Full Answer
Why do golf clubs have short shafts?
The combination of a short shaft, which limits the amount of width and power generated during the swing, and a high amount of loft enables a player to hit the ball high with control. The mid and long irons are also lofted clubs but are designed to progressively propel the ball further distances.
Why are there different lengths of golf clubs?
One of the main reasons golf clubs are different lengths has do with club loft. The wedges and shorter irons have a high amount of loft and therefore hit the ball higher than the longer irons and woods. Because of the extra back spin created by high amounts of loft, these clubs are best utilized for shorter controlled shots.
Are shorter golf clubs better?
Shorter golf clubs are better because almost everyone can use them. Shorter clubs can give you a little extra control, but the big problem about using clubs that are too small is that you’ll start to inherit bad habits and poor posture, which will ultimately hinder your performance on the course.
Is it easier to swing short or long clubs?
Swinging shorter clubs is a lot easier because they’re a lot lighter to use. But that means you’re not going to hit a short club as far. If you want to become a better golfer, you need to purchase a set of clubs that are the right size for you. That way, you’ll get the best of both worlds.
Why are some golf clubs shorter than others?
As a club is longer (as well as lighter), then it can be swung faster up to a limit. The increased length provides greater leverage and speed to hit the ball further if solid contact is to be made. Shorter clubs are designed not for length, but rather precision.
Are golf clubs different lengths for different heights?
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".
Are shorter golf clubs better?
For the average golfer, having clubs that are a bit shorter than normal will produce the most consistent shots. Being closer to the ball and more bent over will give you a better relationship to the ball, which will result in more distance, better trajectory, and increased control.
Why are shorter golf clubs easier?
The short irons in your bag are more forgiving because of the higher launch angles and more confidence-inducing look to their setup. Most players can stand with an eight or nine iron in their hand and the club looks like it is going to get up in the air and produce some impressive shots.
Are golf clubs based on height?
In irons, more so than in the driver, optimal club length is usually determined by a set of measurements that take into account the player's height, arm length, and swing posture. Clearly, a player who is extremely tall would not benefit by using golf clubs designed for a player who is much shorter, and vice versa.
Are all golf clubs the same length?
They are just what it sounds like – each golf club is the same length! Meaning, if you have a 4 iron through pitching wedge, each club is the exact same shaft length (these are also commonly referred to as one-length irons as well.
What happens if I shorten my irons?
If you are shortening irons, every 1 inch you shorten the club will make the iron effectively play 2 degrees flatter. You may need to have the lie angles readjusted after shortening them.
How do I know if my golf clubs are too short?
6 Signs Your Golf Clubs are Too ShortYou need to bend too much at the waist before swinging.You also have to bend your knees pre-swing.You keep hitting the ball with the golf club's heel.The swing path is in to out.The tempo is too quick.The ball tends to veer off to the right.
Who should use shorter irons?
Golfers who are shorter than 5'7” and tend to have a shorter wrist-to-floor length likely need to shorten their irons. The decision to shorten golf irons typically comes down to the height of the player.
Can you use shorter golf clubs?
Golf clubs are often sold in a “standard” length, which is relative to each club. However, golfers differ in height and arm length, so sometimes the length of a club must be adjusted. Not only can golf clubs be lengthened for people who need it, but they can also be shortened.
Why does my 4 iron go the same distance as my 7 iron?
0:326:24All golf clubs go the same distance - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThe bottom line here is if all of your clubs ago in the same distance it means that you don't haveMoreThe bottom line here is if all of your clubs ago in the same distance it means that you don't have enough club head speed.
Why can't I hit my 6 iron?
When hitting a 6 iron, your right-hand release is essential to your game. As you come through the swing, make impact with the ball and follow all the way through aggressively with your right hand. This should launch the ball, giving it abundant backspin. Backspin is key to a 6 iron shot.
Should my irons be different lengths?
The longer the shaft, the faster the clubhead is traveling when it impacts the golf ball. What advocates of single-length irons say, however, is that shaft length's impact on distance has been overrated, and that yardage performance can be maintained through other means (such as weighting properties and loft gapping).
What is the standard length for golf irons?
For most golfers, the length of a golf iron should be 38.75 inches. The height of the player is one of the primary factors that determine the length of the golf irons.
What is the standard length of a 7 iron golf club?
