The Long 47"ers. Too Long?

[xerobound]

So lately, I've been getting alot of questions about trying to hit it longer with longer shafted clubs, so I decided to do a comparison with 3 of the drivers from major brands. These all have 47" or longer shaft length and made for the "average players" as the makers say. Each brand seem to have a different concept behind their "Longest" club.

Callaway goes for low overall weight and swing weight to "help players of all strengths maximize swing speed".

PRGR goes for the "optimum weight and balance" for the avg players to produce distance.

Fourteen goes for heavier overall weight and sw to "get the most energy transfer at impact".

Interesting....

So I got the Callaway Legacy Platinum, New PRGR Egg Bird, and the Fourteen GelongD.

Specs: (all stock S flex)

- Callaway Legacy Platinum: 47", 277grams, SW C9 (9.5*)

- PRGR Egg Bird: 47", 284grams, SW D4.5 (9.5*)

- Fourteen GelongD: 47.75", 307g, SW D8 (9.*)

The Legacy Platinum and EggBird claimed to to be draw biased, but honestly I found all 3 to be pretty straight in flight. In forgiveness, the Legacy was the top runner, surprisingly more than the EggBird. It had the least variance in distance across the face. The Legacy had the highest launch out of the 3 as well, with the Fourteen been the lowest. (but all relatively high flights tho)

So, the most important part, the distance... Out of the three, I found the Fourteen GelongD getting the most overall distance. The heavy design made it feel like swinging a sledge hammer, especially after the Legacy Platinum, but I think it help keep me smooth. The only drawback about it was the forgiveness compared to the other two.

I also messed around at different swing speeds to figure out what type of player each would be best for and this is what I think.

Callaway Platinum would be good for the slower tempo swings; especially the avg senior players. The light weight makes it easy to control and make a nice sweeping motion. Low hcp players with slower swing speeds would love it since it sets up very much like the other callaway lines.

PRGR EggBird will be good for players wanting a feel closest to a standard (45") driver. The overall weight and balance is close to the standard drivers and will be best for most of the avg players. Feel is pretty consistent to the other PRGR Eggs for those of you that are fans.

Fourteen GelongD will definitely favor mid to low cappers wanting to maximize distance. It got the most distance, but only for the well struck shots. Off centers shots saw significant loss of distance with this one. The heavy weight and balance will help out the aggressive swingers go after the ball while still being able to feel the clubhead the entire time, but the sweetspot must be met to to get the full benefits. (Which can be tough with a longer shaft)

In conclusion I do think each model does in fact help increase driving distance, (compared to the standard length models from each brand.) 4-9 yards avg. BUT of course, the longer it is the harder to control...

Anyone else try one of these or have any longer shafted drivers in play? Worth it or not?

[tokidoki1986]

I've try Callaway Platinum 47* flex S before because but 45.75 give me a better result.

[idrive]

Thanks for the review Tatsuro.

IMO, these longer and longer shafts are just silly. The best players in the world rarely play a Driver over 45". I believe the avg. length (for

the pro's) is just under 45". Granted, they aren't looking for distance as much as they are control because most hit the ball so dang far, it's

all about keeping the ball in the fairway.

I think the avg. player would (should) rather have the ball in the fairway than an extra 10 yards down the fairway... in the rough. Can't score

if you're not in the fairway. I consider myself a pretty good ball striker with the Driver but there is no doubt that once going longer than 45"

(for me) the consistency hitting the sweet spot, hitting the ball in the fairway, drops. Scores go up. I've now proven this to myself with several

different shaft and Driver combo's and now never exceed a 45" driver.

I would be very surprised if the average player plays these longer lengths as well or better than the shorter (45" ish) ones. I'm talking about

fairways hit, not the occasional bomb that goes an extra 10 yards.

Rambling and rant over.

