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Fully Equipped mailbag: What’s the average driver shaft length on the PGA Tour?

Welcome to another edition of the  Fully Equipped mailbag , an interactive GOLF.com series in which our resident dimplehead (a.k.a. Jonathan Wall, GOLF’s managing editor of equipment) fields your hard-hitting gear questions.

Is there an average driver shaft length on the PGA Tour? And if so, how does it compare to what I might find at retail? — Luis Restrepo

The average driver shaft length on Tour is roughly 44.75 inches, give or take a half-inch in either direction depending on preference. Contrary to what some might think, there isn’t a run on longer shafts as a way to chase more distance. Drivers are optimized to where every possible yard is being squeezed out of the head and shaft.

Of course, there are outliers. Rickie Fowler is a notable name who uses something well under 44.75 inches. Back in 2017, Fowler chose to cut down his Cobra driver to 43.5 inches to pick up some accuracy; he went on to win the Honda Classic that season, which pretty much validated the gear tweak.

I don’t think it’s necessary to completely copy Fowler if you’re struggling off the tee, but there are some benefits to be had by going shorter. For starters, you’ll likely find more fairways by eliminating the wild misses that tend to come with longer shafts. The general rule of thumb is you trade accuracy for a slight dip in distance when giving a shaft a haircut.

But don’t think that means you’re going to go from hitting it 275 yards to 250 yards. In some cases, players have seen an increase in distance by going shorter. Earlier last season, Tony Finau, at the suggestion of Ping Tour rep Kenton Oates, went from 45.25 inches to 44.75 inches and produced a higher ball speed — 182-183 mph versus 180-182 mph — with more consistent center face contact. That’s the best of both worlds.

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Even if you don’t have Finau speed, there’s no reason to think those results are impossible to attain. What it comes to giving shorter a shot, it’s necessary that you eliminate the preconceived notion that a shorter shaft means short drives.

With regards to how the Tour’s average shaft length stacks up against what’s commonly found at retail, the driver currently in your bag is likely longer by about one inch. Standard retail length is around 45.5 inches, but with so many custom options available, it’s very possible to get the shaft cut down before you walk out the door.

Some manufacturers have even started adding special shaft lengths as retail offerings. Cobra recently added a 44.5-inch “Tour length” offering based specifically on Fowler’s move into a shorter shaft a few years back.

And if you’re considering going down in length, just remember that altering the overall swing weight can significantly effect how the club is delivered.

“If you chop an inch off your driver, it’s going to change the swing weight,” said Tim Briand, True Spec’s senior vice president, on a recent episode of Fully Equipped. “That’s the balance of the club. Why is that important? Your ability to hit the ball in the center of the face, with a square face, has to do with your perception of where the club head is when you’re swinging it. And swing weight is a feature that’s directly tied to your perception of that head.”

In other words, you’ll need to figure out a way to add the lost weight back to get close to your original swing weight. That could be with a heavier shaft, lead tape or the more common Tour practice of adding RAT glue to the head.

To hear more gear insights from  Jonathan Wall  and True Spec’s  Tim Briand , subscribe and listen each week to  GOLF’s Fully Equipped  podcast:  iTunes  |  SoundCloud  |  Spotify  |  Stitcher

Cam Smith shortens driver length at the U.S. Open. Here’s why it helped

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Nearly two years after DeChambeau’s announcement, the driver length craze has mostly fizzled out. In fact, some players have even gone the other direction, finding shorter driver lengths to be more beneficial to overall performance.

Case in point, PLAYERS champion Cameron Smith has shortened his driver by a half-inch for this week’s U.S. Open at The Country Club in Brookline, Massachusetts.

Smith already has two PGA TOUR wins under his belt this year and ranks fifth in the FedExCup but in his last few starts, he admits his driver performance has hit the skids.

“I think the last couple of weeks the driver has got me a little bit in trouble,” Smith said in a press conference at the U.S. Open. “Haven't hit as many fairways as I would like, and the rough the last couple of weeks has been pretty brutal, as well. So lots of chopping out and practicing my wedges for this week, so hopefully I can hit some more fairways and make some more birdies.”

