Ernie Els - club lengths?

tv23 · February 25, 2009

Is he playing standard?

Hi - just wondering if anyone out there knows what length Ernie's irons are?

I know he is tall, I'm 6'2" and when I stood next to him at the Sony, he had a couple inches on me. Regardless of his height, his clubs looked REALLY short. Somebody once told me he plays standard length, which would explain the massive knee bend he gets at address. It's way more than most tour guys.

I remember hearing Faldo say on air that he used to extend his clubs and they varied... less in the longer irons and upwards of an inch in the shorter irons. Wonder if Ernie tinkers like this?

I'm just toying with shaft lengths myself and found a comfortable fit at 3/4" over standard... and +1" in the wedges. I found it helps me get may shoulders back and my spine in a better position.... With standar length, I didn't feel comfortable with the massive knee bend so I ended up hunching over and hitting a hook.

If Ernie's playing standard, maybe there's something to it and I would consider going back with proper bend and spine..... Any info would be greatly appreciated guys.

jzatl04 · February 26, 2009

When he was with Titleist, he had a really detailed WITB on his website with length/loft/lie of all his clubs. If I remember correctly, his irons were 1/4" over Titleist's standard.

Cub · February 26, 2009

Here's the quote from his website:

Spec: Callaway Tour Authentic™ X-Prototype™ Irons; KB shafts, X-Stiff, half-inch longer than standard, lie angle 1-degree upright; lofts, 1-degree stronger than standard; swing weight, D3.

tv23 · February 26, 2009

wow - how does a guy who is 6'4" play with only a 1/4" or 1/2" over standard?

anyways, thanks for this info gents. i suppose next time i have a stupid question i'll just look it up on his website....

thanks again.

SCFgolfs · February 26, 2009

Long arms I guess. That's not that uncommon, I remember reading in the golf digest witb article he plays his driver at 44 1/2".

vess · February 26, 2009

I am 6'5" myself and I am only 3/4 over std. If you are tall most likely your arms are long as well. Be careful about extending too much. It will defintely change the weight and also the lie angle. I found it best to have someone look at your swing and see what length would be comfortable for you. I believe Ernie is 1/4 over std. Hope this helps. Cool pic by the way.

Spoe · February 26, 2009

wow - how does a guy who is 6'4" play with only a 1/4" or 1/2" over standard?
anyways, thanks for this info gents. i suppose next time i have a stupid question i'll just look it up on his website....
thanks again.

I'm 6'4" and play 1/4" over standard irons. It all depends on wrist to floor I guess.. I have long arms.

BigHeavy · February 26, 2009

I am 6'9" and play my irons at 3/4" over ping standard (1/2" over most other brands standard). Most of us tall guys have pretty long arms, so I found it tends to even out the height. I used to play standard, but tinkered one day and found a little longer was beneficial to me.