In our forums, our members have been reacting to an eye opening post from WRXer ‘RoyalMustang’. ‘RoyalMustang’ recently had the opportunity to hit a 43.75″ driver, and it’s fair to say that the experience was a far different one than they were expecting.

@Royal Mustang:

“Today, I had the opportunity to check out (30-day return policy) a 43.75” Ping LST with a Tensei AV 65 White TX shaft. I expected accuracy to be up and my ball speed to be off. Boy, was I wrong! 

I compared it against my ST200 w/Atmos 6X Black, playing at 44.75″, both on the range and on the course. I have my “normal” distances on the Mizuno when struck well: typically carry 265-280 with ideal ball flight.  

I didn’t have more accuracy with the LST; I still had a couple of snap hooks, but I was able to dial in a bit more of a “finish left for a controlled fade” swing later on. The swing weight on that club is around D2. I need more swings to really determine how accuracy is going to work out.  

I did have better distance; I don’t think it was hitting the club better, as I tend to get very good strikes on the Mizuno when I swing well. I just had a bit more carry on the LST. Without a launch monitor it is impossible to say, but it felt like with the smaller club, I was able to control my sync a bit better and generate more clubhead speed. The loading, setting, and generating pressure from the feet all seemed to work a bit better.  

On the course, in similar conditions, I was a good 12-15 yards past where I normally hit my Mizuno when I get all of it. Again, I don’t think it is the head (as I had a 425 LST and sold it); it has to be the length of the club, or perhaps the AV white TX, which I have never played before. I have hit a ton of drivers over the past few weeks, and nothing even came close to knocking off the Mizuno, but this one just might. 

So, FYI, I wouldn’t automatically discount a shorter club as being shorter on the course. Perhaps you will find that it gets you more in sync with your swing and refines your tempo a bit. For me, it is all about being in the fairway, but that requires a swing that is synced up well and in balance. Perhaps the shorter club does the trick for me.  

Also, the AV 65TX does not feel stout in any way. It may be the shorter shaft again allowing me to load it properly.”

And our members have been sharing their thoughts on ‘RoyalMustang’s’ post in our forum.

• NoTalentLefty: “I like life experiences like this. It was the same for me going to 44.25 and 44.5-inch drivers. Both were far better numbers than a 45.5 and 45.75-inch drivers.”
• sg1: “I play at 44″ and make centred contact far more often than I did playing at 45.5. Sure you lose a couple of mph head speed, but the better ball speed makes up for it. I know why drivers have gone that long, but I’m not sure it’s lead to an overall improvement in how most people play.”
• GerogiaHacker: “Once you shorten the driver and want a heavier head, you can get some head weight by dropping grip weight. Try the golf pride tour 25. gets you 25 grams. Standard grip is 48 to 51 grams. It has worked well for me. way more control of the head allowing for many more center-face hits!”
• mallrat: “A little over a year ago, I went to a 44” driver shaft on accident. Loved it. A month ago, I went down to Bandon and decided to stop hitting the 45. Whatever in the bag for the 1st round. 2 fairways hit and no distance gains at all, actually lost yardage because of off center hits. Next morning woke up and put steady Eddie back in. Ten fairways on Pacific in the morning and 11 on Bandon in the afternoon. Not switching up again. For those that want to try a shorter shaft just buy a stock shaft off eBay or something off Callaway Preowned and cut it down.”

Entire Thread: “Hit a 43.75-inch driver (LST 425) today – Wow!“

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