48" driver looking better

DonM · 2023-04-01T15:24:52+00:00

I built the F7 12.5d head with KK 2nd Gen A flex shaft and a JumboMax ultralight regular jumbo size grip, at 48" and D5. I loved the R flex version of the...

fatshot

DonM Don, I built myself a 48 inch driver several years ago (with advice from Bernie Baymiller
on the old FGI site). My good shots were sweet all right, but I found my miss was high and to the right. After
each season when I would regrip it, I'd shorten it by 1/2 inch. That helped straighten me out, and I got to be
pretty consistent at about 47 or 46 1/2 ihches. For the past few years I've settled at 46 inches, which is close
to what "standard" drivers come in at today. With that length, I hit the fairway most of the time and usually hit it
between 190-"almost 200."

DonM

fatshot Last time, I did that and ended up at 47 inches before it got cracked.

Par4QC

DonM I am of an opposite school of thought on the longer drivers, I guess.
48" is too long. LD excepted.
Light heads don't work, except for rare cases. If they did, people would be using them everywhere. The people that try the longer/lighter, shitcan them after just a couple rounds. Because they 'don't work'/'can't time them' properly. For good reason.
I think a lot of members here tried this and maybe Rick is the only one that still has one.

Put the weights back in the head. Go to 46.5. Use the A flex. (hit up🤣)
Try a LogicalOne shaft. 😉

This is just my findings through the years. But from reading posts here and elsewhere, I don't see anyone happy with their long/light drivers. And do not use them now. YMMV

DonM

Par4QC Last time I got 5 yards for every half inch. It was worth a try, it only cost me for the shaft, $50. I had one of my best rounds playing the previous at 47. Anyway, you might be right, we'll see. At 46.5, I doubt it's any longer than my TM at 45.75.

rsvman2

Par4QC I think, Almo said that when he studied this with regular guys, the sweetspot for driver weight was about 205 grams.

The formula for momentum is M=mv2 (squared, that is), so it would seem that speed is more important than weight, but people can't control clubface angle and they also miss the center of the clubface too often with very long and/or very light drivers.

Par4QC

DonM I like to use heads that are around 204-206g.. Using an A flex, 62g shaft @ 46.5/47.
I am going to try some 45" drivers the 1st couple rounds. Has been a few years since I've used one that 'short'.

I don't know about any 'gains'. When I started going longer, my drives were getting shorter anyway. 😅

garyt1957

DonM I had one built at 48", really can't remember the head name or even the shaft but I hit the Hell out of it. But I was using a baseball kinda swing,flatter and around my body. For some reason I decided to change and the long driver lost it's mojo, and I lost 20 yards.

sdandrea1

My scores are best using sub 45" driver length.

UnholyDefenestrator78

rsvman2

momentum is a vector quantity and equal to mass times velocity vector
kinetic energy is equal to 0.5 times mass times the norm of the velocity vector (aka speed) squared.

Since the collision is inelastic this difference is very important.

mulegolf

My sweet spot seems to be 46.5" and a light weight head. That's what my XXIO Prime 9 driver is and it's
been great for me. I also had a light weight TM Burner knockoff with a 45gm shaft at 47" that I hit pretty well.
It was long when I hit it solid but often I hit it not so well too. The XXIO at 46.5" is much more consistent. I
think I've still got the TM Burner knockoff. I may try it again if the XXIO ever gets "persnickedy." Either that or
I'll go back to my 2016 TM M2 with the sr. shaft. That club was always good for me too, just not as good as the XXIO.

DonM

mulegolf I’d love to find a XXIO demo day.

mulegolf

DonM
Ideal would be an XXIO and Honma demo day.

scotts33

My take in general terms and averages. Take a 85 - 90 mph club head speed player with driver at 44"s. If the player uses a "R" flex 65g shaft and it "fits" the longer the playing length the shaft profile needs to go lighter and weaker flex. This is just a general fitting factor for shaft profile, shaft weight, heft match and some shafts just don't load well. Sometimes it's just the shaft doesn't match the player. I'd be looking at face impact on the driver the tell tale sign that the average center impact drops to much as impacts move all over the driver face as shaft weight is to high and the shaft profile to stiff or vicea versa. Somewhere there is a sweet spot. Once you hit that sweet spot don't mess with the poon.

sdandrea1

scotts33 Sometimes it's just the shaft doesn't match the player. I'd be looking at face impact on the driver the tell tale sign

Center strikes - more accuracy - lower scores

rsvman2

UnholyDefenestrator78 Thanks for the correction.

pellmell

sdandrea1 What about face angle?

bogeypro

Only time I want a 48" driver in my bag is when I'm taking relief 😂

Typhoon

There is a point of dimishing returns. My max was 47". 48" I hit shorter than my playing length driver,

Rickochet

DonM I will make one more try, with a heavier grip. I remember that helped last time.

I never had any luck with the Jumbomax grips.

Typhoon

Rickochet I never had any luck with the Jumbomax grips

Yeah, I see people using them who do not have large hands and that grip makes it impossible for them to release the club. You would need wicked big hands to be fit into those.

Par4QC

Rickochet Don't have to go with those just to get a heavier grip. Some midsize grips are 10-15 gr. heavier than standard.

garyt1957

Typhoon Yeah, I see people using them who do not have large hands and that grip makes it impossible for them to release the club. You would need wicked big hands to be fit into those.

I tried them specifically for that reason, to retard the release