shaft limit

all have made a good valid point on this the thing i take into consideration  on setting a usga limit on our shafts length is that everywhere ive been most guys in longdrive arent your average size !
I do agree that a shorter club length very well could bring longer results.
but... a guy that is 6'5 or taller weighin in at 280 hitting a standard length shaft is a little extreme-i think 50" is a good standard to go by.of course this is my opinion-im 6'3" and all my playing clubs are 1" over standard length thats how they are fitted for me everyone is different.as far as getting closer to usga standards -i think we are very close were not tour players and their not longdrivers thats proven plus i dont want to be called the pga longdrivers assoc this is LDA! keep it goin i like the input on this ! it prob will change next year but till then........indy Merry Xmas to you all!

[BigDaddy13440]

I have to agree with the distinction between the LDA and the PGA. I'm also much larger than the "typical" golfer, at 6'7 and just shy of 300 lbs, and have all my irons at 2.25" overlength. My 5-wood is as long as the standard driver, at 44 1/2", and my 3-wood is set up for me at 46". These are the length clubs that fit me best. I look rather ridiculous trying to swing a 44 1/2" driver, especially one with a 400 cc head(or larger).

The LDA is a separate entity from the PGA, and gives an outlet for those of us that want to "swing for the trees". The "WOW" factor that I get when I go to the range is amazing, not only for my drives, but for the drivers I'm using. Not everyone (OK, very, very few people) can handle a 50" or longer driver, with a 4*- 7.5* loft, and the comments I get are incredulous, to say the least. I wouldn't get these comments if I were swinging an off-the-rack driver at 45" and 9*, I'd be just another long hitter.

Variety is good, and if the PGA wants to follow the USGA limitations, that's all fine and dandy, but the LDA gives us an outlet for something "outside the norm". I've never been normal, or conforming, and LDA events and the ReMax let me do my thing. Eventually, more and more people will become involved in LongDrive, and when feasible, there will be the ability to split into two divisions, a "normal" division, and an "unlimited" divison". I just hope that I'm still able to swing outta my socks when that time comes.

[TimS]

Guys the PGA doesn't need to be in this discussion.  They are a body of their own and have nothing to do with the LDA.  However, the USGA is a very important governing body.  We are already following their rules, so why just discard shaft length?  Is that a bad rule?  Let's just pick and choose which rules we want to follow.  COR?  Forget that!  We'll hit it farther with springier clubs.  And we'll forget the head size restrictions because those are bad.  What sport are we playing again?

We can't just pick and choose which rules we want to follow and expect to get some credibility from the public.  People don't care how far you can hit the ball with an illegal club.

BigDaddy, having normal and unlimited divisions is a good idea at first, but is has the potential to create a big rift in the sport.  It's small enough as it is, we don't need to split it in half.  Maybe when the sport gets bigger that's an idea that should be taken very seriously, but right now long drive is in too fragile a position to make such a drastic change.

I understand your complaint because of your physical build, but that's something that should be addressed to the USGA.  I would send them an e-mail telling them about your concern.  I think that the length restriction is a "proposition", so nothing is finalized and your input could help block the restriction.
EDIT: usga:"Written comments received later than July 14, 2003 will not be considered".  Never mind.

Indy, when you say 50" do you mean LDA length or USGA length?  The USGA proposed length equates to roughly 50" LDA, which is a mere 2 inches shorter than the maximum length we have now.

[serial_ball_killer]

I guess it depends on what one wants. I personally think that credibility is still a big issue that could limit the growth of long drive. Since both the LDA and the PGA involve athletes who hit a golf ball with a golf club, the comparisons are going to be made from the general public (those that ultimately pay to see the events in person and on TV).

The general public currently thinks that we are all using jacked up clubs and would probably loose to a PGA tour pro with the same equipment. I think we need to get rid of this myth to gain additional credibility.

[CRaley9]

Switching to a shorter shaft has helped me alot. I'm swinging the club not the other way around. I dont feel like Ive lost any distance and speed and I have gained control. I'm making more solid contact at 49".
As far as public perception that we all use jacked up illegal equipment, I make it a point to tell people (that ask) that all the heads we use are on the USGA conforming list.

[salty]

I think if your 6'7" and 300lbs you can use what ever clubs you want because no one is going to argue with you. LOL! Salty

[CRaley9]

What about 5'10?  

Oh well. Waiting for that middle age growth spurt.

[fatgolf]

hahaahahahahahahaha

GOOD ONE!!!!

[Mikee]

I believe that the USGA limit is 48".  Their way consists of measuring a driver from the floor to top of end of the grip, while the club is at a 60* angle.  By simply taking out the 60* measurement angle and replacing it with the vertical measurement you have the LDA measurement system.  I took one of my LD clubs to a shop and had them measure it and flat out said how long is this.  They measured it and said that is was 48" USGA length.  I personally made this very same club to be 50" LDA measurement so they are one in the same. 

A very very very small number of professional golfers would ever consider hitting a 48" driver during a round.  Most pros have shortened there drivers to 44.5" (USGA) for more control.  They need control and not distance on the tour.  I would probably hit my 3w on a PGA tour type fairway, because the fairways are rock hard.  But back to the point, the PGA players can use longer clubs, even the same length as LDer but they choose not to.

LDA uses lots of the same rules as the USGA because people are more familiar with the USGA and it would add more cost to the LDA to maintain and start a its own club testing, among other things.  Most of the average hitters would just think that the LDA rules would full of crap if because the best LDer can out drive them with a putter. 

This has been said many times by many people, but until there is a head to head face off between Tiger, Bubba, JB and any other long hitter on the tour vs the best LD guys.  So it would the longest PGA players vs the longest LDA players, straight head to head match up and it would have to be on more channels than the a presidential speech.