Tom Wishon, well-known club maker and author of “The Search for the Perfect Golf Club” feels that in general most recreational golfers use clubs that are too difficult for them to hit. In particular, as this thought applies to golf drivers, Wishon feels that golfers use drivers that are too long for them. The problem with this is that when one uses a driver that is too long, control is lost. He even goes so far as to say that golfers should go to the driving range and determine which club they can hit within a 40 yard swath, which would simulate a fairway, 7 out of 10 times consistently. That, according to Wishon, should be one’s driver. Of course people won’t use a 5 or 6 iron to tee off of every hole, but if you know the proper length of driver for you, your chances of hitting more fairways will improve.

Wishon gives the following guidelines in his book. Stand normally in flat heeled shoes on a hard surface, as opposed to a thick carpet, and have someone measure the distance from where your wrist starts to the floor. Use your right hand if you are a righty and your left hand if you are a lefty.

If the distance measured is 29-32 inches, your driver should be 42.5 inches in length. If it is 32-34 inches, your driver should be 43 inches long. For 34-36 inches, driver length should be 43.5 inches. For 36 to 37 inches, your driver should be 44 inches long. For 38-39 inches, your driver length should be 44.5 inches. For 39-40 inches you need a driver 44.75 inches in length. For 40-41 inches, your driver length should be 45 inches. For 41-42 inches, you driver length should be 45.5 inches long, and if the measurement is over 42 inches, your driver should be 46 inches and up.

Here’s the kicker. The standard length of drivers sold in golf shops is 45 inches. In my case, I am 5’10” tall, that is, about average height. My wrist to floor measurement is 34.8 inches, so my driver length should be 43.5 inches. So if I were to purchase a driver in a golf or pro shop, it would be 1.5 inches too long. I might hit a few drives farther with the longer club, but I’d almost certainly hit fewer balls in the fairway.

What’s the reason for this added length? For years club makers would push the thought that “you can hit the ball farther with my equipment”. To do this they gradually lengthened golf clubs such that they are too long for most people. The same type of thing happened with irons. They de-lofted irons such that a five iron today has the same loft that a 3 or 4 iron had 25-30 years ago.

The next time you are in the market for a driver, keep your wrist to floor measurement in mind, and you’ll end up with a club you can control better. And you’ll have more fun with your game.

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