Driver Shaft Length Adjustment

[Jeanthemachine]

I have a 47 inch shaft in my driver and I am having some control problems. I think I want to shorten it (an inch at a time) until it works better.

My question is; "will choking up on the grip provide the same change as shortening the shaft?"

Can I tell what will happen if I taake 2 inches off?

[Super Tuna]

For some people choking up works, for other's it doesn't. Anthony Kim couldn't gel with a shorter driver shaft so he just chokes up a lot as does one of my friends. Most people cut the extra off though.

Chopping off length drops 3 swing weight points for every half inch you cut and on solid contact reduces the distance around 4 yards. However if you end up making better contact you'll make those yards back easier and perhaps more overall distance.

[lcsmrtn]

If you're choking up, swingweight isn't an issue since you're creating a new balance point, so in the end it's a comfort thing.

[HoosierGolfer]

SW will change but only you will know if it creates any issue, which I doubt it will. Cut it down and see how it feels. I have much more control at 44.75 then I did at 45.75 standard length.

Don't be afraid to experiment. Anything you do can be reversed if it does not work out.

[made2last]

I recently got into club building, so i'm no expert by any means. I think by choking up on the grip would give you a good guestimation starting point to what length you feel comfortable with. I still would think the overall weight and swing of choking up will differ from butt trimming an inch or two. If there was a similar set up you can get your hands on to experiment with before cutting shaft would be ideal, although if cutting down shaft doesn't end up working out, there are graphite shaft extenders to get it back to 47". JM2C

[Jeanthemachine]

Intuition tells me I'll lose a little (potential) distance but should hit the center of the club and fairway more often. I do not feel very comfortable choking up; I seem to hitt low pulls when I do. I need to get a grip (no wise remarks, please) and plan to cut an inch off the shaft soon. I'll be sure to post results

[DawgDaddy]

I agree with you, I think actually cutting it off is the only way to actually see if it works. As others have stated it is just a simple matter of a graphite shaft extension and regripping to get the driver back to what it is now if need be.

[pjcedog]

I think I have posted this once but here goes, I use a longer driver, I have one that is 47 and I swing easier with it and it goes as far if not farther than a regular length and for me it goes just as straight. When I swing a shorter one I tend to swing too hard to try to get more out of it, I will sometimes overswing with a shorter driver. Once you get the timing right the longer club will go straight. You have to sort of wait for it to come down once you get to the top of your backswing. You may still want to shorten it but tempo is key and it may help you in the short term until you can get it changed/shortened.

[mikedean441]

hmm, maybe my 2.0 needs shortened? Theres no way it can be a swing issue lol

[gadiel]

ON my case a shorter shaft equal same distance and more fairways.

[RxGus]

ON my case a shorter shaft equal same distance and more fairways.

Shorter shaft means less distance on perfect hit, but a potential increase in average because a higher % of your total shots will be "perfect"

[tnc200]

The next time I shorten a club I am going to mark off an inch with masking tape or even a rubber band. Then choke up to that point, hit some shots, and then move my mark accordingly. Once I find a length that works I'll cut the grip off and cut the shaft. I cut 2" off a 3 wood after much measuring and overthinking and while it is straight as an arrow it doesn't have the speed to give it the trajectory intended. If I would have just taken an inch off like I did on my driver I would have been good.

[MarcW]

I just had my driver shortened by a couple of inches and I it's helped with control without loosing but a few yards of distance. I'm only 5'6" and swinging that stock Burner 2.0 shaft was like fly fishing. I am going to go back and have my swing re-evaluated to make sure the numbers are ok.

[lcsmrtn]

Marc, please update this thread, I'm considering doing the same with my burner 2.0, but cutting from the tip to gain a bit of stiffness

[Adam0304]

Marc, please update this thread, I'm considering doing the same with my burner 2.0, but cutting from the tip to gain a bit of stiffness

I cut down the shaft in my supertri a couple of inches. It plays at 44" and I say that I've gained accuracy and distance. It's a lot easier to hit the sweet spot now. The shaft did stiffen quite a bit which was also needed - so far it's been exactly what I needed.

Edit: I'm also 5'7" so relatively short.


Tap before talk.

