In the R&A Rules of Golf they state this in Appendix II, 1, c:

For woods and irons, the measurement of length is taken when the club is lying
on a horizontal plane and the sole is set against a 60 degree plane. The length is defined as the distance from the point of the intersection between the two planes to the top of the grip. For putters, the measurement of length is taken from the top of the grip along the axis of the shaft or a straight line extension of it to the sole of the club.

Usually what a clubmaker will do is a) sole the club in the playing position and run a ruler down the back of the shaft and measure it to the top of the grip cap or b) use a measuring board which gives a more precise reading albeit extremely close to the ruler method.

I take it that means the Shaft is already fitted and secured into the head of the driver and then is trimmed to the desired length?

Thanks for Clarifiying it!

Mac1, just go oldskool : )  to express your emotions

(when I did the colon bracket without a space the system changed it to a graphic smiley, how clever is that)

testing...

pasty wrote (see)

This is quite a funny conversation, because if we were talking about irons everyone would be saying that each person's clubs should be different and custom fit for the individual.

But here we are talking about drivers and now the advice is that everyone should have a driver that's 44.5 or 44 inches long...

The word 'bandwagon' springs to mind!!

I don't think that is the message at all, the advice remains as to what is best for the individual golfer.  If you hit it bang out of the centre every time with the face squared and allt he rest, then you are probably fine with what you've got.

However, as a generalisation, the vast majority of golfers will reap benefits from shorter shafts than nearly all off-the-shelf drivers. Does this mean get your hacksaw out and jump on the 'bandwagon'?  No, it means go see a clubfitter who knows his stuff.

I dont hit drivers very well (ever) . tried all sorts of lofts and flexes, the common denominator is my swing!!

For now i'm using a 13 deg stiff  sumo cut to 44"  and every time it comes out the bag i tee the ball 1.5"s up and think "three wood" swing thoughts.

I know this isnt ideal but someone told me your driver is the longest hitting club that'll keep the ball in play.  for some lucky individuals (read talented, skilled and well practiced)  this maybe an 8.5 xxstiff at 46 inches, for someone starting out it might be a 5 or even 7 wood.

Now i can keep my three wood in play, so i've found myself a 460cc 2 wood to use of the tee!   Not really a solution but at least i can approach each par 4 and 5 knowing that, A-  i'm unlikely to kill anyone

B- i've got my best chance of finding the fairway beyond the 220yd mark.

i've been playing 18 months and have had a few lessons.

the whole point of this ramble is to point out the pressure golfers put on themselves(read me) to use a driver of the tee when it may not be the best option.  Regardless of length and technology the driver is still the most intimidating and difficult to hit club in my bag and i'm sure many other people's bags.

Judy Cuckston wrote (see)

Any advice on this issue for a 4ft 10in woman? I'm interested in buying a Ping Rhapsody driver, either 14 or 16 degree loft but I can't find a nearby stockist where I could try one out. I tried the on line Ping custom fitting but the wrist to floor measurement only goes down to 29 inches, mine is 27 inches! Should I have the driver cut down and by how much? And which loft would be best for me, I'm a 36 handicapper and have a pretty slow swing. Thanks

We fit many, MANY female and kids these days...it took a long time but we FINALLY have taught familes and members that EVERYONE should be fitted.

One thing that continually frustrates me is when the man of the house decides to buy himself a new club or clubs, then passes his old equipment to his wife or kid...where it is too heavy, stiff and long.

 Normally, someone at your height Judy, and floor to wrist measurement would need a shaft around 38.75 to 39".

 HOWEVER....

In our hundreds of female fittings there seems to be an almost universal unique trait when fitting females.....they tend to hit with a flatter swing plane...not a LOT flatter, but enough that  it warrants adding length from what a normal static fitting would dictate.

For you, I would recommend a MINIMUM 16* loft (18 would be preferrable), very soft flex shaft...trimmed to 39.5" in total length