Cut down an old driver to 43 or maybe 42 inches?

[wn1998]

I have an old R9 driver that I have never been able to hit. I had it re-shafted two years ago with a aldilia DVS 75S (45 inches) and still have 7 out of 10 mis hits that result in a terrible slice. I have been teeing off with my ping 5 wood (aldilia NV 75S) 42.25 inches for the last two summers and typically get about 205-210 yards off the tee.

 

My 5 wood is my "go to club", I can stripe it right down the center of the fairway but my lack of distance is annoying, it doesn't kill my game but an extra 30-40 yards on my drives would greatly help me cut a few strokes.

 

My question is should I cut it (R9) down to 43 or maybe cut it down to my 5 wood length and see what happens. I won't be devastated if I hate it because frankly this club has just been sitting in my bag unused for the last two seasons. However if cutting it too short will come with little reward, I'd rather try it at 43.

[Stuart_G]

That's a big jump, I might suggest starting at 44" or 43-1/2" and then choke up from there to see if it really will help before going further.

And take some time to make sure you have the head weight adjusted to your swing at that length before going any further.
http://www.golfwrx.com/forums/topic/909991-diy-driver-tune-up-diy-fitting/

What setting are you using in the FCT hossel adjustment?

[llamont]

I wouldn't go below 43.5" on the driver. If you've NEVER been able to hit the club in question, the R9, then it's very possible that it's just not the club for you. Golf is a game of feel and if you don't vibe with a club then don't try to force it to work.

[billh17]

I agree with Llamont and Stuart....I would start at 44,maybe even 44 1/4....it may not seem like it,but taking an inch off

is going to make a difference....I also played an R9,and I went to 43.75 and never regretted it....now using a Nike at the same

and loving it. I would start slow,maybe 1/2 inch at a time....playing it for a couple rounds or buckets....you can always take more off

and all it costs is a regrip,if you don't do your own. Good luck with it,i'm sure you'll like it.

[Nytar]

if the head weight or center of gravity is off for you shortening the club wont help really. true longer shafts will be longer but more inconsistent. but if its the same thing over and over again... time to part with it get a few dollars and use that ar the local golf shop swinging demo/used clubs and finding yourself a new one you can hit reasonably well. I had that issue with a driver... felt like I was in a Clint Eastwood movie... "right turn Clyde". went down and picked up a new driver. now it's a slight draw and very controllable. chopping the R9 down seems to be throwing more money down the drain with shortening and gripping.

[Fenrir]

I had really bad problems with making good contact until I cut my driver down. now I play a G25 at 44" I changed the shaft to a 70 ánina and it was kinda weird until I added some weight to the head(easy via the plug) to get swing weight back up. I'm not sure what the SW or even the total weight is as I did all the work myself, but it feels way better to me and I've been making awesome contact and getting good flight so that's all that counts. I say go to 44" and add some lead tape if it doesn't feel quite right, then change out the ports to get it there when you find the right balance.

[Tall golfer]

Cut the driver down to 44 inches. on the grip mark it off in half inch stages and try gripping down the shaft half an inch at a time until you are hitting the ball better. or buy a second hand driver cut it down to 43 inches and see if you like the feel.

I cut my driver down to 44 inches hitting lots more fairways no loss of distance hitting ball from middle of the club lots more. Good luck with your driver report back to us

 

Tall Golfer

[Brock Landers]

I won't go to the used car dealership that is the big box golf stores so I have been experimenting with drivers. I went from hitting everything OB right to now losing one to two a round. I bought two drivers a 910d3 with a mid launch shaft and a 913d2 with a low launching shaft. I'm currently gaming the 913 at 44.5". I am going to cut the other shaft down to 44 and see if that helps. I've also been dry humping the idea of trying a diamana d 82 3wood shaft if I can find one cheap. For me the biggest difference was moving away from high launching shafts, I don't care if my drive is 40 yards short as long as I can find it.

[Hizzoner]

Years ago I bought a diamana shaft which happened to be attached to a Ping rapture v2 10.5 After reading Tom Wishon's book I cut it down to 43.5" based on my measurements, added lead tape to get the swingweight right and voila....my best driver with best dispersion I have ever owned.