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WHEN IS SHORTER ACTUALLY LONGER 2008-03-18
Amongst all the noise there is one simple physics rule we all know. The longer the shaft, the faster the club head speed, the further we will hit the golf ball.
Hmmm. That’s not true I’m afraid. I can’t draw the physics equation but I can tell you that each of you who read this feature will have a shaft length beyond which you will actually have a decline, in not just accuracy, but distance as well.
Research shows that for every ½" that you miss the sweet spot you lose 5 to 7% of your potential distance. For those of you who can blast a Driver 250 yards on a good day that is a loss of around 15 yards for each ½".
A famous clubmaker in the US once proved the point using a 5 foot 4 top female golfer and a bar full of male club members. Using a Driver with a 54" shaft the lady golfer cleared the 200 yard mark comfortably every time but not one of the male golfers, some with respectable handicaps, could get past the 200 yard mark with anything other than the odd blow.
You’ve probably figured that a Driver with a 54" shaft is a very unwieldy club and you’ve also possibly accepted that it might be difficult to get the clubhead back to the ball square while making contact anywhere near the sweet spot. But 54" is ridiculous right?
But what isn’t ridiculous? For you, where is the point that you think is too long for your game. Is it 50"? Is it 48"? You’re probably playing with a Driver that has a 45" shaft (or maybe even longer if you bought it this year). Tiger Woods played last year with a Driver that was 43½" long. If you played golf when Ronald Reagan was President of the US then you probably played with a 43" shaft then.
So how did you decide what length shaft works best for you, and would you GAIN DISTANCE WITH A SHORTER SHAFT?
The next time that you are thinking of improving your play from the Tee Box or buying new equipment, please come through and see me. I can make sure that you will be fitted with the right length shaft to improve your golf and increase your enjoyment.
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