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2023 pga tour in review: rory mcilroy was pga tour’s longest driver; who joined him in top 10 top 10 shortest.

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Rory McIlroy was the PGA Tour’s longest driver in 2022-23 after leading the circuit in average driving distance. It was the first time McIlroy had led the Tour in that category since 2018, when he averaged 319.7 yards per drive. Cameron Champ and Bryson DeChambeau had each led the Tour for two seasons since.

No, this isn’t the top 10 in SI’s pro golf ranking, but rather here are the 10 longest players on the PGA Tour during the 2022-23 season – and the shortest, too:

AVERAGE DRIVING DISTANCE LEADERS 1. Rory McIlroy, 326.3 yards 2. Peter Kuest, 321.7 yards 3. Brandon Matthews, 321.3 yards 4. Cameron Champ, 317.9 yards 5. Nicolai Højgaard, 317.7 yards 6. Ludvig Åberg, 317.1 yards 7. Cameron Young, 315.7 yards 8. Byeong Hun An, 315.6 yards 9. Vincent Norrman, 314.2 yards 10. Matti Schmid, 314.1 yards

AVERAGE DRIVING DISTANCE (SHORTEST 10) 1. Brian Stuard, 271.5 yards 2. David Lingmerth, 278.5 yards 3. William McGirt, 280 yards 4. Zac Blair, 281.6 yards 5. Brendon Todd, 282 yards 6. Austin Cook, 282.3 yards 7. Ryan Armour, 283.6 yards 8. Paul Haley II, 284.1 yards 9. Aaron Baddeley, 284.5 yards 10. Andrew Putnam, 284.7 yards

PGA TOUR Player Stats 2024

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• RNDS : Rounds played
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• SCORE : Scoring average per round
• DDIS : Driving distance (in yards)
• DACC : Driving accuracy %
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Revealing the Average Driver Length on the PGA Tour

Have you ever wondered what the average driver length is on the PGA Tour? In this section, we will dive into the fascinating world of professional golf and explore the average driver length used by the golfers on the PGA Tour.

Key Takeaways

• The average driver shaft length on the PGA Tour is approximately 44.75 inches.
• Longer shafts are not necessarily used to chase more distance, as drivers are already optimized for maximum yardage.
• Player preference plays a significant role in determining the driver length, with some variations observed among professionals.
• Exceptional cases like Rickie Fowler cutting down his driver shaft to 43.5 inches for improved accuracy have been seen.
• Shortening the driver shaft can lead to more fairways hit and eliminate wild misses for improved performance.

Understanding the Importance of Driver Length in Golf

Driver length is a crucial factor in a golfer’s game, especially on the competitive stage of the PGA Tour. The length of a driver’s shaft can significantly impact a player’s performance, affecting both accuracy and distance. Understanding the importance of driver length in golf can help players optimize their game and achieve better results on the course.

On the PGA Tour, the average driver shaft length is approximately 44.75 inches, although there is some variation depending on individual player preference. Contrary to popular belief, longer shafts are not necessarily used to chase more distance, as modern drivers are already optimized for maximum yardage. Instead, golfers often customize their driver length to suit their swing and achieve greater accuracy.

One notable exception to the average driver length is professional golfer Rickie Fowler. In order to improve his accuracy off the tee, Fowler cut down his driver shaft to 43.5 inches. This adjustment allowed him to hit more fairways and eliminate wild misses, ultimately leading to better overall performance. It’s important to note that shortening the shaft can also result in increased distance and ball speed for certain players.

While the standard retail driver length is around 45.5 inches, players have the option to customize their driver length for a more tailored fit. Shortening the shaft may require adding weight to maintain swing balance, but the benefits in terms of accuracy and control can outweigh any adjustments that need to be made. It is recommended that golfers work with a professional to test different shaft lengths and find the optimal fit for their game.

In Summary:

– Driver length is an essential aspect of a golfer’s game, particularly on the competitive stage of the PGA Tour. – The average driver shaft length on the PGA Tour is approximately 44.75 inches, with some variation based on player preference. – Shortening the driver shaft can lead to improved accuracy, more fairways hit, and reduced wild misses. – Custom options are available for shorter driver lengths, but it may require adding weight to maintain swing balance. – Professionals recommend testing different shaft lengths with the guidance of a professional to find the optimal fit for improved performance on the PGA Tour.

Driver length is just one of many factors that professional golfers consider when fine-tuning their game. By customizing their driver length to suit their swing and preferences, players can achieve better accuracy, control, and ultimately improve their performance on the challenging courses of the PGA Tour.

The Average Driver Length on the PGA Tour

According to statistics, the average driver length on the PGA Tour is approximately 44.75 inches. This measurement showcases the typical length observed among professional golfers on the tour, but it’s important to note that individual players may have their own preferences and variations in driver length. The average length provides insights into industry standards and can serve as a reference point for golfers looking to optimize their own game.

While longer shafts are not necessarily used to chase more distance, as drivers are already optimized for maximum yardage, there are exceptions to the average driver length. Take, for example, Rickie Fowler, who made the decision to cut down his driver to 43.5 inches for improved accuracy. This adjustment allowed him to find more fairways and eliminate wild misses, leading to overall better performance on the course.

Shortening the driver length can have various effects on a golfer’s game. In some cases, players have reported increases in distance and ball speed by opting for a shorter driver length. It’s worth noting that the standard retail driver length is around 45.5 inches, but custom options are available for those seeking shorter lengths.

Shortening the shaft of a driver may require adding weight to maintain swing balance. This customization is crucial to ensure that the club feels comfortable and performs optimally for each golfer. To find the optimal driver length, it is recommended to work with a professional who can provide guidance and help test different shaft lengths based on individual swing characteristics and preferences.

In conclusion, the average driver length on the PGA Tour is approximately 44.75 inches, but there is room for customization and personalization based on a golfer’s needs. By finding the right driver length, golfers can enhance their accuracy, distance, and overall performance on the course.

Factors Influencing Driver Length Preferences

Several factors come into play when professional golfers decide on their driver length for optimal performance. While the average driver shaft length on the PGA Tour is approximately 44.75 inches, individual preferences can vary. It’s crucial to find the right balance between distance and accuracy to achieve the best results on the course.

One of the key considerations is player comfort and control. Golfers often experiment with different driver lengths to find the one that suits their swing mechanics and allows them to consistently strike the ball with precision. This can help in reducing the risk of mishits or wayward shots, ultimately leading to more fairways hit and lower scores.

Another factor to consider is the potential impact on distance and ball speed. While longer shafts have traditionally been associated with greater distance, it’s not always the case. Some players have found that shortening their driver length actually improves their ability to generate power and maintain control, resulting in increased distance and ball speed. This highlights the need for individual customization and testing to find the optimal fit for each golfer.

It’s worth noting that cutting down the driver shaft may require additional modifications to maintain swing balance. Adding weight to the clubhead or adjusting shaft stiffness can help achieve the desired feel and performance. Custom options are available, allowing golfers to explore different shaft lengths and find the perfect combination for their game.

In conclusion, finding the optimal driver length involves considering multiple factors such as comfort, control, distance, and swing balance. Professional golfers must tailor their equipment to suit their individual needs and preferences. Testing different shaft lengths with the guidance of a professional can help ensure the driver length maximizes performance on the PGA Tour.

Exceptions to the Average: Case of Rickie Fowler

While the average driver length on the PGA Tour is around 44.75 inches, there are exceptions where players choose different lengths for specific reasons. One notable example is professional golfer Rickie Fowler, who has made adjustments to his driver length in order to improve accuracy.

Fowler decided to cut down his driver to 43.5 inches, shorter than the average length, to address accuracy issues in his game. By shortening the shaft, Fowler aimed to hit more fairways and eliminate wild misses. The results have been promising, as he has seen an improvement in his ability to find the fairway consistently.

It’s worth noting that shortening the driver length may not only improve accuracy but can also have positive effects on distance and ball speed. While drivers are optimized for maximum yardage, some players have experienced increased distance and ball speed by going shorter. This adjustment can be attributed to improved strike quality and better control over the clubhead.

