Shortening a driver....

["Richard"]

How much yardage is usually lost by shortening a driver by 1 inch? How much does accuracy go up? I swing at 103mph now (can swing it 110 but 103 is under control and focusing on all the things that are needed for a good swing).

If I shorten my driver is it also a good idea to shorter my 4w? Do you shortn from the tip? of the top of the driver? BCMIST said it changes the stiffness of the driver. Is this something i need to be concerned about?

[Chieflongtee]

Let me rephrase your question. How much distance would I gain from shortening my driver if I were fitted for driver length from wrist to floor measurement? Probably more than you think as you will hit the the face centre on a more consistent basis

["Richard"]

nice! thats what I like to hear!!!! hahahahah

wrist to floor is 33.5 which based on some sites on the net means I should be using a 43" driver.

[Chieflongtee]

Yup. Driver length 43 inches and 5 iron length 37.5

[Chieflongtee]

From Tom Wishon's book. Wrist to floor is the best starting point for club length. Your final length however may be different based on your swing plane,swing path, swing tempo and general athletic ability.

[1972Apex]

I have a wrist to floor measurement of 33.5 as well and I use irons based around a 37.5 inch 5-iron. Much more comfortable at that length with the irons and have the fairways shortened to match as well.
As for driver, my G2 is the standard 45.75" in length. I've seriously though of shortening it to 43.5 but I just can't bring myself to do it and then tip weight it to get the swingweight back up. I pretty much crush it at 45.75" which makes it tough to make the switch.

["Richard"]

tip weight it to get the swingweight back up

what does this mean?

[sandbagger72]

you lose distance when you shorten youre driver dont you. you stay strighter but lose distance.

["Richard"]

its possible that you might lose distance but with a shorter driver you end up hitting it in the sweet spot more often when with a longer driver. I think i read someone where that if you miss the sweet spot to the left of right by even 1/4 an inch you can lose upto 10% of your distance. Not sure if those numbers are accurate so I guess if shortening the driver by an inch loses 10 yards (5mph which seems a bit high to me but lets go with it) but you hit it in the sweet spot more often you don't end up losing over 20 yards... also if the its straight or more straight thats also distance that isn't lost... last year I wanted to get a 1" ext. on my driver but at 45" i found my self spraying it all over the place.

43"- 43.5", 11* driver should be awesome this year. Hitting the ball staright cause of the loft, less side spin, hitting the sweet spot more often.. but I'm just guessing right now, wont know what loft or length to use until I get on the LM at arista with DON in april

[covanant]

I do know that when i went from 45 to 44 last season,i was straighter for sure.

[davevandyk]

Yup. Driver length 43 inches and 5 iron length 37.5

how do you measure the driver and 5iron length? Can you give me the two equations? Like driver length = wrist-floor length + ?? as well as 5iron length. Is it a straight wrist-floor length plus 9.5 or something different?

thanks

[Chieflongtee]

how do you measure the driver and 5iron length? Can you give me the two equations? Like driver length = wrist-floor length + ?? as well as 5iron length. Is it a straight wrist-floor length plus 9.5 or something different?

thanks

Provide an email. I'll scan something and will forward it to you. it is not an equation.

[Chieflongtee]

I have a wrist to floor measurement of 33.5 as well and I use irons based around a 37.5 inch 5-iron. Much more comfortable at that length with the irons and have the fairways shortened to match as well.
As for driver, my G2 is the standard 45.75" in length. I've seriously though of shortening it to 43.5 but I just can't bring myself to do it and then tip weight it to get the swingweight back up. I pretty much crush it at 45.75" which makes it tough to make the switch.

I would not either . If it ain't broke don't fix it. The key word is athletic ability hand/eye coordination. If you consistently swing the 45.5 in the sweet spot then you are one of the gifted people out there.

["Richard"]

depe150@hotmail.com

Please send it to me as well Thanks

[Chieflongtee]

what does this mean?

Click on the link. That's one way of adding swingweight without lead tape.It,s inside the shaft. swingweight can also be added with rat glue.
http://www.golfworks.com/product.asp_Q_pn_E_SITW2
Best though is a weight adjustable driver. Many many options just by switching to lighter or heavier weights.

[davevandyk]

Provide an email. I'll scan something and will forward it to you. it is not an equation.

thanks a lot, the email is davidvandyk@gmail.com

[Chieflongtee]

All emails sent. Enjoy.

[Chieflongtee]

its possible that you might lose distance but with a shorter driver you end up hitting it in the sweet spot more often when with a longer driver. I think i read someone where that if you miss the sweet spot to the left of right by even 1/4 an inch you can lose upto 10% of your distance. Not sure if those numbers are accurate so I guess if shortening the driver by an inch loses 10 yards (5mph which seems a bit high to me but lets go with it) but you hit it in the sweet spot more often you don't end up losing over 20 yards... also if the its straight or more straight thats also distance that isn't lost... last year I wanted to get a 1" ext. on my driver but at 45" i found my self spraying it all over the place.

43"- 43.5", 11* driver should be awesome this year. Hitting the ball staright cause of the loft, less side spin, hitting the sweet spot more often.. but I'm just guessing right now, wont know what loft or length to use until I get on the LM at arista with DON in april

1/2 off center either way and you lose 10 yards.

[Golfbum]

THOTHO, do yourself and us a huge favour
READ THIS BOOK, you might learn something. Doing research on your own is much more rewarding than asking 1500 guestions on here.
http://www.amazon.ca/exec/obidos/sea...518855-7975261