Driver shaft length effecting play???

[30yearlayoff]

I am 47, very strong, 5'9" with 33.5 " from wrist to ground.
I have a TM R7TP at std length. It's a 757 speeder (s). I recently traded an unused driver for an R7 TP T/S (strong 13* 3 wood) w/ Vista Pro 80 S. I tried hitting the T/S a couple times on the course and struggled with it. Same at the range. So, I didn't use it much and contemplated selling or trading it.

Lately, I have put a ton of time on the range working on irons. I had a slight over the top move that mostly caused a pull. I've been struggling with the driver lately. I think working with shorter shafts got me into the struggles with the wider arc of the driver swing. So out of frustration/desparation, I started hitting the T/S off the tee. All I can say is WOW! This thing is flying the ball mostly straight and long...I mean LONG (about 250 + which is long for me for a 3 wood.)
When it's not straight, it's completely playable. I can't say the same with the driver. It's coming and going. When it comes, it's nirvana. It mostly goes though.

So, why am I hitting the smaller headed 3 wood so well and the big head driver so terrible. I am wondering if it might have to do with the length of the shaft. I think the 3 wood is 43.5 vs the 45 on the driver. I am thinking about getting the shaft cut down but I would hate to ruin such a fine shaft. I've read that many/most pros play < than 45" shafts, though the trend of late is to go lake 48". Any comments?

[LowPost42]

Re: Driver shaft length effecting play???

A certain Mr. Wishon advocates cutting down the shaft to 44.5" or shorter.

As for why the 3 wood seems better could largely be twofold:

1) The shorter shaft makes for more control.
2) The higher loft reduces sidespin, making for straighter shots.

Time for a thriver!

[30yearlayoff]

Re: Driver shaft length effecting play???

Thanks for the reply. Most of my inaccuracies are not due to spin. It comes from timing and sequencing. I can swing the 3 without much thought and it flies well. I swing the driver the same and I get a poor connection. When I hit it well, I hit it freakin' well. I just can't hit it as consistently as the 3.
UGH!

[LowPost42]

Re: Driver shaft length effecting play???

I would get the MOI of my 3 wood measured, and get my driver adjusted to match.

[ogallalabob]

Re: Driver shaft length effecting play???

It may simply due to the launch angle is more ideal then the driver. 15 years ago Pro's used to hit very low lofted drivers, due to launch monitors and the new golf balls they have since gone to higher degree dirvers.

I have read that most amatuers depending on the club, shaft and their swing speed should be hitting a 10-12 degree driver (some cases higher but if your hitting that 13 that far I would doubt that would be the case for you but it might be around 10.5). So your 13 degree club may have a better launch angle then the Driver I would try to Demo a Driver with a 10 or so loft and see if that helps.

Bob

[LowPost42]

Re: Driver shaft length effecting play???

Just to add to Bob's comment - angle of attack plays a big role in the required loft of a given head. I hit down right now (I usually do when my swing is rusty), so need a much higher lofted driver than when my swing is in shape.

[30yearlayoff]

Re: Driver shaft length effecting play???

Thanks. My currrent driver is 10.5

It may simply due to the launch angle is more ideal then the driver. 15 years ago Pro's used to hit very low lofted drivers, due to launch monitors and the new golf balls they have since gone to higher degree dirvers.

I have read that most amatuers depending on the club, shaft and their swing speed should be hitting a 10-12 degree driver (some cases higher but if your hitting that 13 that far I would doubt that would be the case for you but it might be around 10.5). So your 13 degree club may have a better launch angle then the Driver I would try to Demo a Driver with a 10 or so loft and see if that helps.

Bob

[GolfJunkieSr]

Re: Driver shaft length effecting play???

Not sure this has impact on your question, but it was a problem for me. I too hit my 3w much better than my driver. My problem was having a 460cc driver, which caused me all kinds of tempo/timming issues because of the huge head. Once I had it counter balanced, I gained some control, but it still feels akward swinging it. When I am swinging the 460cc well, the ball gets out there, but I am leaning towards going back to my smaller driver, which is closer to the same size as my 3w. My460cc driver is about 10 yards longer, which is not such a good deal at the cost of less accuracy. GJS

[30yearlayoff]

Re: Driver shaft length effecting play???

My current driver is R7TP. I think that is a 400cc driver head. Going to get my shaft looked at this week.

Not sure this has impact on your question, but it was a problem for me. I too hit my 3w much better than my driver. My problem was having a 460cc driver, which caused me all kinds of tempo/timming issues because of the huge head. Once I had it counter balanced, I gained some control, but it still feels akward swinging it. When I am swinging the 460cc well, the ball gets out there, but I am leaning towards going back to my smaller driver, which is closer to the same size as my 3w. My460cc driver is about 10 yards longer, which is not such a good deal at the cost of less accuracy. GJS