For the average golfer, it’s important to recognize that the standard retail driver length is typically around 45.5 inches. However, custom options are available to accommodate shorter lengths, similar to what Rickie Fowler has chosen. Shortening the shaft may require adding weight to maintain the swing balance, but this customization can be done with the help of a professional.

In summary, while the average driver length on the PGA Tour remains around 44.75 inches, players like Rickie Fowler have shown that customized adjustments can bring notable benefits. Cutting down the driver length can lead to improved accuracy, more fairways hit, and potential increases in distance and ball speed. To find the optimal driver length, it’s advisable to work with a professional who can help customize and test different shaft lengths for individual players.

Benefits of Shortening the Driver Length

Shortening the driver length can provide various benefits to professional golfers, including improved accuracy and consistency. While drivers are already optimized for maximum yardage, cutting down the shaft can lead to more fairways hit and eliminate wild misses. In fact, some players have even experienced an increase in distance and ball speed by using a shorter driver length.

The average driver shaft length on the PGA Tour is approximately 44.75 inches, but there is some variation depending on player preference. However, the standard retail driver length is around 45.5 inches, indicating that custom options are available for those seeking shorter lengths.

When shortening the driver length, it’s important to consider swing balance. Adding weight to the clubhead or grip may be necessary to maintain the desired swing characteristics. Working with a professional can help golfers find the optimal driver length for their game, ensuring that the adjustments made will enhance performance rather than hinder it.

Table: Average Driver Lengths on the PGA Tour

As evidenced by players like Rickie Fowler, who cut down his driver to 43.5 inches for improved accuracy, customizing driver length can have a significant impact on a golfer’s game. It allows them to fine-tune their equipment to match their swing and personal preferences, ultimately leading to more consistent and reliable shots.

So, if you’re a professional golfer looking to gain an edge on the PGA Tour, don’t overlook the potential benefits of shortening your driver length. Consult with a knowledgeable professional, experiment with different shaft lengths, and discover the optimal fit for your game. By making this adjustment, you may just find yourself hitting more fairways and achieving greater accuracy on the course.

Customize Your Driver Length

Professional golfers have the option to customize their driver length to suit their individual preferences and playing style. The average driver shaft length on the PGA Tour is approximately 44.75 inches, but players are not bound to this standard. Longer shafts are not necessarily used to chase more distance, as drivers are already optimized for maximum yardage. However, there are exceptions to the average driver length on the PGA Tour , with players like Rickie Fowler choosing to cut down their driver shaft for improved accuracy.

By shortening the driver length, players like Fowler have seen an increase in fairways hit and a reduction in wild misses. In some cases, going shorter has even resulted in improved distance and ball speed. The standard retail driver length is around 45.5 inches, but custom options are available for those who prefer a shorter shaft.

It’s important to note that shortening the shaft may require adding weight to maintain swing balance. The optimal driver length can vary from player to player, and it is recommended to test different shaft lengths with the guidance of a professional. They can assess your swing characteristics and help determine the perfect customized driver length that will enhance your performance on the PGA Tour.

Ultimately, finding the optimal driver length is a personal journey for each golfer. Customizing the length can provide you with a club that feels comfortable, promotes better accuracy, and potentially enhances your overall performance on the PGA Tour. So, if you’re looking to take your game to the next level, consider exploring the option of customizing your driver length with the help of a professional.

Effects of Shortened Driver Length on Distance and Ball Speed

Contrary to common belief, shortening the driver length may not necessarily result in a decrease in distance or ball speed. In fact, there are cases where professional golfers have experienced positive improvements by opting for a shorter driver shaft on the PGA Tour.

Notable exceptions, such as Rickie Fowler, have made adjustments to their driver length for enhanced accuracy. Fowler cut down his driver to 43.5 inches, which led to more fairways hit and eliminated wild misses. This customization allowed him to maintain control over his shots, ultimately leading to improved performance on the course.

While longer driver shafts are often associated with chasing more distance, it’s important to note that modern drivers are already optimized to provide maximum yardage. The standard retail driver length is around 45.5 inches, but custom options are available for shorter lengths.

“Shortening the driver length can lead to more fairways hit and eliminate wild misses.” – Rickie Fowler

Shortening the shaft may require adding weight to maintain swing balance. However, it’s recommended that professional golfers test different shaft lengths with the guidance of a professional to find the optimal fit for their game. This individualized approach ensures that players can maximize both accuracy and distance, ultimately improving their performance on the PGA Tour.

Finding the Optimal Driver Length

Testing different driver lengths with the help of a professional can help golfers find the optimal fit for their swing and performance. The average driver shaft length on the PGA Tour is approximately 44.75 inches, but there is some variation among players based on individual preferences.

Longer shafts are not necessarily used to chase more distance, as drivers are already optimized for maximum yardage. However, there are exceptions to this trend. For example, Rickie Fowler cut down his driver length to 43.5 inches in pursuit of improved accuracy. By shortening the shaft, Fowler was able to hit more fairways and eliminate wild misses.

Interestingly, cutting down the driver shaft can sometimes lead to an increase in both distance and ball speed. While this may seem counterintuitive, it highlights the importance of finding the right driver length for your game. It’s worth noting that the standard retail driver length is around 45.5 inches, but there are custom options available for shorter lengths.

Importance of Swing Balance and Customization

Shortening the driver length may require adding weight to maintain swing balance. This ensures that the club feels comfortable and stable during the swing, allowing for consistent and accurate ball striking. When considering customization options for driver length, it’s advisable to seek professional guidance.

“Cutting down the driver length can lead to more fairways hit and eliminate wild misses.”

A professional golf club fitter can analyze your swing mechanics, ball flight tendencies, and overall goals to determine the ideal driver length for your specific needs. By working with a professional, you can ensure that the adjustments made to your driver length are tailored to maximize your performance on the PGA Tour.

Considerations for Shaft Weight and Swing Balance

Shortening the driver length may require adding weight to the club to maintain swing balance and optimize performance. While reducing the driver’s length can enhance accuracy, it can also affect the club’s overall feel and performance. To compensate for the shortened shaft, golfers often choose to increase the weight of the clubhead or add weight to the grip end.

Adding weight to the clubhead can help maintain the swing’s natural balance and prevent it from becoming too light. This is especially important for players who rely on a certain tempo or rhythm in their swing. By adjusting the clubhead weight, golfers can ensure that their swing remains consistent and powerful even with a shorter driver length.

Similarly, adding weight to the grip end can also help with swing balance. This can be achieved by using a heavier grip or adding additional weight to the grip itself. By doing so, golfers can maintain control and stability throughout the swing, ensuring optimum contact and ball flight.

It is important for golfers to test out different weight configurations to find the optimal balance for their game. Working with a professional club fitter or a trusted instructor can provide valuable guidance and ensure that the adjustments are tailored to the golfer’s specific needs and swing mechanics. By taking into account factors such as swing tempo, rhythm, and desired shot shape, golfers can customize their driver length while maintaining swing balance and optimizing their performance on the PGA Tour.

Seek Professional Guidance for Driver Length Customization

To ensure the best results, professional golfers should seek the expertise of a golf professional when making adjustments to their driver length. While it may be tempting to experiment with different shaft lengths on your own, consulting a professional can provide valuable insights and prevent potential issues that may arise from improper customization. By working with a knowledgeable instructor or club fitter, you can optimize your driver length to suit your individual swing characteristics and enhance your overall performance on the PGA Tour.

Customizing driver length involves a delicate balance between achieving maximum distance and maintaining control and accuracy. A golf professional can analyze your swing mechanics, launch conditions, and ball flight patterns to determine the ideal driver length for your game. They can guide you through the process of finding the perfect balance between maximizing your potential distance and maintaining consistency off the tee.

Through a comprehensive fitting session, a golf professional can help you test various driver lengths and assess the resulting impact on your ball speed, distance, dispersion, and overall performance. This data-driven approach ensures that you are making informed decisions based on objective measurements rather than relying on guesswork or assumptions.

In addition to driver length customization, a golf professional can also assist you in considering other factors that may influence your driver performance, such as shaft weight and swing balance. By taking a holistic approach to club fitting, you can fine-tune every aspect of your equipment to optimize your game and achieve your full potential on the PGA Tour.

