Length of Shaft and Distance/Accuracy

[volrus]

I've got an iMix Diamana White Board for my FT-5 and it's 45". If I were to cut it (from the butt end) to 44" how much difference could I expect it to make in terms of distance lost and accuracy gained? I'm looking for ideas especially from guys who play a shorter shaft. I currently average around 280 to 285 in total distance. Thanks!

[DaveMac]

First thing worth mentioning that trimming 1 inch will result in the loss of 5-6 swing weight points. Regarding the performance difference all I can say is it depends. You could actually increase your driving distance.

 

If you have access to face impact tape as an experiment you could test the centeredness of strikes with both 45 inch and 44 inch by simply gripping down the shaft. If you notice a significantly better strike pattern at the shorter length then this might give you the confidence to go ahead with the modification.

 

As a comparison do you have swing speed data with your driver and 3 wood because this would give an indication in the impact a shorter shaft would have on swing speed.

 

I personally like shorter drivers, they feel much more comfortable to swing, but I generate more or less the same swing speed with the 3 wood and Driver.

[buttuh]

I gained distance by cutting my shaft down to 43.5", mainly because I make better contact. I didn't look too much into the swing weight changes, etc. I am not good enough to notice the difference.

[kekoa]

i have a nike tour 460. the shaft measured in at 44.75. i normally play a 45' shaft. I may have lost just a few yards, but i hit 7/9 fairways on the front 9 before we quit due to rain. This is my first outting w/ the driver so I need to play it a few more times to see if the shaft length is really giving me that much more control.