what golf club length do i need

How long should a golf club be?

The most common method used to recommend the length of a golf club is a "height-based" chart. Golf clubs are usually available in two primary lengths (excluding juniors) and somewhat based on statistics, like the average height of an average male and female. The average woman’s height in the U.S. is approximately 5’ 5” (165.1cm), with about 68% between 5' 2" and 5' 7". The average male is approximately 5' 10" (177.8cm) with nearly 68% between 5' 6" and 5' 11". The difference between the finished stock men’s and women’s clubs is usually 1" difference in the length.

How tall is a 5'10 golfer?

In the chart above, we can see that a 5' 10" male on average will have a WTF measurement just shy of 34 1/4", while the average female that stands 5' 4" would be just a hair over 31 ¼". The 6" difference in height equals approximately a 3" difference in the WTF measurement and to 1" length change. Well, at least in theory between men and women stock clubs. If you consider that a 48" junior golfer has a WTF measurement of nearly 12” less than the 70" golfer would suggest that the junior golfer get a 5-iron that is 4" shorter than a typical men’s club. However, the math does not add up as most junior charts will suggest a 48” junior to have a 5-iron in the neighborhood of 9" shorter.

What is WTF in golf?

Wrist-to-floor measurement or WTF for short is a common method in which the golfer stands with their feet together in street / tennis shoes with their arms hanging straight down and relaxed. Then someone measures from the floor to the crease just above the wrist.

What is the average lie angle for a 5 iron?

A common lie angle for a 5-iron is 61° , therefore the length of the 5-iron may be 37.25" to achieve the B length. This combo may be very well for a lady golfer that is 5' 8" with a 33.25" WTF measurement. A C6.5 swingweight would be perfectly normal in what you would see in a standard length woman stock set. However, let’s say this was a man we were talking about that might have the same proportions of the lady golfer, or perhaps taller but with long arms. Instead of the shorter club with the lighter swingweight, the clubfitter or manufacturer may suggest a 38” 5-iron that had a 2° flatter lie angle. This would make the swingweight in the normal range you would see for a male golfer.

Does a 1" increase in length make a golf club longer?

For taller individuals, it is logical to assume longer clubs are recommended. But it should be noted that a 1" increase in club length does not necessarily make the club 1" longer from the floor to the ground. It is the sin of the lie angle that is the length component in the vertical direction.

How to get the right shaft length for golf clubs?

Go to a club fitter to get the right shaft length for you and ensure your clubs, especially your irons, have the correct lie angle for you. When you are still learning the game of golf or continuing to improve, then expect to change your clubs as your handicap drops.

How long is a golf club shaft?

The maximum shaft length allowed by the rules of golf is 48 inches. Not every top player plays with the longest shaft around. It all depends on their style.

What is the angle of a golf iron?

The lie angle is the angle between the shaft and the ground as measured when you are in a normal playing position with the sole of the club on the ground . These lie angles vary from club to club and from manufacturer to manufacturer, lie angles are about fifty-three to fifty-six degrees in drivers, about sixty-five degrees in the short irons and over seventy degrees in a putter; which is best for you will be partially dependent upon your height and the relative length of your arms. What you are looking for is a club which when you hold naturally has its sole flush to the ground. If you find you have to change your posture to make this happen, then adjusting the lie angle of your club may help.

What happens if your putter is too short?

If your putter is too short, you will get too close to the ball, and this can mean the heel of your putter lifts off the ground, and you will not hit the ball well. The shaft length on your putter should enable you to get your eyes directly over the ball just before you take your shot.

How many inches to add to standard length?

Between 6 feet 6 inches and 6 feet 9 inches – Add one and a half inches to the standard length.

How long is a standard length?

Between 5 feet 9 inches and 6 feet – You will be suited to a standard Length. Between 5 feet 6 inches and 5 feet 9 inches – Subtract half an inch from the standard length. Between 5 feet 3 inches and 5 feet 6inches – Subtract one inch from the standard length.

What happens if you put too long on a putter?

