Bobby Jones once wrote, “A tall man does not necessarily require longer clubs than a short man. This problem is controlled by a number of factors, by the posture the player prefers, that is, by the degree of bend he finds most comfortable, by the distance from the ball he likes to maintain – and by the breadth of arc that gives him the best balance between distance and control.  In short, the determining factor is comfort.  There is no rule that so many inches of height requires so many inches of club.” 

All things being equal, a longer club:

1.       Will flex the shaft more, both horizontally and vertically.

2.       May require a flatter lie angle (but it depends on the increase in vertical flex).

3.       May increase clubhead speed (if it doesn’t negatively affect timing).

4.       May cause more off-center impacts, thereby increasing shot dispersion and actually decreasing distance.

5.       Increases swingweight.

6.       Increases club MOI.

Bobby Jones went on, “I have rarely run across a club in any man’s bag to which I could not accommodate myself, the lengths have been so little different from my own.  But I regard this as a phenomenon that by no means alters the fact that shaft lengths are to be determined wholly on the basis of individual preference.  My chief warning is to avoid  the idea that height and reach, or either, are the controlling factors.  Comfort is the main thing, and a tall man need not be surprised if he likes a short club, or a short man a long one.”