The Impact of Driver Length on PGA Tour Performance

Driver length plays a crucial role in the performance of professional golfers on the PGA Tour, with customization options available to optimize accuracy and consistency. The average driver shaft length on the PGA Tour is approximately 44.75 inches, although individual player preferences may vary. It’s important to note that longer shafts are not necessarily used to chase more distance, as modern drivers are already designed to maximize yardage.

One notable exception to the average driver length is Rickie Fowler, who cut down his driver to 43.5 inches for improved accuracy. By shortening the shaft, Fowler was able to hit more fairways and eliminate wild misses, ultimately enhancing his overall performance. Interestingly, some golfers have even experienced an increase in distance and ball speed by opting for a shorter driver length.

While the standard retail driver length is around 45.5 inches, custom options are available for those who prefer a shorter shaft. Shortening the driver length may require adding weight to maintain swing balance, which is an important consideration for optimal performance. To find the perfect fit, it is recommended that professional golfers work with a knowledgeable expert who can guide them through testing different shaft lengths and ensuring the best outcome for their game on the PGA Tour.

What is the average driver length on the PGA Tour?

The average driver shaft length on the PGA Tour is approximately 44.75 inches, with some variation depending on player preference.

Why do golfers use longer driver shafts?

Longer shafts are not necessarily used to chase more distance, as drivers are already optimized for maximum yardage. However, some players may prefer longer shafts for personal preference or swing characteristics.

Are there exceptions to the average driver length on the PGA Tour?

Yes, some players, like Rickie Fowler, have cut down their driver shaft length for improved accuracy. Fowler’s driver length is 43.5 inches.

Can shortening the driver shaft improve accuracy?

Yes, cutting down the driver shaft can lead to more fairways hit and eliminate wild misses, resulting in improved accuracy.

Can shortening the driver shaft increase distance and ball speed?

In some cases, players have seen an increase in distance and ball speed by going shorter with the driver shaft.

What is the standard retail driver length?

The standard retail driver length is around 45.5 inches. However, custom options are available for shorter lengths.

Do I need to add weight when shortening the driver shaft?

Shortening the shaft may require adding weight to maintain swing balance. It is recommended to consult with a professional to ensure proper customization.

How can I find the optimal driver length for my game?

Testing different shaft lengths with a professional can help determine the optimal driver length that suits your swing and performance.

Source Links

• https://www.todays-golfer.com/features/equipment-features/2020/june/driver-shaft-length/
• https://golf.com/gear/drivers/average-driver-shaft-length-pga-tour-fully-equipped/?amp=1
• https://www.golfmonthly.com/features/the-game/optimum-driver-shaft-length-82330

Baron Cooke has been writing and editing for 7 years. He grew up with an aptitude for geometry, statistics, and dimensions. He has a BA in construction management and also has studied civil infrastructure, engineering, and measurements. He is the head writer of measuringknowhow.com

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Height isn't everything: the shortest professional golfers to grace the game

Shortest professional golfers to grace the game

In the era of ‘Hitting Bombs’ (see Phil Mickleson’s twitter account), taller golfers with long levers have a natural advantage when it comes to driving distance.

Take Dustin Johnson for example. DJ stands at 6’4 and has long been one of the most prolific drivers of the golf ball. He holds the record for the longest drive on tour since 2010 – eating up 463 yards on the seventh hole at TPC Boston in his final round in 2011.

As of now, the 2016 US Open champion ranks fourth in driving distance on the PGA Tour in 2019.

What is interesting, however, is that while seven of the top ten golfers in this metric stand at 1.90 metres or taller, the top two – Cameron Champ and Rory McIlroy are of average height.

Champ, who recorded his second PGA Tour win at the Safeway Open in September 2019, is averaging just shy of 318 yards per tote, with McIlroy four yards back at 313.5.

Wyndham Clark completes the trio of shorter players (by today’s standards) dominating the top five in the category, weighing in at 311 yards.

This one is for you, Pops! An incredible week that I’ll remember for the rest of my life! Thank you to the @safewayopen team, all of the volunteers, and fans for making it such a special week. pic.twitter.com/nHVmZ7evx6 — Cameron Champ (@Cameron__Champ) September 30, 2019

When one considers that Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods are only of average height themselves, it certainly would seem that the taller golfer doesn’t necessarily hold a huge advantage over the field.

In fact, such has been the success of some of the shortest players to grace the game, that there are plenty of role models for golfers of shorter stature to emulate.

Here’s a look at five of the more diminutive golfers to have played professionally.

Tadd Fujikawa (5’1)

16 years old, 5’ 1” The legend of Tadd Fujikawa making the cut at the '07 @SonyOpenHawaii will live on forever. pic.twitter.com/3aXSJFXQOA — Skratch (@Skratch) January 11, 2019

The shortest golfer on our list, Fujikawa stands at just 5’1.

The American was born three months premature, weighing just 1 pound and 15 ounces, and was given a 50-50 chance of survival by doctors.

Yet he would go on to enjoy a stellar amateur career.

In 2006, Fujikawa qualified for the US Open at Winged Foot as a 15 year old amateur after victory in the Hawaii sectional qualifier – thus becoming the youngest golfer in history to qualify for the tournament.

Despite missing the cut by nine strokes, he would make his first cut on the PGA Tour the following year at the 2007 Sony Open in Hawaii. At just 16 years and 4 days old, he was – at the time – the second youngest player to achieve this feat.

Fujikawa followed this performance up with a victory at the Hawaii Pearl Open – Hawaii’s most lucrative local tournament – becoming the first amateur since 1992 to win the tournament.

Fujikawa more recently made headlines in 2018, as he became the first openly gay professional golfer.

“I didn’t really have to do it,” he said, “but I know from my experience just how much it helped me seeing other stories like mine…how knowing that I wasn’t alone gave me a lot of hope.”

Currently residing in Georgia, Fujikawa is a member of Brunswick Country Club. Living in such a conservative state no doubt comes with its hardships for a publicly gay man, and he has commented on the fact that many locals are less accepting.

He described the decision to come out as “scary”, but that ultimately the reaction – especially on tour – has been encouraging and his fellow pros have been very supportive.

Certainly, Fujikawa’s diminutive stature - and his success at such a young age – is proof that all body types can accomplish great feats on tour.

Brian Harman (5'7)

Another Georgia resident, Harman stands at 5’7.

The left-hander has enjoyed a strong start to the 2020 PGA Tour season, tying for third at the Greenbrier and fourteenth at the Sanderson Farms Championship.

Harman was involved in a unique situation at the 2012 Players Championship, where he was the first alternate. After D.A. Points withdrew just minutes before his tee time, Harman was too late to join Carl Pettersson and Robert Garrigus in the group, as they had already teed off. Tournament officials allowed Harman to tee off alone in his first round – he would make the cut and finish T51.

In another extraordinary round in 2015, Harman became the third player in PGA Tour history to record two aces in the same round. After holing in one at the third, Harman hit a rescue club into the 14 th at Plainfield Country Club, only to see the ball disappear again.

Harman’s best major finish to date came at the 2017 U.S. Open at Erin Hills where he finished as a runner-up alongside Hideki Matsuyama. This tournament was the scene of Brooks Koepka’s first major victory, who eventually won by four strokes – his 16-under par total matching Rory McIlroy’s 2011 effort as the lowest score at the championship.

Ian Woosnam (5’4)

Inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 2017, the ‘Wee Welshman’ enjoyed a very successful career.

Somewhat ironically, Woosnam is named among the so-called ‘Big Five’ generation of European golfers who were all born within twelve months of each other. Seve Ballesteros, Nick Faldo, Bernhard Langer, Sandy Lyle and Woosnam have all won majors and ultimately took Europe to a newfound competitive level in the Ryder Cup.

A member of eight consecutive Ryder Cup teams from 1983 to 1997, Woosnam accumulated a record of 14 wins, 12 losses and 5 halves in his 31 matches. Interestingly, he compiled this record without ever winning a singles match in that span. He would later captain the 2006 European side to a 18½-9½ victory at the K-Club in Ireland.

