Hireko Power Play Caiman Driver Listed In Golf Digest May 2008 Issue!
Update: Golf Digest listed the new Power Play Caiman Driver in an excellent article
on golf club length in the Golf Digest May 2008 issue. The web version of the Golf Digest article is here.
One question that is quite often asked is “What length golf club a person should use?” This is very difficult to address as it is not always a black or white answer. A good example of this can be found when shopping for jeans. For example, a man does not purchase jeans based upon their height, rather two important pieces of information. If that person knows what their waist and inseam measurements are, they can purchase a pair of jeans that will most likely fit (but not always) without having to try them on. Then the jeans can be selected or paired down based upon the color/finish and leg cut – both of which are personal preferences.
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With this in mind, some charts will use these proportions; that is for each 5” or 6” of height differential, the golf clubs should be 1” shorter or longer. Of course, each manufacturer has their own idea for what standard length of their clubs will be that is why the actual lengths were omitted and the Length Factor could be applied to what one would consider to be “standard length”.
Length Based Chart
Height Height Length Factor
Feet-Inches Centimeters
6-9 to 7-0 206 – 213 Add 2″
6-6 to 6-9 198 – 206 Add 1 1/2″
6-3 to 6-6 191 – 198 Add 1″
6-0 to 6-3 183 – 191 Add 1/2″
5-9 to 6-0 175 – 183 Standard Length
5-6 to 5-9 168 – 175 Subtract 1/2″
5-3 to 5-6 160 – 168 Subtract 1″
5-0 to 5-3 152 – 160 Subtract 1 1/2″
4-9 to 5-0 145 – 152 Subtract 2″
It is interesting in the fact that junior club lengths do not use this same 6” to 1” formula. Rather for each 2” (or 2 ½”) of added height equates to 1” increase in length.
For taller individuals, it is logical to assume longer golf clubs are recommended. But it should be noted that
a 1” increase in club length does not necessarily make the club 1” longer from the floor to the ground. It is the sin of the lie angle that is the length component in the vertical direction. In the diagram on the left, a representation of a 1” at 61° amount to a vertical increase 0.874”. This will be important when we discuss methods other than height based charts.
Wrist-to-floor (WTF) Measurement
Wrist-to-floor measurement or WTF for short is a common method in which the golfer stands with their feet together in street / tennis shoes with their arms hanging straight down and relaxed. Then someone measures from the floor to the crease just above the wrist. That reading then is indexed by the golfer’s height to suggest the club length. The most common example of this is the Ping® Iron Color Code Chart.
Statistically, the average WTF measurement is 48.9% of the person’s height. If everyone was proportional to this percentage, then height-based charts would have the same effect. However, statistics are based on averages and not everyone will have proportionate arm lengths to their height, thus requiring not only different lengths than what their height may indicate, but also the lie of the club.
Height Height WTF
Ft. in. in 48.9%
4′ 0″ 48” 23.47”
4′ 2″ 50” 24.45”
4′ 4″ 52” 25.43”
4′ 6″ 54” 26.41”
4′ 8″ 56” 27.38”
4′ 10″ 58” 28.36”
5′ 0″ 60” 29.34”
Height Height WTF
Ft. in. in 48.9%
5′ 2″ 62” 30.32”
5′ 4″ 64” 31.30”
5′ 6″ 66” 32.27”
5′ 8″ 68” 33.25”
5′ 10″ 70” 34.23”
6″ 0″ 72” 35.21”
6′ 2″ 74” 36.19”
Height Height WTF
Ft. in. in 48.9%
6′ 4″ 76” 37.16”
6′ 6″ 78” 38.14”
6′ 8″ 80” 39.12”
6′ 10″ 82” 40.10”
7′ 0″ 84” 41.08”
7′ 2″ 86” 42.05”
7’ 4” 88” 43.03”
In the chart above, we can see that a 5’ 10” male on average will have a WTF measurement just shy of 34 1/4”, while the average female that stands 5’ 4” would be just a hair over 31 ¼”. The 6” difference in height equals approximately a 3” difference in the WTF measurement and to 1” length change. Well, at least in theory between men and women stock clubs. If you consider that a 48” junior golfer has a WTF measurement of nearly 12” less than the 70” golfer would suggest that the junior golfer get a 5-iron that is 4” shorter than a typical men’s club. However, the math does not add up as most junior charts will suggest a 48” junior to have a 5-iron in the neighborhood of 9” shorter.
