Why not just build precision in the player to handle the longer shaft?
I liked the article and Wishon's company, but...Seriously, short for some. Long for others. There is no one size fits all.
I went to this old golf joint the other dude. . . old skool . . . and the old fart that ran the place had this piece of card board that he had put a matrix on . . . Loft Lies and Lengths from 3 different eras to current . . .
You'd have been surprised surprised surprised. The golf companies are mind-pimpin' us. You wouldn't need a gap wedge if you played with the clubs from back'n'da'day.
You should play the longest club you can CONTROL . . . I asked a question out here a long time ago about whether you'd rather have center face contact or more speed . . . HANDS DOWN HITTIN' IT FLUSH WON.
I think Eldrick was playing a 43 inch driver the year where he put everybody to shame . . . I bet most people play a driver that is too long for them and probably don't have enough loft.
I went to this old golf joint the other dude. . . old skool . . . and the old fart that ran the place had this piece of card board that he had put a matrix on . . . Loft Lies and Lengths from 3 different eras to current . . .
This known as the Vanishing Loft Disease. Your brand new 5 iron has the same loft as the club they stamped with a #3 in the 60's and #4 in the 70's...Still think you need a 1 iron in your bag???
And they continue to do it as long as the consumer remains uninformed. Gotta make a buck.
The average length driver on the PGA Tour in 2004-2005 was 44.5 inches. The average club length sold to the average consumer is 45 inches. The average loft of driver on the PGA Tour at the 2006 AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am was 9.2 degrees, conversely their amateur counterparts had an average loft of 9.4 (the majority of which were over a 12 handicap).
I like shorter drivers, but I just don't agree the're for everyone. I watch Jeff Hull (he didn't know I was watching) give a driver fitting one day. The guy, a hack, ended up in like a 47" driver. I know Jeff knows more than me.
Some people control a longer shaft better than a shorter one. Why? Ask Jeff.
Watching Lynn's videos on the swivel and roll on plane was key to learning the #3. After improving my #3 accumulator roll (lots of repetitions it did not come easy!) the launch monitor indicated that more loft was needed. My left arm roll was now delofting the club but producing a nice draw. I am tickled that my average on a launch monitor is now 260 yds versus 230 yds one month ago. I hit a few over 270 - 278 being my longest. The driver is a Nike Sasquatch 13 degree with a stock 45" shaft. Thanks Lynn and LBG golf!!
Watching Lynn's videos on the swivel and roll on plane was key to learning the #3. After improving my #3 accumulator roll (lots of repetitions it did not come easy!) the launch monitor indicated that more loft was needed. My left arm roll was now delofting the club but producing a nice draw. I am tickled that my average on a launch monitor is now 260 yds versus 230 yds one month ago. I hit a few over 270 - 278 being my longest. The driver is a Nike Sasquatch 13 degree with a stock 45" shaft. Thanks Lynn and LBG golf!!
Interesting . . . What did y'all do to your #3? What was the diagnosis and what was the cure?
You don't have that 2-piece-snack-box driver do you? That thing looks flickdid.
230 to 260 . . . I hope that lil' green b@st@rd gave you your money back.
I have last years Sasqy haven't seen the box version.
I am left handed playing from the right side. I never had the proper swivel and flat left wrist ala Yoda. Reading the Aj Bonar articles helped clear the fog as well. He advises to roll those hand/arms as fast and as far as possible. I had to train my left arm to roll on plane. Lots of left arm only swings as fast as possible waist high to waist high with a weighted training club. I am convinced a proper #3 accum can add 30 yds.
He found in a test of 50 golfers over a wide range of handicaps only a 1 yard difference in length between 43" and 45" drivers.
But a huge difference in accuracy.
And that 90% of golfers would be better off with shorter shafts than what is sold off the shelf.
Tom goes on to say that each 1/4" you miss the sweetspot by will cost you 5 yards in distance. I'd estimate a 2" drop in driver length to cost a good amateur about 3mph in swingspeed or about 8-10 yards in distance, so Tom's tests are certainly believable.
But of course, the only way to know what's the best length is through painful trial and error.
And besides, shorter drivers give you less area to take relief drops in.
I like shorter drivers, but I just don't agree the're for everyone. I watch Jeff Hull (he didn't know I was watching) give a driver fitting one day. The guy, a hack, ended up in like a 47" driver. I know Jeff knows more than me.
Some people control a longer shaft better than a shorter one. Why? Ask Jeff.
I have only fit a few drivers of that length and usually because they simply hit it better. Most of the time it is to get the player in better posture or to allow them to make a better pivot.
An important point to remember here is that stereotypes for anyone is a bad road to travel. I have been guilty of it in the past and I hope to never do it again. The ball does not know who or what is hitting it. It only knows where it is told to go. The Teacher, The Student, and the ball should determine the correct fit for that player.
I think Eldrick was playing a 43 inch driver the year where he put everybody to shame . . . I bet most people play a driver that is too long for them and probably don't have enough loft.
I've seen it many times. Driver that is too long with not enough loft; most beginners and mid-cappers have a hard time with a 45" driver. Give them a 43.5" with enough loft and BAM!!
__________________ Hitting the Ball is the easiest part of the game-hitting it effectively is the most difficult. Why trust instinct when there is a science."1-G.
B. J. Hathaway, G.S.E.B., M.C.I.
Hybrid Mode
