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Are shorter drivers better?

By Rachel Davis |

When fitting a driver, it's important to get loft, lie, shaft, and grip sorted, but better driving may be hiding in a shorter shaft. In fact, a shorter shaft should help you find the sweet spot more often and may even add distance.

Is a shorter driver easier to hit?

The short answer is, yes, it is easier to hit with a shorter driver. As we talked about before, a shorter driver will decrease the width of the arc to your swing and increase your frequency of hitting the center of the clubface.

Is a shorter driver more accurate?

More importantly that test showed a 28% increase in accuracy with the shorter shaft. Every golfer is different, and this doesn't conclusively say that all golfers would benefit from a shorter shaft, but it certainly is enough to raise your eyebrows (and mine).

Is a shorter driver shaft better?

The long and the short of it

Your current length may be perfect for you. You may even need a longer one. But, as our experts and test have shown, a good number of golfers would benefit from a shorter shaft. You may actually increase distance and there's a good chance you'll hit more fairways.

Why do pros use shorter drivers?

A shorter driver shaft could lead to more confidence and finding the center of the face more often. That could lead to more fairways hit, which could yield more roll for extra distance. The takeaway: During your driver fitting don't just focus on the distance number you get with your Sunday punch.

28 related questions found

Do you lose distance with a shorter driver shaft?

When fitting a driver, it's important to get loft, lie, shaft, and grip sorted, but better driving may be hiding in a shorter shaft. In fact, a shorter shaft should help you find the sweet spot more often and may even add distance.

What length driver shaft do pros use?

PGA Tour Professionals tend to play drivers between 44-46" in length. The vast majority of pros are in the 44.5" to 45.75" range from what we've been able to gather.

What happens if your driver is too long?

“If a driver shaft is too long for the player, they can struggle to find the middle consistently. Off-centre hits not only drastically reduce ball speed and distance, but have a big impact on accuracy.”

What length driver does Brooks koepka use?

Once we got that done, everything else, you know, you just match your specs.” At the top end of the bag, Koepka has a new Srixon ZX7 driver at 10.75 degrees, equipped with a Mitsubishi Diamana D-Limited 70 TX shaft that he's used for years.

How long is Rory McIlroy's driver shaft?

"I went back to 44 1/2 [inches] earlier this year," Rory McIlroy said. "I don't think driver length is the right way to tackle what the governing bodies want to do. I mean, I would be in agreeance with Phil. A lot of amateurs just pick a driver off the rack and it's going to be 45 and a half inches.

Should I hit down on my driver?

To cure your slices and pulls, hit down on the ball with your driver. A good thought is to try to take a little divot after impact or to hit with the shaft leaning toward the target (top photo). This will help you shift to your front side on the downswing and swing into impact from inside the target line.

How long is Tiger Woods driver shaft?

(Tiger plays a 43.5 inch driver).

Who uses the shortest driver on tour?

10 shortest drivers on the PGA Tour

  • Scott Langley -- 270.3 yards.
  • D.A. Points -- 273.3 yards.
  • Brian Gay -- 273.7 yards.
  • Brian Stuard -- 274.4 yards.
  • Jim Furyk -- 275.1 yards.
  • Ryan Armour -- 275.3 yards.
  • Alex Cejka -- 275.7 yards.
  • Michael Kim -- 276.3 yards.

What length driver does Rickie Fowler use?

It was just a few weeks ago when we heard of Bryson's intention to test -- and potentially put in play -- a 48-inch driver. For those that don't know, the “normal” TOUR length for a driver is anywhere from 43.5 inches (Rickie Fowler) to the TOUR standard of around 45 inches. So what does a longer club do?

Should shorter golfers choke up?

The first huge benefit of choking down on the golf club is the added control. Since the club instantly becomes shorter, it's easier to control. In general, the more you choke up, the more control you will gain.

How long is Dustin Johnson's driver shaft?

SPECS TaylorMade SIM2, 10.5°, Fujikura Ventus Black proto 6X shaft, 45.75 inches.

What is the length of Bryson DeChambeau driver?

Bryson DeChambeau can only use a 48-inch driver when he's competing in Long Drive Association events. Golf's governing bodies announced a new “model local rule” available Jan. 1 that would limit the maximum length of all clubs except the putter to 46 inches.

How long is Bubba Watson's driver?

Long Drivers

While a 48-inch driver is legal, the wisdom of using the longest possible club is questionable. Watson, one of the PGA Tour's longest hitters, told “Golf Digest” in 2010 that he uses a 44½-inch-long driver, adding a 48-inch driver he tried threw his timing off.

What size driver should I use?

LENGTH. The driver is the longest club in your bag. Men's drivers tend to measure between 45 and 48 inches, while women's drivers are typically between 43 or 44 inches. The size used depends on how a golfer feels in terms of overall control.

Who is the best golfer ever?

The current record for most career major championship wins is 18, held by Jack Nicklaus. Nicklaus, otherwise known as Golden Bear, is widely renowned for his career achievements and is a popular pick as the greatest golfer to ever play the game.

Should you break the tee when you drive?

Better players almost never break their tee when they hit driver or wood. They still will when they hit iron or hybrid.