Part of this can be explained by the fact that the WTF measurement coupled with the golfer’s height is only a starting point. The actual wrists at impact will be lower than the wrists in an erect, standing posture as the player will bend at the knees and waist and have a certain arm angle away from their body when swinging a golf club. Each person may have a slightly different comfort zone as to which of these angles feel best, thus the actual person’s wrist at impact will not always be the same proportion to the player’s WTF measurement when comparing one player to another. In addition, at impact the wrists may be slightly higher off the ground than at address.
One of the key things to understand is when the person’s WTF measurement is not proportionate to their height, then the length (and perhaps lie) of the clubs should be different than what their height would indicate. For golfers who have an actual WTF measurement greater than the chart, then the clubs should be longer and/or more upright than their height would indicate. Conversely, for golfers who have an actual WTF measurement less than listed in the chart, then the clubs should be shorter and/or produced with a flatter lie angle than their height would indicate. This explains why a tall individual could use “standard” clubs off of the rack if their arms were disproportionately longer.
For example, let’s say we have a 6’ 2” man that has an actual WTF measurement of 35.75” verses 36.19” in the table, as this person may have a little longer arms or shorter legs than average. We could simply adjust the length by reducing it by 1/2”. Remember above that the 1/2” of club length will not exactly the same as the 1/2” in the vertical direction (0.5” x sin 61° = 0.44”). If we did not make this change, then the golfer would have to grip down on the club, bend less at the waist or knees, or raise their arms higher producing a non-athletic position (in more extreme conditions). At 6’ 2”, the person might have been suggested a ½” longer club, but due to his lower WTF position standard length golf clubs may be fit fine.
Lie
Golf club lie also has an effect on the length as well. The diagram on the right shows the “Triangle” formed by the length of the club (A), distance in the vertical direction from the butt end of the golf grip to the ground (B) and the horizontal distance from the back edge of the heel of the club to butt end of the club (C). In the following charts, the lie angle of each club will be listed as well.
By altering the lie of the club, a manufacturer could theoretically change the B length. Below in the
chart are 4 clubs that are the same length, but different lie angles. For each 1° increase in the lie angle, the butt end raised approximately 1/3” off of the ground with the center of the sole touching the ground. In lieu of making the club longer to accommodate a taller individual or one with a high WTF measurement, some golf clubmakers may opt to change the lie angle.
A Lie B C
38” 60° 32.91” 19.00”
38” 61° 33.24” 18.42”
38” 62° 33.55” 17.84”
38” 63° 33.86” 17.25”
Swing
A Lie B C weight
38.50” 57.75° 32.56” 20.54” D4
38.25” 58.25° 32.53” 20.13” D2.5
38.00” 59° 32.57” 19.57” D1
37.75” 59.5° 32.53” 19.16” C9.5
37.50” 60.25° 32.56” 18.61” C8
37.25” 61° 32.58” 18.06” C6.5
36.75” 62.25° 32.52” 17.11” C3.5
36.50” 63° 32.52” 16.57” C2
36.25” 64° 32.58” 15.89” C0.5
A few years ago I fitted an individual that presented a unique challenge. His name was Mike and a professional in the medical field. Through referrals, he contacted me for a fitting. He explained on the phone that he had a birth defect in which his whole arm length was only the length of that to a normal person’s elbow position. He wanted to play golf, but physically could not bend far enough down to grip a club. I asked him to stop by as I had some ideas that I thought would help him out.
Mike was approximately 5’ 8”, but a WTF measurement of 43”. To put this in perspective, his WTF
might be more equivalent of someone standing 7’ 4”. In addition, he was of average strength at best and not built like that of an individual much taller and physically stronger in which to compensate for heavier weights caused by the need for longer clubs. After some calculations, experimentation and fast-stetting epoxy we ended up making a partial set – a few of which I would like to share. His driver was only 2” longer than normal (47”), his 5-iron was 43.5” (5.5” longer than average) and his PW was 42” (6.5” longer than average).
