Driver Shaft Length by Height

Updated: September 24, 2024

Partner at Independent Golf Reviews

The average driver shaft length is 45 1/2 inches, this is the standard driver shaft length you’ll find on clubs at your local golf store.

Unless you are 6’2″ or taller, your golf game will likely benefit from a shorter than standard driver shaft.

Using a driver shaft that is too long for your height means you will be sacrificing consistency and accuracy for occasionally slightly more distance.

Check the chart below to see how long your driver should be based on your height.

Driver Shaft Length by Height Chart

The standard recommendation of how long a player’s driver shaft should be is based on the player’s height. More specifically, a wrist-to-floor measurement of the player can be used.

Here’s the most common driver length fitting chart by height:

Height – Driver Length Fitting Chart

Height	Driver Length
5'0 - 5'2"	41.5 inches
5'2" - 5'4"	42 inches
5'4" - 5'6"	43 inches
5'6" - 5'8"	43.5 inches
5’8″ to 5’10”	44 inches
5'10" - 6'	44.5 inches
6' - 6'2"	45 inches
6'2" - 6'4"	45.5 inches
6'4" - 6'6"	46 inches

According to Healthline, the average American male stands at 5’9″ tall. That means the average man is buying a driver with a shaft that’s actually sized for someone between 6’2″ and 6’4″ in height.

The average American woman stands at 5’4″ tall and the average woman’s driver shaft is 44 inches long, running into the same issue.

If you want to ensure that you’re playing with the right driver shaft length, it’s always best to be professionally fitted. But the chart above is a great starting point.

Hitting the fairway in PGA Tour events is often more important than distance. The average driver length on the PGA Tour is 44 1/2 inches – a full inch shorter than the average stock driver.

Many professionals prefer a shorter driver shaft, as it can help give them better control and accuracy. Of course, shaft lengths vary from player to player and often from course to course, as players look to maximize their performance each week by catering their game to each venue.

Long or Short Shaft? Which One is Best for My Game?

There’s not necessarily any right or wrong answer when it comes to how long your driver shaft should be, just the one that’s best for you according to your height and perhaps even your personal preference. Consider some of the pros and cons of having a long shaft versus a shorter one:

Pros and Cons of Long Driver Shafts

Let’s start with the advantages of having a longer driver shaft.

First, the longer the driver shaft, the more clubhead speed you can typically generate on your swings.

The more clubhead speed, the more power you can hit your shots with – and the longer you’re likely to hit your shots. For golfers who really want to smoke it off the tee box, the longer the shaft, the better.

However, longer shafts also tend to sacrifice distance for accuracy – especially for golfers who aren’t highly skilled.

Longer shafts tend to lead to fewer pure strikes from the center of the club’s face, which can lead to more errant shots and missed fairways.

Furthermore, the longer the shaft, the heavier your club is also likely to be. This has the potential to lead to some fatigue at the end of the round, potentially reducing the quality of your shots.

The extra length can also make the club more difficult to control, losing accuracy. If you’re a player that likes or needs to work the ball with a particular trajectory, a longer driver length could make that more difficult or less predictable.

Pros and Cons of Short Driver Shafts

There’s a reason why golfers typically hit their shorter irons with more accuracy.

It’s because the shorter club shafts help golfers strike the ball more purely from the center of the club.

Shorter shafts also allow golfers to shape their shots better and put spin on the ball to really zero in on where they want it to go.

That’s one of the biggest benefits of using a driver with a shorter shaft – you might sacrifice some yards in distance, but you’re likely to hit more fairways and set yourself up with easier approach shots.

Professional Rules and Regulations

On January 1, 2022, the United States Golf Association (USGA) adopted MLR G-10, a rule designed to limit the length of golf club shaft length to no more than 46 inches. The only exception is putters, which can have a shaft of up to 48 inches. Both the PGA Tour and LIV Tour follow USGA rules and regulations.

This new rule reduces the maximum driver shaft length by a full 2 inches from previous regulations. Failure to comply with these regulations comes with disqualification.

While not many golfers previously used long driver shafts on tour, players like Bryson DeChambeau and even Phil Mickelson have certainly experimented with them. Bryson, specifically, is known for his power off the tee. His ability to hit a driver well with a longer shaft gave even more distance off the tee.

Aside from some of the professionals previously dabbling with longer driver shafts, many long-drive competitors also use a 48-inch driver shaft. However, keep in mind that long-drive competitors are interested much more in distance than accuracy.

So What Driver Shaft Is Best For You?

So how long of a driver shaft is right for your game? We suggest referencing the driver shaft length by height chart that we noted above and selecting a shaft that’s relative to your size.

However, there’s also a bit of personal preference involved in selecting the best driver for your game. If you’re more concerned about accuracy, you’ll likely elect to go with a shorter shaft. If you want to hit bombs off the tee, you’ll likely favor a longer driver shaft.

The bottom line with all of this is that if you’re serious about the driver you’re hitting, don’t just show up to your local golf store and pick one off the rack. The shaft length is likely to be 45.5 inches, which may or may not be the best length for you based on your height. Instead, come empowered with this information on shaft length and consider even getting professionally sized if you have any doubt.

Here’s to hitting better drives and more fairways off the tee!

About The Author

Writers of Independent Golf Reviews
Independent Golf Reviews has tested and reviewed 1000+ golf products over the past 10 years. We use our experience and expertise to give golfers an unbiased insight on the market.
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