As the head golf coach at Tell Me More Golf, with over 50 years of coaching experience, I’m here to discuss the topic of driver length.
Have you ever thought that your golf driver might be too long? Or maybe you’ve felt that you could benefit from using a longer driver? I’ve worked with lots of students who’ve gotten themselves in a muddle over driver length. Many don’t know what driver length they ought to use, while many end up using a driver that is either too long or too short.
In this article, we look at all things driver length and hopefully answer any questions or queries you may have about this rather interesting golfing subject.
Driver Shaft Length Fitting Chart
Every golfer is different. There is no one-size-fits-all approach to getting the right golf club length, and that’s certainly the case when it comes to drivers, though there are a set of generic guidelines based on player height that tend to work for most. At the very least, the following chart can point you in the right direction.
Generic driver length fitting chart:
| Player Height | Suggested Driver Length |
| 5’0” – 5’2” | 41.5 inches |
| 5’2” – 5’4” | 42 inches |
| 5’4″ – 5’6″ | 42.5 inches |
| 5’6″ – 5’8″ | 43 inches |
| 5’8″ – 5’10” | 44 inches |
| 5’10” – 6’0″ | 44.5 inches |
| 6’0″ – 6’2″ | 45 inches |
| 6’2″ – 6’4″ | 45.5 inches |
| 6’4″ – 6’6″ | 46 inches |
Driver Shaft Length For Wrist-To-Floor Measurements
When it comes to getting the correct driver length, you shouldn’t only consider height. You should also factor in another measurement known as a wrist-to-floor measurement. This is the distance between your wrists and the ground. You can calculate this by standing up straight with your arms hanging down freely by your side. Ask somebody to then take a measuring tape and measure from your wrist to the ground.
Here is a chart showing suggested driver lengths based on both height and wrist-to-floor measurement. The chart shows whether you should use a longer or shorter than standard driver length for your height based on wrist-to-floor measurement. All measurements are in inches.
| Wrist-to-floor | Height under 5’ 2” | 5’2” – 5’4 “ | 5’4″ – 5’7″ | 5’8″ – 5’10″ | 5’11″ – 6’0” | 6’1” – 6’4″ | 6’5”+ |
| 38” | +1.5” | +1.5” | +1.5” | +1” | +1” | +1” | +1” |
| 37.5” | +1” | +1” | +1” | +1” | +1” | +0.5” | +0.5” |
| 37” | +1” | +1” | +1” | +0.5” | +0.5” | +0.5” | +0.5” |
| 36.5” | +0.5” | +0.5” | +0.5” | +0.5” | +0.5” | +0.25” | +0.25” |
| 36” | +0.5” | +0.5” | +0.5” | +0.25” | +0.25” | +0.25” | +0.25” |
| 35.5” | +0.25” | +0.25” | +0.25” | +0.25” | +0.25” | +0.25” | +0.25” |
| 35” | +0.25” | +0.25” | Standard | Standard | Standard | Standard | Standard |
| 34.5” | Standard | Standard | Standard | Standard | Standard | Standard | Standard |
| 34” | Standard | Standard | Standard | Standard | Standard | -0.25” | -0.25” |
| 33.5” | Standard | Standard | -0.25” | -0.25” | -0.25” | -0.25” | -0.25” |
| 33” | -0.25” | -0.25” | -0.25” | -0.25” | -0.25” | -0.5” | -0.5” |
| 32.5” | -0.5” | -0.5” | -0.5” | -0.5” | -0.5” | -0.75” | -0.75” |
| 31.5” | -0.75” | -0.75” | -0.75” | -0.75” | -0.75” | -1” | -1” |
| 31” | -0.75” | -0.75” | -0.75” | -1” | -1” | -1” | -1” |
The above chart is a guide only. Most people who correspond to the above heights and wrist-to-floor measurements find that the recommended driver lengths are the best suitable, but there are always players who do not conform to these standards.
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How To Measure Driver Shaft Length
This is a question that I’ve been asked on several occasions. Students of mine often want to know how to measure the length of their driver shaft.
Usually, they ask this because they don’t know the length of the driver that they’re using and are curious as to whether they should be using a longer or a shorter driver.
Measuring the length of a driver shaft is easy if you know how to do it correctly.
To measure the length of your driver shaft, lay the driver down flat on the ground. Take a measuring tape and measure from the end of the grip, down the shaft until you reach the heel of the club. Doing so will tell you the length of your driver shaft.
Driver Length For 5’5 To 5’9
If you’re a golfer who stands between 5’ 5” and 5’ 9” then you’d typically use a driver with a shaft length of between 42.5 and 44 inches.
Golfers of say 5’ 6” for example would likely use a driver that has a shaft length of 43 inches, while 5’ 9” players would typically play with a driver with a shaft length of 44 inches. It does of course depend on personal preference, as some players feel more comfortable with a longer or shorter shaft.
