What is the difference between a Long Drive Driver and a normal Driver?
We have been asked this question thousands of times. So, for all you guys and gals out there here is the answer. The only difference between a Long Drive Driver and a normal playing Driver is the SHAFT! The DRIVER HEADS are the same.
Here's a little history: In the past most Competitive Long Drive Golfers were using between 50 inch and 58 inch Long Drive Drivers. To get a Driver that long, you had to purchase a specialty shaft that could accommodate those lengths. Companies like Harrison, Penley, Accuflex, and others made shafts that came uncut at 55 to 60 inches. It is true, if you are strong enough and coordinated enough a longer Driver will hit further. In 2002 we saw a few Long Driver Golfers using Drivers over 70 inches long. Needless to say it became a freak show. Believe it or not, a few Professional Long Drivers got very good at hitting very long clubs. In 2002 Carl Wolter won the World Long Drive Championship using a Long Drive Driver measured at 56 inches and Adriaan Van Rensburg, who was also in the final round, was using a 62 inch Driver. Learning to hit a Driver that long was very difficult thus, virtually eliminated most long hitting golfer from competing. In 2003 The Long Drivers of America decided to restrict club lengths to 52 inches vertical. That is about the equivalent of a 50 inch standard length driver. In 2004 the USGA came out with a club length restriction of 48 inches. In that same year the Long Drivers of America came down to 50 inches vertical, which brought the maximum length Long Drive Driver you could compete with to about 48 inches. Hopefully you are not too confused.
Now back to what the difference is between a Long Drive Driver and a normal playing driver. As you can tell from what you have just read not much. If a standard length driver is 45 inches and the maximum length Long Drive Driver is 48 inches the difference is only 3 inches. Most shaft companies make their standard length shafts 46 inches uncut. To make a driver 48 inches, those shafts would not be long enough. You must find a shaft that is at least 48 inches uncut and is strong enough to handle the type of swing speeds competitive Long Drivers need. Rarely do Long Drive Golfer play golf with their Long Drive Drivers. We get six to eight balls in competition. When you play golf, you get one ball. The longer the shaft the harder it is to hit straight. Most professional golfers use 44.5 inch to 46 inch drivers for a reason. It certainly is a risk reward issue. To rap this up, again the difference between a Long Drive Driver and a normal golf Driver is simple the shaft. The Driver head is the same.
Thanks Krank Golf