Considered a powerful hitter, despite his stature, Woosnam debuted on the European Tour in 1979 – then driving around the continent in a camper van and living on a diet of baked beans to save money.

In 1991, Woosnam broke through to the top of the Official World Golf Ranking and won the Masters, emulating fellow Brits Lyle and Faldo. As a result, he became the first person representing Wales to win a major championship.

Woosnam’s longevity as a competitive force in the game is exemplified by the fact that he won the World Match Play Championship in three different decades, in 1987, 1990 and 2001 (where he became the oldest player to do so).

Gene Sarazen (5’5)

49 years after his Open debut, and at the age of 71, Gene Sarazen made this incredible hole in one at Royal Troon ⛳️ pic.twitter.com/888ddyR1Og — The Open (@TheOpen) February 27, 2019

Seven-time major championship winner Sarazen is one of only five players to win each of the four majors and thus complete the Career Grand Slam. He is one of four Americans in this esteemed group, which includes Ben Hogan, Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods. Another shorter player, South African Gary Player, completes the stellar quartet.

Sarazen claimed to invent the modern sand wedge, which he debuted in professional play for the first time at The Open Championship at Prince’s Golf Club in 1932 – a tournament he won.

There is some contention, however, that Sarazen may have seen a similar sand-specific club that was patented in 1928 by Edwin Kerr McClain. Furthermore, Sarazen’s rival Bobby Jones had already been using a sand club with a concave face – although this design was later banned due to the fact it contacted the ball twice during a swing.

Sarazen won three PGA Championships, two US Opens and a solitary Open Championship between 1922 and 1933.

His seventh and final major victory came at the 1935 Masters, where Sarazen hit the ‘shot heard around the world’. He hit a spoon (similar in loft to that of the modern four wood) 235 yards into the hole on the par-five 15 th at Augusta to record an albatross.

Still regarded as one of the most famous shots in golf history, the albatross propelled Sarazen into a tie for the lead in the final round, and he would go on to beat Craig Wood in a 36-hole playoff by five shots.

In 1955, to mark the twentieth anniversary of this tournament-defining shot, the bridge to the left of the 15 th green was named the Sarazen Bridge.

Gary Player (5’6)

Shortest professional golfers to grace the gam

Like Sarazen, Player has achieved the Career Grand Slam, winning nine major championships on the main tour (and a further nine on the Champions Tour). At the time of achieving the Career Grand Slam, Player was the youngest to do so at 29, yet this feat would be surpassed by Nicklaus (aged 26) and then Woods (24).

Referred to as The ‘Black Knight’ or ‘Mr. Fitness’, the South African is a renowned golf course architect with more than 400 design projects on five continents throughout the world.

Of his nine major championships, Player has three green jackets, two Claret Jugs, two PGA Championships and one US Open . In his final major victory – the 1978 Masters – Player overcame a 54-hole deficit of seven shots to win by a stroke.

Player has a particular affinity with the Masters, where he played for his 52 nd and last time in 2009 . He was the last of the Big Three (alongside Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer) to retire from the tournament and is still an honorary starter at Augusta alongside the Golden Bear.

He was voted ‘Sportsman of the Century’ in his home country in the year 2000.

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Here's every driver used by a winner on the PGA Tour in the 2024 season

Keyur Khamar

The 2024 PGA Tour season is well underway and with that, we continue to take a look at every driver used to win on tour over the course of the year. We've played 16 events so far, with TaylorMade now sharing the top spot with four victories after Scottie Scheffler's win at the Masters. That ties them with Ping with four victories, with Titleist and Callaway having three wins each. Mizuno and Srixon each have one victory to date in 2024. Looking at all the winning drivers provides an interesting way to review a year, while also offering a closer look at the best technology being used on tour. Included with each player is a key driving stat from the week he won.

Scottie Scheffler, Masters Tournament

Andrew Redington

Driver: TaylorMade Qi10 (Fujikua Ventus Black 7X), 8 degrees

Key driving stat: Scheffler ranked 13th in driving distance at Augusta National, averaging an impressive 305.1 yards off the tee for the week.

Here are all the clubs Scottie Scheffler used to win at Augusta National

Akshay Bhatia, Valero Texas Open

Driver: Callaway Rogue ST Max LS, (Fujikura Ventus Black 7X), 9 degrees

Key driving stat: The 22-year-old former junior phenom ranked sixth on the week in strokes gained/off the tee. He was inside the top 10 in the field in Driving Distance on measured holes as well as all holes overall.

The clubs Bhatia used to win in San Antonio

Stephan Jaeger, Texas Children's Houston Open

Driver: Ping G430 LST, 9 degrees

Key driving stat: Jaeger had a shaky opening round off the tee (3 of 13 fairways hit), but then found the short grass 26 of 39 times during the second, third and fourth rounds.

The clubs Jaeger used to win in Houston

Peter Malnati, Valspar Championship

Julio Aguilar

Driver: Titleist TSR3 (Project X Denali Blue 60 TX), 10 degrees

Key driving stat: In winning his second career event, but first in nine years, Malnati was steady off the tee, ranking fourth in strokes gained in the category despite being tied for 47th in accuracy and 59th in distance.

The clubs Malnati used to win at Innisbrook

Scottie Scheffler, Players Championship

David Cannon

Key driving stat: To say Scheffler was dialed in off the tee would be an understatement. He was first in SG/off the tee thanks to be first in driving accuracy for the week (45 of 56) and tied for 13th in distance on all drives.

Here are all the clubs Scottie Scheffler used to win at TPC Sawgrass

Scottie Scheffler, Arnold Palmer Invitational

Mike Ehrmann

Key driving stat: Scheffler was No. 1 in the field in strokes gained/off the tee (5.046) for the week, ranking second in the field for the final round on Sunday, when he pulled away to a five-shot victory.

Here are all the clubs Scottie Scheffler used to win at Bay Hill

Brice Garnett, Puerto Rico Open

Driver: Callaway Paradym Triple Diamond, 10.5 degrees

Key driving stat: Garnett wasn't long off the tee in Puerto Rico, ranking just T-30, but he was accurate, hitting 42 of 60 on the week to rank fourth.

Here are all the clubs that Brice Garnett used to win in Puerto Rico

Austin Eckroat, Cognizant Classic in The Palm Beaches

Brennan Asplen

Driver: Ping G430 LST (Project X HZRDUS Smoke Green 6.5), 10.5 degrees

Key driving stat: Eckroat was fourth in strokes gained/off the tee (3.531) while being tied for third in the field in driving accuracy (45 of 56/80.3 percent).

Here are all the clubs that Eckroat used to win at PGA National

Jake Knapp, Mexico Open

Orlando Ramirez

Driver: Ping G425 LST (Project X Hzrdus T1100 Green TX), 9 degrees

Key driving stat: Knapp ranked 90th in strokes gained/off the tee through the Genesis Invitational, then finished 11th for the week at Vidanta. He was also second in driving distance at 322.6 yards.

Here are all the clubs Knapp used to win at Vidanta

Hideki Matsuyama, Genesis Invitational

Driver: Srixon ZX5 LS Mk II (Graphite Design Tour AD DI 8 TX), 9.5 degrees

Key driving stat: For the week at Riviera Country Club, Matsuyama was 16th in strokes gained/off the tee while averaging 300.0 yards on the measured driving distance holes.

Here's all the clubs Matsuyama used to win at Riviera

Nick Taylor, WM Phoenix Open

Driver: Titleist TSi3 (Fujikura Atmos Blue 6X), 10 degrees

Key driving stat: During a surprisingly crummy weather week in the Arizona desert, Taylor put in steady work off the tee. During his opening-round 60, he led the field in strokes gained/off the tee. For the week he hit 37 of 58 fairways, putting him 22nd for the week.

Here's all the clubs Taylor used to win at TPC Scottsdale

Wyndham Clark, AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am

Driver: Titleist TSR3 (Project X Hzrdus Smoke Green 60 6.5), 9 degrees

Key driving stat: Clark ranked 11th in strokes gained/tee to green while also ranking third in driving distance for the week on the Monterery Peninsula.

