Yes, shorter-than-standard driver shafts are still a thing among better players, and we think they should also be a thing for many amateurs. (By “shorter” it means that we’re talking about using a driver that’s at least an inch smaller than the standard 45.5-inch and 45.75-inch driver sold off the shelves.) Below, we’ve listed several reasons why shorter shafts are a good idea. In addition, because it’s our responsibility to view things from both perspectives, we’ve included some reasons why certain players might prefer to steer clear of smaller shafts.
Driver Shafts That Are Shorter Allow For Easier Hitting Solid Shots
Generally speaking, the closer you are towards you, the more likely you are to hit the ball well from the center of your clubface. For certain players, fairway woods can be more difficult to hit than drivers, and loft is a significant factor in the ease with which a club will be to strike. However, for all purposes, shorter clubs are more comfortable to hit and create more effective shots. It’s not going to be too scientific in this article, but a significant part of it is due to the distance that the eyes are away from the ball. As closer to the ball are the eyes, the easier it is to strike a good ball.
There’s a big drawback when using shafts with shorter lengths, however. A shorter club means you cannot swing at the same speed. A shorter radius means that the clubhead’s swing is on a smaller arc and does not have the space for speed before hitting the ball. However, a decrease in the club’s speed in favor of more solid contact typically results in more straight and long drives in general.
Solid Shots Fly Further & Straighter
The ideal combination is a swift swing and strong strike. However, it occurs less often than we would like for most of us. If, for instance, you’re constantly missing the sweet spot by a few centimeters with an extended shaft, you’re most likely to be losing 10-20 yards (and different levels of accuracy) that you could have gained if you struck the ball directly onto the sweet spot. Cleveland Golf is one of the few companies that understand the advantages of shorter shafts and has the Launcher XL drivers with smaller sizes of one inch for those who need more control but don’t want to need to alter or tweak the way that the clubhead is felt.
An Inch May Make No Sense
Let’s say you own a 44.5-inch driver and are tempted to test the 45.5-inch driver. You’ve done your homework and for the average player, an inch of extra length could add something between 10 and 10 yards more off the golf course. However, if the extra inch makes you hit the sweet spot less often, it’s not worth the slight additional yardage or decrease in accuracy. Tests by robots have proven that longer shafts are associated with greater club head speed; however, this doesn’t mean they’ll be the same in the computer behind your ears. Longer shafts also require a completely new evaluation of your ideal shaft flex and swing weight. Just swapping out your current model of the shaft for one that’s a full inch longer could result in your driver giving a completely different ball flight and feel. It’s your right to disagree. However, we believe that straighter drives that are only a few yards further within the fairway are always better than a more sweeping one that is a few yards farther in the rough.
Your Height Plays a Significant Role
I hope we do not offend anyone; however, if you’re a golfer less than five feet” and the distance between your fingertips and the ground is between 29 and 30 inches with your hands sitting at your side, the 45.75″ driver shaft is likely to be far too big for your needs initially. Hands that are this low and a large driver shaft are likely to put the toe of the clubhead up toward the air when you address it and increase the chance of heel strikes. No matter which driver you choose, heel hits will likely produce much worse results than misses to the toe.
The Way You Swing Is Important
If you are swinging over the top (hey, there is no perfect swing, and many of the top players on the planet have a slight over-the-top swing), a shorter shaft can allow you to square your clubface during the hit. It will help straighten your outside-in swing path. It will make turning the hands much easier, allowing you to transform your weak fade/slice into a more effective draw.
Distance Isn’t the Only Thing That Matters
For certain players who are accustomed to a shorter distance to hit more fairways is a good option for lower scores. A shorter shaft could result in lower, more hitting drives that fly straighter than drives made with longer shafts that can fly higher and, sometimes, further away from the intended target. To maximize the benefits of a driver shaft that is shorter. Most fitters recommend choosing the softer flexible rating and a larger profile. This will ensure that the club looks balanced and easy to manage.
However… Some Players May Benefit From Longer Shafts
Now, you be aware that only some follow the same rules and conventions. Likewise, using robots and/or controlled testing means that the results will differ. Some golfers could increase the distance and accuracy of their shots through a more powerful shaft (like an athlete who is tall or someone who requires an easier stance or swing). You may be a good enough player that miss-hits aren’t an issue for you. In any case, the longer shaft could be more beneficial, not worse, in terms of performance for your driver. One way to figure out if a longer shaft is better than a shorter one is to try certain clubs using spray or impact tape and test your results.
You Might Prefer a Lighter Shaft
If you are using an elongated shaft generally, this is correlated with using a slightly heavier shaft to prevent the club from becoming too light. A lighter shaft can be a blessing, and having a heavier shaft isn’t something you’d want to do. They can aid golfers in hitting the ball further, and if height is a concern, then it’s probably not worth sacrificing to use a longer or more powerful shaft.
Whatever the case, whether you choose shorter or longer shafts is best to go to an experienced club fitter and experiment to determine which one is best for you. We’re betting that a lot of you will get more success with the shorter shaft, however, some might not.