[lcsmrtn]

I'm 6' and even for me I find the stock shaft to be really long. I've been choking down an inch to inch and a half. So I'm thinking that by cutting it down from the tip it'll be win win.

[pjcedog]

I'm 6' and even for me I find the stock shaft to be really long. I've been choking down an inch to inch and a half. So I'm thinking that by cutting it down from the tip it'll be win win.

Never cut the tip always cut the handle. Cutting the tip will change the flex point and could ruin it.

[lcsmrtn]

I'm 6' and even for me I find the stock shaft to be really long. I've been choking down an inch to inch and a half. So I'm thinking that by cutting it down from the tip it'll be win win.



Never cut the tip always cut the handle. Cutting the tip will change the flex point and could ruin it.

That's a good point, but I'm looking to gain a bit of stiffness and by cutting at the tip I'll be doing just that.

[MarcW]

Never cut the tip always cut the handle. Cutting the tip will change the flex point and could ruin it.

Dang, wish my parents thought of that many years ago.

[SHINDIG]

Good info on this thread, as I was wondering the exact same thing. Gotta love THP.

[HoosierGolfer]

ON my case a shorter shaft equal same distance and more fairways.

Same here. If there was any distance loss (and I'm sure there was not) it would be very little but more fairways. Accuracy trumps distance. Marketing tells us we need more distance but I've never bought into most of todays marketing schemes.

[mariusvt]

I cut my S2 down to 44.75" from 46" and if I am hitting it any shorter, the distance is so small that I don't notice. What I do notice is being more accurate which is what I was going for when I did it.

[SirSliceALot116]

Same here. If there was any distance loss (and I'm sure there was not) it would be very little but more fairways. Accuracy trumps distance. Marketing tells us we need more distance but I've never bought into most of todays marketing schemes.

Same goes for me.

I'm 5'5" so I cut my driver down to 44.5". Since then, I am definitely controlling the club a lot better and am able to swing it around my body on plane with more ease. I've been able to hit more fairways with the same distance as before and sometimes even further because I hit the sweetspot with more consistency.

[Tigerfansince72]

I have a 47 inch shaft in my driver and I am having some control problems. I think I want to shorten it (an inch at a time) until it works better.

My question is; "will choking up on the grip provide the same change as shortening the shaft?"

Can I tell what will happen if I taake 2 inches off?

47" driver is WAY too long for everyday play....ie.....not a long driver competitor. Control is always a problem for me over 45". I know it doesn't sound like a lot...but when you add 2" to your swing arc you've made a much wide turn with the club all the way around you. It's much tougher to then get that face back to square. When you go it will go a long ways but otherwise you would be better with a 45" shaft. I have a Superfast 1 and 2. I pulled the stock shafts and put in after market 45" shafts. I hit them much better. The key to distance and control is hitting the ball in the middle of the face. If you can't do that you're lost looking for balls.

[cg13]

I recently cut down my driver shaft to 44" and I freaking love it. The longer clubs I feel like are just too big to handle.. This feels perfect, something I never feltcomfortable with on the long superfast etc

[Tigerfansince72]

I recently cut down my driver shaft to 44" and I freaking love it. The longer clubs I feel like are just too big to handle.. This feels perfect, something I never feltcomfortable with on the long superfast etc

Completely agree....the longer shaft will generate more club head speed but it comes at a cost.....accuracy.

[mikedean441]

wow, this might be worth a shot for me, im noticing that my accuracy is slowly getting worse with the 2.0 and I didnt think that was possible cause I was already hitting it right all day long.

Hit my 3 wood pretty straight and hit my 3H off the tee straight, so you guys think a shorter shaft in the 2.0 would help?

[Jeanthemachine]

I took the shortened driver to the range this afternoon and am hitting it more solid and straighter. It's hard to tell if there is a change in distance at the range but it does not seem to be very different.

I am playing tomorrow and will give another update in the afternoon.

Thanks for all the feedback - so far, so good.

[mikedean441]

I took the shortened driver to the range this afternoon and am hitting it more solid and straighter. It's hard to tell if there is a change in distance at the range but it does not seem to be very different.

I am playing tomorrow and will give another update in the afternoon.

Thanks for all the feedback - so far, so good.

now im real intrigued.