[supo]

The one caveat to this theory idiscoverd yesterday with a build ive had in the closet for a long time but have been too afraid to game

Well i didmyesterday no snow about in tokyo town this weekend so it was back to golf

Ryoma vspec...shingo 2010 roddio m6 x

46,75 inch

Yes

46.75

Same exact lenght shingo played his onoff

First o e of these ive not cut

Welll. I ranged it first to make sure bec i brought thediamana x as insurance but i really wanted to just play the shingo

Well i did

Its low its unbeleiveable feeling and its an out abd out bomber

Theres nothing esle i can say about it

The bad shots ilost get this.., close on 40/50 yards

The 3 i realy got hold of were breath taking

Itook long handle to the, and just clobbered them they were monsters seriously....Huge

I cud wuld play this again but in my mind id neve rrisk it for money. it was awsome but for the slices lost miles too many the big ones were serilusly huge i kid u not

There must be something in itbeci was realy surprised by how far

Im not going to play this much tho

Just on special occasions

And id never take it to pete dye.

But it was fun

[Vegaman]

I like the look of the platinum, really do. But since I won't (can't) play that long a driver it's out of the question because of the ultra light head weight, fitting it to a shorter, stiffer shaft would probably make it feel like there is no club head at all?

[Miuramaniac]

Doesn't make much sense to gain 5-10 extra yards, which is all an extra inch or 2 is gonna give you all other things being equal, if your accuracy will be reasonably diminished. Unless you're one of those guys that likes to remember the one great bomb you hit as opposed to your score.

[+TourSpecGolfer]

It's a fact, longer length drivers are longer in distance while shorter length drivers are more accurate. The exact same club one short one long on a swing robot the longer always goes further.

The better a ball striker you are the better your result.

A longer length driver for me yields nearly no gain because I don't strike the ball consistently enough with my driver BUT for Tats who almost always hits center it was obvious gain.

I'm willing to bet that the average Japanese amateur hits closer to center than the average American. I also assume the average American swings faster.

It doesn't really matter what the Pros use, they need more than anyone to keep it in the short grass so shorter is a given. Looking at the long drive competitions it's the complete opposite so that says a lot. What matters is the players needs.

Then off center hits, I can't speak from experience but based on research of OEMs and in articles there is no distance lost difference in off center hits between short and long. Findings show with longer shafts off center hits sometimes show to be a yard or two longer yet nearly a degree more off in dispersion.

I've gone both ways and have concluded that based on the design & specs of a club 44.75 - 45.25 is what works best for me because I value landing in the fairway and second sometimes a little more or less length helps with the build. I do always start longer then almost always cut down a little.

Finding the right driver comes from trial and error and as we all know its how the club & it's build melds with a players swing (the good & the bad) thats why one mans holy grail is another mans nightmare.

[Bill3508]

I have a hard enough time with normal length drivers. I would like to try the Fourteen though.

[robbie]

Im playing the Kamui Nitro right now at 46" stock with the stock shaft and it has hit some bombs for me…..when i have a stout short shaft, i tend to swing very aggressive but i noticed that the whippier shaft keeps my swing in more control because swinging in beast mode with a whippy shaft is a recipe for a disaster….

**I also am one of those golfers who likes to bomb the driver and not so much concerned with score…..im a very avg, mid handicapper and score doesn't seem to bug me too much. Ive been playing for a long time and i don't see it getting much better. my golf enjoyment comes from playing everything and anything i can get my hands on…..I often go the course with new equipment straight out of the box….a quick unwrapping of irons, woods and drivers and then off to the first tee…..my range is 43-47" drivers from reg flex to xxflex and irons from 3 flat to 4 upright ….no matter what the setup, my score is gonna be 80….dont even need a putter and even missing a few irons and no woods.

[Miuramaniac]

^^^^^^^ I almost believed you until the last couple statements. If you're shooting 80 no matter what you use, you ain't no average mid-handicapper. lol Unless you're playing a par-3 course.

Edit: then I saw you HC in your profile and now am sure you're no avg mid-cap.

Edited February 2, 2014 by Miuramaniac

[driverhead]

Ive been using drivers 45.75 to 46.5 inches for several years. I am a smooth tempo swinger and not a hitter and I believe that profile swing adapts to longer clubs easier. What really helps is putting a light counterweight 4 to 8 grams under the grip. It reduces the swing weight and adds control.

I Have beeN using a Fourteen CT 112 since last June that is just under 47 inches. .i found it to be a very forgiving club that can produce wow factor bombs and not to bad misses. .

