Longer shaft... More clubhead speed... WRONG!!!

[golfisforfun]

So I recently purchased a TM Jetspeed driver playing to 45" instead of the stock 46" shaft, knowing that I have trouble controlling the longer length shaft.

I decided to go into GT with my driver and compare the numbers with a stock Jetspeed to see the differences that might exist...

AND it was just as I expected...

Clubhead speed with the 45" was higher than the 46" by about 3mph average
Accuracy was better with the 45"
Spin rate was better
Distance was better...

Anyone else done this type of test yet? What did you find?

I have always thought the longer shafts eventually become tougher (slower) to swing and I am sure for a lot of people this is already the case even though they may not realize it.

By the way, I am only about 5'9" tall, maybe a bit more...

[habsfan]

So I recently purchased a TM Jetspeed driver playing to 45" instead of the stock 46" shaft, knowing that I have trouble controlling the longer length shaft.

I decided to go into GT with my driver and compare the numbers with a stock Jetspeed to see the differences that might exist...

AND it was just as I expected...

Clubhead speed with the 45" was higher than the 46" by about 3mph average
Accuracy was better with the 45"
Spin rate was better
Distance was better...

Anyone else done this type of test yet? What did you find?

I have always thought the longer shafts eventually become tougher (slower) to swing and I am sure for a lot of people this is already the case even though they may not realize it.

By the way, I am only about 5'9" tall, maybe a bit more...

I had an R7 I played for years and early on I didnt like the driver was very erratic, cut it down from 45.5 to 43, made the world of difference in the accuracy department without affecting distance at all. I now have a fitted driver back to 45" what a difference a fitted driver makes.

[The Saint]

..hmmmm Maybe if you replied to your PM's you would hit it farther... ..

[Chieflongtee]

HUUUUM. Was going through this yesterday with someone else. Check out Myth number 7
http://www.greenwichgolf.com/wp-cont...2mythsPDF1.pdf

[downhillslider]

This is quite common with the majority of my customers, although there are exceptions.

Unfortunately, all the hype put out by the big boys say that longer clubs are the way to go to increase one's distance.

Actually, the way to go is to find what length of club yields the most center face hits. This is clubfitting 101 !

[SnazzyD]

That reminds me, I need to get in touch about a fitting and maybe some kids rentals...I've heard great things about the work you do

Back on topic, if it's true that a long shaft length doesn't translate into extra yardage, why is it that all the long drive champions use something closer to 48"? Or is it that a longer shaft doesn't help MOST golfers due to the loss of control and consistency?

[golfisforfun]

I think every person's swing has an optimum shaft length (for clubhead speed)
If you swing a shaft that is 8ft long, it will be a slow speed, but speed will pick up as you shorten that shaft until you reach your maximum speed and then the speed will slow down again as the club becomes too short to swing quickly... It is clearly different for everyone, but for me, I am finding that 44.5-45" is my max...

LD guys are also trying to land the ball in a football field, not in a 20 yard fairway...

[SnazzyD]

That was an excellent read - thanks for sharing, Chief! I had heard about Tom Wishon and am glad to read all those myths he does his best to bust. If anyone knows about all this stuff, it's him.

I am playing the shortest driver I've ever used at just over 44" these days (the legendary Orlimar Hip Ti 420 which LeftyGolfGuy helped me get reshafted), and it's a bomber! I also have an Orlimar Hip Ti 420 11.5 degree club which I am going to get reshafted to test out The Wishon Way

[golfinteg]

Clubhead Speed?
Shorter or Longer?
The answer to TS is neither right or wrong. No?

Your optimal driver shaft length depends...

"Everyone on the planet thinks that a longer driver length means a higher
clubhead speed, which in turn means more distance. The fact is, the
only golfers who actually do experience a higher clubhead speed from
a longer length are golfers with a later to very late unhinging of their
wrist-cock angle on the downswing. That’s maybe 25% of all golfers,
if that"

Likewise, why shortchanged yourself if you belong to this 25% club?
Golf is a game of inches.

[SnazzyD]

Golf is a game of inches.

Only on the greens