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Hit It Longer & Straighter Series: Your Equipment

Christo gives us some insight into our equipment and how we may be able to improve it.

8 Comments

  1. Bob Pegram

    June 23, 2019 at 10:39 am

    I agree on a shorter driver for an average or shorter height golfer. However, a tall golfer’s swing can be hurt by switching to a shorter driver particularly if that golfer’s swing is not especially upright. When a taller golfer with a medium or flat swing plane comes down to the ball the driver needs to be long enough so he (or she) can reach the ball without pulling the club towards his/her body to make contact (and cutting across the ball).
    If you analyze the ratio of driver length to the height of 5’9″ golfer and apply that same ratio to a taller golfer you will be surprised at what length is calculated. I am just over 6 feet tall and use a 47 inch driver because my natural tendency is a flat swing. I am more accurate with it than I ever was with shorter drivers. Since it works so well I made all of my clubs overlength. It also protects my back since I can stand up straighter (I am almost 70 and still hit the ball a long way).

    Reply
    • Steve

      August 11, 2019 at 5:07 pm

      Same here but I am even taller at 6’6″ tall with average arm length but very long legs. I had my clubs extended, when made, a 1.5 inches longer than off the shelf length, all my clubs.

      Reply
    • Bruce Wehner

      January 27, 2020 at 5:18 am

      Bob, height to driver ratio is not as important as arm length to driver ratio. If you study the fact that many taller person’s fingertips are the same distance to the ground compared to a shorter person.

      Glad it works for you but I agree with his point for most people. Even though your driver length works fairly well for you, a different length may even work better.

      Reply
      • Bob Pegram

        July 29, 2023 at 3:20 am

        I agree with you on general principles regarding club length. I know from experience that a shorter length would not work better. Like Steve (above) I have a high waist and short arms. With my high waist, even if I had average length arms my hands would be farther from the ground than the average golfer that standard length clubs are made for. In other words, my waist bend point is high. The ratio of a 5 foot 8.5 inch golfer to a 44.5 inch driver is the same as the ratio of a 6 foot 1/2 inch golfer (me) to a 47 inch driver. With standard length clubs I have to contort my swing to get good results. I have to swing upright with upright lie clubs which is not my natural swing. It is more difficult and hard on my back. With my 47 inch driver and all proportional overlength clubs I can swing naturally and get good results. I don’t have to fight my clubs.

        Reply
  2. robert nelson

    July 23, 2019 at 1:39 pm

    what is the length of the shaft that I Should used on my three wood. My shaft on my Drive is 44.1/5 ins.?

    Reply
  3. Gil Bowers

    September 22, 2019 at 8:36 pm

    Standard shaft lengths for drivers is generally from 45 1/4 to 45 3/4. At 44 1/5 your shaft length is shorter than normal but if that is the right length for you then your 3 wood should about 42 1/2 to 43.

    Reply
  4. Leon

    January 27, 2020 at 11:44 am

    So, if I choke down on my driver to simulate it being cut shorter, and find better driving results, does it then naturally follow that I should choke down by the same amount, or same percentage (example: choke down 2″ on 46″ = 1/23=4.348%) on the rest of my clubs, except perhaps the putter, which I was fitted for as to length?

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  5. Painter33

    July 4, 2022 at 11:05 am

    Hmm. The other day I was facing a sandy lie next to a bunker about 175 yds from the center of the green. The ball was also above my feet, so I choked down on a 6 iron expecting to hit it about 140-150 yds leaving me with a little pitch to the pin. I hit it 175. I haven’t hit a 6 iron 175 in years. This was on the 17th hole and the 18th was a par 3, so I didn’t have a chance to replicate the swing conditions (choking down), but I’m looking forward to either playing or a range session with a shorter effective length irons (and driver). Timely topic for me.

    Reply

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