Ive been hitting the sweet spot or near the sweet spot and still slicing it a tad too much, but my 3W and 3H are down the middle, might be worth the gamble, going to give it one more round

[lcsmrtn]

now im real intrigued.

Ive been hitting the sweet spot or near the sweet spot and still slicing it a tad too much, but my 3W and 3H are down the middle, might be worth the gamble, going to give it one more round

It would make sense, if you're straight with the other clubs, your swing is probably good. A longer shaft is a bit harder to square up and this could be the cause of your drives going right as the face isn't quite back to square at impact.

[Adam0304]

3rd round with the shortened driver and my thoughts still ring true. When I miss fairways - it's not by much and my distance is better due to all the marks on the center of the clubface.


Tap before talk.

[mikedean441]

It would make sense, if you're straight with the other clubs, your swing is probably good. A longer shaft is a bit harder to square up and this could be the cause of your drives going right as the face isn't quite back to square at impact.

yeah maybe that is it, as ive gradually started rolling my hands over more with my irons, I thought I was doing the same with the driver, but the results havent shown that

How do you guys know how much to get trimmed off? How does that impact performance? I will admit Ive had more near sweet spot hits with the club than my r9 and dont want to mess that up

[Snap Hook]

Gaming the TM Superfast 1.0 (last years) and that driver got a lot better once I chopped 1/2" inch off the shaft. Don't really feel like I lost any distance but I'm so much more confident standing over and swinging through the ball.

[lcsmrtn]

yeah maybe that is it, as ive gradually started rolling my hands over more with my irons, I thought I was doing the same with the driver, but the results havent shown that



How do you guys know how much to get trimmed off? How does that impact performance? I will admit Ive had more near sweet spot hits with the club than my r9 and dont want to mess that up

Someone else mentionned a really good idea earlier, just wrap an elastic band at the length you want to try, and grip from there. Once you find one that works, just cut to that length. I'll be doing that this weekend and getting cut this week. I'll report back asap

[mikedean441]

hmm, maybe I need to choke down more too, I think I normally do about a 1/2 inch or so, but may not be enough

[lcsmrtn]

Without really paying much attention, I've been choking up about an inch to 1.5 and I've been having much better results... I was hoping to decide a 100% of the length to go with, but the weather has been brutal this week

[mikedean441]

well IF I get to play tomrorow, I will give it a shot

[Jeanthemachine]

Played my first round with the shortened driver today. (took an inch off on Thursday)

I am fading many tee shots but most of them are solid and playable. I may have to adjust my set up to allow for this if it continues.

I think I have lost a few yards off my best drives but more are hit solidly and the loss is not significant.

I did have two drives that cost strokes but still shot 78, my best in several months.

Might take another inch off at some point but with a little work I think the 46" will work. I'll let you know.

[mikedean441]

well, I choked down today anywhere from 1 inch to 1.5

Hit 4 fairways on the front, none on the back, but I was close many times, distance was solid, I think the shorter shaft might be the trick.

Will try again tomorrow and report

[lcsmrtn]

I played today choking up about 1.5 inches and my driving was the best it's been in a long time. Hit 9 fairways and 3 that were not on the fairway but very close. The only ones that were bad were ones where I was trying to kill the ball on a par 5. With the choking down I've gone from hitting a bad draw/hook to a straighter ball flight with a bit of fade to it and can't really say I've seen much if any loss of distance. My driving had me so excited today I can't wait to get back to the course (Despite playing the par 5's in +10, see the above comment about getting in trouble when trying to kill the ball).

[MarcW]

I'm still not sold on the shortened length of my driver. Hit it pretty good yesterday, my misses were my typical power fade (mini slice), but that's on me, not the driver. I didn't hit it left at all, like I was doing when the shaft was full length. My only concern is any loss of yardage I might have, and hitting it as short as I do, that is a concern. Got 2 9-hole rounds next week, then I'm going back to the swing monitor and check the numbers. Might just end up re-shafting to a standard driver length.

[mikedean441]

choked down again today, drove the ball well, short game was AWFUL though. Drive of the day was on a 490 yard par 5, I hit down the middle exactly 290 (and managed to take a 7 on the hole)

[Jeanthemachine]

I tried some lead tape at the range today. I put a strip on the sole near the shaft and I put a strip on the hosel, trying to reduce the fade/slice. This changed the feel and sound of the club quite a bit, I thought.