Here's all the clubs Clark used to win at Pebble Beach

Matthieu Pavon, Farmers Insurance Open

Driver: Ping G430 Max (Fujikura Ventus TR Black 6X), 9 degrees

Key driving stat: Pavon became the first Frenchman to win on the PGA Tour since 1906 with the help of hitting 35 of 56 fairways for the week, ranking him T-16.

This is Titleist’s most popular model on tour. It's designed for players who have a consistent impact pattern around the center of the face. As a result, the face features a special variable-thickness pattern that emphasizes the best performance for center strikes. The TSR3 has a more compact size, but it also adds a movable weight that allows players to shift the center of gravity slightly. Yes, this helps somewhat with draw or fade preferences, but mostly it’s designed for lining up the CG with where a player is making impact. The result is better energy transfer.

More on this club

Here's all the clubs Pavon used to win at Torrey Pines

Nick Dunlap (a), The American Express

Sean M. Haffey

Driver: TaylorMade Qi10 LS, 9 degrees

Key driving stat: Dunlap, a sophomore at Alabama playing in just his fourth PGA Tour event, ranked fourth in driving distance (averaging 320.5 yards) en route to joining a select group of amateurs to win PGA Tour events.

Before the introduction of Max 10K, this was the most stable head in the Ping lineup. Its difference lies in mixing that stability with a 25-gram movable-weight system to set ball flight at neutral, fade or draw. Aerodynamic ridges at the front of the crown (“turbulators”) help this big head glide through the air, and a thinner face adds energy. At the same time, less face curvature means low impacts launch with less spin for more distance.

Here's all the clubs Dunlap used to win at PGA West

Grayson Murray, Sony Open in Hawaii

Michael Reaves

Driver: Mizuno ST-X 230 (UST Mamiya LIN-Q M40X 7F5), 9.5 degrees

Key driving stat: In claiming his first PGA Tour title since the 2017 Barbasol Championship, Murray led the field in strokes gained/tee to green (5.075). He averaged 310.5 yards in driving distance and hit 66.7 percent of his fairways for the week.

The most compact of the three clubheads, the LS is designed for better players who like to work the ball and desire less spin. Noticeably sleeker is the sliding-weight track on the sole, which is positioned more forward and lower this year for increased effectiveness on trajectory and spin. It also weighs nearly six grams less. This weight savings along with the savings from the carbon face and body construction can be repositioned in the form of 19 grams in the rear perimeter for extra stability.

Here's all the clubs Murray used to win at Waialae

Chris Kirk, The Sentry

Driver: Callaway Paradym Triple Diamond (Fujikura Ventus Blue 6 TX), 9 degrees

Key driving stat: Kirk wasn't flashy off the tee, averaging only 281.6 yards to rank in the middle of the field at Kapalua, but he was among a host of players to hit at least one drive more than 400 yards, hits long measuring at 428.

Somewhat the fraternal twin of the ST-Z 230, the ST-X 230 shifts the weight saved from its carbon-composite crown and sole slightly toward the heel. While for some, that 14-gram back weight offers a bit of slice correction, its main function is to make the overall head easier to manipulate during the swing. That means it can appeal to players looking to work the ball. Still, its relatively deep position in the head improves overall stability on off-center hits. Just as important to ball speed are the high-strength titanium alloy in the face and a channel cut in the sole to improve the way the face deflects, particularly on lower impacts.

Here's all the clubs Kirk used to win at Kapalua

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Know The 5 Shortest Golfer On The PGA Tour?

Golf fanatics love playing golf and even finding news, know-how as well as facts about it. People search for what did Justin say on golf course that made him go through such backlash. And also look for topics that enrich them with better playing quality.

In today’s world, everyone has become a fanatic of Hitting Bombs when it comes to golf. And anyone into this game will already know, long levers make it easier for taller players to have better driving distance. However, even without that, so-called long height, there are golfers who have done good, great actually, in this amazing game of golf. And to be honest, having the standard pro golfers height and weight is not really that big of a deal.

If the question, who is the shortest golfer on the PGA tour, ever crossed your mind.

Go bring your favorite soda, to give this thing a read. I’m here to talk about a few of them as well as the legend who’s the main character of this theme, Tadd Fujikawa. Yes, he’s the shortest golfer who had a phenomenon career despite his small stature.

Table of Contents

Who Is the Shortest Golfer on The PGA Tour?

Tadd Fujikawa being only 5-foot 1 inch, he is the shortest golfer on the PGA tour who mesmerized golf game watchers with a successful career. But there are other shortest golfers on tour too whomyou need to know about as well.

Who are the shortest golfers on PGA Tour?

Let’s give you a complete list of such legends.

1. Tadd Fujikawa – 5”1’ | American.

So, we already know, Tadd, who is the smallest PGA golfer , had a wonderful career that graced the game of golf. However, that was far from anyone’s imagination when he was born. A baby who faced 12 weeks premature birth! And not to mention, a weight of just 1 pound 15 ounces. Doctors just declared him to have a 50% of survival chance.

But destiny had something else, and this soon-to-become legend survived that tough infant face. He plays on NGA Pro Golf Tour as well as PGA Tour. It’s true that there’s no such thing as taller golfers having any advantage on the field. And this is why some of the shortest players in the game have bought grace to golf. You can literally find lots of golfers who are role models for a short-height person who loves playing golf.

2. James Barry Kruger – 5”5’ | South African.

He is a legend from South Africa, who played professional golf and won the Sunshine Tour five times. Along with that, he plays golf for Asian Tour and European Tour. With a very average height of 5 feet 5 inches, he still is a great golf player who golf enthusiasts love watching.

3. Ian Harold Woodsman – 5”4.5’ | Welsh

The Welsh professional golfer has an average height of 5 feet 4.5 inches. And despite that smaller structure, he is known as one of the most powerful hitters of golf. He had a lavishing career, known as the Wee Welshman.

World Golf Hall of Fame in 2017 was under his belt as well. Another fun fact about him is that the Big 5 gen of euro golfers have his name included and everyone else was born within 12 months of each other.

4. David Lingers – 5”7’ | Swedish

Lingers had a height of 5 feet 7 inches which might be slightly more than the people on this list. But that’s still a very average height considered for men. This Swedish golfer was a part of the PGA tour.

The golfer had two professional-level victories. One is winning the Korn Ferry Tour. And also, he got the victory in the PGA tour. With the best ranking of 35, he is a great golfer who is also not really tall.

5. Brian Harman– 5”7’ | American.

Another American golfer who also played the PGA tour. He had a height of 5 feet 7 inches. The starting of the 2020 PGA tour season was when the golfer showed a really strong performance.

Special Tips for Short Golfers:

If you are feeling self-conscious because of the height and don’t know whether to keep going or just give up on your golf love, then I hope after reading about these legends, you have somewhat inspiration to thrive. Apart from that motivation, here are two tips that work excellent for short golfers. Enjoy!

• When choosing clubs, make sure you pay attention to the fit. Go for a standard one, the off-the-rack type targets the average build golfers usually.
• Be very cautious when hitting the driver. A wide stance will really help. You should have the feet inside portion beneath the shoulders outside portion.

And also, as a golf lover, you don’t want to be in a situation where you needed a pencil but couldn’t find one in your bag. Things will be much easier if you choose to use a lanyard to help you. Opt for custom lanyards to hang your pencils, scorecards, and everything else.

They can be customized with the patterns, materials, and attachment you want; whether they’re Metal J-Hook, Plastic Bulldog Clip, or Metal Lobster Claw, you can always find the attachment you want on the GS-JJ . Invite your friends to customize them. The more you order, the cheaper you get. Go and have a try.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average height of a pro golfer.

A pro golfer, who is supposed to win more tour events, on average has a 6 feet height. However, that’s just a study-based idea, you can never determine the skills through height, especially in the game of golf.

So now you know the name behind who is the shortest golfer on the PGA tour. As well as a few more golfers who made it despite their shorter stature. It just shows how physical appearance was never the deciding factor. No matter what game, talent and passion are always proven to stand out. Hope This Gives You Some Inspiration.