What is the Standard Length of a 7 Iron? The standard length of a 7 iron is 37 inches on steel and 37.5 inches with the structure made of graphite. For women, the standard length of a graphite golf club is 36.5 inches, and for steel, it is 36 inches.
When a player is fitted for new clubs based on length, what is the posture at setup?
When a player is fitted for new clubs based on length then their posture at setup is an important factor. Ideally, the shaft of the club should pass through the golfer’s waistline. If a golfer bends forward too much at address then the club’s shaft will fall below their waistline.
How many inches to a standard length golf club?
Six feet, five inches-add one and a half inches to the standard length of the club. Six feet, three inches to six feet, five inches-add one inch to the standard length of the club. Six feet to six feet, three inches-add half an inch to the standard length of the club.
How to measure golf clubs?
Measuring Your Clubs in Five Steps 1 Use a forty-eight-inch sturdy straight edge aluminum ruler. A tape measure is too flimsy and won’t give you an accurate measurement even if it is pressed against the club’s shaft. If you don’t currently own an aluminum yardstick, you can easily find one at a local home improvement store. 2 Don’t use your workbench to measure the golf clubs. A better alternative is to stand and place the club in its correct position at address. The sole of the club should be completely flat on the ground. 3 The straight edge should be placed so that the corner is touching the ground. The club should remain in address at this time with the ruler squaring up against the hosel. The hosel is the portion of the club where the clubhead is connected to the shaft. 4 The straight edge should be pressed as close as possible to the shaft. Now, read the measurement at the bottom of the grip cap. This should tell you the length of the shaft.
How tall should a golf iron be?
Height Recommendations for Irons. Here you’ll find the standard recommended measurements for golf clubs based on height: Six feet, six inches and taller-add two inches to the standard length of the club. Six feet, five inches-add one and a half inches to the standard length of the club.
What is the most important spec to pay attention to when you’re shopping for a new set of golf clubs?
According to the pros, the length of golf clubs is the most crucial spec to pay attention to when you’re shopping for a new set of clubs or an extra driver or hybrid.
Why is dynamic fit measuring more reliable?
The dynamic fit measuring technique is more reliable because the measurement is taken as a player swings a club with the help of a launch monitor. A launch monitor is used to determine the correct head and shaft that will best suit the golfer’s playing style.
What should be taken into account when buying a new golf club?
When you’re getting fit for a new set of clubs, launch angle, dispersion, spin rate, and ball speed should also be taken into account in order to ensure you purchase the correct length.
How does the length of your golf clubs affect your swing?
Like it or not, the length of your clubs will affect how you play golf. Too long, and your swings will lose their accuracy. But too short, and the ball might not fly at long distances. By learning how to tell if your golf clubs are too long or too short, you can improve your stay on top of your game at the golf course.
How to measure golf club length?
Check the club’s length using a sturdy straight edge ruler. Don’t rely on tape measures since they tend to be too flimsy even when pressed against the club’s shaft, preventing you from making an accurate measurement. In case you don’t have your own straight edge ruler, you can either borrow from someone who does or buy one at your local hardware store.
How long is a standard iron club?
Standard club lengths vary depending on the type of club. For example, iron clubs typically measure around 36 to 40 inches, while standard drivers and putters are 45 inches and 34 inches long, respectively. Knowing these standard lengths will help you more effectively adjust your clubs’ length in case they’re too long or too short for you.
Where to place ruler on golf club?
Place the straight edge ruler near the club in such a way that its end is touching the ground. Make sure the club remains in address position while the ruler squares up against the hosel. (Note: The hosel is the part of the golf club where the clubhead and shaft meet.)
Which direction does the ball tend to veer when hit by the club?
The ball tends to veer off to the left or too high when hit by the club.
Which direction does the ball veer?
The ball tends to veer off to the right.
Can you adjust your golf club length?
These recommendations can apply to both standard-length golf clubs and their custom-fitted counterparts. By adjusting your club lengths according to these recommendations, you can potentially improve your golfing.
What Happens If Golf Clubs Are Too Short?
On that analysis, you should avoid using clubs that are the wrong size for you. But how can you tell if your clubs are too short?
Why use the right length golf club?
That happens because you’re not trying to compensate as much for condensing your body to get closer to the ball as you would do with a short golf club.
How Long Should Your Golf Clubs Be For Your Height?
The general rule is to ensure that when you address the ball, you have a little bit of bend in your knees, a slight tilt in your waist, and your hands should be able to hang loosely around the club, with the golf ball in the middle of the club’s face. But this varies for each club you use.