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November 14th, 2007 at 11:03 pm
Please explain the various loft angles in drivers and what type of golfers should use smaller lofts vs larger lofts ( ie…8.5, 9.5, 10.5, 12.5, etc.)
March 7th, 2008 at 1:26 pm
@ Wayne – Typically, the faster swing you have, the lower the driver degree you’ll want. However, the lower degree, the harder it will be to control as well. Most of the PGA guys will have 7-7.5* drivers. However, their swing speed is usually around 120mph* as well. My swing speed is about 105-110 and I use either an 8.5 or 9.5 driver, depending on the shaft. Shaft can have a much more dramatic effect on the flight of a golf ball than the actual degree of the club. In a shaft, a high kick-point will lead towards a lower ball flight, and vice versa. Believe me, getting the right shaft for you is much more important and rewarding than getting the “right” degree of driver. Before spending $300+ on a new driver, think about spending less than 1/3 of that on a good shaft. You’ll get a double win by hitting further drives and saving money.
May 21st, 2008 at 12:25 pm
Dear there,
Im a tall golfer standing at 6.3 ft nad finding it tough to play with shorter clubs due to lack of availability of taller equipment. Do I have to come personally in to your store to have clubs designed for me according to my height and wrist ?
May 22nd, 2008 at 9:11 am
Vivek:
We do not do any fitting at our warehouse facility, but there are several things you can do to find the proper length. The first is to measure your own clubs as not all that are off-the-shelf are the same length. You need a starting point of reference. You can attend a local Demo Day as often they may have various length clubs to try, but be sure to keep good notes. You can also go to a local clubfitter in your area that may have various length clubs to try. In many cases impact decals can be put on the faces to find the length you hit the most consistently in the center of the face as well as feel comfortable to you.
May 30th, 2008 at 1:56 pm
We have enrolled our 12 year old son for golf lessons, and need to get him some clubs. He has never played before, so I don’t want to spend a lot on new clubs until I know he will stick with it. And considering that he will grow like a weed over the next 4 years, the clubs he uses this summer probably won’t be usable in another year or two anyway.
I have 3 sets of clubs, and intend to cut one of the older sets down for him. One is metal shafts, one is graphite shafts.
Which would be better to use?
What issues do I need to be aware of?
How does shortening the shaft length affect the flexibility of the shaft?
What will be the affect of using adult head sizes with shorter shafts?
June 2nd, 2008 at 6:54 am
Todd:
Which set to cut down will depend on what flexes they are, plus just how physically developed he is at this time. Let’s say he is not very strong or coordinated yet and all the sets of clubs were R-flex, then the graphite would probably be the better of the 3 choices due to the lighter weight. But if he plays baseball or strong for his age, then a club that is too light could cause him to develop bad habits in the early stages.
What do you have to be aware of? If you don’t know if he is going to take it up, you might cut down only a couple of clubs first. You might ask the instructor what clubs he may start with.
Grip sizing is another issue depending how much you are going to cut these down. Shortening the clubs will make them a little stiffer. The adult heads generally are not bigger (except for maybe the driver) than junior heads. Junior heads might be lighter though, but designed to be paired with more flexible shafts.
Sincerely,
Jeff Summitt
Hireko Golf
June 16th, 2008 at 9:36 am
My son is 23 year old & is interested in learning to play golf. He is 6′10″ and weighs about 215. What length clubs do you recommend?
Thanks.
June 16th, 2008 at 12:04 pm
I might suggest 2″ over men’s standard length as starters.
June 30th, 2008 at 4:21 am
Hi there i am about 68″ tall am 58 yrs old and have a 3/4 back swing On a tipicle par 72 course i normally score around 84, 12 over my clubs the MARUMAN M210 with craphite shafts. Are these clubs blades as im not sure? and how can i improve on lowering my score. Do you think these clubs are right for me, or is it because i only play between 6-8 times a year your comment would very valid no matter how criticle they may be. Many thanks Roger
July 1st, 2008 at 6:38 am
Roger:
I had a hard time finding a picture of those irons, but they are indeed blades. Your average score does not tell the whole story as you might hit these irons dead straight, but you 3-putt most holes or putt great and hit these irons all over the place. Regardless, there are more forgiving irons than those and just a matter of what particular problem you are having (i.e. hitting, high, low, left, right, etc.) Also, with a 3/4 back swing, you may find that you will have more accuracy with a heavier shaft.
