Question about club length?

[golfwire]

Does it matter how long your iron shafts are?

Hey all,

I'm a 5'7" dude with standard length clubs. The only way I can hit my long irons is by choking way up on them. I'm considering hacking off maybe 1/2" to 1" the length of my irons so I don't have to choke up. I noticed sometimes I'm inconsistent on my short irons as I don't choke down on them (hold at the end of the shaft) and sometimes chunk shots when my wrists release.

My question is, does this make a big difference? Also, can you do this with graphite shafts? I wouldn't touch my driver shaft but could I do this for my 3 wood as well?

I really have no idea so I'm looking for some guidance :x

Thanks for any advice...

[t8er]

Length effects swing weight and lie angle. Every half inch equals 1 degree when it come to lie angles. For example, if you cut 1 inch off the lie angle becomes 2 degrees flatter. Vice versa if you add length. Depending on how much you cut off, you could effect the stiffness of the shaft as well...depending on the shaft type.

[golfwire]

So, if I'm choking up, I'm then also effecting the lie angle then, correct? it becomes flatter because i'm choking up?

 

Sounds like the thing to do would be to get to a fitter and go from there. Shoot, just threw some Winn Xi7 grips on too. Oh well.

[AAL]

I'm confused about the affect the length of shaft has on lie angle. It seems to me that if I address the ball with a given length shaft and the club head is properly soled (grooves parallel to ground), then if the shaft is shortened I have to step closer to address the ball which would result in the shaft having a more vertical angle. This would seem to produce a more "upright" lie, rather than a "flatter" lie. What am I missing here?

[t8er]

The longer the shaft, the further you have to stand from the ball. Therefore, the toe begins to stick up in the air more...the club becomes more upright. Think of it this way. Take a 3 iron head and install a shaft thats 10 feet long and then address a ball. The toe would be sticking straight up in the air.

[xan_user]

The longer the shaft, the further you have to stand from the ball. Therefore, the toe begins to stick up in the air more...the club becomes more upright. Think of it this way. Take a 3 iron head and install a shaft thats 10 feet long and then address a ball. The toe would be sticking straight up in the air.

or put a 3 iron head on a putter shaft... toe will be down.

 

Put a 3 iron with proper lie and length for the players swing and its "Just right"

[t8er]

So, if I'm choking up, I'm then also effecting the lie angle then, correct? it becomes flatter because i'm choking up?

 

Sounds like the thing to do would be to get to a fitter and go from there. Shoot, just threw some Winn Xi7 grips on too. Oh well.

 

I would most definitely get fit. I also suggest dynamic fitting over static fitting. Static would be just going off of body measurements (height, how you hold the club at address, etc.) Dynamic would be a fitting that actually goes off of you hitting off of a lie board. When I used to fit people, I would give them a mini lesson to explain the swing and how it correlates to being fit. Also, if they were very inconsistent I would tell them that they would be better off spending the money on a lesson. After all, fitting does little good if your swing isn't grooved somewhat.