What happens if you hit a golf shot with the wrong size club?
One of the first things you’ll notice when you hit a golf shot with the wrong-sized club is how much bend you have at the waist. Immediately you should know then that these are the wrong clubs for you. If you’re bending your knees or waist too much, that’s a sign you’re going to top or slice the ball.
How to tell if a golf club is too big?
If you stand completely straight over the shot and feel like the club is too flexible, and striking under the ball or hitting it fat are all signs the golf club is too big for you.
How to hit a golf shot?
When hitting a golf shot, you should be relaxed, with a bit of bend at your waist, softly bent knees, and your arms hanging loose around the club in front of you. That’s the type of posture you should be striving to achieve, and you can only get that by using a club that is the right size for you.
What is golf equipment?
Golf Equipment. Golf is a game for all shapes and sizes. Just about anyone can pick up a set of clubs, have a swing, and enjoy a leisurely round of golf. But how do you know what size golf club is best for you, and are shorter golf clubs better?
wackychan
This was asked by a newbie friend of mine and I'll admit I actually didn't have a good answer for this (enough to satisfy him anyway). If, say, I'm shorter or have longer arms, I may be a candidate of shortening my clubs, say, half an inch or an inch.
NavyDave
I'm pretty sure there is one particularly slow tour player, who is partial to maths and flat caps, who would say there isn't any point. And he's done ok!
David in FL
This was asked by a newbie friend of mine and I'll admit I actually didn't have a good answer for this (enough to satisfy him anyway). If, say, I'm shorter or have longer arms, I may be a candidate of shortening my clubs, say, half an inch or an inch.
Adam C
There is no reason why you have to play the club at any given length. The lengths are in the end all arbitrary numbers decided on by OEMs and based on what an average player would need.
pganapathy
What the OP is talking about is the Single Length concept. The basic problem with it is you wind up with one lie and length, which affects launch angles for all clubs, while only giving you the optimum numbers for maybe three clubs (one above and one below the ideal club), so in his case say 4, 5 and 6 if he is using a 5 iron length for all clubs.
tinker
If it’s a matter of a half inch adjusting lie angle makes a lot more sense than shortening the clubs. Shorter clubs generate less club head speed and lower swing weight, both could lead to shorter shots.
CharlieB
I was having a terrible time hitting my Ping G15 irons. I went to a very reputable golf shop. The Professional had me hitting my 7 iron with tape on the sole. It was clear that my lie angle was not right. He then put a label over the face with a circle and a x on the face. All of my marks were close to the hosel.
Why are short golf clubs better than longer golf clubs?
When you use a shortened club, you will realize that you have more authority against the driver because of the reduced flexibility. The clubs are also lighter and stiffen up a little bit.
Why is it important to have a shorter golf club?
While a shorter club may reduce your distance or yardages, it comes with several advantages . To some golfers, these are their desired accomplishments, while to others, they are added benefits to what they expected. Most golfers are on a mission to better their performance and, while at it, enjoy the game as much as they can.
What Happens when your Golf Clubs are too Short?
There is a high chance you noticed a few instances while on the golf course, and it’s somehow affecting your performance.
What happens when you shorten a golf club?
When you shorten your club, there are a few things that happen. First, the club becomes stiff and loses flexibility. It will require you to use more swing speed to hit like before. Short clubs have lower swing speeds, and this makes it hard to achieve long distances.
What percentage of golfers do not use standard length clubs?
What will surprise you is that about 90 percent of golfers do not use standard-length clubs. It is a marketing technique for them to sell you more expensive custom fit clubs. We hope that you now have a better understanding of the effects of shortening your golf clubs.
Why does my golf club become lighter?
The golf club becomes lighter due to the weight loss, and the remedy is adding more weight using lead tape so that you do not overpower the club.
How does shortening a golf club affect your golf game?
To be a successful golf player, you need to go quite far in understanding the small details of the game. On that note, shortening your club impact s the lie angle that can potentially affect your performance.
Why is a shorter club better than a longer club?
A shorter club technically should improve control and accuracy. A longer club technically should increase distance . A club that is properly fitted in terms of the length of the shaft will maximize accuracy and distance. What I am saying is that the clubs most golfers are playing with, and even fitted for, are too long to maximize either; even when we call them “standard” in length.
Why is the length of a golf club shorter than the number below it?