July 4th, 2008 at 11:54 am
Drivers and distance.
Read your article on the proper shaft length for people of different height. If one swings at the same speed should he not be able to drive the ball farther with a longer shafted club assuming he can control it? My physics studies say that angular velocity increases as a function of the square of the radius of rotation. Am I missing something?
R Keating
July 7th, 2008 at 2:03 pm
Richard:
For each golfer there is an optimum club length that will provide both the greatest distance and control. On either side of the bell curve there will be a drop off – in some cases dramatic. The best way to experiment is to try some difference length drivers (or even extend an existing model). Years ago I tried a 61.5″ driver. In all honesty, it swung me rather than the other way around.
July 14th, 2008 at 11:35 am
I am a 5′1 woman, what length should my club be.
July 14th, 2008 at 12:11 pm
Mary:
A good starting point would be 1/2″ or even 1″ shorter than standard ladies lengths.
July 22nd, 2008 at 7:09 am
Im a 68″ male with some longer than normal arms. My WTF measurement is about 31″ My father in law are planning on cutting an inch off my irons and maybe an inch 1/2 off my woods. Does this sound about right?
July 22nd, 2008 at 8:17 am
Russ:
Yes indeed you do have long arms. What I might suggest is for you to choke down on the grip to see where it feels comfortable first and then have your father measure how much of the grip extended beyond the heel of the palm. Then take the appropriate amount off on one club and have you hit it before doing the rest. If you like the adjusted length, then you can follow suite with the rest of the clubs.
July 22nd, 2008 at 8:36 am
Thanks, thats what I was thinking. I choke down quite a bit, much more than an inch, but the butt end still smacks my leg on the swing.
July 26th, 2008 at 12:08 pm
Dear Sir:
Thanx for posting such detailed article. I’m trying to get a better fit to my current driver. Would really be grateful on any insights that you can provide. Here are my details:
My swing speed is high 70’s up to max. mid 80’s (can have occasional high 80’s if I’ve totally “loosened up”). My current driver loft is 10.5* with Regular shaft, high trajectory and high launch angle, more often than not. I’m 5′ 6″, slight body frame (weight about 129 lbs.) and my wrist to floor measurement is 33 1/2″.
I’m currently using a Taylormade Burner with 46″ stock shaft which weights about 50 gm.
I think I have a slow to average tempo.
My typical ball flight is usually a slight fade, but can turn into a big fade to slice if I don’t hit it right. My typical “mis-hits” are pulls (hits off the heel of driver face). On the “impact tape” that I use to see my contact hits, the strike marks are usually all over from the center of the driver face running towards the heel of the face. Not many “mis-hits” near the toe face.
I’m trying to get more accurate without sacrificing much distance. I pretty sure I need to cut down the shaft, but not sure if I should cut it down to either 44″, 44 1/4″, 44 1/2″, 44 3/4″ or be at 45″ (maybe even less than 44″?). Also, I’m thinking of re-shafting to a Graphite Design YS-5+ shaft (Reg. flex, with 4.0 torque and at 56 gm.), because I feel the stock shaft on the Taylormade Burner may not be best at keeping dispersion rate tighter and getting the flight trajectory to be at mid-high, so as to hopefully increase distance (with the current stock shaft, I feel I “balloon” the ball a tad too much to my liking).
Any advise you can provide me will be of greatly appreciated & help me determine the right direction towards a better fitted driver.
Thanx again…
July 28th, 2008 at 8:21 am
Before chopping the grip and shaft off of an expensive club, try choking down 1/2″, 1″ and possibly 1 1/2″ and watch ball flight (look at impact decals too). If one of those lengths work best, then you would be safe to cut the length shorter. However, cutting it any shorter than that might pose a problem with weighting. You can always experiment with some lead tape on the outside of the club to get the desired feel.
The “ballooning” trajectory could be a function more so with the head and/or shaft than the length of the club.