That in mind, ahead of this week, Smith worked with his club fitter and Titleist tour rep J.J. Van Wezenbeeck to conduct driver testing in hopes of tightening up his driver game.

In the last few years, Smith has been using a 45-inch driver build. Most recently, he’s opted for a 10-degree Titleist TSi3 driver equipped with a Fujikura Ventus TR Blue 6X shaft.

Looking back to previous years, prior to using a 45-inch driver, Smith used to play with a driver that measured 44.5 inches. When current issues with his 45-inch driver came to the forefront – he was struggling with his dispersion and center contact – Smith told Van Wezenbeeck he wanted to try a 44.5-inch driver again.

For Van Wezenbeeck, cutting a half-inch off of a driver shaft means that weight has to be added back into the head in order to not throw off the swing weight of the club. After being properly weighted in the Titleist Tour Truck, the duo took to the practice range at the U.S. Open to conduct testing.

With his previous 45-inch TSi3 driver setup, Smith was struggling to find control over his ball flight, and he was missing the center of the face too often.

The 44.5-inch driver setup seems to have fixed those issues.

“We looked at strike pattern locations (with the shorter driver), and we found it tightened it up a little bit,” Van Wezenbeeck told GolfWRX. “He’s back to working it both directions off the tee, so centering the strike was helping.”

All things being equal, a shorter driver will tend to reduce swing speed, which could lead to a distance loss. The goal when making driver changes is rarely to hit the ball shorter, but Smith was actually finding that he wasn’t losing ball speed despite the shorter build.

“It can potentially lower swing speed because of the shorter shaft, but what we find with players is if you can control the strike location and it’s more centered, the athlete has more freedom,” Van Wezenbeeck explained. “So we weren’t seeing any ball speed losses. That was the thing, even though we were shorter, we didn’t see a ball speed loss.”

In the end, Smith found the new 44.5-inch TSi3 driver setup to provide more consistent strikes, more control over trajectory, and no loss in distance.

For amateur golfers, there’s an important lesson here. The goal when looking for the right driver setup is to improve consistency of center contact; most times, that’s more important than using a driver that you can simply swing harder.

How Long Should Your Driver Shaft Be? All You Need to Know

Are you heading out to the pro shop to look at a new driver? Choosing the right shaft length for your Big Dog or fairway wood is critical to your swing and your experience with the club. You might find it surprising how much adding or taking away just a half-inch from the shaft length can make to your swing and shot.

Shaft length affects your accuracy and your distance off the tee. You’ve probably heard the saying that “golf is a game of inches,” which is true when it comes to your shots and driver shaft length. Any golfer will tell you that there’s nothing more satisfying than the feeling of connecting with the sweet spot and nailing a bomb right off the tee.

With each generation of equipment improving performance, feel, and forgiveness in clubs, you need a custom fit to get the most out of your equipment. You’ll get the consistency you need for your shots with the right shaft length, allowing for long, straight drives off the tee box.

So, what do you need to know about choosing the right shaft length for your new driver? Is your current driver setup to optimize your performance? This post unpacks everything you need to know about driver shaft lengths.

The Role of Driver Shaft Length in Distance and Accuracy

Some golfers are under the mistaken impression that the longer their shaft length, the further the drive. While this statement has some technical truth, it’s not entirely accurate. Opting for the longest shaft length you can find might not be the best strategy when selecting your new driver.

The reality is that longer shafts on drivers make it more challenging to control the club throughout the swing arc . This lack of control reduces distance and weaker accuracy in your drives.

However, several golfing brands claim that increasing your shaft length adds to better distance and accuracy – so, which one is it? Do you go for the longest shaft length available, or is there something to taking a measured approach to fitting your driver?

Sure, a longer shaft might help you get 15-yards extra out of your swing, but does that matter if you’re losing accuracy with your shots? Blasting the ball an extra ten yards deep into the rough or the sand trap isn’t really anything worth writing home about, right?