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Driver Length For 5’10 To 6’0
If you’re a golfer standing between 5’ 10” and 6’ 0”, then you’re likely to be most comfortable with a 44.5 inch driver. However, it does of course depend on your wrist-to-floor measurement.
For example, I recently worked with a golfer who was 6’ 0” in height, a wrist-to-floor measurement of 38”, which meant that it was best for him to use a driver shaft that was one inch longer than the standard 44.5-inch shaft recommended for his height.
Driver Length For 6’1 To 6’4
Players that fall into this height range, the tall guys, naturally need longer golf clubs and longer drivers. Most of the time, golfers who stand between 6’ 1” and 6’ 4” will play with a driver that has a shaft length of 45.5 inches. That said, lots of tall players prefer a longer shaft.
For example, take ex-PGA Tour and major-winning golfer Phil Mickelson.
The man nicknamed “Lefty” stands somewhere between 6’ 2” and 6’ 3” inches, which means he ought to use a 45.5 inch driver. However, he currently plays a 47.5-inch driver because he prefers a longer driver shaft, and that’s what works best for him according to his own driver length by height formula.
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Average Driver Shaft Length
Nowadays, there are many driver shaft lengths readily available, though should you go to a golf store or a pro shop and browse the drivers that they have on offer, you’ll typically find that most drivers are a standard length of around 45 inches. It is common to see drivers with shafts that vary in length from 44.5 inches to 45.5 inches. That is the average driver length.
Are Driver Fittings Worth It?
Golf club fittings in general are excellent, so driver fittings are certainly worth it. If you’re serious about finding the best driver for you, not only in terms of style but in terms of shaft length then you should absolutely seek the help of a professional club fitter who can set you up with a driver fitting.
Getting the correct club length will help you to shoot lower scores out on the golf course. Why? If you’re holding a driver that is the right length for you then you’re more likely to feel confident.
When you feel confident standing over the golf ball, you’re more likely to hit better shots, which means finding the fairway with greater regularity.
If you’re searching for a new driver, then a custom driver fitting is a must. Any golfer, whether you’re a beginner or an experienced player, that is serious about improving their game, should get fitted for a golf driver shaft. Doing so will allow you to obtain the ideal shaft length.
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TellMeMoreGolf.com – Frequently Asked Questions
How long should your driver be for your height?
There are generic guidelines that suggest how long a driver should be depending on player height. For example, it is suggested that players between 5’ 4” and 5’ 6” should use a 43 inch driver.
Guidelines suggest that for every two inches taller a player is, the suggested driver length increases by 0.5 inches.
Is 44 inches too short for a driver?
No, not necessarily, though it depends both on your height and your personal preference. For example, if you’re 5’ 8”, 5’ 9”, or 5’ 102, 44 inches should be just about right. If you’re taller, you may want a longer driver, while if you’re shorter, you’ll likely get optimum use out of a driver that is slightly shorter in length.
How long is Rory McIlroy’s driver?
Rory McIlroy, widely considered one of the best drivers of a golf ball on the planet, currently uses a driver that is 44 inches in length. He has previously used a driver that is 44.5 inches in length.
How long is Rickie Fowler’s driver?
PGA Tour golfer Ricky Fowler, who has nine professional wins to his name and who stands at a little over 5’ 7”, currently uses a driver that is 43.5 inches in length.
How long is Brooks Koepka’s driver?
Brooks Koepka is a powerful driver of a golf ball. His big-hitting off the tee has helped him to win four majors. Koepka, who is a fraction over 6’ 0” in height, currently wields a driver that is 44.5 inches long.
How long is Tiger Woods’ driver?
In the history of the game, has there ever been a better driver of the ball than Tiger Woods in his prime? Probably not. Tiger Woods plays a driver that has a shaft length of 43.5 inches.
What is the length of Phil Mickelson’s driver?
Phil Mickelson, who is one of the world’s most recognisable golfers, is known for hitting bombs off the tee and he does so by using an especially long 47.5 inch driver. He does this to increase swing speed, which helps to increase clubhead speed, thus adding distance.
What length driver does Jordan Spieth use?
Three-time major winning golfer Jordan Spieth, uses a driver that is 45.5 inches in length. Spieth stands at around half an inch taller than 6’ 0”, which means that he uses a driver that is typically used by players a couple of inches taller.
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I can’t thank Driver Length By Height Fitting Chart enough for publishing this game-changing article. The in-depth analysis by their professional golf instructors on the relationship between driver length and height has revolutionized the way I approach club fitting.
The detailed insights and comprehensive chart provided make it a valuable resource for golfers seeking the perfect driver length to optimize their swing based on their height.