I think I want a driver at 43.5"

[slide13]

how to get one that feels/plays right?

So I was experimenting at the range with choking down drastically on my driver and it really helped me in my swing. Choking down a solid 2" just felt so much better to me and the shots were much straighter and more controlled. So, I'd like to get a driver at 43.5" but I know just cutting down my current driver to that length will screw up the swing weight (currently 45"). I guess what I'm curious about is if there is a way to order a driver at that length from the company and get it at an appropriate swing weight. Also, with a shorter length would one want to adjust shaft selection for in any way (thinking about weight, but also flex)

I'm thinking I'd go Titleist 910 if I decide to order something new.

[heybrady]

You can do this with a TM head with weights. It will take alot of work to go that short and keep swingweight and shaft stiffness. You would need to add about 20grams of weight to the head and then tip the shaft about and inch (think 5 wood). I would suggest using a sligthly heavier shaft as well (75g+).

[highergr0und]

A decent club builder should be able to make it work..... I'll agree on a heavier shaft, but if you're striping the ball then you might not want to change. Also remember that when you're choking down, you're feeling the same swing weight that you would if it was cut shorter (or very close at the least). Swing weight is dynamic, not static.....

[ping rat]

I read an interview with Anthony Kim (who chokes down alot on his driver), and he worked with Nike extensivley on cut down shafts but came to the conclusion that choking down on his standard length shaft worked best, i guess its the old if it aint broke scenario

[rocker40]

Thats an expensive experiment for a 910. I wouldnt experiment with anything new.
I would try one of the older Taylormade lines. Like R7 460 with the adjustable weights.

And i wouldnt go as drastic as 43.5. I would start at 44.5 and then work your way down.

Just some ideas...

[slide13]

I do plan on experimenting some with this. I ordered a couple of the Nickent 4DX drivers off of Rock Bottom. For $100 I was able to get two driver, one 9.5 and stiff, one 10.5 and regular. That way I can swap shafts and head around and play a little bit. Eventually I'll probably sell one configuration and play with cutting down the other and playing with lead tape to adjust swing weight before going forward with anything else. I also have a 909 D2 right now that I plan to leave alone but play choked down for a while to see how that works.

[minhjn]

Yes. Going down to 43.5 is drastic. It might feel good on the range, but who knows on the course

[Blakester]

I'd grab a used R9 and an R9 3 or 5 wood and swap out the shafts. I had the R9 driver and put the 3-wood shat in there. I didn't up the R9 head weight, but the shaft is 70g vs. 60g. I will admit that I was smashing this combo on the range.

[Hydrolyser]

I've just gone to 47". It flies!

[ForeRL]

If you have a Cally iMix driver head, I have a Fuji 6.1 stiff in that length. $80 shipped. Joe Kwok installed it on the iMix adapter for me last summer. PM me if interested

[RRFireblade]

If choking down worked , then choke down.

Why cut it? Nothing at all wrong with choking down. The thing about it is when you do that you add counter balance that you can not replicate with a shorter driver.

Plus , if its the just a 'phase' , no harm done.

[jwood2413]

Like the guy with the r9 with the 3 wood shaft, I did it with my old VR Str8-fit for a while. Worked for a little bit but it was just a phase. I've found that 45" is like the perfect length. I know why all these OEMs are selling drivers at like 45.75+ but its really dumb IMO. And now every time I get a driver I have to get it cut down....

[capt.murphy]

I had my rapture with blueboard cut down from 46 to 44.5. I hit it a little lower and maybe 5 yards shorter, but its in the fairway 3/4 of the time instead of 1/3 of the time.

[eqman]

I`ve been playing a 431/2-44" driver for years I simply pull the grip cut the shaft 1/2" add some led tape play it for a month...Then pull the grip cut the shaft another 1/2" add more tape... when I get to the feel I want [ thats been 431/2-44" ] I take all the lead tape off.. weigh it and bring the head up to that weight...it`s good to go

The reason I do it that way.... I read that Jack Nicklaus used to do that with his drivers...He would trim the shaft little by little until the driver felt like he wanted it to feel...So I started doing it and it`s worked for years...I used to pull the shaft and tip it but that ended up to be a waste...

The other reason I trim it piece by piece is it never feels like there`s much change at all trimming in small increments...but at one point you will like it..

One other observation... if you choke down 2 inches on the grip you are now holding and playing with a undersize grip because the grip tapers as your hands choke down....Of course if you don`t like the slimmer grip you can put a number of tape wraps under the area you are now gripping in to bring it up to size...Nun of this stuff is rocket science like some would have you believe...Jim

[stg113]

I play mine at 45.25. I often choke down about 1 to 1.5 " to control flight and accuracy, but I like to have the whole shaft too on those wide open holes. I use the Tacki Mac Itomic grips on the driver because they have less taper and the grip has the same texture from top to bottom.

[8orBetter]

My TM R9 BBLB is 44 " with a 1" tipped Blueboard 73X. It frequencies 282. With 17 grams of weight the swing weights at D2 which is fine for me. I hit probably 3 fairways on average more with the shorter driver and honestly I think I hit it a bit farther than I did at 45.5. Making more consistent contact I guess. TW was unbeatable with a 43.5 inch driver. In my opinion the control is a much bigger trade off than a few yards of distance.

