Driver shaft lenght

Question
QUESTION: My 11 year old, 4' 9", son would like a Taylor Made Burner driver, which is 46" standard. His swing speed is about 75 mph and he shoots in the 80's. We were thinking of getting one with a regular shaft and having it cut down to 43".  Any thoughts or suggestions?

ANSWER: Hi Claude:
You are on track.  Only suggestion is to get this done professionally.  By cutting the shaft down, you make the shaft stiffer.  Make sure it is done by a respected club repair man in your area or see what Taylor Made says themselves.  What you have mentioned sounds great, but have someone explain to you what happens to the club balance wise, weight wise and to the dynamics of the shaft because you cut it 3 inches.  Good education though.  

Eddie Kilthau
PGA Member

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks for your rapid reply.  We have contacted Taylor Made and the shortest they will cut it is down to 43.75 inches.  We have been told by many that it makes the shaft stiffer...but we don't know how much and will it make a difference?  Should we get a senior shaft to take that into account? How do shorter PGA pros handle this? (Ian Woosman, etc)

Answer
Hi Claude:
Not many are shorter than me at 5'2" tall.  Being the shortest male professional golfer to ever play in the US Open, I know how you must feel.  I play standard length, stiff graphite shafts in my woods.  He should play Regular shaft graphite, have them cut it to 44 inches and see how he likes it.  He can always choke it a half inch or inch if needed.  Remember, he is only going to grow and get stronger, so a club that is a little long and a little stiff is not a bad thing.  It sounds like he could handle that though.  

Eddie Kilthau
PGA Member