I have used lead tape before but never on the hosel. That strip comes off tomorrow. Anyone have a similar experience?

[TTASTY]

If you go and get a proper driver fitting, very rarely will any fitter tell you that you should play a driver at 46". I play my driver at 44" and have even played driver's in the past at 43".

If Tiger used to play his steel shaft driver at 44" when he was winning everything he entered, then most of us should consider shorter driver lengths too!

[Jeanthemachine]

I tried some lead tape at the range today. I put a strip on the sole near the shaft and I put a strip on the hosel, trying to reduce the fade/slice. This changed the feel and sound of the club quite a bit, I thought.

I have used lead tape before but never on the hosel. That strip comes off tomorrow. Anyone have a similar experience?

I removed the tape from the hosel and the sound and feel returned to normal. I will keep the new length for a while and see if it continues to improve my driving.

[mikedean441]

yeah its been so far so good for me, driving way better than I had been when I was choking down. Still the occasional slice, but making solid contact near teh sweet spot or right on the nose, which means its just my crappy swing

[MarcW]

I went back to get my driver re-fitted. Found out he cut off almost 3 inches, the shaft is now the length of a Burner 3 wood. I'm having an extension put in to bring the length back up to 45 inches ("normal" driver length). Once this is done, I'm through with messing with it.

[Jeanthemachine]

I made an adjustment in my swing, stopped cupping my wrist at the top, and drove the ball better today than I had in a year. I think this shorter driver is going to work very well.

[mikedean441]

went out again and played, choked down 1.5 inches, and boy I was launching the ball. With the exception of the first hole when I sliced it, I was hitting bombs dead straight, didnt hit many fairways cause I was driving through them. Ball marks are all over the sweet spot, I love it. Will continue to choke down and eventually get it shortened.

I do notice I have a very high ball flight with the 2.0, any good relatively inexpensive shafts that will help with that? Only problem I see when switching could be the weight of the shaft since Im used to the ultra light one lol

[MarcW]

went out again and played, choked down 1.5 inches, and boy I was launching the ball. With the exception of the first hole when I sliced it, I was hitting bombs dead straight, didnt hit many fairways cause I was driving through them. Ball marks are all over the sweet spot, I love it. Will continue to choke down and eventually get it shortened.

I do notice I have a very high ball flight with the 2.0, any good relatively inexpensive shafts that will help with that? Only problem I see when switching could be the weight of the shaft since Im used to the ultra light one lol

I think that to get the ball flight lower, you would need a heavier shaft. I would first try putting the ball back a little in your stance.

[mikedean441]

I think that to get the ball flight lower, you would need a heavier shaft. I would first try putting the ball back a little in your stance.

that scares me, I need as much time as possible to roll my hands over lol

For now I'll keep choking down and deal with the high ball flight, I havent hit the sweet spot so much before and dont want to mess things up

[MarcW]

that scares me, I need as much time as possible to roll my hands over lol

For now I'll keep choking down and deal with the high ball flight, I havent hit the sweet spot so much before and dont want to mess things up

If you're hitting it that good, and unless you are losing much distance because of your high ball flight, I wouldn't worry about it.

[mikedean441]

If you're hitting it that good, and unless you are losing much distance because of your high ball flight, I wouldn't worry about it.

yeah thats true, hopefully the driving Ive experiences lately can become the norm

[mikedean441]

another solid driving day today, hit 0 balls to the right and actually pulled a few left, which NEVER happens, the shorter shaft and rolling my hands over is working out great...shot year low 85 today!

[MarcW]

Played yesterday with the 45" shaft in my driver. Felt MUCH better than the original long shaft and the over-shortened shaft that I had for a couple of rounds. Now that I'm done tinkering, I can get down to playing some golf.

[ddxu]

Is there any significant belief that length adjustments made to your irons should also be made to your woods? Or to put it another way, if my irons are 1/2" short, should I also shorten my driver length too? I know the perfect answer would be to get each club fit, but is there a "golden rule" when it comes to length adjustments throughout the set?

