Shortened driver shaft by 2 inches.

[Robertjadamski]

I recently bought a mint condition used SLDR-C driver on the very cheap. I found the 45.5 inch shaft too long and difficult to control. I shortened the shaft by 2 inches down to 43.5 inches but that has reduced the swingweight by 12 points from the original D2 swingweight. I have compensated for about half of this by regripping with Golf Pride Tour 25 grips which weigh 25g. I have purchased tungsten weights to place 12 more grams on the club head to increase the swingweight by another 6 points.  Another option I was considering was simply building a new driver using the SLDR-C head and installing a 43.5 inch 3 wood shaft and new grip. If I went that route what weight shaft and grip would I need to install to create a driver with a little higher swingweigt, like D3 or D4?

[LansingMI]

Have you tried to hit it and felt the SW was too light ? 

 

Changing the shaft completely changes the club, don't sacrifice everything else more important to hit a certain SW number. 

 

 

Edited September 3, 2020 by LansingMI

[drumdude96]

You need to try the driver as is before adding weight.  If it feels too light or you get bad results with it, add lead tape (I use about 4 grams at a time) until it feels good and you are hitting it well.  Once you get to that point, keep adding weight until it feels too heavy or you start hitting it poorly again.  Then remove about 2 grams at a time until it feels good again and you are hitting it well again.  This should be your ideal swingweight for that particular shaft and length.   It could be a much different swingweight value than what you think you need, so don't just shoot for some arbitrary number.  Take the time and get the driver dialed in.  Then you can remove the lead tape and weigh it and replace it with a more attractive weight if desired.  This is how I fit myself for my drivers, and it works very well.  It takes the guesswork out of the process.  Howard Jones has a thread on here that is super detailed about how to self-fit your driver.  I highly recommend that you check it out.  It shouldn't be very hard to find. 

[Robertjadamski]

Thanks drumdude96, that's a good strategy and one I had planned on. Also, many thanks for the Howard Jones suggestion.

[Valtiel]

1 hour ago, Robertjadamski said:

Thanks drumdude96, that's a good strategy and one I had planned on. Also, many thanks for the Howard Jones suggestion.

@drumdude96 is right, and you will benefit greatly from removing any fixation on swingweight, especially when it comes to things like grips and shafts. A lighter grip does not make the club "heavier" even if it changes the swingweight value. A swingweight scale is not meant to give you a relevant/accurate number outside of its intended parameters which include a standard 50g grip. Your friends in making a 43.5" driver work are going to be:

1) Shaft weight, don't be afraid to go heavier. 70/80/90g should be on the table. 

2) Lead tape/additional weights per what @drumdude96 said above following the DIY driver fitting guide. 

https://forums.golfwrx.com/topic/960350-diy-driver-tune-up-diy-fitting/

[Robertjadamski]

Yes thanks Valtiel, if I change out the shaft it will definitely be heavier then the 57g stock shaft I have. At least 80g I think.