Finding the correct driver shaft for your swing can be difficult if it is your first time purchasing one. While this is crucial information for any golfer, professional, or beginner, to know it is only one piece of the puzzle. Just as important to know is: “how long should my driver be?”

For those unfamiliar, a driver is a club we use to send the ball the longest distance possible on the green. Typically used on par four or par five courses, selecting the correct driver could mean the difference between whether or not a golfer completes the course in the desired amount of shots.

We use the driver in the initial shot for all our longer-length courses. Our aim is simple: get the ball as far along the course as possible. Knowing which driver is the right one to use is the key to ensuring we get the most out of our initial swing.

Many things go into the process of selecting the appropriate driver. Here are the main things to keep in mind when doing so.

What Is Standard Driver Length?

Over time, our understanding of the standard length of a golf driver has evolved. Formerly, the golf community believed that the longer the shaft, the better the shot. 

However, we have since learned that too long a shaft can cause the swing to be off-centre, thus affecting how and where we hit the ball. An off-centre hit on the golf ball will send it flying into places we don’t want to go, which, in turn, negatively affects our score and overall performance.

The normal driver shaft length we want to select is around 44.5 to 45 inches in length. This measurement is the standard length for all golfers, regardless of sex.

Every golfer is different. Through time and effort, we have found these are the standard measurements to use. Of course, we may want to have a few options on hand and take some time to play around with which length works best for each of us individually.

Should Men Have Different Driver Lengths than Women?

There is some discussion on whether men and women need different driver lengths. Women’s driver lengths have historically been about an inch or so shorter than men’s average driver lengths. 

However, we must remember that it all comes down to how tall or short a golfer is. We must also note their level of ability and skill.

Golf club manufacturers have historically made women’s clubs shorter because women are shorter and more petite than most male golfers. But, we must remember that while this has been standard for women’s standard driver shaft length, it does not mean it is a one size fits all.

Where Should My Driver Meet the Ball?

The answer to this question varies from golfer to golfer. While we need to remember our height and build during the selection process, it is also a simple matter of trial and error. The main question we need to ask when selecting the correct driver length is, “where does my driver tend to hit the ball?” 

To get the most bang for your buck out of the swing, we golfers must be sure the direct centre of the face of the driver meets the ball. Only this will allow our ball to fly high and far in the desired direction.

How and Where Can I Practice?

It may be well worth our time to grab a few drivers and head over to a driving range to perfect our driving craft. We should be sure to do some research beforehand, so we are fully aware of what the range offers in terms of clubs and course features. Most ranges have drivers for patrons to use in case they don’t already have a selection.

Once at the range, we should test out several different drivers. We should send the ball flying a few times and notice where the ball tends to go on the range.

Keep in mind a few of the key things we need to be looking for at all times.

• Is my ball flying in the direction I need it to fly?
• Am I hitting the ball squarely in the middle of the face of the driver?
• Am I swinging at optimal speeds?
• Are my feet in their correct placements?
• What length driver do I need?

Once we know how well we do at the range, it’s time to head out onto the green and put our skills to work. Once again, we must study what happens each time the driver meets the ball. The criteria listed above are still good to use. However, being on the actual course will give us a better understanding of what we need to be aiming for (and what we need to stay away from).

Conclusion

As is the case with many things in life, it all comes down to trial and error. No two golfers are alike. Each of us needs to play around a bit to truly find the “sweet spot” that works best for us when it comes to using the correct driver to start our course. We must all learn to be comfortable with practising until we know better.

One of the golf community’s most wonderful elements is how welcoming and helpful fellow golfers are. We all started learning the game at one point in our lives, so we can all breathe easy knowing we have an entire community ready to help us at any given moment. All golfers are welcome on the green, regardless of skill!

Stores specialising in golf equipment and sales are one of the best places to start our journey of seeking out that perfect driver. One can simply walk into a store as a beginner and leave with an arsenal of knowledge simply from the kindness of the employees and fellow golfers in the store.

Once we know and understand the basics of what makes a driver the perfect fit, we can truly get the ideal swing each time we begin a course.