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Who are the 10 longest and 10 shortest drivers on the PGA Tour?

PGA Tour players are longer off the tee than ever, thanks to advances in driver and golf ball technology, as well improved training regimens and course conditioning. That means the longest drivers and hitters on the PGA Tour are longer than ever, too. And it also means that being one of the shortest drivers on the PGA Tour means that you're still hitting the golf ball pretty far.

So, who are the 10 longest and the 10 shortest drivers on the PGA Tour?

10 longest drivers on the PGA Tour

• J.B. Holmes -- 314.5 yards
• Dustin Johnson -- 313.6 yards
• Tony Finau -- 312.2 yards
• Bubba Watson -- 310.6 yards
• Andrew Loupe -- 309.3 yards
• Jason Kokrak -- 307.4 yards
• Luke List -- 306.9 yards
• Hudson Swafford -- 306.9 yards
• Rory McIlroy -- 306.8 yards
• Gary Woodland -- 306.1 yards

10 shortest drivers on the PGA Tour

• Colt Knost -- 269.7 yards
• David Toms -- 269.7 yards
• Jon Curran -- 271.9 yards
• Mark Wilson -- 274.7 yards
• Zac Blair -- 275.3 yards
• K.J. Choi -- 275.3 yards
• Jason Bohn -- 276.3 yards
• Abraham Ancer -- 276.4 yards
• Billy Hurley III -- 277.7 yards
• Brian Stuard -- 277.7 yards

We looked at the data from the 2015-16 PGA Tour season for the driving distance statistic to get these figures. The PGA Tour bases these numbers on the measured distance from drives hit on two holes in every PGA Tour round. These are holes on which players overwhelmingly hit driver, so they give the best idea of how far any PGA Tour player hits their driver (as compared to another stat that measures all non-par-3 tee shots, including holes where a longer player might use an iron or fairway wood).

These figures tell you something: You don't necessarily have to be long to win on the PGA Tour. Billy Hurley, the T-9 shortest player on the PGA Tour in 2015-16, won the Quicken Loans National at Congressional C.C.'s Blue Course, one of the longest courses on the PGA Tour.

Then again, Dustin Johnson, Tony Finau and Rory McIlroy all won on the PGA Tour in 2015-16, with Johnson and McIlroy doing so multiple times. Being long helps a lot, if you can keep it in play.

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Who Is The Shortest Player On The LPGA Tour?

The beauty of golf is that height does not determine success. We take a look at the shortest players on the LPGA Tour

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If you believe that tall golfers have an advantage over shorter players, then think again. 

While it holds true that 6ft tall golfers such as Lexi Thompson and Anna Nordqvist can capitalise on their inherent advantage of longer limbs to create a larger swing arc for greater distance off the tee, shorter golfers have their own set of advantages. 

Golfers with a shorter stature benefit from a lower centre of gravity and this enhances better balance and stability, which is particularly advantageous in windy conditions. 

The average height of players on the LPGA Tour is 5' 6"/1.67m, but you only need to take a look at the world's top 3 female players on the Rolex World Rankings to see that when it comes to golf, for the most part, height is irrelevant.

Topping the ranking list is America’s Lilia Vu , a four-time 2023 title winner, including two Majors, who stands at 5’ 4”/1.63m. Ruoning Yin from China cuts an extremely petite figure at only 5' 2"/1.57m, and she's followed by Frenchwoman Celine Boutier who matches Vu in height.

Akaya Furue from Japan is the shortest player on the LPGA Tour

Only a few players were undefeated at the 2023 Solheim Cup in Finca Cortestin in Spain, and one of those was Megan Khang . The American, who is the first LPGA Tour player of Hmong and Laotian descent, is just 5’ 1”/1.55m.

Yet these are not the shortest players to compete on the LPGA Tour. Amelia Rorer, who debuted in 1975 holds the record for the shortest ever at 4’ 11.5’ tall. Alison Nicholas , winner of the 1997 Women’s USA Open and two-time Solheim Cup Captain is just 5’ 0”/153m, which matches the same height as the shortest player currently competing on the LPGA Tour, four-time winner Akaya Furue from Japan.

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Shortest Players On The LPGA Tour

• Akaya Furue - 5’ 0”/153m
• Meghan Kang - 5’ 1”/1.55m
• Moriya Jutanugarn - 5’ 1”/1.55m
• Ruoning Yin - 5' 2"/1.57m
• Cristie Kerr - 5' 3"/1.60m
• In-Kyung Kim - 5' 3"/1.60m
• Atthaya Thitikul - 5' 3.5"/162m
• Lilia Vu -  5’ 4”/1.63m
• Celine Boutier - 5’ 4”/1.63m
• Jenny Shin - 5’ 4”/1.63m
• Sei Young Kim - 5’ 4”/1.63m
• Lizette Salas - 5’ 4”/1.63

Alison Root has over 25 years experience working in media and events, predominantly dedicated to golf, in particular the women’s game. Until 2020, for over a decade Alison edited Women & Golf magazine and website, and is now the full-time Women's Editor for Golf Monthly. Alison is a respected and leading voice in the women's game, overseeing content that communicates to active golfers from grassroots through to the professional scene, and developing collaborative relationships to widen Golf Monthly's female audience across all platforms to elevate women's golf to a new level. She is a 16-handicap golfer (should be better) and despite having had the fantastic opportunity to play some of the best golf courses around the world, Kingsbarns in Scotland is her favourite.

Four Golf Monthly Readers are fitted into the TaylorMade Qi10 driver range to see how the company's most forgiving drivers to date can help their performance from the tee

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We consider why the world's best professional female golfers should be given an opportunity to compete at Augusta

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We take a look at the players that have enjoyed an incredible winning streak on the LPGA Tour

Coaches can be an invaluable part of your progression in golf. Here are some tips to ensure you select the right one

By Emma Booth Published 5 April 24

Hosted a week apart at Augusta National, we take a look at the difference in hole yardages at ANWA and the Masters

By Alison Root Published 3 April 24

The Augusta National Women's Amateur has become one of the most prestigious women's amateur events. Here we take a look at the previous winners

Set for its fifth edition, how is the winner of the Augusta National Women's Amateur decided?

By Alison Root Published 2 April 24

The American is one of the longest hitters in the women’s game, but how far does she hit every club in the bag?

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2024 Texas Children's Houston Open odds, picks and PGA Tour predictions

W ith the Florida Swing wrapped up, the PGA Tour heads to Texas for the 2024 Texas Children's Houston Open . This is the 4th year Memorial Park will host the event, which is headlined by world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler .

Below, we look at the 2024 Texas Children's Houston Open odds and make our PGA Tour picks and predictions .

Having won his last 2 starts, Scheffler will look to make it 3 wins in a row this week in Houston. He's the odds-on favorite to win at +275, by far the shortest odds of any player in the field. Wyndham Clark has the 2nd-best odds at +1200, followed by Will Zalatoris (+1800), Sabith Theegala (+2200) and 2023 champion Tony Finau (+2200).

Memorial Park is a par 70 and plays at 7,435 yards, so it's one of the longer courses on tour. It underwent a major renovation in 2019, which is when the PGA Tour returned to this site, with everything from hole distances changing to bunkers and trees being removed. Scheffler and Finau share the course record of 8-under 62, which Scheffler shot in 2021 and Finau carded in 2022.

WATCH: PGA Tour is live on ESPN+! Get ESPN+

Texas Children's Houston Open – Expert picks

Odds provided by BetMGM Sportsbook ; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Monday at 3:32 p.m. ET.

Will Zalatoris (+1800)

Zalatoris' missed cut at the Players Championship was surprising, but it shouldn't be enough to deter bettors from taking him again this week in Houston. He typically plays well when the conditions are tough, as evidenced by his major finishes, and while he's never played this event before, it's a good bounce-back opportunity for him at a course that emphasizes ball striking over putting.

Sahith Theegala (+2200)

Theegala finished 61st and 22nd in his 2 starts at this event, but it's reasonable to think he'll improve upon both of those finishes this year. He's in the midst of his best season yet, already posting 4 top-10s and a runner-up in 8 starts with only 1 missed cut. Theegala is just the type of player who can unseat Scheffler at the top.

