Is This Common Mistake The Reason You’re Not Getting Any Better At Golf?
A simple equipment adjustment could help you score better. We spoke to an equipment expert to find out why getting the right shaft length is so important.
Not all golfers are created equal. We can’t all be Rory McIlroy or Nelly Korda! But it’s not just our levels of talent that vary. We also all differ slightly, or significantly, in terms of our size and physique. For that reason, we all can or would benefit from using equipment that’s tailored to our physical requirements. To make the correct stance with the correct posture, we may need clubs that are not standard length or standard lie angle.
We spoke to Andrew Pillans, an expert club fitter at Banchory Golf Club in Aberdeenshire to find out why getting the correct shaft length in your golf clubs is so important.
“Shaft Length is a critical factor in golf and can significantly impact a player’s accuracy, distance, consistency and overall swing mechanics,” says Pillans.
“An essential key to playing good golf is, of course, finding the middle of the clubface. A longer shaft, while offering a higher clubhead speed resulting in more distance, is a great deal harder to control and can often lead to inconsistent strike patterns. A shaft that is shorter may lose some distance but it can lead to a much more reliable strike pattern which overall could actually increase distance.”
So finding the right shaft length could help you gain distance and consistency of strike. It could also help you improve your posture and stance.
“Having the correct shaft length can improve setup and posture,” says Pillans. It can allow golfers to maintain a natural and comfortable posture during the golf swing. With the wrong length of shaft and incorrect posture position all swing mechanics can be impacted.”
And getting the wrong shaft length can impact the lie angle at address. If the club is too long, it could lead to a “toe-up” lie angle. If it’s too short, it could be “toe-down.”
Get the Golf Monthly Newsletter
Subscribe to the Golf Monthly newsletter to stay up to date with all the latest tour news, equipment news, reviews, head-to-heads and buyer’s guides from our team of experienced experts.
“Having the wrong shaft length can have an effect on lie angle; this can also lead to inconsistencies at address,” says Pillans. “Toe up/Toe Down situations can alter swing dynamics and effect strike and ball flight.”
Telltale Signs You Are Using The Wrong Shaft Length
There are some telltale signs you are perhaps not using the correct length of shaft in your clubs.
Strike (both vertical and horizontal) is the main indicator. If you are persistently hitting the ball out of the toe, that can sometimes be an indication of a club that is too short, similarly if there is a persistent low or thin strike that could indicate the same. Conversely, a consistent heel strike and/or regular fat shots could point towards a club that is too long.
Static posture is alway something to look out for too. Someone very crouched over is likely compensating for clubs that are too short, whereas someone stood bolt upright may well have clubs too long for them.
It’s crucial then to make sure you get the right shaft length, not only to help you get the right setup and posture through the swing but also to help you find more consistency through the strike. The best thing to do is to visit a qualified PGA professional like Andrew Pillans to be measured and assessed. You might find your current equipment is incorrect for you and a change of shaft length could be of significant benefit and help you get better at golf!
Fergus is Golf Monthly's resident expert on the history of the game and has written extensively on that subject. He has also worked with Golf Monthly to produce a podcast series. Called 18 Majors: The Golf History Show it offers new and in-depth perspectives on some of the most important moments in golf's long history. You can find all the details about it here.
He is a golf obsessive and 1-handicapper. Growing up in the North East of Scotland, golf runs through his veins and his passion for the sport was bolstered during his time at St Andrews university studying history. He went on to earn a post graduate diploma from the London School of Journalism. Fergus has worked for Golf Monthly since 2004 and has written two books on the game; "Great Golf Debates" together with Jezz Ellwood of Golf Monthly and the history section of "The Ultimate Golf Book" together with Neil Tappin , also of Golf Monthly.
Fergus once shanked a ball from just over Granny Clark's Wynd on the 18th of the Old Course that struck the St Andrews Golf Club and rebounded into the Valley of Sin, from where he saved par. Who says there's no golfing god?
-
Exclusive: 'Wentworth Club Is Not For Sale' - BMW PGA Championship Host Denies Saudi PIF Sale Report
The iconic British club says it is not for sale and has categorically denied a report that it is in talks with the Saudi Arabia Public Investment Fund
By Elliott Heath Published
-
Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship Prize Money Payout 2024
The DP World Tour Play-Offs section of the season begins with the first of two elevated events to decide the Race to Dubai champion
By Mike Hall Published
-
Tiger Woods Won Four Straight Majors With This Driver... But Can It Still Perform?
Joe Ferguson pitted arguably the most iconic driver of the modern era, the Titleist 975D, up against the brand new Titleist GT3 driver and the results were interesting...
By Joe Ferguson Published
-
Can This 30-Year-Old Masters Winning Putter Still Work Its Magic?
Joe Ferguson takes a look at the putter Sir Nick Faldo used to overcome Greg Norman at the 1996 Masters
By Joe Ferguson Published
-
Don't Do This One Thing If You Want To Avoid Your Clubheads Flying Off Like Rory McIlroy...
Rory McIlroy experienced a rather unpleasant equipment mishap at the BMW PGA Championship. Here's how to avoid the same fate...
By Joe Ferguson Published
-
What Are The New Training Aids Rory McIlroy Is Using?
Rory McIlroy was spotted on the range at Wentworth earlier this week with some interesting new practice devices. We explain what they are and why he's using them…
By Joe Ferguson Published
-
I Told You It Was Coming! Why Golf's Putter Revolution Will Change Your Game Forever...
Equipment expert Joe Ferguson believes that 2024 will go down as the year that changed putting forever…
By Joe Ferguson Published
-
7 Reasons To Get Custom Fitted For Irons
Not sure whether you should be upgrading your iron set? There are some telltale signs to look out for...
By Joel Tadman Published
-
How Second Hand Clubs Make Golf More Accessible
It’s no exaggeration to say that the second-hand golf market is helping to grow the game – and make the sport more sustainable
By In partnership with golfclubs4cash Published
-
5 Common Misconceptions About Graphite Golf Shafts
Equipment expert Joe Ferguson takes a look at some of the myths still surrounding graphite golf shafts...
By Joe Ferguson Published