It might be a good idea to cut down your driver (2024)

FAQs

Can I cut down my driver? ›

There are a lot of ways to adjust your clubs at home with some simple tools, and one of the easiest jobs for the DIY golfer is cutting down clubs, especially cutting down a driver, and installing a new grip.

Likewise, the shorter you go the more accuracy and control you are likely to gain. This basic concept is why many pro golfers play golf drivers that are 44 to 44.5 inches in length. (Tiger plays a 43.5 inch driver).

That's exactly what happened and Rory made the switch to a 45 inch Ventus Black 6X, the same shaft profile as his Qi10 fairway woods. With the new setup, Rory is cruising at 186 MPH ball speed and 330-yards carry. If playback doesn't begin shortly, try restarting your device.

A longer driver shaft can result in extra clubhead speed, but it doesn't mean the ball is going farther. Center-face contact is a more critical factor for increasing distance, and you're more likely to find the center of the face using a shorter shaft, which can also lead to greater consistency off the tee.

You may cut someone off while changing lanes, which might cause them to hit the brakes abruptly. Cutting off can be minacious at times and might lead to severe hazards.

On average, it's safe to assume that every inch added to your driver shaft will equate to roughly a 1 mile per hour increase in your clubhead speed. And for every 1 mile per hour increase, you'll gain about two or three yards off the tee.

If a player has clubs that are too short, they will usually bend over too much from the waist in their address position. Conversely, clubs that are too long will require the player to stand too erect. Both of these subconscious adjustments could potentially make their swing motion less effective than it should be.

Most golf pros have driver shaft lengths that average about 44.5 or so inches. My driver has never had a shaft longer than 44.5 inches.

What length driver does Phil Mickelson use? ›

Mickelson uses a 47.5-inch driver — it was 47.9 inches at Kiawah Island when at age 50 he became golf's oldest major champion — and Lefty was not pleased in August when he heard this limit was close to being announced, calling it “pathetic.”

Length: 35.5''

Fowler's driver is a 9-degree Cobra AeroJet LS (the low-spin version) with a Mitsubishi Diamana White Board 70X shaft. Fowler, who has favored a shorter driver length in recent years, has this one at 44.5 inches.

Gear up like DJ

Of course, Johnson ultimately decided to use his 45.75-inch TaylorMade SIM driver (10.5 degrees) en route to a record-setting performance; he drove the ball masterfully all week, averaging 306.5 yards off the tee and hitting 78.57 percent of his fairways.

With a steel shaft, a pipe cutter works very nicely, though it is much slower. Clamp the cutter at your desired cut line, spin it, tighten, and repeat until the cut is made. You can also use a hacksaw to cut shafts, but this method requires a vice.

Most golf pros have driver shaft lengths that average about 44.5 or so inches.