Keith Mitchell (+4000)

Mitchell had the Valspar Championship in his hands before collapsing in the final round with a 77 on Sunday. That dropped him from 1st to 17th on the last day of the tournament after holding a 2-shot 54-hole lead. That ending to his week will leave a bitter taste in his mouth, but it was more of a fluky performance with the driver than anything. He finished 41st here in 2021 and 9th in 2022.

Texas Children's Houston Open picks – Contenders

Joel dahmen (+6600).

After missing the cut in 3 of his 1st 5 starts of the season, Dahmen has gotten back on track by making it in each of his last 3 starts – including an 11th-place finish at the Players Championship. He followed it up with a T-49 at the Valspar last week and now ranks 27th in strokes gained: off the tee and 8th in approach.

Aaron Rai (+5000)

Rai missed the cut at the Valspar Championship by a few shots but he had notched 3 straight top-35 finishes before that. His putter hasn't cooperated, ranking 136th in strokes gained on the greens but he's 23rd tee-to-green. This is a course he's had success at before, finishing 7th and 19th in his last 2 starts here.

Texas Children's Houston Open picks – Long shots

Alex smalley (+12500).

Smalley has missed the cut in 7 of his 9 starts this season and one of his made cuts resulted in a 75th-place finish. So why bet him now? Because he finished 4th in this tournament in 2022 and 15th the year prior, so he clearly knows this course well.

Tyson Alexander (+25000)

Peter Malnati showed on Sunday that no matter a player's odds, anyone can win at any time. Alexander is a mega-long shot at +30000, but he was the runner-up here in 2022 and already has 1 top-20 finish this season.

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For more sports betting picks and tips , check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW .

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This article originally appeared on USA Today Sportsbookwire: 2024 Texas Children's Houston Open odds, picks and PGA Tour predictions

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Fully Equipped mailbag: Are shorter driver shafts still a thing?

Using a shorter driver shaft is a great option for certain players.

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Welcome to another edition of the  Fully Equipped mailbag , sponsored by Cleveland/Srixon Golf, an interactive GOLF.com series in which we field your hard-hitting gear questions.

Are shorter driver shafts still popular among better players? – Daniel D., California

Great question, Daniel. And yes, shorter-than-standard driver shafts are most definitely still a thing among better players, and we think they should be a thing for a lot of amateurs, too. (By “shorter”, we mean playing a driver that is at least an inch shorter than the typical 45.5-inch or 45.75-inch driver sold off the rack.) Below, we’ve put together a few reasons why shorter driver shafts make sense. And, because it’s our job to see things from both sides, we’ve added a few reasons why some players might want to avoid a shorter shaft.

Shorter driver shafts make it easier to hit solid shots

Typically, the closer you stand to the ball, the easier it is hit the ball solidly off the center of the clubface. I know what you’re thinking—for some of you, fairway woods are harder to hit than drivers are and loft plays a huge part in how easy a club is to hit. But for all intents and purposes here, shorter clubs are easier to swing and produce better shots with. We won’t get too scientific here, but part of that has to do with the distance the eyes are from the ball. The closer the eyes are to the ball, the easier it becomes to make a solid strike. There is a major caveat to using shorter shafts, though. Using a shorter club means you can’t swing it as fast. With a shorter radius, the clubhead swings on a smaller arc and doesn’t have as much room to generate speed prior to making contact with the golf ball. That said, a reduction in clubspeed in favor of more solid contact usually works out to straighter and longer drives overall.

Solid shots fly farther and straighter

Obviously, the perfect combo is a fast swing a nd a solid strike, but for many of us, that happens less often than we want. For instance, if you consistently miss the sweetspot by a couple centimeters using a longer shaft, it’s likely you’ll lose 10-20 yards of distance (and varying amounts of accuracy) that you would’ve had if you had struck the ball directly on the sweetspot. Cleveland Golf is one of few companies out there that knows the benefits of shorter shafts and offers its Launcher XL drivers in one-inch shorter iterations for golfers who want added control without having to tweak or change the way the clubhead feels.

Cleveland Launcher XL driver

An inch might not be worth it

Let’s say you have a 44.5-inch driver and are curious to try a 45.5-inch driver. You’ve also done your research and for the average player, adding an inch could mean adding somewhere in the neighborhood of 10 more yards off the tee. But if that extra inch means you’ll miss the sweetspot more often, it might not be worth the occasional extra yardage and loss of accuracy. Robot tests have certainly proven that longer shafts equal more clubhead speed, but that doesn’t mean things will compute the same way in the computer between your ears. Longer shafts also require a whole new assessment of your optimal shaft flex and swingweight, too. Simply swapping your same shaft model for one that’s an inch longer could mean your driver will produce a drastically different feel and ballflight trajectory. You have every right to disagree, but we contend that a straighter drive that lands a few yards shorter in the fairway is almost always better than a longer one 10 yards further into the rough.

Your height plays a big role in what length you ought to have

Hope we don’t offend anyone here, but if you’re a golfer under 5’5” and the length between your fingertips and the ground is 29 or 30 inches when at your side, a 45.75” driver shaft is likely way too long for you in the first place. Having your hands that low with a long driver shaft will position the clubhead’s toe up in the air at address which will increase the likelihood of heel hits. And no matter what driver you use, heel hits usually produce far worse results than do misses out towards the toe.

How you swing matters, too

If you swing over-the-top (hey, nobody is perfect and some of the best players in the world have a slightly over-the-top move), a shorter shaft will make it easier for you to square the clubface through the hit and can help straighten out your outside-in swingpath. It can make rotating the hands easier too, helping to turn your weak fade/slice into a more powerful draw.

Distance isn’t everything to everyone

For some players, a distance reduction in favor of hitting more fairways is a welcome prescription for lower scores. A shorter shaft may lead to lower, more piercing drives that fly straighter than do drives hit with longer shafts that fly higher and sometimes, farther away from the target. To get the max benefit from a shorter driver shaft, most fitters say you should opt for a slightly softer flex rating and a heavier profile. This will keep the club feeling balanced and easier to control.

The basics every golfer needs to know about golf shafts

On the other hand…

Some players might have better success with longer shafts

By now, you should know that not everyone follows convention and robot testing and/or controlled testing doesn’t mean the results will be the same for everyone. Some golfers might actually increase distance and accuracy by using a longer shaft (like a tall player, or someone who needs a flatter stance/swing). Or maybe you’re a skilled enough player and miss-hits aren’t your issue. In either instance, a longer shaft might be better, not worse, for your driver performance. A great way to find out if longer is better for you is to demo some clubs with impact tape/spray and check your results.

You might prefer a lighter shaft

When you use a shorter shaft, it typically corresponds with using a slightly heavier shaft to prevent the club from being too light. But maybe a lighter shaft has been a saving grace and the notion of using a heavier one is not something you want to do. Lighter shafts usually help golfers hit the ball higher, so if height is an issue, it’s probably not worth the tradeoff to try a shorter/heavier shaft.

In any case, whether you opt for a shorter or longer shaft, it’s best to visit a reputable clubfitter and do some trial and error to see which one works better for you. We suspect many of you will find better results with a shorter shaft, but some of you might not.

Ready for an equipment overhaul? Find a fitting location near you at GOLF’s affiliate company  True Spec Golf.  For more on the latest gear news and information, check out our latest Fully Equipped podcast below .

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Power Rankings: RBC Heritage

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Other than the soft landing of Harbour Town Golf Links, the site of the annual destination post-Masters, there’s another promise for the field of 69 at this week’s RBC Heritage – no cut.

It’s the fifth of eight Signature Events this season. Of the commits, 54 competed at the first major last week, so they’ll leave some of that sweat in the rearview mirror.

Scroll or swipe past the golfers projected to contend for details of the tournament, the host course and more.

No time for the proverbial hangover after the Masters this time around as there are four rounds to be played on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina. In addition to the usual spoils, the field is chasing 700 FedExCup points and $3.6 million for victory.