August 1st, 2008 at 7:26 am
I am about 6′3″ 1/2 – what length should my clubs be and how should the lie be changed?
August 1st, 2008 at 8:40 am
Robert:
You might looking at starting out with 1/2″ to possibly 3/4″ over, but that could change depending upon your build (i.e. unusually long or short arms, stiff back that prevents you bending at the waist, etc.). The lie may or may not be right for you in the end, but there is no way of knowing ahead of time. Certain shafts, flex and the CG location of the head affect the downward bowing that occurs in the swing. Couple this with the fact that not each set has the same lie angles to start out with. My rule is to play the length that feels comfortable and then bend the lie according (if at all possible).
September 2nd, 2008 at 8:12 pm
Hi, i am a 5′6 male with about 3 years of golf under my belt.. but im starting to think maybe my clubs are to big for me, what should the recommended length be?
September 3rd, 2008 at 6:12 am
Mike:
The best thing to do is take a mid iron (like a #6) and try choking down 1/2″ and then 1″ and hitting balls. This way you can simulate and evaluate first hand if shortening the clubs will have any added benefit before actually removing the grip and any material.
September 8th, 2008 at 8:35 am
Your article on the Hireko Power Play Caiman does not offer any testimonies, performance, statistical reviews, or other evaluational information (only that it was listed In the Golf Digest article for length).
Why would I buy it? C’mon.
Greg
September 8th, 2008 at 1:11 pm
I have a different sort of question. I’m 6′4″ with kind of short arms and have used clubs 1-2″ over for years. Recently I borrowed a standard-length iron set and found that they were much easier to hit straight, like the club wanted to go naturally back to square rather than my having to manipulate it to get it square. I wonder whether lengthening a club might affect the balance and other factors so that it doesn’t perform as it is designed anymore. For this reason I’m thinking about going back to standard-length clubs. Does my “theory” make any sense? BTW, I use good pro-line clubs and generally play to a 6-8 handicap.
Thanks,
John
September 9th, 2008 at 10:10 am
Greg:
Please go to the assembled page http://www.hirekogolf.com/hireko/orderportal/catalog_presentation/by_group/0/1053/0/0/0/0/0 or the component page http://www.hirekogolf.com/hireko/orderportal/catalog_presentation/by_group/0/1052/0/0/0/0/0. You can see 29 independent reviews by clicking on the User Reviews tab.
September 9th, 2008 at 10:20 am
John:
My best advise is go with the length that is most comfortable and provides the best results regardless what some chart says may work. The human body is made to be able to adapt to a lot of conditions.
September 29th, 2008 at 11:07 pm
Good stuff! Here’s a quick question: I am 5′10″. My wrist to the floor is 36″ (left arm) and 37′ (right area). I’m not sure how that difference occured but I’ve measured it numerous times and always come you with the same measurement.
According to your imformation about, what would be the proper lenght of, say, a five iron. I know there are other factors in determining proper length but maybe this can give
a place to start. Thanks for your help. — Herb
September 30th, 2008 at 8:28 am
Herb:
It is good that you measure both as there are cases, such as yourself, that their arms are of different lengths. I would take the average of the two. Your WTF measurement is higher than someone of your stature so you have a couple of options. One you can make the club longer – perhaps an additional 1/2″. If you are not comfortable with the additional length to be able to bring the club back to square at impact, then standard length with a couple degrees upright might help. Lastly it could be a combination of added length and a more upright lie angle.
The reason why there is no absolute answer has to do with your athletic posture, like how far apart your feet are, how much you bend at the waist and the knees and weather or not you feel more comfortable standing close to the ball or not. Unless you experiment with clubs of different lengths / lie will you know for certain.
November 5th, 2008 at 4:48 pm
this was of great help…do you have shops in la or close to it?
November 5th, 2008 at 5:31 pm
Yes, Hireko has a factory outlet near Los Angeles. Here is our address:
Hireko Golf
16185 Stephens Street
City of Industry, CA 91745
Phone 800 367.8912
Hours 8-5PM M-Fri
January 5th, 2009 at 1:49 pm
Excellent article!!! The best I found so far on that topic
) Thank You 
)
April 3rd, 2009 at 1:08 pm
Hi, I’m 5 foot 8 and have 3 years of experience, what should i do about irons, woods, and a driver?