[HoosierGolfer]

Is there any significant belief that length adjustments made to your irons should also be made to your woods? Or to put it another way, if my irons are 1/2" short, should I also shorten my driver length too? I know the perfect answer would be to get each club fit, but is there a "golden rule" when it comes to length adjustments throughout the set?

I have been fit for each club. Not sure there is a firm rule across the full set. My longer irons a bent up a little but not the short irons/wedges. I play hybrids, irons and wedges at pretty much a standard length, but my driver & 3 wood are shorter than standard, although I have a second of both clubs that I'm trying a inch longer than standard while looking for some length. For me the fittings along with trial and error continues. Never be afraid to experiment.

[livelifeloveGod]

I had my superfast 2.0 cut down from 46.5 to 45.5. I really had control issues with the new 46.5 length but after the modification the superfast is one of the best drivers I have ever played.

[mikedean441]

I had my superfast 2.0 cut down from 46.5 to 45.5. I really had control issues with the new 46.5 length but after the modification the superfast is one of the best drivers I have ever played.

seems to be the consensus amongst the group.

Im just working on figuring out how much to get trimmed off

[MarcW]

seems to be the consensus amongst the group.

Im just working on figuring out how much to get trimmed off

Don't make the same mistake I did and get too much cut. If you have another driver you hit well, maybe have it cut to the same length.

[Rummpd]

I have had experience with this issue as I have short arms for my height (32" and 5'11) and depending on club lengthening or decreasing it adds distance. My recommendation would be to take off less at a time in 1/2 to 3/4 increments and if you are going to cut off more than a couple of inches talk to a club fitter as it might be better to trim both the tip and the butt end.

With the 47" inch TP several of my friends took an inch off the tip and a half inch of the butt on a regular shaft and now have a mid flex shaft that works for them but it is an individual thing and it is much easier to add length to the butt as mentioned above then to "untip" as shaft - at that point, it might be worth putting a new shaft in. I think personaly of all the major manufacturers that TP stock shafts have their pros and cons - very light and long (and hit right distance building) but way too uncontrollable for me unless step up to stiff from regular or from stiff to XS depending on swing speed.

[mikedean441]

Don't make the same mistake I did and get too much cut. If you have another driver you hit well, maybe have it cut to the same length.

I dont have any drivers I hit well lol

yeah Im still messing around with it, wont do anything crazy in the mean time

[HoosierGolfer]

I'm 5'11" and have always played a 44 or 44.5 inch driver, including my current one that was trimmed down from the 45.75 inch standard length, but I have a TM Superfast 2.0 in the bag that I started demo'ing yesterday and it is 46.5 inch and I'm hitting it pretty well with some real distance gain. I'm hoping I can get in today and hit them both together on a monitor to see some numbers. Experimenting is good!

[mikedean441]

I'm 5'11" and have always played a 44 or 44.5 inch driver, including my current one that was trimmed down from the 45.75 inch standard length, but I have a TM Superfast 2.0 in the bag that I started demo'ing yesterday and it is 46.5 inch and I'm hitting it pretty well with some real distance gain. I'm hoping I can get in today and hit them both together on a monitor to see some numbers. Experimenting is good!

keep us posted, I love my 2.0!

[m-910]

So I bought a used shaft to put into my old G10 Driver. With the stock TFC -stiff- shaft I had distance issues (220-270's) and I sliced if I didn't pull back on the swing speed. I always felt it was to "whippy" but I thought that was all in my head. I talked to an associate at the local GG and he's heard that stock shaft plays right in between Stiff and Reg. I was killing the ball on their sim with the i15 UST Tour Red 69 - 9*.

So I had the "new" UST Tour Red 69 installed today and it feels stronger and a tad shorter in length (I'll measure tonight) I took it to the range at lunch and the dispersion was much better but I wasn't hitting the sweet spot at all, I was just above it every time. I blame the rubber tees LOL. Going to take it to a grass range tonight and try to dial in my swing and report back. Wish me luck. :golf2:

[m-910]

OK so I finally got to the range today...The new shaft measures about 44.75 inches and it feels like I'm swinging a bat versus a fishing rod. Honestly I don't love the sound and feel but my shots are down the middle. Even the bad shots have a tighter dispersion than before. I can't tell if I've lost distance or not because I'm having trouble hitting it center mass. The marks on the face are a bit above the sweet spot. Teeing off at 6:15 so we'll see how many fairways I hit.