Some more evidence that club length is overrated as a source of distance: In most sets of clubs, each iron is one-half inch shorter than the number below it. That is what creates the change in distance, right? Not really. Usually the clubs stop getting shorter above the 9-iron, meaning the various wedges are the same length as the 9-iron. And yet each wedge above the 9 hits the ball less far. Why? Because of the loft; the angle of the clubface has more to do with the change in distance from club to club than the length of the shaft.
Why are long shafts attached to melon sized clubheads?
Thank goodness the long shafts are attached to melon-sized clubheads with tons of forgiveness, because the swing planes that result from these long clubs make it nearly impossible for most golfers to hit the sweet spot.
Why do you need a shorter golf club?
It takes a shorter club for most people to create the desired spine and shaft angles, swing planes, and contact with the ball. As would be expected, the shorter club and improved planes create better accuracy with the golf shots.
How to compare tour players to average players?
Comparing tour players to average players gives some anecdotal evidence. Notice that tour players look “big” compared to their clubs. Even with a longer iron, say a 4-iron, they seem to be standing “on top” of the ball, meaning the ball is not too far from their feet. Their spines are generally bent forward a fair amount, and the shaft of the club points at the belt-line, and often higher.
What is the standard length of a golf club?
Tom Wishon, one of the top club designers in the world, said in his book The Search for the Perfect Golf Club, “Ninety-eight percent of men’s drivers these days are built to a “standard” length of 45 or 45.5 inches, and I am here to tell you that a 45-inch driver will not fit 90 percent of all golfers and will never allow them to achieve their best combination of distance AND accuracy.” This agrees completely with what I have seen on the driving range.
How long are golf drivers?
Tour players, who play golf courses that are hundreds of yards longer than the courses we play, and play for millions of dollars, have drivers that average about 44 inches in length. If longer drivers helped them maximize their distance and accuracy, they would definitely use them. But they do not use them, and yet duffers with less ability insist on playing with the longer, more challenging clubs.
Why are shorter golf clubs better than longer clubs?
While longer clubs can help increase speed and launch angle, shorter clubs can be easier to hit solid due to the reduction in swing arc. That’s why “choking up” on the club offers a golfer more control, in general.
Why do golfers play longer clubs?
1) Flexibility: “Physical limitations and flexibility also play a role in determining length. A player that has back issues, joint problems, or injuries may play a longer golf club to help compensate for some of the restrictions placed on them by their body. Most recreational and beginning players aren’t as flexible as a seasoned player. Therefore, you may see them lose their posture or have a swing that is driven predominately by their arms. Making a change in length can help them.”
What are the factors to consider when fitting a golf club?
While human anatomy is certainly a consideration, there’s various other elements to examine, such as swing speed, swing style, overall skill, typical ball flight, impact location, and general preferences of the player.
How to determine the right length of golf club?
The best way to figure out the right length of clubs for you is to go through a full professional fitting, or to consult your local professional. Whether you’re short, average or tall, there are no shortcuts for determining the proper club length. The only rule of thumb is that the stock golf club length off the shelf is likely not the exact right length for you. Custom fitting will always trump buying off the rack, especially when it comes to length.
Why do you need a longer golf club?
As a general guideline, a longer club will help to launch the ball higher, promote more of a fade bias, and improve strike location for those that miss it on the toe. If you were to make a club shorter, for that same player, you may see a lower flight, more of a draw, and a thin and/or toe miss start to appear.”
Does vertical height affect club length?
When it comes to vertical height, McCormack says that it’s not necessarily how tall a person is that effects club length. It’s more about the overall build of their anatomy.
Do golf clubs take measurements?
In a typical golf club fitting, expert fitters don’t take anatomical measurements. It’s important for a golfer to be in a comfortable posture at address, of course, but there’s more that goes into fitting for length than the vertical height of a person.
Why switch to heavier golf clubs?
Switching to golf clubs with more weight may benefit your golf game if you have difficulty maintaining an even tempo throughout your swing.
Why are heavier golf clubs better than lighter golf clubs?
Whereas heavier golf clubs may provide more power upon impact and result in greater distance, they can affect swing mechanics and make it more difficult to control the ball flight. On the flip side, lighter golf clubs are easier to manage and may result in fewer errant shots, but distance may be sacrificed.
How to do a backswing?
