Looking for recent feedback on Shorter Length Drivers

toraider · 2022-09-12T15:58:01+00:00

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 prob...

ptjn1201

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.

toraider

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.

Spuzz

toraider I guess you missed it

Indeed I did.
My eyes were blurry from the excruciating pain I was in.
Most guys would have quit and called for the towel and water bottle guy from the sidelines
😉

garyt1957

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.

bigshank

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

Typhoon

Oh God...🙄

scotts33

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

potbunker

DonM most people would be better off with 44".

Bingo!

Par4QC

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???

scotts33

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! 😄

sdandrea1

Par4QC Everything in between gives me the willys

So familiar with this........

colej

KCee

Did you try that Avalon 6 yet?

KCee

colej No I haven't. I was struggling with the longer lighter stuff so I threw an old Saga 70 in at 44.5" and was doing well, but now I'm hot and cold with that too. It's just me swinging poorly; I can't even hit a GW consistently these days and wedges used to be a strong part of my game.

Par4QC

scotts33 When describing any of my builds, or when using an OEM, or shaft, etc., I always add 'for me'. Everyone is happy, that there is only 1 me. 😄

sdandrea1

Par4QC Everyone is happy, that there is only 1 me. 😄

Might be someone unhappy that there's a YOU at all? 🤣🤣. Nobody here, though.....I swear.

Typhoon

FYI you driver distance should be 2x your PW (45-48 degree) carry distance.

sdandrea1

Typhoon FYI you driver distance should be 2x your PW (45-48 degree) carry distance.

I must be hitting my PW too far......

Par4QC

Typhoon Take it to the bank with me!!
Sometimes.😩

DonM

Typhoon I can’t achieve that 2x number, and I think my driver works pretty well. Maybe it doesn’t.

colej

Typhoon

Nope! I suck with my irons but kill my driver!

SVonhof

I have used 46" or 46.5" drivers for years. I decided I needed more accuracy than length and decided to go with a 45" driver. I had to swap the standard weights in the Callaway Epic Flash SZ from the a6g/2g to 17.5/6g in order to get the swing weight back up. It was E1 with my 80g shaft at 46.5" and I was able to get my 45" 80g shaft up to E2 with those weights.

BTW, I have noticed that I can hit more fairways with it but it really likes to be swung fast. When I first went out with it, I was taking it easy and kept loosing the ball to the right. Swing hard and it goes straight or has a very slight fade. The ball doesn't go as far, but that could be other factors contributing as well right now.

Don't underestimate swing weight on it's affects it will have.

Subsonic

@sdandrea1 Maybe SWMBOs opinion would be especially relevant on this topic.

Sneakylong

I settled on 45.25” a long time ago.

colej

DonM

That’s the same for me. I can hit my PW 128 yards but my driver will fly 270 (carry).