[HoosierGolfer]

I'm 5'11" and have always played a 44 or 44.5 inch driver, including my current one that was trimmed down from the 45.75 inch standard length, but I have a TM Superfast 2.0 in the bag that I started demo'ing yesterday and it is 46.5 inch and I'm hitting it pretty well with some real distance gain. I'm hoping I can get in today and hit them both together on a monitor to see some numbers. Experimenting is good!


keep us posted, I love my 2.0!

The SF 2.0 just didn't work out for me in the long run. I played it for the better part of two weeks and while I did see some gain in distance off the tee with it, it resulted in less fairways hit. I feel that the longer shaft (47 in) was just too long for me and it hurt me in the accuracy department.

To me, accuracy always trumps distance, so I'm sticking with my 44 inch K15 as it is really a can't miss (fairway wise) driver for me right now. I'll take 230/245 yd average distance off the tee with 75% of fairways hit versus 255/260 yd average distance with 55% of fairways hit any day.

In the right hands, the SF 2.0 I'm sure is great driver, just didn't work for me. My next big experiment/review will be with the Heavy Driver as I was picked to review it for THP. I'll be going with a lower loft as they only come in 9 and 10 degree than the 12 degree I currently play, so it should be interesting.

[achase215]

Would you guys suggest chopping down my Adams to 45.5 or even 45? It is playing at 46.125 and I am having troubles hitting the good spot. Of course it is probably my swing, but any more consistency off the tee will help!!! Advice.

[erock9174]

Did a search and didn't find my answer but this seemed to be the most relevant thread so I will post my question here.

After battling this entire season on trying to find the right driver for me I was almost ready to give up.
Bear with me as this is sort of a long story.

I began in January by buying an R9 R flex 10.5* club. Stock the club felt great but I needed to grip down. As I am 5' 4" I always have my clubs cut down so I got the club shortened (butt end) 1" with no added weight to the club head or tip. I noticed even with the club adjusted fully left I developed a push or push slice and everything was low.

On to Driver #2 - Nickent 12* Senior flex - This club actually works pretty decent for me. Had it cut down 3/4" to 45 1/4". Took some lessons and my swing speed picked up and the senior flex seemed like it wasn't enough for me. Instead of re-shafting I moved on.....

On to Driver #3 - FT-IQ Draw R flex 13* - full length the club felt pretty good but needed to grip down so once again I got the club shortened to about 44". Noticed a slight fade and this club was pretty short for me (I don't hit the ball long anyway). So.....

On to Driver #4 - Adams 4g 12* R flex - 46" club, way too long so I have it taken down to 43 1/4" and no weight added back. Club doesn't even feel the same and even though the length feels awesome for my height, I am losing everything majorly right with either a severe push or push/slice. And the club began to feel real boardy to me.

On to Driver #5 - Superfast 2.0 - stock length, gripping down probably an inch to inch and a half. After a range session I finally am not hitting everything right.

So I call a local fitter and explained my summer of driver torture and racked his brain with shaft theory and what not.
My question to you guys is can you guys confirm his comments. Or is he talking total nonsense? He seems reputable but he's told me some golf tales that just seem way too out there for a sane person to agree with, lol

Here were some of my questions and his replies.

Me: I thought when you cut from the butt end you make the club play/feel stiffer?
Him: When you cut from the butt end you are cutting the stiffest part of the shaft; actually if you measure it after you cut it the shaft is now weaker.

Me: Then why does my 3" shortened driver feel so rigid now
Him: Because you didn't add back weight to the head; and by cutting off 3" you can not add that much back it just won't work

Me: So what length should I be playing?
Him: everybody is different but normally you can only shorten by about 3/4 - 1", anything greater and you run the risk of really altering the shaft characteristics

Me: I was always under the impression that most people play a driver that is too long for them?
Him: He agreed but said that most people are just playing the wrong shaft for their swing and said that his best advice is for everybody to get fit.
If you need to shave an inch off to feel comfortable he can do that but wouldn't recommend going any further.

