[stebboko]

I've got a lot of respect for Tom's writing.

He found in a test of 50 golfers over a wide range of handicaps only a 1 yard difference in length between 43" and 45" drivers.

But a huge difference in accuracy.

And that 90% of golfers would be better off with shorter shafts than what is sold off the shelf.

Tom goes on to say that each 1/4" you miss the sweetspot by will cost you 5 yards in distance. I'd estimate a 2" drop in driver length to cost a good amateur about 3mph in swingspeed or about 8-10 yards in distance, so Tom's tests are certainly believable.

But of course, the only way to know what's the best length is through painful trial and error.

And besides, shorter drivers give you less area to take relief drops in.