April 8th, 2009 at 1:28 am
Hey, Im also 5′8″ with pretty good experience I’ve been searching for my first set of clubs and I think I might get the nike slingshots. I have seen great reviews on them especially for players who don’t play as often and tend to be a little rusty when the get out there. Im getting them used since I wont be playing a whole lot. My only question is.. Can I just use a standard mans length club or should I find smaller ones? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks
April 8th, 2009 at 5:12 am
The best advice I can give is play them “as is” first and head out to the range to hit balls. If you find is you grip down on the club that you hit it more solidly, then that might suggest using a shorter clubs. Clubmaking / repair shops can shorten (and even lengthen) golf clubs to fit your height / posture. But remember, you can buy new clubs from Hireko often less expensive than used clubs that may or may not fit your needs.
April 8th, 2009 at 5:15 am
Justin:
At 5′ 8″, you are close to standard men’s height. I’ll give you the same advice to play the clubs at standard length first. If they feel too long and you have to grip down on the club to hit them well and get the ball going in the right direction, the lengths can easily be altered by a local clubmaking shop.
April 27th, 2009 at 7:13 pm
Hi,I’m 5′8″ tall my swing speed is 85-90MPH i’m using a taylormade 300 tour 8 deg.driver with taylormade r5 stiff shaft is shaft good for my swing speed?
April 28th, 2009 at 3:41 pm
I am 59 yrs. old and have been playing for many years. 8 hdc. I presently play Armour 855’s (reduced offset model) purchased many years ago. i liked the slightly longer blade. They have Armour Tour Step stiff shafts which I no longer feel I hit as I once did. The clubs are standard length 1degree up (which is perfect for my swing) but as I have trouble with my back I’m thinking about going to a longer shaft and a regular flex. I’m 6′1″ and my left wrist measured as suggested is 37.5 in from floor while my right wrist is 36.5 in. from floor. What would your suggest for the length and lie of new irons?
April 29th, 2009 at 5:01 am
Rolly:
An 85-95 mph driver speed would normally indicate a R-flex if you were to fit by the book. However if the ball flight, trajectory and feel are all fine and you have no complaint, then what you have is fine. If you happen to hit any of your buddy’s clubs or go to a demo day to hit the stock R-flex shafts in today’s driver, what happen to the direction and does it feel much better?
April 29th, 2009 at 5:08 am
James:
By going to a longer club, you will most likely change your posture, hand position and possibly how far you stand from the ball. The best advise I can give is go longer first, then adjust the lie afterward if it is required. How much longer? You may want to experiment on one club first until you find what feels comfortable, then build the set around the master club. 1/2″ doesn’t sound like much, but you may find that is just enough. If you go much longer than that, then you worry about the overall weight and heft of the club and might make your decision to go to a much lighter shaft.
May 3rd, 2009 at 9:28 pm
Dear Jeff,
I am a 25 year old Right Handed male who is 6′2 and a slim athletic body type. After a 5 year hiatus from playing a buddy of mine got me back into the game and now i’m playing at least 3 times a week. Since starting back a couple months ago I am having a hard time getting my score below the 90’s. I am using the same clubs I have had since I was 16 and im 25 now. I have taken summer golf camps when I was a kid and lessons growing up. I feel like my mechanics are worked out but for some reason I can’t get consistent shots from my clubs. I am using a set of Plam Springs Desert classics with steel shafts. I have taken video of my swing and slowed it down to the moment just before impact and was suprised at what I found. On my down swing, the shafte is bowed to the left while the club head and my arms are in allignment. I guess my question is, is this a result of too much flex in the shaft allowing the clubs head to get ahead of it and then unloading on impact resulting in inconsistencies in the flight path?
I,m not exactly sure what my swing speed is but like I said i’m pretty athletic, I surf alot, played Baseball for 8 years, Ice hockey for 2, was on the swim team in highschool. I can make great contact, but from there, there’s no telling.