Driver Distance Sells Clubs

The truth is that advertising drivers that increase distance attract new drivers. If a brand is launching a new model, claiming that it adds to your distance is a great way to attract players desperate to increase their range off the tee box.

A longer shaft on your driver creates more clubhead speed – that’s a fact.

More clubhead speed equals faster ball speeds and better distance off the tee. For this reason, manufacturing brands continue to increase the shaft length on new models.

Somehow, brands find themselves locked in a game of “keeping up with the Jones” with shaft lengths. When one brand releases a new model with a longer shaft length, it’s not long before other brands rush to join the trend.

However, there has to be a point of diminishing returns when it comes to increasing shaft length, right? Or else, we would see brands offering clubs with ridiculous shaft lengths. The reality is that the longer the shaft length, the harder it is for the player to find the sweet spot consistently.

As a result, it’s more common for the player to make off-center contact with the clubhead. An off-center hit reduces distance and limits the accuracy of your shots. So, why would brands sell the longest shafts possible if there’s a chance that they’re actually decreasing your performance off the tee?

Golf brands usually go with the design that tests well. However, testing involves brands using robotic arms to create a consistent swing . A longer shaft could result in an extra five to ten yards on each shot when you have a consistent motorized swing.

However, it doesn’t work like that in real-world applications. You’re not a robot, and the dynamics of your swing could change due to a multitude of reasons. If you accidentally hit the toe of the clubhead, it could reduce your club speed and the ball speed by as much as eight to ten miles an hour. The result? Less distance and accuracy.

So, does that mean that a shorter shaft is the better option for your new driver? Well, not necessarily. While many golfers might find that dropping an inch or half an inch off their shaft length improves their performance, it’s not guaranteed.

What is a Standard Driver Shaft Length?

So, what is the right shaft length for your driver? What do the pros use? If you don’t have the skillset of a pro, what makes you think that a change in your driver shaft length will make any difference to your game?

According to professional fitters, it’s rare for them to build drivers with shaft lengths over 45″.

In fact, most fitters claim that beginner to intermediate golfers will do better with a shorter shaft length than the standard length offered by the manufacturer.

There’s a reason why the average driver shaft length on the PGA Tour is 44.5″, not 45.5″ or longer. Off the rack, the average driver shaft length measures 45.75″ with no customizations. For women, standard shaft lengths are between 43.75″ to 44.75″.

Of course, these are just averages. You might find several variations of up to 1″ in standard shaft lengths between manufacturing brands.

What Length Do I Need for My Driver Shaft?

So, what’s the right length of your driver shaft? Your height and wrist-to-floor measurements are critical to focus on when fitting your driver shaft. Taller players will require longer shafts and vice versa for shorter players.

However, there’s more to it than assessing your height and its impact on shaft length. Your posture also accounts for selecting the right shaft length, and that’s different for everyone. Factoring in your wrist height from the ground when addressing the ball will help you assess the right shaft length for your swing and playing style.

If you want to increase clubhead speed, longer shafts will help. If you’re looking to improve accuracy, it might be better to go with a shorter shaft. It’s challenging to recommend a specific length because every player has a unique style. There are so many factors accounting for the right shaft length for every player.

Your height, strength, and swing speed all factor into assessing the right driver shaft length. So, it’s a good idea to head to the pro shop for a fitting, and you won’t have to worry about the challenges of trying to do it yourself.

Choosing the Right Driver Shaft Length for Your Height

The key to selecting the right shaft length lies in understanding how shaft length and height affect the driver’s performance. As a general rule of thumb, taller golfers need a longer shaft for the driver and vice versa for shorter players.

Regardless of your height, you have the potential to drive the ball a long distance. Many short pros manage to get huge distances off the tee. It all comes down to the right fitment of your driver to your height and body mechanics.

For instance, ’91 Masters champion, Ian Woosnam, measures 5’4″, but his strength and clubhead speed allows him to drive huge distances. It’s about the fitment, not the player’s height or an extra-long shaft.

Do I Need to Shorten the Shaft Length of My Driver?

