may have kept on playing with it...but the head blew up on the 16th tee at Chenal C.C! I still have what is left of it...sentimental I guess. I remember the days of persimmon and squishy balata...at least you had some gear effect to work with. Shorter...stiffer...more loft...mmmmm....I'll be back!
Tom Wishon's books speak to this very subject---that the average driver length on tour is 44 1/2 " and most amateurs should be playing drivers about 43 1/2" ----gives you more control of the club, more shots coming off the sweet spot and thus, more distance. (as you folks have noted). Guess it's time to get rid of my 45 3/4" Adams driver!
Hybrid Mode
