Jimmy Walker is using a 42-inch Titleist 917D2 driver at the 2017 SBS Tournament of Champions, according to Golfweek. And that's kind of weird.
The average driver length these days, particularly on the PGA Tour, is any where from 44-46 inches. A lot of players use 44.5-inch drivers. Many use 45.5-inch drivers, which has become a popular length for equipment manufacturers. The maximum driver length allowed by the USGA (at least for now) is 48 inches.
In other words, Jimmy Walker using a 42-inch driver is unheard of. In fact, the 42-inch driver is shorter than than the 43-inch shaft on the Titleist 917 3-woods.
So, why is Walker using the 42-inch driver? Simple: accuracy. Jimmy Walker was 183rd -- third from the bottom -- on the PGA Tour last season in driving accuracy. He was 219th -- next to last, just ahead of Steve Bowditch -- in strokes gained off the tee. He could use the help.
Fortunately for Walker, the fairways at Kapalua's Plantation Course are extremely wide. It's nearly impossible to miss a fairway.
