@hedley_lamarr08 and I were bantering this around over the weekend. We didn’t really have any good answers. What is your thought?
Does a shorter driver shaft make it easier to hit up on the ball?
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Tee the ball higher to hit up on it.
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is it easier to hit up with less length compared to longer length?
*Range Rat
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At my most recent driver shaft fitting varying the length of the shafts being tested was used to improve centeredness of contact on the face of the driver to achieve higher efficiency. It had no impact on my angle of attack.
My best fit was a 45” driver shaft. Prior to the fitting I was using standard length 45.5 to 45.75 length shafts.
My natural tendency is to swing with a fairly neutral angle of attack. When I try to purposely hit up on driver my focus is on a slightly forward ball position, a little higher tee height, more spine tilt away from the ball and a club swing path that is slightly from the inside that finishes higher.
My best fit was a 45” driver shaft. Prior to the fitting I was using standard length 45.5 to 45.75 length shafts.
My natural tendency is to swing with a fairly neutral angle of attack. When I try to purposely hit up on driver my focus is on a slightly forward ball position, a little higher tee height, more spine tilt away from the ball and a club swing path that is slightly from the inside that finishes higher.
TxAggie2018
Well-known member
In a vacuum, yes. If you keep the ball position identical in your stance, you will hit up more with a shorter driver vs a longer one because your arc will bottom out sooner.
Personally, I think it makes it easier to hit the center of the face than it does to hit up on it.
I did that this year, hoping that it made my driving better. So far it has not - it wasn't easier to hit up on the ball or to get a better dispersion when I swapped. Now after a full summer of rounds I'm happy that I switched to a bit shorter, doesn't really answer your question about easier but I'm happier with it.
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Not in my experience, imo, it remains form/technique driven regardless of the length of the driver in playing.
For instance I don’t hit up on a 3w more than I do a driver.
For instance I don’t hit up on a 3w more than I do a driver.
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If anything I think a shorter shaft would make it more difficult to hit up on the ball. A longer shaft puts you farther away from the ball and inherently makes the club head come into the ball on a flatter path and being too steep makes hitting up on the ball harder.
I don’t think the difference in driver shaft length most people talk about when buying a driver is significant enough to make a difference greater than their own swing variability.
I don’t think the difference in driver shaft length most people talk about when buying a driver is significant enough to make a difference greater than their own swing variability.
Individual results shall vary it seems.
The longer the club, the more natural it feels to hit up on it. Don't know if that necessarily makes the longer shaft easier though
I wouldn’t think it would change angle of attack much. I do believe that it can lead to better center strike consistency. I have found that to be true clear down to my 4 hybrid.
I went to a shorter shaft and I make better contact but my AOA is still not great.
Acesteve
Well-known member
I don't see evidence in my swing that shorter changes the Angle of impact
That said, I don't seen any disadvantage in my swing using a 1 inch shorter then regular shaft. my control is a bit better and my distance is about the same
That said, I don't seen any disadvantage in my swing using a 1 inch shorter then regular shaft. my control is a bit better and my distance is about the same