If a putter is too long, you will compensate by standing too far back from the ball, which will spoil your eye contact. It is also probable that you will push your elbows to your side, and this will mean you will not be able to make the natural pendulum move which good putting entails.

How does a lengthened golf club work?

A longer distance can be achieved with a lengthened club if you have the ability to swing it with the same force and speed that you did with a shorter club . This increases the ball’s velocity upon impact, and you can hit it farther. Flex: The flex of the shaft will be altered. This happens for a few reasons.

What happens if you play too long in a golf club?

If the club is too long for you, then you’re spending extra time during ramp up which is the amount of time spent during your initial downswing. You want a balance between your abilities, ramp up, and momentum while cutting through the wind with as little resistance as possible.

Why are golf clubs made the way they are?

The reason clubs are made the way they are is to gather momentum as you swing down. If your club is too short, you’re going to build momentum while having resistance, meaning you will push too hard against the wind and not just swing naturally. There’s not enough weight to the club.

What happens if your woods aren't longer?

If your woods didn’t have the length that they do, and they were shorter, you’d be sending your ball almost straight up and they wouldn’t close much of a distance. It’s not always about the angling of the golf club head; sometimes it’s about the length and force to make it meet the ball.

Why do you have to swoop on your golf club?

Because the club is longer, you have to swoop on your downward swing, causing the force of your wood – if you’ve hit it correctly – to be applied to the bottom of the ball and send it upwards. A wood without enough length just doesn’t cut it. You’d be sending the ball higher but with almost no distance.

When shortening a golf club, do you have to remove the crown?

When you shorten a golf club, you have to remove the crown, and safely disconnect the shaft from the head.

Why did Lars start golfing?

Father of six and long-time golfer, Lars started golfing because of a summer job when he was nineteen, where he caddied for a Virginia state official. From that moment on, he fell in love with the sport, and made it a core staple in his life. Thirty-five years later, with thousands of games under his belt, he’s here to teach you the fundamentals and master techniques of golf, while recommending proper golfing gear and equipment for every step in your journey.

How important is shaft length in golf clubs?

The length of the shaft in your driver is extremely important, as it plays a big role in determining how fast you can swing the club, the club’s path and angle of attack and, ultimately, how well you’re able to make center-face contact.

What happens if a golfer has a short club?

If a player has clubs that are too short, they will usually bend over too much from the waist in their address position. Conversely, clubs that are too long will require the player to stand too erect. Both of these subconscious adjustments could potentially make their swing motion less effective than it should be.

What does a professional club fitter do?

Professional club fitters take a number of factors into consideration as they assess the club specification requirements of each golfer. Specifically as it pertains to club length, they will look at a couple of static measurements, and they will also conduct a “dynamic” fitting assessment:

Why is playing with clubs too short bad?

Playing with clubs that are either too short or too long can cause a golfer to change their stance or swing in ways that could negatively affect the outcome. It can lead to subconscious swing compensations that can result in inconsistent ball striking.

What is the most important factor in creating distance with the driver?

However, studies have shown that the single most important factor in creating distance with the driver is not the length of the shaft, but rather the golfer’s ability to hit the ball on the sweet spot of the club face. So, while shaft length is important in generating distance, there is a point of “diminishing returns.”.

Why are golf clubs not fitting?

Having golf clubs that are not properly fitted for length can be a major contributor to inconsistent performance. For the same reasons that someone who is 6’ 5” wouldn’t walk into a men’s clothing store and buy a suit off the rack, golfers need to make sure that the golf clubs that they buy are suited to their body type and size.

Does a longer shaft mean faster club head speed?

A simple analysis of the physics of the golf swing makes it clear that, all things being equal, the longer the shaft, the faster the club head speed. Put another way, a longer shaft will generate more distance than a shorter shaft.

What factors affect the size of a golf club?

Here’s another factor that affects the appropriate golf club size. The angle and the grip size of the club are as important as the height and wrist-to-floor measurements . However, this means more to serious professional golfers than to someone just starting out.

Why do manufacturers make golf tables?