Sincerely,
Josh Turner
May 4th, 2009 at 5:22 am
Josh:
Most golfers at impact are decelerating, meaning the they have already released the club. While the hands might have started to slow down, the head hasn’t, thus bending the club forward. If it is excessive, that could lead to general inconsistencies in your shot pattern (greater dispersion). Couple things to look at. At your height, make sure the length is proper. You mentioned that you make great contact, so that may not be the issue. You might try a friend’s or fellow golfer’s S-flex steel shafted clubs and see if the dispersion it cut down. Is so, then you know that the current shafts are too flexible.
August 21st, 2009 at 12:24 am
Dear Jeff,
I am 25 years old, right handed and my height is 6″4. My WTF is 38″, hand size is 8″ (tip of middle finger to wrist) and my logest finger is 3.5″.
I’m only a beginner and have just started playing, however most recently nearly all of my driver shots have been hit with an extreme pull hook. I use a regular size, and regular flex Top Flite driver, and everytime I drive off the tee the shot will always be a pull hook.
Is this the necessary consequence of using a driver which is too short for me?, and what additional sized driver would generally be more appropriate for me.
I am of an athletic build, and would assume that my swing speed would be on average.
Interestingly, my mid iron shots (also of regular length and flex) are almost always staight with only the rare slight hook on occasions.
Thanks for all your help.
August 21st, 2009 at 8:05 am
William:
It could be a number of reasons why you hook the driver and not the irons. The face angle on the driver could be very closed for one. Also, many of the Top Flite drivers use was is referred to as commercial grade shafts. So it may be too flexible for your swing. It is easy enough to extend the shaft if you feel the length is too short, but my suggestion is to try some other drivers on the market to see if it is the length or the shaft that might be the root of the problem.
October 25th, 2009 at 11:09 pm
I am a 60 year old lady, new to golf, using used $5 clubs which are slightly short and I need better fitting and playing clubs. I am 5′1″ with a 32 1/2 WTF. A friend offered me his wife’s set (1 year old, used only once) They are men’s standard length. Will it mess the performance up badly to shorten them 1 -1 1/2 inches? Getting pristine $1500 clubs for $300 will be great if it is OK to shorten them that much. What do you think?
October 26th, 2009 at 6:18 am
JJ:
Is the wife’s set made to L-flex or another flex? Length is extremely important – as a matter of fact it is probably the most important fitting variable. But if the shafts are too flexible or too stiff for you then will negate any advantage of getting fit for the proper length. Can ask to go out and hit the club first? You can grip down on the club 1″ to simulate what cutting the butt end will do.
November 1st, 2009 at 11:05 pm
Thanks for the input, Jeff. The drivers are graphite, the irons stainless steel. All are red dot S. I just took this up a couple of weeks ago and honestly cannot tell what club “feels good”. Ideally, I would have waited a couple of months, but these clubs are up for sale now and I need to make a decision.
November 6th, 2009 at 8:37 pm
Jeff, Thanks for a great article.
I’m a 6′4″ man and my WTF measurement is a touch over 41 1/2″. I’m 40, have a slim build, reasonable flexibility, but am not a natural athlete and am not especially strong. For the last decade I’ve played with clubs that are 2″over standard length, and have not had trouble making consistent contacts.
This last year I’ve worked hard on my game, with weekly lessons and much practice, and am about to get new clubs. I feel that I have to bend down a long way to the ball. Would you think 2″ over standard is sufficient, or should I try shafts a bit longer than this?
Also, with clubs in this general length range, can you offer some general suggestions about shaft weight and swingweight – I presume that either graphite or light-weight steel shafts will prevent the total weigh of the clubs from becoming excessive, but that I’ll still end up with high swingweights.
Your thoughts would be greatly appreciated.
November 7th, 2009 at 5:16 am
Max:
You must have extremely short arms for your height and longer clubs would be in order. Since you have already been playing 2″ over length and have had no problems making solid contact, I don’t think I would change unless you feel like you need to choke down on the grip. Don’t worry about the swingweight – only that they match- as longer than normal clubs will yield a high swingweight. To keep the over all weight low, then seek out lighter shafts than what you are currently using. Use can also see if counter weight helps or you don’t any difference in the overall balance of your clubs.