Are you wondering why your drive has gone to the dogs lately? Well, it could be your shaft length in the club. So, what can you do to improve your performance off the tee box? If you find that teeing off with your fairway woods gives you a better shot than the Big Dog, the problem is likely the shaft length on your driver.

The shorter shaft of the fairway wood makes it slightly easier to control the swing and the accuracy of your shot. If you’re struggling to hit the fairway with your driver, it might be worth removing some length from the shaft. The shorter length should make finding the sweet spot on the clubhead easier, increasing the contact and power in your drive while improving your accuracy.

If you’re worried about losing distance by shortening the shaft – don’t. Many golfers find they don’t lose any distance when shortening the shaft. They also improve their accuracy with the club. You might even find that you increase your reach by shortening the shaft, thanks to the enhanced control over the clubhead.

Before you decide to shorten or lengthen your driver shaft, it’s preferable to head to the pro shop and test a range of lengths to see which offers you the best performance off the tee. There are plenty of pro shops that let you try before you buy.

You’ll also find that many stores have attendants that help fit you to the right shaft length. Drivers aren’t cheap, and it’s the most expensive club in your bag. So, ensuring that you have the right setup gets you the most value for your budget and game.

What Is the Correct Method for Measuring Driver Shaft Length?

Measuring yourself for the correct driver shaft length isn’t as challenging as you think. You can do it yourself if you don’t have anyone around you, but it takes a little more time than if you have a helping hand.

Find a ruler or steel-fixed measuring tape with a minimum distance of 4-feet. The solid ruler is the better choice, but a steel measuring tape will do, provided you have something firm to measure against.

Hold your driver with the club head on the ground like you’re teeing up for a shot. Place the ruler or tape flush with the driver shaft, ensuring it’s perpendicular to the ground. Take your measurement and note it before heading off to the pro shop for a custom fitting.

Factoring in Wrist-to-Floor Measurements for Driver Shaft Lengths

The fitter will also account for the wrist-to-floor measurement when fitting you for your clubs. This measurement is the distance from your lower wrist on the grip, to the floor, in a perpendicular line.

They’ll use a chart to determine how this measurement affects driver shaft length according to your unique body type. Some people might have longer arms and shorter legs, or vice versa, so there is no one-size-fits-all, and each case is different.

While some players might think of a personal fitting as a luxury, it’s well worth the few bucks you pay when you consider its value to your game and your golf bag.

In Closing – Top Tips for Driver Fittings

Standard lengths are a myth.

Standard shaft lengths are a myth. The reality is there is no one-size-fits-all shaft length to suit all golfers. Every setup is unique and changes depending on your height, arm length, and other factors like hand-eye coordination and timing. So, it’s critical for you to visit a professional for fitting before you waste your money on purchasing the latest, longest driver.

Test It Before You Commit

Before changing your shaft length, it’s a good idea to visit a professional fitter. A fitter can help you assess the right shaft length to complement your swing. Fitters use digital tools like launch monitors, such as GC2, Trackman, or Flightscope, to determine the changes in your swing relating to shorting or lengthening the driver shaft.

Consider Before Your Cut

If you feel that your shaft is too long, take a minute to assess the situation before chopping off the length. Changing the shaft length alters your swing weight, resulting in a totally different feel to the driver. Shortening the shaft length by an inch is enough to require adjusting the clubhead to maintain the same club speed and ball speed. It’s critical to use a professional fitter when removing length from your clubs.

Casey hails from Florida & is our resident product tester and head of reviews here at GolfMonster. Casey is a scratch golfer with 20+ years of golf knowledge behind him. You will him out on the courses of Sarasota.

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Driver Length: What are you playing and why? – GolfWRXers discuss

In our forums, our members have been discussing driver length. WRXer ‘Smithy23’ is curious to find out what length of driver fellow members and Tour pros prefer, with WRXers sharing their setup in our forum.

Here are a few posts from the thread, but make sure to check out the entire discussion and have your say at the link below.