Manufacturers create such tables to help everyone from beginner golfers to pro golfers choose the right club size for their play. Here’s how your size affects the dimensions of your needed golf club size and why it matters. Last but not least, the grip size should also be determined for the club to fit perfectly in your hands.

What is the difference between men's and women's golf clubs?

The difference between men’s and women’s clubs is generally noticeable on the grip. Men’s golf clubs have larger grips and are also about 2.5 cm longer than women’s golf clubs. Kids’ clubs are even smaller than women’s for the most part. Knowing what type of golf club you need is the first step in determining the appropriate size.

How tall is a golf club?

Manufacturers usually make clubs to account for golfers anywhere between 4’8” to 6’7” inches tall. The second measurement is wrist-to-floor distance. This is done by standing on a flat surface with your arms relaxed and pointing down. You then measure the distance between the ground and the line where your wrist meets your hand.

What is plus and minus golf clubs?

The adjustments on a size chart are made with reference to the standard clubs. Therefore, the plus and minus values show how much shorter or longer your golf club should be compared to the standard, according to your measurements, ...

What is the second measurement of a grip?

The second measurement is the length of your middle finger from the tip to its base. When you have these two measurements, you can then find the appropriate grip size on a manufacturer’s size chart. Note that we only use the middle finger as an example as it applies to most people.

Can you play golf with an off size club?

Because there are plenty of variations, it’s unsurprising that a lot of people sometimes play with off-size clubs. Most pros recommend that even beginners should opt for a perfectly sized golf club in order to have the best learning experience.

Is the length of a putter a factor?

The length of putter can have a big impact on both control and accuracy, but the selection of putter length is not just dependent on the golfer’s height. Depending on the golfer’s experience, it may be necessary to accommodate the golfer’s style of putting in to the measurement, as technique is a huge factor when it comes to making the decision ...

Does size matter in golf?

When it comes to golf clubs, size does matter. While correct golf club size can help you become a better golfer and make the game more enjoyable, inaccurate club length will have the exact opposite effect. But what is correct club size for you? Well, it depends on several factors including the different types of golf club, your swing style, posture and skill level. But above all, it depends on your height. To make the selection easier, Golfsupport therefore prepared a quick golf club size guide for beginners.

How to lengthen a golf shaft?

The most common way of lengthening a shaft is by placing a “plug” in the top of the shaft which is covered by the grip. See the chart below that gives an idea of the actual length of shaft required for the average player. (men)

What is the function of the shaft in golf?

The shaft is the engine of the “car” and determines how far, straight and the trajectory of the ball flight. The dynamics of the shaft. The flex of the shaft changes if you lengthen or shorten the shaft. The swing-weight and balance will change effectively requiring the golfer to make adjustments to the swing.

How does the lie angle change in golf?

The lie-angle will change by forcing the golfer to stand closer or further from the ball at the address. And finally the real “kicker”, control.

Why is distance important in golf?

Distance may be important, but will not win you games unless you can control the direction and flight of the ball. Control and accuracy should and will be the factor that lowers the handicap and improves the all-around performance on the golf course.

Who is Nick Lomas?

Nick Lomas is the founder of GolfSpan, an avid golfer, not quite a pro but has over 15-years of experience playing and coaching golfers from all over the world. His mission is to bring the golfing community a better experience then it comes to choosing the right golf gear, and finding the right set up for your game.

Do you need longer clubs if you are taller than you?

Additionally, if you are smaller in stature, but stand more straight-up in your golf stance than someone who is taller than you, the distance from your wrists to the floor will be greater, which means you might need longer clubs.

Do wrists stay the same in golf?

While every golfer alters their swing for certain instances, the chances are that your wrists are still going to end up being the same distance from the ground as they are when you take a normal swing. Because golf is a game of repetition and your swing should not vary in most circumstances, your stance will be the same.

Does golfer height play into club shaft length?

Somewhat surprisingly, the height of each individual golfer does not play into the length of club shaft as much as you may think. The factor that is most important in this process is your golf stance and how far that puts your wrists from the floor. Believe it or not, this is by far one of the most important measurements golf fitters take ...