driver length and launch?

Angenend · April 8, 2006

could one affect the other

If Driver A is 45"...and Driver B is 46" but has the same specs all elsewhere, including shaft and loft...would the one with the longer length launch higher?

just wondering.

cleatsupkeep · April 8, 2006

Hypothetically, that is a good question, and would be very cool to experiment on. However, you would need cooperation from the shaft builders, as they would need to build 2 identical shafts, where one is spread out over an extra inch.

I just think it would be impossible to have the exact same specs, if you get down to the complete minutae.

taylormadefan · April 8, 2006

If Driver A is 45"...and Driver B is 46" but has the same specs all elsewhere, including shaft and loft...would the one with the longer length launch higher?

just wondering.

No, launch angle is dependent on, angle of attack, clubhead loft, and shaft geometry at impact. If the swing, shafts and club heads are the same, then you will launch at the same angle.

What you will get with the longer shaft is extra ball speed from greater swing speed.

What will change is lie angle. However, with metal woods there is so little loft, lie angle doesn't affect direction as much as it does with higher lofted irons.

Hope that helps.

Angenend · April 8, 2006

thanks a lot. "angle of attack" is actually the thing i was considering the most, i wondered if one would cause you to swing up on the ball more. by the way, TaylorMadeFan...I'm actually a Houston native, near where you are. And Bagwell, well he's my HERO.

Dyno · April 9, 2006

J.

In the driver world, 1" either way is alot. How that affects your swing is up in the air....you'll have to be a bit flatter so your AoA might well be more even unless you tee the ball further forward and higher.

In strict equipment terms, the extra length will create more leverage on the tip causing greater forward deflection through impact and a slightlly higher launch. Unfortunately all the other conditions change when adding a full inch and it impacts different golfers in different ways.