Do we REALLY need longer shafts?

[golfgnome]

It is interesting that you say it is harder to hit the sweet spot with a longer club. This past week I was visiting a club in New York to help sell some golf clubs and teach. One gentleman I worked with is a retired golf professional and he just watched me for the first day. Toward the end of the day we started talking and he asked for my help. I asked what he was trying to achieve in his swing and he told me. Anyway after 15 minutes he was amazed and confused. He was hitting the ball longer, higher, and straighter than ever before. What confused him was that the 39.5" 57 degree (standard effective lie angle) was far superior to his 38.5" 59 degree (standard effect lie angle). The longer club looked as though he had only hit 1 ball on the face tape yet he had actually hit 5!!! The shorter club had marks from the center to the toe. We all need to be careful with stereo-types in fitting.

[golfguru]

I agree with the sterotype idea. I too have had a 70 year old that hit a longer club more solidly than a sorter one. Some people seem to dip at a ball with a shorter club rather than feeling more athletic and comfortable standing taller (read less spine angle changes). It is why a dynamic fitting is always better than any stand up test adn rubbishy hands to floor readings.

[Daryl]

I've been recently fitted for new shafts. The technician, at the end of the session performed a static measure from my hand down to the floor and claimed I needed 1/2" longer shafts. I replied that I've been playing standard lengths for 30 years. He replied: "So what?"

He said: "It's easier to reduce the length than to add length to the shaft."

I re-visit him Thursday to test and set the lie angles. I'll see.

[Jim.Cook]

Daryl,
The last time I checked, there are no "shaft police" looking at everyone's shaft.

The static check is just the beginning step in determining the proper length. If this shaft is to be used in your irons make sure he does a dynamic check.
If it is for your woods the extra length in the shaft will mean just a few yards if you are straight but it could mean a lot longer walh into the woods when you are off. As you lengthen the shaft your accuracy will go to pot a lot faster than the extra length you will gain.

If you have been hitting that length shaft for thirty years and do not have a distance problem why change it?

I've been recently fitted for new shafts. The technician, at the end of the session performed a static measure from my hand down to the floor and claimed I needed 1/2" longer shafts. I replied that I've been playing standard lengths for 30 years. He replied: "So what?"

He said: "It's easier to reduce the length than to add length to the shaft."

I re-visit him Thursday to test and set the lie angles. I'll see.

[Daryl]

Daryl,
The last time I checked, there are no "shaft police" looking at everyone's shaft.

The static check is just the beginning step in determining the proper length. If this shaft is to be used in your irons make sure he does a dynamic check.
If it is for your woods the extra length in the shaft will mean just a few yards if you are straight but it could mean a lot longer walh into the woods when you are off. As you lengthen the shaft your accuracy will go to pot a lot faster than the extra length you will gain.

If you have been hitting that length shaft for thirty years and do not have a distance problem why change it?

Good Question. We'll see.

[dkerby]

From the Yellow Book, Homer was not much in favor or
longer clubs. That said, I practiced more than just
about anybody and was able to hit the ball solid. For
three years I played with 53" & 57" drivers. I got (260-280 yds)
10 to 20 yard more distance than my now 48" driver. Had
to change due to new rules. Getting older, 67 years, may
have something to due with the decreased distance. I practiced
with a 67" & 75" drivers, but hurt my back trying to change
direction at the top. Rocky Thompson used a 52" driver. He
told me that the key was to find a 50 gram shaft. I could
not find one on the market that was 53" long. One shaft mfg
said that Rocky bored the inside of his shaft to make it
50 grams. I do not know this as a fact. I feel that a ten
foot club as light as regular club would hit the ball a longe
way. With 53" driver, I hit the ball about as straight as
anybody. With off center hits, I got about as much yardage
as with the shorter clubs hit in the center.

[rich_allen]

I've been recently fitted for new shafts. The technician, at the end of the session performed a static measure from my hand down to the floor and claimed I needed 1/2" longer shafts. I replied that I've been playing standard lengths for 30 years. He replied: "So what?"

He said: "It's easier to reduce the length than to add length to the shaft."

I re-visit him Thursday to test and set the lie angles. I'll see.

I believe they consider you for longer shafts when the length from your wrist to the floor exceeds 35 inches.
I was measured at 36-1/2" and was fitted with clubs 1/2" longer than normal and standard lie angles.

Good luck,

Rich

[golfgnome]

I believe they consider you for longer shafts when the length from your wrist to the floor exceeds 35 inches.
I was measured at 36-1/2" and was fitted with clubs 1/2" longer than normal and standard lie angles.

Good luck,

Rich

The ONLY thing that these measurements are good for is clothing!!!!