What happens if your driver shaft is too short?
Emma Payne
Published Jan 11, 2026
What Happens When Golf Clubs Are Too Short? For most golfers, having clubs that are too short will be better than if they're too long, but can still result in inconsistent shots. Clubs that are too short will make you stand bent over, which can cause back pain. You'll also have the tendency to push the ball a lot.
What happens if you shorten your driver shaft?
Shortening the shaft will make the club shorter but it will also make the shaft stiffer and adjust the swing weight as well. Plus, the more length you remove, the less flex your club will have. Depending on how much you cut it down, it could move a regular flex to a stiff or a stiff to an extra stiff.
Is a shorter driver shaft better?
The long and the short of it
Your current length may be perfect for you. You may even need a longer one. But, as our experts and test have shown, a good number of golfers would benefit from a shorter shaft. You may actually increase distance and there's a good chance you'll hit more fairways.
Is it easier to hit a driver with a shorter shaft?
The short answer is, yes, it is easier to hit with a shorter driver. As we talked about before, a shorter driver will decrease the width of the arc to your swing and increase your frequency of hitting the center of the clubface.
How long is Tiger Woods driver shaft?
(Tiger plays a 43.5 inch driver).
33 related questions foundDo pro golfers use shorter shafts?
Most pro golfers use shorter shafts on their drivers than recreational golfers. Is this true? Absolutely true.
Does shortening your driver Help?
When fitting a driver, it's important to get loft, lie, shaft, and grip sorted, but better driving may be hiding in a shorter shaft. In fact, a shorter shaft should help you find the sweet spot more often and may even add distance.
Can I cut an inch off my driver shaft?
Any amount of cutting will slightly stiffen the club. It will probably go unnoticed if you take 1 inch or less off the club. Taking 2 inches off will change the flex of the club. If you are shortening irons, every 1 inch you shorten the club will make the iron effectively play 2 degrees flatter.
What is the length of Bryson DeChambeau 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.
How does shaft length affect swing weight?
By increasing the length of the golf shaft by one-half inch, the swingweight will be increased by three swingweight points (increase from D2 to D5, for example). Conversely, by decreasing the length of the golf shaft by one-half inch, the swingweight will be decreased by three swingweight points.
What length driver shaft do pros use?
PGA Tour Professionals tend to play drivers between 44-46" in length. The vast majority of pros are in the 44.5" to 45.75" range from what we've been able to gather. There are, of course, exceptions in both directions.
How much does it cost to cut down a driver shaft?
Generally, this fee will be about $15 to $35 depending on where and when you get the work done. Replacing a shaft on a driver is a bit more work than regripping a club. Try to have it done by a reputable person who understands club fitting.
Should I hit down on my driver?
To cure your slices and pulls, hit down on the ball with your driver. A good thought is to try to take a little divot after impact or to hit with the shaft leaning toward the target (top photo). This will help you shift to your front side on the downswing and swing into impact from inside the target line.
What length driver does Brooks koepka use?
At the top end of the bag, Koepka has a new Srixon ZX7 driver at 10.75 degrees, equipped with a Mitsubishi Diamana D-Limited 70 TX shaft that he's used for years.
Does shortening a golf shaft make it stiffer?
"Cutting more of the tip will have the effect of getting rid of some of the weaker end of the shaft which, in turn, makes the shaft play and feel more stiff.
What is the best length for a golf driver?
The answer comes down to control. In reality, the average length of a driver used on tour is 44.5in while the average shaft length found in drivers on the shop shelves is around 45.5in. There is an optimum driver shaft length with which golfers will achieve maximum clubhead speed and it will vary from player to player.
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.
Is a shorter driver more accurate?
More importantly that test showed a 28% increase in accuracy with the shorter shaft. Every golfer is different, and this doesn't conclusively say that all golfers would benefit from a shorter shaft, but it certainly is enough to raise your eyebrows (and mine).
How do I know if my driver shaft is too long?
The longer your driver shaft, the more your swing faults will be exaggerated. Assuming you don't make any other adjustments, your driver shaft will also be stiffer, which will impart less spin on the ball. The result: less curving right and left.
How long should my golf shaft be?
Have a friend or the salesman measure the distance from your wrists to the floor. This is the length of the golf shaft you will need. The average male has a measurement of 43 inches. Depending on your arm length and height, this may vary but it should be around that number.
What length is Rickie Fowler's driver?
It was just a few weeks ago when we heard of Bryson's intention to test -- and potentially put in play -- a 48-inch driver. For those that don't know, the “normal” TOUR length for a driver is anywhere from 43.5 inches (Rickie Fowler) to the TOUR standard of around 45 inches. So what does a longer club do?
Who is the shortest driver on PGA Tour?
Shortest Hitter: David Toms
David Toms, the tour's shortest hitter, averaged a mere 270 yards per poke. Ben Crane, who was second-shortest, was a full yard better at 271.0 yards per drive.