Club Length

Playing with the wrong length of club will make it very difficult for a golfer to have the correct set up position.  This will result in unsolid hits.  FACT:  When using a 5 iron if a ball is hit 1” off center the result will be a loss in distance of 8%.  If a golfer normally hits a 5 iron 160 yards that mishit would cause a loss of distance of  almost 13 yards, not to mention a loss of control and a lot less backspin.  If, on the other hand a 5 iron

were 1” longer a golfer could probably only hit the ball two to three yards further. Not a very good trade off. With a driver a 1” off center hit will cause a loss of distance of 25-40 yards.  If a driver were 3” longer in length the resulting increase in distance would only be about five yards. These facts were determined from machine testing using the Iron Byron.  Some golfers figures may vary slightly.  The point here is to know that longer shots will come from solid, on center hits not longer lenght clubs.  Do not let all those manufacturer’s claims, infomercials....deceive you into believing that if you buy a longer club that you will rocket the ball out there 30-50 yards longer.  It won’t happen.  The correctly fitted club and a good swing will give a golfer the best chance for those shots. 

HOW DO YOU GET FITTED FOR THE RIGHT LENGTH OF CLUBS?
As with all of the fitting process it is not possible to correctly do this hitting golf balls into a net at an indoor facility.  You must be able to observe ball flight.  Also, it is a great idea if you are fitted by the same professional that you take lessons from.  If your instructor does not do club fitting or does not have the tools to do so ask them who they might recommend. Here’s how it works.  Your fitter will have different length of clubs for you to try. In this case for driver fitting they should have drivers ranging in length from 42” to 46”.  Possibly shorter than 42” for women and juniors.  Forget about what standard length is - it makes absolutely no difference.  Your only concern is the longest length of club that gives you the best chance for solid, on center hits.   The fitting professional will have you hit several length of clubs.  They will place on the face of the club some impact tape.  After you hit a few shots this tape will show the impact location on the face from your shots.  When the correct length of club is used you will notice a very tight pattern of impact shots on the center of the face. You will also probably notice some scattering of impact shots on the clubs that do not fit you.  Remember the stats from above on how much distance is lost from off center hits.  This is especially important for you to remember when you feel the urge to play with one of those longer length drivers but you notice how erratic your impact pattern is on the face.  The same process applies when determining your club length with irons.  The only difference is that you will be hitting different lengths of irons as opposed to drivers.   With both driver and iron length fitting the type of swing you are making certainly plays a part.  If your swing is not consistent or you just aren’t swinging that well during the fitting process the impact pattern will always be off center.  That’s when the fitting professional may suggest some swing changes.  Those changes may be made right then during the fitting session or the professional may suggest you make these changes and then come back a few days later to finish the fitting process. Either way that is much better than them forcing a fitting recommendation on you just for the sake of making a sale that day.