Driver too long?

[acepepper]

I recently bought a used driver from a friend, (Lynx Black Cat Ti 400) and however much I persevere with the thing, I can't do anything but slice it. I could hit my old driver as straight as a dye, more often than not. The main difference seems to be the length of the shaft. The Black Cat shaft is 43 inches and is stiff flex graphite. The old driver has a regular flex steel shaft and is an inch or so shorter.

Could the extra length be causing a slice? Or could it be a combination of length and stiffness?

I'm 5' 8 and the guy I bought it from is about 6' 3. He used to hit it with draw.

[gord962]

Re: Driver too long?

The flex would be more of the culprit for your slice, but definitely the length could play into it as well. Try choking up so that the length is similar to your old club. If you are still slicing, it's time to take the club in to your local clubmaker and get a new shaft matched with your swing.

[acepepper]

Re: Driver too long?

I've never had my swing speed analyzed, but I know it's not that fast. I bought the club cheap, so it's no big deal if it's not suited to my swing, I'll just flog it on ebay.

Just out of interest, what are the mechanics of a stiff shafted club causing a slice with a slow swing speed?

[LowPost42]

Re: Driver too long?

Because the shaft never loads properly, it tends to not unload, either. This leaves the clubface open longer.

The same thing can happen with a shaft that is way too flexible, except that you can overload the shaft and the clubface has no chance to square up.

[acepepper]

Re: Driver too long?

Another question; if I were to re-grip this club, is it possible to just cut an inch or so off a graphite shaft without damaging it? If so, what tool would be best to use?

[gord962]

Re: Driver too long?

You can definitely cut an inch off. Use either a hacksaw or a cutoff saw. Do not use a tubing cutter, this will split the graphite because of the pressure applied.

As I had mentioned, try gripping down leaving about an inch sticking out first before making the club any shorter. Tha will save you the time and effort or chopping and re-gripping.

[acepepper]

Re: Driver too long?

Thanks Gord, as always, good advice.

[LowPost42]

Re: Driver too long?

If you use a hacksaw, DO NOT use a standard hacksaw blade. Go to your local hardware store and buy a grit-edge blade - it looks like someone dipped a hacksaw blade in glue and sand.

Then, wrap where you're going to cut with masking tape (helps to avoid splintering, and makes it much easier to mark your cut line).

Cut away, and remember to let the saw do the work.

A master carpenter put it this way to me: I dare you to use as little pressure as you can while moving the saw.