Drivers, Distance and Shafts.

I have played a Callaway FTi square driver with Fujikura Speeder 586 Regular shaft for some time now. I wasn't hitting it fantastic distances but I wasn't missing too many fairways. I thought a new shaft might give me some distance and approached the clubfitting people at Laguna National in Singapore for some recommendations of what to fit. After checking a few swing and physical things I was advised to try the following:

Try not to play anything above 44" and make sure you hit the sweet spot (which happens to be about half inch above center).

Here are 3 things to look for if you do hit the sweet spot.

1. You feel little to no vibrations coming back to your hands.

2. Ball stays in the air longer.

3. You get an almost hollow kind of sound on the driver.

Also, on a 44" driver, try choking down 1" to 2" like Anthony Kim. See how that works. You may be surprised.

I took 1" off the butt end of the shaft, used a longer tee and guess what - I feel more comfortable with my swing and I have gained approximately 10 yards.

Hi redvet,

Everything you say makes sense.

The drivers used to be 43"-44". In some part, because the manufacturers got into the arms race to promote that their equipment hits longer than the competition, the lengths became longer and longer. Another factor was the lighter materials allowed them to do this and also they could retain swingweight (i.e. graphite shafts, all other factors being equal, basically would require 1" more length than stell shafts to preserve the same swing weight). But, you can cut the length and still make other compensations to preserve swingweight and feel, such as add weight to the head end, etc. Many of the off the rack drivers have lengths of 45"-46". The longer the club and the lower the loft, as you know, it becomes more difficult to hit solid shots. Many pros, instructors and people in the business would give their opinion that most casual players should be using shorter drivers. Some pros, in fact, do use drivers with 43.5" length. Tiger Woods was one who held out for a long time with his old driver.

Anthony Kim tells the story as to why he still plays choked down, which is another story. He effectively then plays with a 43" driver. He says that Nike told him they could cut down the standard length shaft for him and install a grip that he would not have to choke up on, but he said he's used to the feel and control and he has no shortage of distance anyways.

The sound that a well struck shot on the high sweet spot by a good golfer, particularly with the square drivers, as you say, is a hollow "klankkkk". You say to yourself it's been mishit, but then you see the ball take off and land far out there.

Ted

Hi Rotator
Thanks for your interesting post. I think also that most golfers in search of improving have eagerly taken onboard most of what manufacturers have to say about equipment. I can remember seeing a tv programme ages ago which featured one of the older US tour pros doing tests with his old irons (blades) againsts new irons and his old steel shafted persimmon driver against steel/graphite. There was a slight improvement in distance with the driver but little with the irons, they came to the conclusion that it was the ball that was making the big difference.

To further the point we both made regarding driver shaft length, I noticed that the shaft lengtgh on the TaylorMade Burner 09 that I borrowed is sold as standard at 46.5" . TM say that felt that they felt the driver head could take a longer shaft !! presumably so that those that can get a wider arc going will get a few extra yards and say how good it is.

Me - I am just happy at my condiderable age to be playing the game to a good standard - and enjoying the comments and chat on the forum.

Hi redvet,

Taylor Made made that driver that length, because of the arms war competition. All the manufacturers do that, so they can, and do, advertise it's the longest driver ever. The pros (if they choose to, and what we don't know is what lengths do they actually have on their custom fitted shafts?) and Iron Byron could use that length to get additional distance. Many casual golfers can't handle it and get inconsistent strikes. It is difficult to swing a longer club and hit the sweet spot, particularly if you are shorter, frail, don't play often, and/or if you have swing flaws.They try the club at the range, and they may bomb the ball longer than they ever have, every now and then. Also, they may be bombing it, but would those long drives at the range or computer screen at the store find the fairway?

I told the story of one of my playing partners, who is a low single digit handicapper. He uses his wife's set of clubs. He is short and not particularly strong.

Regarding your considerable age, people on the forum know I am 69 years old. I am still able to hit solid shots, but I've been playing for about 50 years and have worked hard on learning the game.

Warmest regards from a very cold place,

Ted

quote....
Regarding your considerable age, people on the forum know I am 69 years old. I am still able to hit solid shots, but I've been playing for about 50 years and have worked hard on learning the game.

Hi Ted... Got a few years to go to catch me - 77 next Sunday... Still fit, had handicap 12 in UK but moved out to Kuching Malaysia end of last year to live and will need to have serious talk with H/C officials here where the course is much longer than mine in UK and with the terrific humidity I struggle more. Don't envy your cold, played Sunday here and the temp reached 90 deg at around 1400 hrs and even though using buggy needed to use heat umbrella to survive. Going to Singapore for a few days break for the birthday, its a bit cooler there.

Good to talk with you and warmest greeting to you and yours from a very very warm Kuching.

Tony

It is great that you are doing well at that age.

A Very Happy Birthday, Tony, and have an enjoyable trip.

Ted

Thanks

Tony