• benclab: “Mine is 45 inches long. I’ve been playing that length since the R7. Tour average last I saw was 45.5. That was from 2 different tour reps.”
• bryan2milburn: “I typically play 44-44.5″ with heavier head weight for swing weight purposes. After messing with a 45″ driver the last year, I can say with 100% certainty that, for me, a shorter driver results in much more consistency, comfortability, and overall better play with minimal, if any, loss of distance. For my buddies who are newer to the game or who want to improve, that’s one of my first recommendations, and I’ve had multiple friends convert and say the same thing. I will never go back to 45″+ drivers.”
• StrokerAce: “Amazed at what half an inch to an inch will do when you look at how little it is but 44 to 44.5 always help me find the center of the face consistently for some reason. tried 45/46 and just was all over the place.”
• NoTalentLefty: “Played most of my drivers at 44.25 and below since the start of the 460 head drivers. Couldn’t hit anything else. But I recently went to a Ping G425 Max with a 45.75-inch shaft, and it works great. Had to change shaft though to a Project X Evenflow Blue 5.5 shaft for accuracy.”

Entire Thread: “Driver Length: What are you playing and why?”

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Oct 6, 2021 at 8:48 pm

“Amazed at what half an inch to an inch will do when you look at how little it is but 44 to 44.5 always help me find the center of the face consistently for some reason. tried 45/46 and just was all over the place.”

Standard tip diameter 0.335 inch means no club 45 and + inches will be consistent compared to under 45 inch drivers. There are mechanical limits to materials.. 45 inch and above is the limit for 0.335 inch tip diameter.

Any pro grade driver heads with 0.350 inch tip?

Sep 10, 2021 at 9:41 pm

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Driver Shaft Length: The Ultimate Guide

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Key Takeaways

• Men's standard driver shaft length is 45 inches, women's is 44 inches. Guidelines only.
• Ideal shaft length typically 45-48 inches for men, 43-45 inches for women. Professional fitting recommended.
• Shaft length suggestions based on wrist-floor and height measurements.
• Longer shafts can increase swing speed and distance but reduce accuracy. Shorter shafts provide more control.
• Cutting shaft can affect weight and stiffness.
• PGA Tour pros use 44-46 inch drivers, some custom lengths.
• Maximum 46 inch limit now for pros. Doesn't impact recreational play.
• Longer shafts may increase distance but depends on individual swing.

When it comes to golf club fitting, one of the most important factors is the length of the driver shaft. The length of the shaft can affect your swing speed, accuracy, and distance. Choosing the right length can make a significant difference in your game.

But how do you determine the right length for your driver shaft? In this ultimate guide, we will explore everything you need to know about driver shaft length. From the factors that affect the length to the pros and cons of different lengths, we’ll cover it all.

Let’s dive in and discover how to choose the perfect driver shaft length for you.

• 1) What’s the Standard Driver Length
• 2) What Is The Ideal Shaft Length?
• 3) Driver Shaft Length by Height Chart
• 4) How to Measure Your Driver Shaft Length?
• 5) Distance vs. Accuracy: Driver Shaft Length Balance
• 6) What Length Driver Do the Best Club Fitters Recommend for Most Golfers?
• 7) What Happens When You Cut Down a Driver?
• 8) How Long Are PGA Tour Professionals’ Drivers?
• 9) Restrictions of Shaft Length in Professional Golf
• 10) Does a Longer Shaft Mean More Distance?
• 11) What Works Best For You?
• 12) Final Thoughts

What’s the Standard Driver Length

When it comes to driver shaft length, standard length varies for men’s and women’s clubs. The typical length of a men’s driver shaft is around 45 inches, while for women, it is approximately 44 inches. However, these numbers may vary depending on an individual’s height, swing speed, swing weight , and other factors that can impact the club’s performance.

Driver shaft length has increased over the years for several reasons. First, as golf ball technology has advanced, the need for increased swing speed has become more apparent. A longer shaft allows for a faster swing, resulting in a higher ball speed and longer tee shots. Additionally, manufacturers have discovered that many golfers associate a longer shaft with the perception of power. This has prompted them to design clubs with a longer shaft length to attract buyers.

