Correct Length for Driver Shafts

Question
Hi,

I've read in a one of the golf magazines that stated avg. driver shaft length for PGA tour pros are 44.5 in. That got me started thinking about maybe having a shorter shaft would help my game (my drives are not very accurate). My height is 5'9" with wrist to floor length of 57 1/4in. , my swing speed is 95 mph, and I currently use Adams Redline draw 10.5 loft with Grafalloy Prolaunch stiff shaft with 45.5". Should I shorten the lengh of my shaft? If so, what length should I shorten it to?

Thanks,

Dave

Answer
Dave,

You're right about the accuracy thing.  A shorter shaft will, in theory, make a club a bit easier to control.  But remember, shorter shafts also make a smaller swing arc, which will shorten the length of the shot. There's almost always some give and take with these things, it seems.  If you decide to go with a shorter shaft I'd send the club back to the manufacturer, and I don't think I'd lose more than an inch.  If you just go trimming the shaft you'll mess with swing weight, flex, and other things.  Go out in the yard and find a long branch or stick.  Bent it until it breaks.  Then take one of the pieces and do the same.  It'll be much harder to break the smaller piece. It's now "stiffer."  In theory, this same thing (although not as extreme) can happen if you go to cutting on a shaft.  It's shorter, therefore stiffer than the original. Let the guys who designed it put a different shaft in it for you.

Hope this helps.

John