Me: Why after I cut my drivers down do I now lose the ball right all the time
Him: By taking 3" off a club you in effect changed the lie of the club and now at impact the face is more open........

[Uncle Stosh]

It sounds like you are asking your equipment to do too much. I play, what by todays standards, is considered a short length(44") but i could pick up a 46" club and I wouldn't all of a sudden start slicing the ball. Over a broad range of shots(say a 100) I would statistically hit less fairways but it would be a small difference in dispersion. I would get a driver with a shaft between 44"-45" that was meant to be that length and then concentrate on improving your swing.

[erock9174]

I would get a driver with a shaft between 44"-45" that was meant to be that length and then concentrate on improving your swing.

Where do you even get such a driver?
Industry standard is pretty much 46" and if you buy an aftermarket shaft they are all 46".
Even ladies drivers are pushing 45+ these days.

[erock9174]

It sounds like you are asking your equipment to do too much. I play, what by todays standards, is considered a short length(44") but i could pick up a 46" club and I wouldn't all of a sudden start slicing the ball. .

I'm not saying that the longer club is making me slice...I am seeing exactly the opposite.
Everytime i get a new long driver I simply grip down and actually hit them pretty well. But due to gripping down not feeling comfortable to me I always cut them down. Then that is when the slice begins. So I was trying to confirm what the fitter said, that by shortening a shaft 3" it causes the face to be more open at impact causing the slice.

Yesterday was my first round with the new 2.0 which is 46.5" and not once slice. Granted I grip down.

[TwoSolitudes]

This may have been asked already- but what about using an ultralight grip to offset cutting down on the shaft? I have an old Ping driver that I have to re-grip anyway. It comes in at 45.75, but I really like my Octane at 45". So I am thinking of cutting .75 (or maybe even 1") from the Ping, then replacing the Ping wrap grip with a Winn ultralight.

Am I on the right track here as far as keeping close to the same feel without needing to resort to Tape or hot melts?

[Hawk]

Some talk about driver shaft length recently and it brought a question to my mind.

Is cutting a shaft something you'd consider doing at home?

[lcsmrtn]

Some talk about driver shaft length recently and it brought a question to my mind.

Is cutting a shaft something you'd consider doing at home?


Steel is really easy with a pipe cutter. Graphite is a bit trickier, I usually wrap the area I'm going to cut with tape to prevent splitting, then measure twice and cut once.

[Hawk]

What do you use to cut?

Edit to clarify: I'm talking about graphite.

[Ole Gray]

Some talk about driver shaft length recently and it brought a question to my mind.

Is cutting a shaft something you'd consider doing at home?

That is what I do and pop on a new mid size grip and it's ready to go. I did buy a weight kit for my driver to get the swing weight right for me. I play my driver at 44 inches.

[mcook77]

What do you use to cut?

Edit to clarify: I'm talking about graphite.

I taped and used a regular old hacksaw on my Titleist. Zero issues...

[lcsmrtn]

What do you use to cut?

Edit to clarify: I'm talking about graphite.


I used a hacksaw. I'd definitely recommend a circular saw if possible though, I just cut a lot of graphite hockey sticks with a hacksaw so it made golf shafts look easy.

[Hawk]

Thanks guys.

[bobgeorge]

Some talk about driver shaft length recently and it brought a question to my mind.

Is cutting a shaft something you'd consider doing at home?

No..not me personally. I always just go to Dicks. They only charge a few dollars (less than $5) & they can do it in about 10 mins.

[Hawk]

No..not me personally. I always just go to Dicks. They only charge a few dollars (less than $5) & they can do it in about 10 mins.

That's good info as well. Thanks, I didn't realize that it was that cheap.

[tanker337]

A dremel also works well. I taped the shaft too just to be extra careful. Just make sure you wear goggles.

[Scrap Iron]

When I got my driver it came with a 46 inch shaft and I was all over the course. When I choked up it didn't feel like I was having the same cocking of the wrist's. I replaced the shaft and at 44.75 inches I am longer and straighter and in more control of the club.

[royalwulff]

What do you use to cut?

Edit to clarify: I'm talking about graphite.

A friend of mine cut his down with a dremmel and he said it worked great.