[kobes31]

[quote name='heybrady' timestamp='1303325261' post='3171230']
You can do this with a TM head with weights. It will take alot of work to go that short and keep swingweight and shaft stiffness. You would need to add about 20grams of weight to the head and then tip the shaft about and inch (think 5 wood). I would suggest using a sligthly heavier shaft as well (75g+).
[/quote]

Does that extra tipping account for the change in length or the added weight to the head? Thanks!

[brandocommando7]

I went down to a 43.5" with my hibore xl and added a nv green 85x and lead tape in even amounts on both sides and back to bring it to a d4. It drastically helped my driving since before I was all over the place and that killed my score. I have the distance so I figured the shorter shaft and slightly shorter drives didn't matter since I was now in the fairway. I then cut all my clubs down and play woods in 1" smaller increments and irons 1/2" shorter then standard. I also weakened my irons so that everything has constant distance changes. my 5 iron is like todays new clubs 7 iron but the number doesn't matter, its the fact that I have a consistant set with no yardage gaps. And working the woods left and right is a dream with the shorter more controllable stiffer shafts. Makes the game more technical then just about who can hit it the farthest.

[vinny809]

Just wondering how tall are you guys? I'm 5'8'' and have troubles controlling the driver. I think its time for me to start choking down.

[Legend McSniff]

I play mine 43.5. No loss of distance for me. Increased accuracy and striking closer to the sweet spot.

I was ready with the lead tape, but played a couple of rounds without it to test and found i liked the feel/weight as it was so left it alone.

[GooseHook]

I played my driver at 44" last year, could never get the swingweight back up with my counterbalanced shaft (Axivcore Red 69X). Last week, I decided to nearly cover the sole of the driver with lead tape, hit 9 fairways and shot a 78, my best round in a year. I had an Axiv Black sitting around to install, so I had that set up at 44.5" It's a tad less consistent, but the swingweight feels great and I know I can choke down any time.

If I were you, I'd get a heavier shaft, start playing at 44.5, then trim if you're still not happy. If you still need to add weight to the head, tip the shaft to the new length.

FWIW, I'm 5'9".

[sam hain]

I bought a Ping i15 last night and it cut down to 44.75'' and I'm still choking down another 1''. Ball flight is perfect, 162mph ball speed. I'm 5'9''

[brandocommando7]

I am 6'1" with long arms by the way. I have a few drivers laying around and been thinking about making a long one just for fun but I would never play it unless it was a long, wide open course. I can reach everything in 2 around here, some stuff the 2nd shot may be a 3 wood but even if I had more length off the tee I would be out of fairway and into cross paths so it doesn't matter unless I hit it 390. Thats not going to happen ha ha

[JoeyJoeyJoeJoe]

I bought a 12 degree G25 on ebay. It came in at least 2 inches shorter then my Gamer K15. I am bombing the G25, I have so much confidence at address.I was originally ticked off when I opened it out of the box because it was labled as standard length on Ebay. But the results have now made me more then happy!!!!!!! This thing has to be around 43.5, it feels like a stub LOL. Who ever had it before must have messed with the weights on it because the weight and shaft feel normal, this thing is hot!!!!!!

[NRJyzr]

Threadomancy! LOL

[size=2](FWIW, I use a 44" driver)[/size]

[Buzzkill]

[quote name='slide13' timestamp='1303324646' post='3171201']
So I was experimenting at the range with choking down drastically on my driver and it really helped me in my swing. Choking down a solid 2" just felt so much better to me and the shots were much straighter and more controlled. So, I'd like to get a driver at 43.5" but I know just cutting down my current driver to that length will screw up the swing weight (currently 45"). I guess what I'm curious about is if there is a way to order a driver at that length from the company and get it at an appropriate swing weight. Also, with a shorter length would one want to adjust shaft selection for in any way (thinking about weight, but also flex)

I'm thinking I'd go Titleist 910 if I decide to order something new.
[/quote]

I've got my 913 D3 cut down to 43 inches and it plays well for me - no distance loss and haven't noticed any swing weight issues for me anyway. Actually, I've got my irons short too (women's length, 5 iron @ 37 inches) and haven't lost any distance with them - I'm 5'6" for reference.

[Jazzmastafish]

[quote name='NRJyzr' timestamp='1430946809' post='11512249']
Threadomancy! LOL

[size=2](FWIW, I use a 44" driver)[/size]
[/quote]

True that. It's been a fairly hot topic lately though. Tom Wishon's recent articles helped stir the drink on this conversation.

http://www.golfwrx.com/261559/wishon-what-length-should-your-golf-clubs-be/

Because I have an agressive transition, I tipped my driver to 44" (which was already shortened from the butt to 44.5"), based on Tom's article.

It's not always there, but when it is, I can see the improvement in accuracy with no noticeable distance loss.

[Pigems]

I play my drivers at 44" as well, it had greatly improved my driving accuracy and confidence.

[Sean2]

I tried and it didn't work for me. I'm 6'5". As it is a 45-inch driver barely comes up to my belt buckle. Anything less and it just seems too short.

[Hot Rod 71]

[quote name='kobes31' timestamp='1303415244' post='3174422']
[quote name='heybrady' timestamp='1303325261' post='3171230']
You can do this with a TM head with weights. It will take alot of work to go that short and keep swingweight and shaft stiffness. You would need to add about 20grams of weight to the head and then tip the shaft about and inch (think 5 wood). I would suggest using a sligthly heavier shaft as well (75g+).
[/quote]

Does that extra tipping account for the change in length or the added weight to the head? Thanks!
[/quote]

A heavier club head makes the shaft play weaker.