Since 2020, off-the-rack driver models from TaylorMade, Callaway, PING, and Titleist come with slightly varying shaft lengths. Here’s a quick table with a few examples to see the difference:

What Is The Ideal Shaft Length?

Your height, age, ball speed, and swing speed all play a role in determining the best shaft length for your game. Male golfers typically use longer shafts than female golfers due to the difference in their height and swing speed.

As a general guideline, the ideal driver shaft length for male golfers ranges from 45-48 inches, while female golfers often use a shaft length between 43-45 inches. However, keep in mind that these are just guidelines, and trying out different lengths and flexes (the club’s ability to bend during the swing) is crucial to finding the perfect fit.

A professional club fitter can assist in finding the right driver length for your game. They will take into account your swing action, club head speed, and other measurements such as floor-to-wrist measurements to determine the correct club length for your body.

Driver Shaft Length by Height Chart

To determine the recommended shaft length based on your height, golf club manufacturers use the Driver Shaft Length by Height Chart, which uses the player’s wrist-to-floor measurement to gauge the correct club length.

Let’s explore the different height categories and the corresponding recommended shaft length based on the chart.

Choosing the correct driver shaft length based on your height can have a significant impact on your swing speed, ball speed, and overall performance. Take the time to measure your wrist-to-floor and use the Driver Shaft Length by Height Chart to find your recommended shaft length. Women’s shafts are usually one inch shorter than men’s.

How to Measure Your Driver Shaft Length?

To accurately measure the length of your driver shaft, you should lay the driver flat on the ground with the clubhead pointing outwards. Take a measuring tape and measure from the end of the grip down to the heel of the club. This measurement will give you the length of your driver shaft.

It is important to note that the standard length for a ladies’ driver is typically an inch shorter than it is for men. This is because female golfers tend to be shorter in height, have less club head speed, and a slower swing speed. However, taller golfers, both male and female, may require a longer driver shaft.

It is also important to keep in mind the new local rule, issued by the USGA and R&A , that limits driver length to 46 inches (before, the limit was 48″). This rule was created to preserve the balance between skill and technology in the game of golf. A club longer than 46 inches may provide an unfair advantage and violate the rules of golf.

By measuring your driver shaft length, you can determine if a shorter or longer shaft is necessary for your swing.

Distance vs. Accuracy: Driver Shaft Length Balance

Distance and accuracy are both important in golf. Finding the right balance between the two is key to improving your game.

A longer shaft provides a larger arc during the swing, allowing the golfer to generate more speed and potentially hit the ball farther . However, it’s worth noting that longer shafts can also make it more challenging to strike the ball consistently in the center of the clubface, which may offset the potential distance gains.

Check Also: Hit It Long and Straight: Golf Drills & Tips to Elevate Your Driving Game

Generally, shorter shafts offer better control and can enhance accuracy. A shorter shaft provides more control over the clubhead throughout the swing, making it easier to square the face at impact. This can lead to more accurate shots and tighter dispersion patterns. Longer shafts, on the other hand, can be more challenging to control, especially for golfers with less consistent swings.

Ultimately, it’s important to find the right balance between distance and accuracy. A professional club fitter can help you determine the ideal shaft length for your swing and player profile. Additionally, other factors like shaft flex, weight, and overall clubhead design also influence performance.

What Length Driver Do the Best Club Fitters Recommend for Most Golfers?

The best club fitters recommend that most golfers use a driver at or near standard length. Research has shown that the average golfer performs best with a standard-length driver shaft. However, if you are significantly shorter or taller than the average height, a non-standard length shaft may be necessary for optimal performance.

Professional club fitters take into account your swing speed, wrist-to-floor measurements, swing weight, and clubhead speed when determining the ideal driver shaft length for you.

Overall, the majority of golfers will benefit from using a standard-length driver shaft. Consult with a professional club fitter and take accurate measurements using a tape measure to ensure that you are using the correct club for your height and swing action.

What Happens When You Cut Down a Driver?

