Optimum Shaft Length

Club length is a key factor in selecting a golf club to help you get the most from your swing mechanics. The way to find what's right from a clubfitting perspective is to fit for the longest shaft length that allows you to contact the ball in the center of the clubface consistently. An off-center impact can reduce substantially both distance and accuracy.

The average length of drivers played on tour is 44.5 inches - 45.0 inches. Few players can control longer clubs with sufficient efficiency to benefit from the increased length. However, off-the-rack retail drivers are typically 45.5 inches or longer. Why are OEM drivers marketed to amateur golfers longer than what the best players on the planet use on professional tours? It's marketing, pure and simple.

Modern driver sales are based in part on convincing golfers that if the club is longer, they can hit ther ball farther. But it's easy to overlook the need for more effort (energy) and a more consistent swing with a longer club to achieve efficient ball contact and higher clubhead speed. And it overlooks the significant effect of club length on swing mechanics.

For golfers who play drivers that are too long for their swing, a recommended adjustment is to shorten the shaft. Typically trimming up to one inch from the butt end of the club will yield a driver that you can hit more easily, and weight can be added back to the clubhead or subtracted from the grip end to restore swingweght feel. Trimming from the tip will increase stiffness feel, but adding back weight at the clubhead will restore much of the flex that was changed by trimming. The effects on shaft performance are minimal if any at all.

To adjust the length of your current driver, your local clubfitter can do it inexpensively, and check the weight balance and other key club properties -- there may be other club properties that need to be adjusted to get the performance you seek. If you are buying a new club, make sure you get the correct length initially -- it should be part of the fitting process. Your evaluation should include the use of impact tape and a launch monitor to know to measure performance. Banging a few balls on the driving range is not useful here.