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...

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. 😅

sdandrea1

My scores are best using sub 45" driver length.

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.

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

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.

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

sdandrea1

pellmell What about face angle?

Face angle is very important......at impact.