Here is the sequence of steps that the golfer takes during the backswing: 1 The golfer sets up his or her stance and addresses the ball (positions the golf club face behind the ball). 2 As the golfer begins the takeaway, backing the clubface away from the ball, the legs start to pivot away, and the torso rotates, followed by the shoulders. 3 The arms follow the shoulder rotation so that the club creates a sweeping arc like a second hand on a stopwatch moving from the six to the twelve. 4 As the club is brought back behind the golfer’s head, the wrists are cocked so that the golf club is nearly parallel to the ground at the top of the backswing.
What is swing weight?
A golf club’s swing weightrefers to the ratio of weight between the head and the rest of the golf club.
Why is there no magic formula for determining the proper golf club weight?
Because golfers encompass all age groups, sizes, statures, and athletic abilities, there is no magic formula for determining the proper golf club weight that can apply to all individuals, just as body type does not dictate distance.
What are the benefits of lighter golf clubs?
Benefits of Lighter Golf Clubs. With tremendous advancements in golf equipment technology , there are lighter materials available to manufacture golf club shafts and heads. Graphite and other composites are much lighter than steel and are also more flexible and forgiving.
What happens when the head of a golf club strikes a golf ball?
In simple terms, the impact that occurs when the head of a golf club strikes a golf ball results in the golf ball propelling forward, hopefully in the manner intended by the golfer.
Why is my golf ball flying higher?
If a golfer is properly fit so his shafts are not too stiff or too flexible for his clubhead speed, transition force, downswing tempo and point of release and he truly does exhibit a higher ballooning ball flight, then the predominant reason is because of a swing error that causes the dynamic loft on the clubhead to be too high for the golfer’s club head speed and angle of attack. The only way a shaft can reduce shot height and spin is to fit the golfer into a substantially stiffer shaft or significantly more tip stiff bend profile. That only can have an effect for golfers with a later-to-very-late release and brings with it the risk of the shaft being much too stiff for the golfer, which in turn can rob the golfer of distance and cause the feeling of impact to be less solid.
Why is the clubhead speed higher when you release the club?
The reason is because for ALL golfers, the maximum clubhead speed is achieved right when they fully release the club. Hence, if you have a late release, you’ll reach your maximum clubhead speed right at impact. But if you have an early-to-midway release, the highest clubhead speed is reached before the clubhead meets the ball, leaving time for the club to begin to slow down before impact.
How to reduce spin in golf?
In reality, the most effective and sure way to reduce spin is to use a lower lofted club head. If the golfer has a launch angle that is optimal for his clubhead speed and angle of attack, and if the shaft is correctly fit for flex and bend profile to the golfer’s club head speed, transition force, downswing tempo and point of release and the ball flight is of a ballooning shape with a steep angle of descent, the spin problem most definitely is swing related.
What is a middle to high handicap golfer?
Middle-to-high-handicap golfers are an orchard with low hanging fruit to clubfitters because their lesser golf athletic ability and swing mistakes are made worse by many of the standard specifications of clubs sold off the rack: drivers and woods that are too long, lofts of low numbered woods and irons that are too low, face angle options not available to offset swing path and face delivery mistakes, totally wrong set makeups, weighting that does not match to their strength and swing tempo and grips that don’t fit and cause too much tension in the hands and arms.
What is the shaft of a golf club?
The Shaft is the Engine of the Golf Club. Actually, you the golfer are the engine, the shaft acts more like the transmission. The weight of the shaft is a key element in the fitting and performance of golf clubs for ALL golfers. The overall stiffness design (aka the flex and bend profile) is an element of golf clubs that becomes progressively more ...
How many key fittings are there for a full swing club?
With the full swing clubs, there are no less than 12 key fitting specifications that all have to be carefully and often painstakingly analyzed and matched to each golfer’s combination of size, strength, athletic ability and swing characteristics. With putters, there are six. But those six key putter fitting specs, if not well fit to the golfer, will keep him wandering around amidst the 200+ putters leaning on racks near the faux putting green in the big box store and hunting like a blind squirrel looking for that proverbial acorn.
How many things make up a golf shaft?
If “better” means better materials, better wrapping techniques, better “hoop” strength or other such modern marketing points claimed for shafts, I am here to tell you after 23 years of serious shaft fitting research and shaft design research that there are still five and only five different things that make up a shaft’s performance for any golfer: weight, overall stiffness/flex, bend profile/stiffness distribution, torsional stiffness (aka torque) and the weight distribution (aka balance point).
