Are my golf clubs too long? Are my golf clubs too short? These are questions many newbies have but don’t know the answer to. Beginners usually struggle with sizing their golf clubs correctly. Unfortunately, when it comes to clubs, size is very important. In fact, the right size of clubs can significantly improve your game, while the wrong size of clubs can negatively impact your performance, making it difficult to swing accurately and comfortably. Learning how to correctly fit yourself with the right clubs can have a major impact on your performance.
Are my golf clubs too long? Are my golf clubs too short? How can I tell? Many golfing enthusiasts recommend going to a professional to get a proper fitting using the dynamic method, which involves measuring a golfer for clubs based on their swing as opposed to using the static method, which merely measures a golfer for new clubs based on their height. If you decide to measure yourself for a new set of clubs based on height, learn about the standard heights for each club and add half an inch up to two inches in shaft length, based on the manufacturer’s sizing chart and recommendations.
We’ll teach you how to correctly size your clubs, before you buy, ensuring you’re using the right length of clubs for your size based on your height and playing style.
Length of Golf Clubs
If you’re a beginner, then you may not know much regarding the proper length for your new clubs or how the length can have a major impact on your performance.
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.
The length of the club is measured from the end of the grip cap to the ground. When measuring for the right length, the club must be placed in the position used when playing at address. The length of the club can improve or hinder the distance on your swing. Basically, a longer club can provide better distance.
Dynamic and Static
There are a couple of ways to measure your new clubs for length, either the dynamic or static fit. The static fit method works for a couple of different measuring techniques, which makes it less reliable in the eyes of most seasoned golfers. As an example, some players prefer to measure a club from the ground to their wrist in order to determine length. Other players prefer to measure from the ground to their fingertips.
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.
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. If they stand too straight at address then the shaft of the club will hit above their waistline. Ideally, the best way to go about sizing for length is to find a length that maximizes accuracy and distance.
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.
Only after the shaft and club head have been determined should you focus on the lie angle and length. This can be done by using face tape.
Face tape is typically used to help with fitting clubs for length.
Why Length Matters
Are my clubs too short? If the clubs are too short they’ll offer a more accurate performance but they can also hinder distance. Are my clubs too long? If they are, then your swings will be less accurate. This will cause the ball to pull.
Measuring Your Clubs in Five Steps
If you already have a set of golf clubs and want to know how long your clubs are, you can easily determine their length by following the measuring technique below.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
Standard Club Sizes
Iron: The one iron club is a little over forty inches in length. Each iron falls half an inch with each size until you reach the nine iron which measures in at a little over thirty-six inches. Differences in irons can also occur due to shaft material. Typically, steel shafts are one inch shorter than graphite shafts.
Did you know that irons designed for men are also usually one inch longer compared to the standard size of irons designed for women?
Drivers: A standard driver measures in at forty-five inches in length
Three Wood: This club measures in at forty-two inches, which is two inches shorter than other types of woods.
Putter: The standard length of a putter is thirty-four inches, however, the length of a putter is measured much differently than irons. It often depends on the putter’s construction. A center-shafted model is not measured to the bottom of the hosel like other clubs. Instead, it’s measured along the shaft where it enters the head.
Now that you know about the standard length of the basic clubs in a set, you will need to match the length and style to your golf swing in order to determine the proper bend and flex.
Signs Your Clubs are Too Long
Below you’ll find common signs that indicate the clubs you’re using are too long:
- You have to stand up almost completely straight.
- You’re unable to move your lower body using proper swinging mechanics
- The ball often flies off to the left and too high.
- The club’s shaft feels very weak
- You’re constantly hitting the ball with the toe of the golf club.
Signs Your Clubs are Too Short
Below you’ll find common issues that can occur if you’re golfing with clubs that are too short:
- Swing path is in to out
- You have to bend too much at the waist
- You have too much bend in the knees
- The tempo is too quick
- The ball often goes to the right
- The ball usually hits on the club’s heel
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
- 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
- Five feet, ten inches to six feet, two inches-add half an inch to the standard length of the club
- Five feet, nine inches to five feet- The standard length of the club should work fine.
What’s the Ideal Length for Drivers?
With a driver, the longer the club shaft, the further the distance. But while a longer distance may sound like a good thing, using a driver that’s too long has its drawbacks.
On average, most golfers use a driver that’s forty-four inches in length, however, a club shaft up to forty-eight inches in allowed for competitions.
Perfect Putter Size
The putter you use should provide total control and accuracy. Putter length will, of course, affect both accuracy and control, which is why using the correct length is so important. However, the length of the putter isn’t solely dependent on the height of the golfer. Before you buy a new putter, you should also consider your playing style because your technique is a huge factor when it comes to picking out the perfect putter.
That Custom Golf Club Feel
Keep in mind, if you order custom clubs, the shaft of the clubs will be designed so that the flex you were fitted for will match the length of the clubs. If you decide to just alter your current set of clubs, this will change the feel and flex of the clubs.
The weight of the clubs will increase with length. A longer shaft can also affect the club’s flex, giving it a softer flex. Shorter shafts will have a stiffer feel to them, so you may need to adjust your swing and power in order to accommodate a softer or stiffer club.
Related Questions
How Long is a Standard Driver Shaft these Days?
In the past, the standard driver was forty-three and a half inches for a steel driver and forty-four inches for a graphite. Today, the standard size is forty-five inches for men and forty-four inches for women.
How Can I Determine My Golf Speed?
What is my golf speed and how can I track it? If you’re trying to improve your golf game, then knowing where you stand in terms of performance and speed is important. You can have your swing speed measured at your local golf range, using a special tool that will track your speed, or you can purchase the ProTee Golf Simulator, which will track your speed and other stats in order to help you improve your golf game.
To learn more about golf simulators, click here to read our buyer’s guide.
What Flex Should my Driver Be?
The amount of flex your driver should offer will be dependent on swing speed. Typically, players with a faster swing speed should use a stiffer driver. For a swing speed at ninety-five, you should be using a stiffer shaft. Golfers with a swing speed that’s over one hundred and ten to one hundred and twenty will need to use an extra stiff driver.
Last Word
By now you know that the length of your clubs can have a major impact on your performance. If you’ve struggled with accuracy and control out on the course, it may not be poor technique, you may just be playing with the wrong club size. However, beginners don’t often know the importance of golf club measurement and how a longer club can improve range and a shorter club can improve control and accuracy.
If you’ve asked yourself “are my golf clubs too long?” or “ are my golf clubs too short?” hopefully we’ve given you the answers you’ve been searching for. And now that you know how to properly measure yourself for new clubs, there should be no stopping you in terms of finding clubs that offer the perfect fit to improve your golf game, increase or decrease your range for certain shots, and improve your playing accuracy, offering the type of control over a shot that you’ve been searching for.
