Comments on: Shortening Your Driver for Added Control

By: Double Eagle

Double Eagle — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 12:53:36 +0000

Jerry, unfortunately, that is not correct. Swing weight is the measurement of the distribution of weight in the club, specifically, the ratio in the first 14 inches of the shaft to the rest. Choking down does not change that, though it may give a slightly different feel of the club head. Maybe a slight change in the “effective” swing weight, if you will.

On the other hand, cutting two inches off the shaft actually alters the swing weight of the club, and also the total weight, which will give a much more drastic change in the feel of the club. And that change is also permanent, at least until a new shaft is installed.

One thing that might contribute to feel that is not as good when choking down is that we’re holding the grip in a spot where it is much thinner. I personally don’t find it to be a problem, but I can see where someone might.

On the other hand, any changes in effective swing weight that occur by choking down are minor and will be offset by improved contact. The club might not feel perfect, but the player will see an immediate improvement in distance and accuracy if poor contact has been a problem.

I hope we can both agree, however, that the proper course of action, once a player determines that a shorter driver is more effective, is to have a shorter shaft fitted by a club fitter and installed in the driver. Choking down can be a temporary fix for someone to get the feel of a shorter driver, but re-shafting should be the permanent solution. I would not recommend cutting down a shaft under any circumstance unless a club fitter has determined that the new length, new swing weight, and new total weight would then be proper for the player.

By: Jerry Combs

Jerry Combs — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 04:28:57 +0000

Shortening up, ie choking up, on the club drastically changes the swing weight of the club, and in my opinion, causes a really strange, unbalanced feel. Do not be aftaid to experiment by cutting that 46″ driver down an inch or 2 and just regripping it. You can always lengthen it again if you desire for very little cost (or no cost except a new grip if you can cut the club abd lengthen it again if needed yourself). I think you will find that the shorter driver WILL in fact work wonders for your accuracy, as it has for me, with little or no loss in distance. Infact, maybe MORE distance because you can go at the ball that much more agressively with the shorter shaft.

By: Book Review: The Right Sticks

Book Review: The Right Sticks — Sun, 19 Jul 2009 03:15:25 +0000

[...] The longer the club, the farther you’ll hit the ball (Myth #18), which I covered in a post previously [...]

By: Joe

Joe — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 23:51:51 +0000

I have been gripping down on my driver the past four or five rounds I ahev played and have had good success utilzing this method. My driver is over 45 inches and that is just a little too lengthy for me to control effectively without doing so.

By: Double Eagle

Double Eagle — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 16:48:11 +0000

Good points, HP. Golf is one of those games where you need ego, and then you need to be able to leave it in the cart too. It requires confidence and a little fearlessness that come from a healthy ego. At the same time, like you said, a player needs to be able to check it and make logical decisions, not decisions based on hitting it long or trying impossible shots.

By: HP

HP — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 16:22:30 +0000

This is something that I just started and it works great, I still hit a 1 iron on down and I am going to shorten them all about a inch or so. I feel like I can hit it long and straight no problem. I wish all golfers would leave the ego at home and play the game to be consistent. You guys here are on the right track. Thanks

By: Dreaded Shots: Tee Shots on Tight Driving Holes

Dreaded Shots: Tee Shots on Tight Driving Holes — Sun, 28 Dec 2008 18:46:04 +0000

[...] is something I’ve been experimenting with for months. If you decide that driver is the club to hit on the hole, then don’t be afraid [...]

By: Progress Update: December 14, 2008

Progress Update: December 14, 2008 — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 04:40:39 +0000

[...] still having good success with choking down on my driver. I hit one poor drive (the first of the day), and after that, the rest of my drives were [...]

By: Kenneth Holland

Kenneth Holland — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 07:31:29 +0000

You see alot of players doing the long shaft thing (I’ve seen some with 50″ shafts) and all it does for most players is lessen their accuracy…sometimes gives them LESS distance! You have to be awfully good to benefit distance-wise for going longer.

Stay to a medium length and work on your game. Too many get caught up in gear.

By: Double Eagle

Double Eagle — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 21:05:05 +0000

I’m hoping to do a professional fitting this winter, Greg. I might wait, though, because I feel the rust starting to build as the days are shorter and colder. I’d prefer to have it done when I’m playing regularly.

Wishon talks about chopping the shaft down and he recommends against it, because it affects the swing weight of the club (not to be confused with the mass of the club).