Driver Shaft Length ( How To Find Your Ideal Length)

Many golfers want to combine both distance and accuracy when using the big stick and owning the proper shaft plays a big role in those two factors.

Driver shaft length makes a massive difference in many ways when hitting the club. 

In this article, we’ll clear up misconceptions regarding driver shaft length and explain how to pick the right shaft for your driver and the style of play.

What is the standard driver shaft length for men?

A men’s driver shaft’s average length is about 45 inches, but with the wide range of custom possibilities, you can have a fitter shorten it to your desire if needed or hand you a longer one.

Depending on your height, preferences, and what you want the club to do, you can select a longer or shorter shaft at the store or course.

What is the standard driver shaft length for women?

The standard driver length for female golfers is about 44 inches. The LPGA Tour states that the maximum length allowed is 46 inches.

Driver Shaft Length Chart Based On Height

Many golfers ask the question: How long should a golf driver be for my height? The chart below will show you general height and shaft matches.

This is just a guide and any shaft length can be used according to preference. There isn’t truly a “standard” length. Different manufacturers equip their drivers with various lengthened shafts.

Does a longer driver shaft mean more distance?

Many golfers think that the longer the shaft is, the further the ball will travel.

This notion is true to an extent.

Putting a longer shaft in a driver can increase swing speed and ball speed resulting in longer shots off the tee. Although, having a longer shaft also makes the club less forgiving.

The lack of forgiveness can lead players to have trouble hitting the center of the sweet spot. It allows them to make less consistent contact as well as hit the ball closer to the toe or the hosel.

When someone doesn’t hit the sweet spot, they’ll lose significant distance and probably hit a slice or hook. 

It’s no fun walking around the woods, fishing around in the water hazard or searching for your ball in the deep rough. It’s also frustrating and can dent your confidence losing strokes on poor tee shots.

A bad tee shot hinders the ability to score with a second shot and golfers will likely find themselves scrambling for par. 

So despite the possibility of increased distance with a longer shaft, there’s also an increased chance of an errant shot. 

It’s recommended that only low-handicappers who can easily hit the center of the clubface over and over use a very long shaft.

Even many professionals don’t opt for extremely lengthy shafts.

The average driver shaft length on the PGA Tour is 44.5 inches and not 45.5 or 46 because pros would rather find themselves in the fairways which leads them to more scoring opportunities and pars.

Are shorter drivers easier to hit?

Yes, shorter drivers are easier to hit. Generally, the closer you stand to the ball, the simpler the ball is to hit. 

Shorter drivers are more forgiving and allow players a sense of more control. Solid contact will almost always provide more distance compared to a mishit.

There have been tests that show some golfers don’t lose much or any ball speed when hitting a shorter shaft on a driver.

Why are driver shaft lengths longer now than 20 years ago?

Prior to the 1990s, many shafts were closer to 43 inches for men, unlike today. 

It’s easy to sell the distance factor to consumers and when they test them out and see long drives, they’re likelier to buy longer shafts.

Driver shafts are longer today because it’s easier to promote distance and long shafts on commercials and convince people they need a longer shaft to “hit bombs”.

How To Find Your Ideal Driver Shaft Length

There are different factors such as height, swing speed, and flex that indicate what length driver shaft you should put in play. 

A fitter can help you correlate these three factors with the right shaft. After figuring these out it’s important to select the correct shaft you feel most comfortable with.

The club fitter will have you hit a certain amount of balls using different brands and lengths of shafts and measure your statistics with a launch monitor. 

The fitter, based on the golf shaft review, will set you up with two to three shaft brands with the length you performed the best with.

Some golfers with fast swing speeds might perform better with a longer shaft that is stiff. Others with slower swing speeds often play better with shorter shafts that are regular flex (more flexible).

How to measure driver shaft length

The driver shaft’s length is determined by how long the shaft is in proportion to the club’s total length. The three steps below provide a simple way to measure the shaft’s length.

• First, maintain the golf club in the playing position so that the ground is in contact with the sole’s center.
• The second thing you should do is place a 48″ golf club ruler behind the driver. The tip should be touching the ground near the heel. The club needs to sit on the ruler the entire time.
• Lastly, calculate the distance from the grip cap’s edge to the heel.

It’s imperative to know how long your driver shaft length is. This can help you figure out why you might be hitting poor tee shots.

Impact If You Cut Down Your Driver

Many golfers like to cut down their driver shafts to make them stiffer. The process is often referred to as “tip trimming.”

Cutting down the driver makes the club feel lighter which is an attribute many golfers like. It moves the swing weight lower down the shaft.

This enables them to swing harder and increase their swing speed while simultaneously increasing their distance.

Shortening a driver also adds more “torsional stiffness” which helps make the torque stronger. This makes the shaft less likely to twist at impact leading to a square club and solid contact on the screws.

It’s recommended to cut down a shaft at a golf store. A professional will obviously charge but prevent you from accidentally cutting it too short or incorrectly.

Frequently Asked Questions