Although Harbour Town trails the Masters in the migration, it’s fair to wonder how fitting it’d be as a tune-up in advance of the major. Augusta National Golf Club requires the full bag and skill set with its unique combination of other prerequisites to be considered a force pre-tournament, but a primary objective there is to be properly positioned on approach. This is not dissimilar to the strategy to find the best angles at Harbour Town.

The par 71 in the Lowcountry stretches to a modest 7,213 yards, but because of routing, overhanging trees and some of the smallest greens on the PGA TOUR (at just 3,700 square feet on average), drivers will be holstered often. There are ball-strikers’ paradises, and then there’s a shot-maker’s track like this one.

Fields have understood that downshifting is required. Harbour Town annually ranks among the shortest in distance off the tee, while also typically among the easiest in splitting fairways. With targets yielding an average of about 11 greens in regulation per round, the small ball plays up. The only rough is just 1¼ inches high this year.

To that end, it’s a good week to be a bad putter on the overseeded Bermudagrass greens prepped to touch a familiar 12½ feet on the Stimpmeter. Tee-to-green tacticians always have an edge with small greens, and there’s a reason why Harbour Town led all courses in each of the last two seasons in total hole-outs. With a field about half the size from last year, it won’t be in the aggregate this week, but its conversion percentage from off the green will align with history.

Favorable conditions are expected until a risk of rain enters the equation on the weekend. Daytime highs right around 80 degrees will be accompanied by southeasterly winds off the Atlantic Ocean. They could kick up late Thursday and linger into Friday, but they shouldn’t be as challenging as what was faced by those who competed in the Masters.

ROB BOLTON’S SCHEDULE

MONDAY: Power Rankings (RBC Heritage) TUESDAY: Power Rankings (Corales Puntacana); Sleepers (Heritage) WEDNESDAY: Golfbet Insider SUNDAY: Points and Payouts (Heritage); Points and Payouts (Corales); Medical Extensions; Qualifiers; Reshuffle

* Rob is a member of the panel for PGATOUR.COM’s Expert Picks for PGA TOUR Fantasy Golf, which also publishes on Tuesday.

Rob Bolton is a Golfbet columnist for the PGA TOUR. The Chicagoland native has been playing fantasy golf since 1994, so he was just waiting for the Internet to catch up with him. Follow Rob Bolton on Twitter .

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2024 Corales Puntacana Championship odds: Surprising PGA picks, predictions from model that's nailed 11 majors

Sportsline's proven model simulated the corales puntacana championship 2024 10,000 times and revealed its pga golf picks.

Nicolai Hojgaard had a taste of the Masters lead on Saturday afternoon, but he proceeded to bogey five straight holes on the back nine to fall out of contention. He will be looking to bounce back quickly when he heads to the Dominican Republic for the 2024 Corales Puntacana Championship, which begins on Thursday at Corales Golf Club. Hojgaard is 14-1 in the 2024 Corales Puntacana Championship odds, while Alex Noren is the 12-1 favorite atop the PGA odds board. 

There are numerous golfers in the 2024 Corales Puntacana Championship field who are longshots eyeing their first PGA Tour victory. Which ones should you include in your 2024 Corales Puntacana Championship bets? Before locking in your 2024 Corales Puntacana Championship picks, be sure to see the golf predictions and projected leaderboard from the proven computer model at SportsLine .

Our proprietary model, built by DFS pro Mike McClure, has been red-hot since the PGA Tour resumed in June of 2020. In fact, the model is up almost $10,000 on its best bets since the restart, nailing tournament after tournament.

McClure's model correctly predicted Scottie Scheffler would finish on top of the leaderboard at the 2024 Masters, the Arnold Palmer Invitational, and The Players Championship this season. McClure also included Hideki Matsuyama in his best bets to win the 2024 Genesis Invitational. That bet hit at +9000, and for the entire tournament, McClure's best bets returned nearly $1,000.

The model also predicted Jon Rahm would be victorious at the 2023 Sentry Tournament of Champions and The American Express. At the 2023 Masters, the model was all over Rahm's second career major victory heading into the weekend. Rahm was two strokes off the lead heading into the third round, but the model still projected him as the winner. It was the second straight Masters win for the model, which also nailed Scheffler winning in 2022.

In addition, McClure's best bets included Nick Taylor (70-1) winning the 2023 RBC Canadian Open, Jason Day (17-1) winning outright at the 2023 AT&T Byron Nelson, and Rickie Fowler (14-1) finishing on top of the leaderboard at the 2023 Rocket Mortgage Classic.

This same model has also nailed a whopping 11 majors entering the weekend and hit the Masters three straight years. Anyone who has followed it has seen massive returns.

Now that the Corales Puntacana Championship 2024 field is finalized, SportsLine simulated the tournament 10,000 times, and the results were surprising. Head to SportsLine now to see the projected leaderboard .

Top 2024 Corales Puntacana Championship predictions 

One major surprise the model is calling for at the 2024 Corales Puntacana Championship: Noren, who is the favorite has finished inside the top 20 in four straight PGA tournaments, struggles this week and barely cracks the top five. Noren played in his first PGA Tour event in 2008, and he has played in 171 PGA tournaments overall. However, he is still seeking his first victory, so it is difficult to justify his position as the favorite on the odds board this week.

Noren has struggled with his driver this season, ranked outside the top 100 in total driving and driving distance. He also sits outside the top 150 on the PGA Tour in putting average and one-putt percentage, so he would need to make drastic improvements during all four rounds this week. While this is a weaker field due to the RBC Heritage, the model has identified better golfers to back in the Dominican Republic. 

Another surprise: Mark Hubbard, a 35-1 longshot, makes a strong run at the title. He has a much better chance to win it all than his odds imply, so he's a target for anyone looking for a huge payday. Hubbard has been consistent so far this season, entering the week ranked inside the top 50 in the FedEx Cup rankings.

He has made the cut in all 10 tournaments that he has played in, with his best result being a T4 at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am in February. Hubbard is coming off a T25 finish at the Valero Texas Open earlier this month, and he is facing a weaker field this week. The 34-year-old is still seeking his first PGA Tour victory, which the model believes could happen this weekend.  See who else to pick here . 

How to make 2024 Corales Puntacana Championship picks

The model is also targeting five other golfers with odds of 30-1 or longer to make a strong run at the title. Anyone who backs these longshots could hit it big. You can only see the model's picks here .

Who will win the 2024 Corales Puntacana Championship, and which longshots will stun the golfing world? Check out the Corales Puntacana Championship 2024 odds below and then visit SportsLine to see the projected Corales Puntacana Championship leaderboard , all from the model that's nailed 11 golf majors, including the last three Masters.

2024 Corales Puntacana Championship odds, field

Get full 2024 Corales Puntacana Championship picks, best bets, and predictions here .

Alex Noren +1200 Nicolai Hojgaard +1400 Billy Horschel +2000 Aaron Rai +2200 Nate Lashley +3000 Ben Martin +3500 Mark Hubbard +3500 Kevin Yu +3500 Doug Ghim +3500 Davis Thompson +3500 Daniel Berger +3500 Victor Perez +3500 Ben Griffin +4000 K.H. Lee +4000 Bud Cauley +4000 Sam Stevens +4500 Sam Ryder +4500 Justin Lower +4500 Jhonattan Vegas +4500 Thriston Lawrence +4500 S.H. Kim +5000 Joseph Bramlett +5000 Joel Dahmen +5000 Garrick Higgo +5000 Nick Hardy +5500 Max Greyserman +5500 Matt Kuchar +5500 Justin Suh +5500 Greyson Sigg +5500 Chan Kim +5500 Alex Fitzpatrick +6000 Michael Kim +6000 Matti Schmid +6000 Jimmy Stanger +6000 Carl Yuan +6000 Tyler Duncan +6000 Taylor Pendrith +6000 Peter Kuest +6500 Jacob Bridgeman +6500 Chad Ramey +6500 Ben Silverman +7000 Chris Gotterup +7000 Kevin Dougherty +7500 Alex Smalley +8000 Rico Hoey +8000 Joe Highsmith +8000 Hayden Springer +8000 Charley Hoffman +8000 Austin Smotherman +9000 Parker Coody +9000 Martin Trainer +9000

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