2018 – Rory McIlroy (319.7 yards) Rory McIlroy led the Tour in driving distance during the 2016-17 season with a TaylorMade 2017 M2 driver.
So is, what length driver pros use? The average driver shaft length on Tour is roughly 44.75 inches, give or take a half-inch in either direction depending on preference. Contrary to what some might think, there isn't a run on longer shafts as a way to chase more distance.
Having said that, how do you measure your driver length?
Is a shorter driver easier to hit?
It is easier to hit the center of the clubface with a shorter club than a longer club, therefore if you feel like you are struggling with your current driver here's a few things you can try before you cut that driver down or order a new one.
In the last 25 years, the average driver shaft length has gradually moved from 43 inches to 45.75 inches. A longer shaft produces more swing speed. ... a driver with a 45.75-inch shaft – same golfer, same club head, same ball, same shaft type – could equal 20-25 yards extra distance. That's huge.
Tiger Woods played a 43.5in shaft for many years and a number of the world's best play shorter shafts too. These players have above-average swing speeds and therefore do not need the distance an extra inch in their shaft would provide. They prioritise accuracy and control when configuring their driver set-ups.
You may not know it, but the shaft on your driver might be way too long for you. There is ample evidence to suggest that using a shorter shaft could actually help you hit the ball farther, but more importantly keep it in play more.
Choking down on your driver is also a good method when you need to play a tee shot into the wind. The speed of your swing will be reduced when you choke down, which means your spin rate should be reduced as well.
Even though the Rules of Golf for competition allow the club shaft length of up to 48 inches, Golf Monthly notes that the average driver length used on the tour is 'only' 44.5 inches, while the average driver length in golf shops is about 45.5 inches.
If the golfer does not alter the angle to the ball and sticks with the same swing they had with shorter driver, the result will be a low show that slices to the right. The golfer must get underneath the ball when playing with a longer shaft.