How to Determine the Right Golf Club Length

Golf is a game that requires precision and accuracy.

If you don't have the right equipment, it can feel like you are trying to play with clubs made for someone else. The length of your golf club is an important factor in whether or not your shots will be accurate and consistent.  

Now let's take a look at some of the best practices to determine if your clubs are too long-or if they're just right!

Know Your Swing Speed

The first step in determining whether or not you need new golf clubs is knowing your swing speed. A lot of novice players will think that when comparing their golf club to others swinging it, it should feel like theirs is longer than everyone else's.  The truth is that there really isn't any standardization for the length of golf clubs. Each company has its own model and they can range from 33" all the way up to 43". Some companies even make them with an adjustable shaft so you can choose how long you want your clubs to be on every hole.  

Compare Your Clubs to the Proper Length

A good rule of thumb when you're determining your golf club's length is to stand tall with a straight back. You should then have about 1 inch between your chin and the top of your head so if you are taller than this, you might want to consider getting a longer set of clubs but if shorter, then shorter ones would be best.

How to Tell If Your Golf Clubs Are Too Long

You want to know right? Well, it's simple. Go to a golf range and ask for a driver.  Some golf ranges will have the "distance" drivers available for you to swing while others will only have 3 or 4 different lengths of clubs to choose from. Either way if your club is too long you'll notice that every time you try hitting balls with it-the top edge of the club will touch the ground behind the ball before impact. Also, if when taking your stance with the club just above your shoulder (while standing still) there is more than 2" between your knuckles and collarbone then chances are your driver is too long as well.

The same practice can be applied to your irons. If you think they are too long, try taking a full swing with it from the ground and notice how much of the ground is covered before impact. You want to make sure that you would have enough room for two golf balls so if you don't-then it's time to contact your local club shop or proshop!

Now these practices will help determine if you need new drivers but what about all the other clubs?  Let's take a look at some more best practices for each of them:

Fairway Woods (3-7):   The fairway woods should cover somewhere between 1/4 and 1/2 of an entire shot, depending on how well struck it is.  If you are hitting it to the ground and then watching as most of the club hits the grass-then that could be a sign that your fairway wood is too long for you!

Hybrid Irons (3-5):   The hybrid irons should cover somewhere between 1/4 and 2/3 of an entire shot, depending on how well struck it is.  If you are hitting it to the ground and then watching as only less than half of your hybrid iron's head hits the ball-then this could be a sign that your hybrid iron is too long for you!

Irons ("6-9"):   The irons in general should cover about half of an entire shot if hit to the ground, which means that if you are hitting it to the ground and then seeing more than half of your iron's head hit the ball-then this could be a sign that your iron is too long for you!

Wedges:   The wedges should cover about 1/2 an entire shot if hit to the ground, which means that if you are watching as only less than half of your wedge's head hits the ball-then this could be a sign that your wedge is too long for you!

Putter:    The putter will generally cover about 10"-15" depending on how well struck it is.  If while taking your stance over a golf hole, there isn't enough room between your knuckles and collarbone for you to wrap your fingers all the way around the grip then it could be that your putter head is too long-but there's an easy fix!  Have a professional go ahead and trim it down by about 1/8".  Now have them re-center the balance of your putter so that you feel comfortable when swinging it.

What should I Do if my Golf Clubs Are Too Long?

If you find that your golf clubs are too long for you, the best thing to do is to have a professional adjust them so they're more suitable for your height.  If not, you'll be at a disadvantage in terms of distance and accuracy which will impact your overall score on the course.

Know When It's Time To Replace Old or Damaged Clubs

If you have been playing for awhile, chances are that you will need to replace some of the clubs in your bag. You may also want to upgrade certain clubs as well if you find yourself hitting them less and less often because they were not designed with enough power for your swing speed.  If this sounds like something that might be happening to you, here is what you should do next:

Determine How Often You Play

If it's been awhile since last time out on the course, then consider buying a new set of golf clubs! However, there are also other factors worth considering before purchasing such an expensive item.

If you play once a week or more, then it is definitely worth investigating buying new equipment.

On the other hand, if you get out on the golf course only every now and then, or worse yet-you just dabble in the game as a hobby, chances are that new clubs are not for you.

Understand The Importance of Having the Right Fit For You, Not Just The Right Brand or Price Point

The golf course is a place that can be both extremely frustrating and rewarding.  If you have the wrong equipment, it will only make things more difficult for you.  It's vital to know what type of clubs are best suited for your height so you can get the most out of them.  You'll need to take into account brand, price point and other factors in order to find the right fit for you!

To learn more about How to Break 70 in Golf, click here to read.

 

5
1 ratings