Edited February 4, 2014 by driverhead

[Duffer19]

Most JDM clubs, particularly popular drivers, are designed with the average Asian players in mind. Average SS is definitely slower and less aggressive hence wouldn't be too much of an issue with longer drivers. Most average golfers wouldn't bother to change shaft. I guess I have a very average ss and even higher average age, hitting a 46.5 or 47" normally is not an issue. Just have to keep in mind not to over swing (fundamentals) and remember one's age. My brother who is 80, plays a 48" driver without any problem. He was a 10 in his hay days and still has good fundamentals.

[chiromikey]

As I've mentioned many times, I play all my drivers at 47" and have for years. Along with that, I play what's considered to be a rediculously heavy swingweight, from E0 to my latest F3. I can't say my methods will work for everyone but at least there's one person on planet Earth that has experimented with my theory and come to the same conclusion...the longest the club that you can hit consistently and the heaviest swingweight that doesn't cost swing speed will give the longest drives!

[Duffer19]

I play with a lady golfer that plays with 47 inch Ryoma Maxima. I ordered the head for her at 198g but she still put lead tape to make the SW at D7. It works for her and she is just perhaps 5 to 8 yards behind me when we tee off from the Blues. I haven't got the guts to go this route yet.

[robbie]

As I've mentioned many times, I play all my drivers at 47" and have for years. Along with that, I play what's considered to be a rediculously heavy swingweight, from E0 to my latest F3. I can't say my methods will work for everyone but at least there's one person on planet Earth that has experimented with my theory and come to the same conclusion...the longest the club that you can hit consistently and the heaviest swingweight that doesn't cost swing speed will give the longest drives!

I too enjoyed playing the long and heavy and stout stuff last year, but this year i am changing drastically to the other side for a scenic change... last year 46" 97g x-flex shaft SW E1 felt great and pounded the ball a long ways.....haha this year I'm playing a stock 55g firm flex Kamui shaft at 46" D2 and it doesn't require as much effort, old age hits like a ton of bricks, one day you are young and strong and then suddenly "Low-T" !

[chiromikey]

I too enjoyed playing the long and heavy and stout stuff last year, but this year i am changing drastically to the other side for a scenic change... last year 46" 97g x-flex shaft SW E1 felt great and pounded the ball a long ways.....haha this year I'm playing a stock 55g firm flex Kamui shaft at 46" D2 and it doesn't require as much effort, old age hits like a ton of bricks, one day you are young and strong and then suddenly "Low-T" !

Lol! Just double up on your Low-T patches and you'll be killing it again! ;)

[robbie]

Sigh, if only they were available in the BST, i would certainly pick some up !

[xerobound]

Thanks for the input guys. Looks like some ppl have mastered the longer lengths. As for me I think I'm a 45 - 45.25" length player. I think I have best combination of distance and control in that length.

With that said, the longer drivers are very fun to hit. There is definite potential for added yardage, but you know everything comes with a price. ;)

[xerobound]

Most JDM clubs, particularly popular drivers, are designed with the average Asian players in mind. Average SS is definitely slower and less aggressive hence wouldn't be too much of an issue with longer drivers. Most average golfers wouldn't bother to change shaft. I guess I have a very average ss and even higher average age, hitting a 46.5 or 47" normally is not an issue. Just have to keep in mind not to over swing (fundamentals) and remember one's age. My brother who is 80, plays a 48" driver without any problem. He was a 10 in his hay days and still has good fundamentals.

Well said! Totally agree that players with avg and less aggressive ss would have less of an issue with longer shafts. Over swinging/ swinging too hard (especially with longer clubs) is a killer for a lot of players. I've seen so many people defeat the purpose of getting a longer shaft by swinging longer/extra hard.

I like that old saying, "Let the club do its job." ;)

...And looks like your brother tamed the 48" beast.

[chiromikey]

Well said! Totally agree that players with avg and less aggressive ss would have less of an issue with longer shafts. Over swinging/ swinging too hard (especially with longer clubs) is a killer for a lot of players. I've seen so many people defeat the purpose of getting a longer shaft by swinging longer/extra hard.

I like that old saying, "Let the club do its job." ;)

...And looks like your brother tamed the 48" beast.

That's a big part of why I play a longer shaft and softer flex that my swing speed dictates. It helps keep my tempo in check so I can't over swing if I want results.