Have any of you guys experiemented with shorter clubs? I was thinking of going a 1/2 inch shorter or so. I know that this will make the clubs lighter. But would it not also require a lie angle adjustment? Any other pros/cons?
I went through the following process. Was productive for me:
1. Swing lessons
Had 3x4 video lessons & determined what I wanted to do about my swing. Result was a major swing plane change.
2. Fitting
Went to a club fitter. Sacrificed my 6-iron. He adjusted the lie according to the new swing and - in my case - plugged it to make the shafts longer.
3. Trial period
Played that 6-iron extensively on range & course for 2-3 weeks. It was obvious it was right for me.
4. Full re-fit
Alterned grips, made lie adjustments & extended all clubs by a shaft butt plug.
5. New set
Got a good deal. Bought a full new set of irons. The old ones had been with me for 7 years.
--
Conclusion:
Make sure you know that you are swinging the way you want. Then adjust the lie on one club before anyting else. Try that club for some time before making further changes. In your case you might want to take off 0.5 inch on one club. If it does not come out the way you wanted, just have a 0.5 inch plug added.
Have any of you guys experiemented with shorter clubs? I was thinking of going a 1/2 inch shorter or so. I know that this will make the clubs lighter. But would it not also require a lie angle adjustment? Any other pros/cons?
Muchas.
Bucket
irons or driver?
IMO...use the shortest shafts that doesn't redue a significant amount of swing speed to not hinder distance. Also, a length that creates a good posture. Bending from the waist is good, but not too much.
The shorter the shaft the easier it is to hit the sweet spot. However the shorter the shaft the lighter the swing weight (personal feel thing but it still counts) and there will be a lie adjustment that has to be made.
__________________
I'm not a TGM or PGA certified Pro, but I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night
Have any of you guys experiemented with shorter clubs? I was thinking of going a 1/2 inch shorter or so. I know that this will make the clubs lighter. But would it not also require a lie angle adjustment? Any other pros/cons?
Muchas.
Bucket
irons or driver?
IMO...use the shortest shafts that doesn't redue a significant amount of swing speed to not hinder distance. Also, a length that creates a good posture. Bending from the waist is good, but not too much.
The shorter the shaft the easier it is to hit the sweet spot. However the shorter the shaft the lighter the swing weight (personal feel thing but it still counts) and there will be a lie adjustment that has to be made.
J,
Thanks man! I'm talking irons and driver. I'm a short (and round) dude. 5'8". My wrist to floor measures 32. So based on the charts I've consulted that puts me at the bottom of one range and the top of the other e.g. I could go with 37.5" 5 iron or 38". I'm thinking I may cheat to the 37.5" for precisely the reasoning in your above post. I wouldn't think 1/2 inch would make much difference in length, but could make a big difference in center face contact.
My driver is 45". I was thinking 44 to 43.5?
Is there a formula for the reduction length and the resulting adjustments to swing weight and lie?
[quote="jim_0068
IMO...use the shortest shafts that doesn't redue a significant amount of swing speed to not hinder distance. Also, a length that creates a good posture. Bending from the waist is good, but not too much.
The shorter the shaft the easier it is to hit the sweet spot. However the shorter the shaft the lighter the swing weight (personal feel thing but it still counts) and there will be a lie adjustment that has to be made.[/quote]
I have a different opinion on this topic. I use the longest shaft I can control in the woods in order to max distance. I am 5'10 and 140 punds, and carry a 46" driver. I tried 47" but that felt slightly to heavy for my strenght.
That way I can hit it fairly long without jumping out of my shoes.
I think club lenght should be picked with regard to how far you need each club to go. And use lie adjustment to account for height, wrist-to- floor distance etc.
Remember, i said that to use the shortest club you can that doesn't result in a large loss in swing speed. Sweet spot contact with a slower speed is better than off sweet spot contact with a faster speed.
If you can control a 46" and hit the sweet spot consistently, there is no need for you to drop down.
However to pick the length of your irons to produce a certain distance is bead clubfitting imo. Fit the iron for good posture and center face contact. If the ball doesn't go far enough, bend the lofts a little stronger and/or learn to swing faster.
__________________
I'm not a TGM or PGA certified Pro, but I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night
Driver length should be a dymanic fitting process so that you can find where you middle the ball in the face most of the time. Its no good hitting the sweet spot way out there once a round for that 300 yard down the middle effort and have the rest go bush.
Look for the longest average drive vs the longest drive and you will find that giving up 5 -10 yards will save you lots of shots.
Irons wise its still all about sweet spot striking. As long as you are not reducing clubhead speed and killing a comfortable stance then 1/2 less (or more) is not going to hurt much but could improve the scorecard a lot. Also consider 1/4 inch changes in the shorter irons vs 1/2 in the long ones. You will find a particular length where going shorter does not improve the dispersion pattern much.
For Drivers or irons, invest in some impact decals or just get some talc and see where you are hittng the face.
I cut down many more drivers than I extend. From memory Tiger plays with a 43 3/4 inch driver. Most OEM drivers are 45!
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