Mike Gibbons, assistant manager at American Golf in Trafford, warns that a fresh club, especially one that isn’t properly fitted, can often do more harm than good.
He said: “Tall golfers come in convinced they need the longest driver we’ve got.
“But, height alone tells us nothing about how a player actually swings and in most cases, a longer driver just makes everything worse.
“Arm length, posture, swing speed and how a player delivers the club at impact matter much more.
“A tall golfer with long arms might actually perform better with a shorter driver.
“It’s all about control, consistency and technique—not just matching what club you want to your height.”
Mr Gibbons said common problems appear almost immediately when golfers use an ill-suited driver.
He said: “Scattered shots, poor strikes, weaker hits are inevitable with the wrong driver, and it doesn’t take too long until confidence begins dwindling.”
It’s why Mike encourages golfers to get properly fitted rather than relying on assumptions.
To help players find the right fit, American Golf is running its ‘Challenge Your Driver’ competition, giving golfers the chance to test their current driver against the latest 2026 models.
The event runs until March 1 and aims to help golfers make an informed upgrade that suits their game.
New drivers on offer include the TaylorMade 4D, Callaway Quantum, Cobra OPTM, and PING G440 K Driver.
Participants will be entered into a prize draw to win a year’s supply of golf balls, and will also receive a 20 per cent trade‑in bonus toward a new 2026 driver if they choose to upgrade.