When you cut down a driver shaft, several things happen. The swing weight of the club becomes lighter, and the overall stiffness of the shaft increases. The swing weight is important because it affects the balance of the club during the swing. Cutting down a shaft can cause the club to feel head-heavy, which could result in a slower swing.

To address the swing weight, you can add additional weights to the clubhead or grip to compensate for the loss of weight. Another option is to have the shaft tipped to make it stiffer and reduce the overall weight of the club.

How Long Are PGA Tour Professionals’ Drivers?

When it comes to driver shaft length, PGA Tour professionals typically use drivers between 44-46 inches long. This standard length allows for a good balance between swing speed and control. However, some players deviate from this norm, such as Rickie Fowler and Phil Mickelson, who prefer drivers with different lengths than the norm.

Fowler, known for his unorthodox swing, uses a driver that is 43.5″, while Mickelson has been known for using extra-long drivers of around 47.5 inches (and even used a 48″ driver to win the Kiawah Island, S.C. PGA Championship). Bryson DeChambeau is another pro golfer that uses 48″ long drivers.

Overall, while the majority of professionals use drivers between 44-46 inches, it’s ultimately about personal preference and finding the correct fit for your game.

Restrictions of Shaft Length in Professional Golf

As of January 2022, professional golf introduced restrictions on driver shaft length, limiting it to a maximum of 46 inches.

The new rule aims to cap the increase in swing speed that longer shafts offer, reducing the distance a golf ball travels off a tee shot.

However, this restriction won’t impact the majority of golfers who play recreationally, as the Rules of Golf still permit driver shaft lengths up to 48 inches.

While some players, like Phil Mickelson and Bryson DeChambeau, have expressed their resistance to the rule, most pros understand the rationale behind it.

Professional golfers invest a lot of time and money to perfect their swings and increase their performance. Yet, this rule will ensure a level playing field, preventing a golf ball from traveling excessive distances off the tee and promoting fairness and skill over sheer power.

So, unless you’re a high-level competitor concerned about the new restriction, there’s no need to worry about the length of your driver shaft.

Does a Longer Shaft Mean More Distance?

A longer driver shaft can potentially mean more distance, but it’s not a guarantee. The relationship between driver shaft length and distance is not linear, meaning that longer shafts won’t always result in longer shots. Your swing speed, timing, and the specific clubhead can all affect how much distance you get based on your driver shaft length.

A longer driver shaft can give you the following advantages:

• Potential for more distance on your tee shots.
• Longer shaft can also create more club head speed and ball speed.
• Potentially ideal for taller players, as shorter shafts can require uncomfortable setup positions.

However, it also has some disadvantages such as:

• Decreased accuracy due to the longer shaft’s difficult swing plane.
• Heavier shafts can increase swing weight and make it difficult to control shots.
• Extra-long shafts also reduce control in the form of shot accuracy.

What Works Best For You?

Professional club fitting is the first step in determining the best driver shaft length for you as it takes into account physical measurements (mentioned earlier).

A professional fitter can then match you to the specifications of a shaft, including length, flex, weight, and kick point (the area of the shaft that bends most during the swing), to optimize your swing speed, ball speed, and overall performance.

While taller golfers may require longer shaft lengths, the majority of golfers will benefit from a standard driver shaft.

So, if you’re wondering what’s best for you, seek the guidance of a professional club fitter who can help determine the ideal shaft length that suits your physical traits and skill set, and ultimately help you achieve a consistent game.

Final Thoughts

Finding the right driver shaft length is crucial in enhancing your game. The importance lies in the impact of your swing’s accuracy and distance. A shorter driver shaft can improve accuracy, while a longer one can increase distance.

Finding the best shaft length is a highly personalized process, as what works for one player won’t necessarily work for another. A fitting session is the best way to find a shaft length that falls in that sweet spot where good swing speeds and distances are achieved without compromising accuracy!

Feel free to leave a comment below if you have any questions or would like to share your experiences with driver shaft length.

Thanks for reading!

Jacob Jensen

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