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Are long drive clubs legal?

Author

Rachel Ellis

Published Jan 14, 2026

Are long drive competition drivers legal? Yes, according to the PLD, all drivers are USGA legal. They are all 48 inches or shorter and meet the 460CC driver size requirement.

What is the longest legal golf club?

Under the Rules of Golf, the maximum length of a club is 48 inches. Clubs must be at least 18 inches long and cannot exceed the 48 inches. Lengths of putters is now a concern due to the proliferation of long putters in golf; however, the 48-inch limit of shafts in the Rules of Golf does not apply to putters.

What is the maximum length of a drive shaft?

The length of the driver shaft in modern products isn't anywhere near the maximum length of driver allowed by the USGA under their equipment rules and regulations. The maximum length a driver can be under equipment regulations is now 46 inches, down from 48 inches before 2022.

Is a 48 driver Legal?

With the USGA and R&A placing a cap on driver length via a new local rule, which is slated to go into effect in 2022, professionals and elite amateurs will no longer be allowed to use a driver in excess of 46 inches — the current limit is 48 inches — at events that choose to implement the rule.

What's considered a long drive golf?

Professional long drivers can average over 356 yards (320 m) in competition, compared with 305 yard (274 m) averages from the top PGA Tour drivers and 225 yards (201 m) for an average amateur. Some shots in competitions surpass 400 yards (366 m).

37 related questions found

What is John Daly's longest drive?

Moreover, John Daly gave an interview where one host asked him what was the longest drive he has ever had on record? “806 yards,” said John, and everyone in the room was surprised.

What is Bryson DeChambeau's longest drive?

Bryson DeChambeau's 402-yard drive wins the Longest Drive at The Match. In Capital One's The Match, Bryson DeChambeau's 402-yard drive wins the Longest Drive.

How long are Bryson DeChambeau clubs?

All of his irons are seven iron length (37.5 inches to be exact) to ensure he swings the same with every club and they're fitted with extremely thick JumboMax grips, the largest grips commercially available.

How long is Bryson DeChambeau's driver?

Bryson DeChambeau can only use a 48-inch driver when he's competing in Long Drive Association events. Golf's governing bodies announced a new “model local rule” available Jan. 1 that would limit the maximum length of all clubs except the putter to 46 inches.

What drivers do long drivers use?

Long Drive Driver Length

Long drive drivers are literally longer than your standard driver. Allen uses a 48-inch driver, the same length Bryson DeChamebeau used when he took his first stab at long drive in the fall of 2021.

Can you make a drive shaft longer?

If the shafts on the truck already have the longer slip ends then you'd be best to just take the shaft into a local shop that specializes in driveshafts. It'll usually not cost more than $100 to get a shaft lengthened and balanced. It's always cheaper and easyer to shorten a shaft than it is to lengthen a shaft.

How long can a driveshaft be without a carrier bearing?

Well-known member. My local truck shop, Margot Inc., said that DOT will not allow a driveshaft longer than 68 inches without a carrier bearing.

How long can an aluminum driveshaft be?

To look at the chart another way, if your driveshaft is spinning at 6,500 rpm, the safe, maximum length of the 3-inch mild-steel driveshaft is 48-inches, a 3.5-inch 4130 shaft can be 52-inches long, and the 4-inch o.d. 7075 aluminum shaft is good for 56-inches. Carbon-fiber takes you just over a couple of inches more.

How long is Bubba Watson's driver?

Long Drivers

While a 48-inch driver is legal, the wisdom of using the longest possible club is questionable. Watson, one of the PGA Tour's longest hitters, told “Golf Digest” in 2010 that he uses a 44½-inch-long driver, adding a 48-inch driver he tried threw his timing off.

What is the biggest legal driver?

Whilst the legal limit for the length of a driver is 48 inches, most drivers are between 43 and 46 inches.

What is the legal length of a golf driver?

Determining the best driver length for you. Standard, off-the-rack drivers usually check in around 45 inches, while the USGA limits driver length to 48 inches for its competitions.

What length driver does Phil Mickelson use?

Phil Mickelson has called a new 46-inch restriction on driver club length as 'stupid', while Justin Thomas and Collin Morikawa have questioned the decision.

How far can Bryson DeChambeau drive the ball?

Bryson DeChambeau, who led the PGA Tour in driving distance this season (323.7 yards), can use his great length to create an incredible advantage at times.

Does DeChambeau use one length irons?

Pro Tips spoke with DeChambeau about his decision to use one-length irons. He shared the benefits he has seen and why he thinks they can assist golfers of any skill level. “These clubs can benefit literally everybody in the world,” DeChambeau says.

What clubs does Rahm use?

Check out the current bag:

  • Driver: Callaway Epic Speed Triple Diamond (10.5)
  • 3-wood: Callaway Prototype (15)
  • 5-wood: Callaway Prototype (18)
  • Irons: Callaway Apex TCB (4-PW)
  • Wedges: Callaway Jaws Forged JPN (52/8, 56/12,60/10)
  • Putter: Odyssey Tens 2-Ball.
  • Ball: Callaway CSX.

Is Bryson DeChambeau's driver the same length as his irons?

That's right. DeChambeau plays all of his irons -- all of which have unique names -- with the same 37.5-inch shaft and has been doing it since 2011, when he made the switch -- from 3-iron to 60-degree wedge -- with coach Mike Schy.

What were golf balls originally made of?

During the early “featherie era”, the best balls were made by the Dutch and their featheries were extremely popular in Scotland as well. Until the mid-19th century, the featherie was the standard golf ball. It was made of cow or horsehide which was stuffed with feathers; most often goose feather.

What is Rory McIlroy longest drive?

Rory McIlroy unleashed the longest drive since 2017 on the par-4 2nd hole at Quail Hollow during the final round of the Wells Fargo Championship. McIlroy, 32, ripped his TaylorMade SIM2 driver and cut the corner, sending his ball a mammoth 372 yards into the semi rough.