• EquipmentOEM

  • Looking for recent feedback on Shorter Length Drivers

Not sure what took so long, but I just started experimenting with Shorter Drivers.

I played a round with a Taylormade 300 Mini with a 5W shaft 42.5 and probably had my best day off the tee in a long time. I'm going to try 3W length 43.5 to see if I can squeeze out a couple more yards with similar control.

Also going to try some drivers at 44 and 44.5 to see if that is helpful. I also have a In1zone Single Length Driver on hand to try to out as well to see if it will compete with the TM Mini.

So I wanted to know whether you have experimented in the past and what was your experience was and if you are still playing a shorter length driver.

    I played 44 inches for years after 45 and longer became the OEM standard. Then as 50 gram shafts became standard, I found I could play 45+ with acceptable accuracy. In my experience, each half inch equal 5 yards. Your mileage may vary.

    This year I'm playing 45". Either it's the best driver I've ever owned, or I'm the best I've ever been. Could be both, because my driving is the best I've ever had. When I use my 45.75" one, I notice I am a little outside in. Which can be okay because the ball never moves left. But for now, the 45 puts me right on plane.

    All that said, I think most people would be better off with 44".

      I did the SL Driver from DTG (in 1 zone). It was a fairway finder but only provided decent distance for me in firm conditions (roll out).

      DonM All that said, I think most people would be better off with 44".

      Yep. You wanna hit it as far as possible or you wanna score well? Most of us can't have both.

        toraider

        When I was building drivers they were all 44 or 44.5" and worked quite well and usually D1 or D0 swing weight.

        With OEM drivers at 45.75, I have little success at that length unless I choked down. Even that was no guarantee. Also OEM shafts are usually counterbalanced to keep the swing weight down.

        Getting tired of all this with OEM's, I got fitted. At full length and chocking down, Ping (stock head and shaft) was yielded less distance and was the most erratic. Callaway and TM paired with their lighter shafts were much better. The best was a TSi1........lighter weight head and shaft.

        Bottom line, whatever length provides the best center strikes should yield the best distance.

          For years I did better with shorter drivers 44.5" and heavier seemed the best compromise of distance and accuracy. The last few years I have played with 44.5 to 46 and it just seems to depend on what swing I have that day. Also used a TM Mini at 43 and 43.5 and initially thought that was the holy grail, but then kept hitting pull hooks. Lately I don't think any spec of the club matter for me it's just whether or not I have a swing.

            I have an Alpha V2 425 10.5 at about 44", Matrix 7321 stiff, and it's really solid. I often carry two drivers, one around 47.5" and the other in the 43.5"-44.5" range. Shorter and heavier can work if you don't lose too much swing speed.

            Spuzz

            I guess you missed it, found a lower tee height after the first hole, a which point, it was way better. Yes, you are correct. Lower was better.

            Then started to stiffen up late in the round after waiting on every tee. At which point, no turn in the swing, so all arm left shots.

                I've been choking up on my driver to the end of the grip, so about 4", so I'm basically hitting a 41.5" driver. I really don't lose any distance and have hit some of my longer drives swinging this way, go figure. I'm also taking what feels like a short backswing and half effort coming through. It might actually be the easy swing but I'm really hitting a ton of fairways. Hit 13-14 in my last tournament. I will occasionally try going full length and I really don't gain anything in distance. I wonder if the 4" of shaft sticking out the end have any back weighting effect that helps?
                I used to play 48" drivers back in the day and hit them fine but I pulled one last year and it didn't go well. I hit it reasonably straight but just didn't gain the distance.

                Just got back from a golf trip and one of my playing partners had a custom cobra f9 built at 43.75 with it weighted to normal. Felt wonderful to me. I always choke down on mine. This might be a great option on my next driver

                Golf swing is so individualistic there is no one size fits all even though G'Buzzers try and make it that. 😁

                DonM I think most people would be better off starting out with 44".

                I think this re-write is better. And more fitting.

                I never could hit drivers when I started playing. After a break of some 23 yrs., I came back in the 'titanium era', and found that longer is better. I started with +45" and now am at 46-47". Through experimentation, it was a simple matter of what felt comfortable to swing, using MY swing. (re: Bagger Vance). Even now, I am only comfortable hitting driver or using my putter. Everything in between gives me the willys, even though I can 'hit' them. Not well at all, but I can, even 3 wd. off the deck. But, I cannot hit that 3 wd. off the tee, and an iron there would be very dangerous.
                Ima hack. Big deal. 😅

                Each person has to find what fits THEIR swing, not mine/not yours. But, didn't we all know that before today???

                    Par4QC Each person has to find what fits THEIR swing, not mine/not yours. But, didn't we all know that before today???

                    Some have but most don't think that way Rex. Hence I am going to suggest what works for me and it will work for you. NOT! 😄