Improving Your Golf Game by Ensuring Your Clubs are Properly Fitted

A great contributor to inconsistency has golf clubs not properly fitted for length. The only way to enjoy golfing is to ensure you are as comfortable as possible, be it the golfing attire or equipment involved. One such way of ensuring comfort is ensuring your golf club is in the correct size and length. While out on the golf course, you do not want to be involved with anything that can potentially be a distraction and derail your performance.

Your golf clubs must fit correctly for your swing, build, and general game. People have different arm lengths because of the difference in height. Your golfing equipment should fit your ability and physiology because your success is dependent on them. In general, golf clubs are designed for a specific size. The outcome of a golf swing depends on whether the golf club is too long or too short and if it is just ideal for your height.

A golf club that is too long requires the golfer to stand erect, while a shorter one makes the golfer make bend from the waist and be in an address position. For this reason, a comprehensive custom fitting would suit you best so that your wrist-to-floor length is complemented and you are able to make a good swing with your speed. Buying your golf club from the shelf makes you miss out on many ideas behind its design and the different heights it is available in. The following are some of the lengths of golf clubs you would need:

1. Driver Shaft Length

Your Driver shaft’s length greatly determines the speed at which your golf driver is swinging. Aside from that, it also determines the attack angle, the club’s path, and the ability to make a center-face contact. Logically, the club head’s speed is increased by a longer shaft because longer shafts produce more distance as opposed to shorter shafts. This typically explains the theory behind the length increase in driver shaft lengths. For marketing appeal, club manufacturers are always looking to ‘sell’ the length when it comes to golf clubs.

Moreover, golfers always seeking ways to steal their way in using a few extra yards have always gone along with the length trend. A few years ago, the standard shaft length of drivers was 43 inches which has since been increased to 45 inches for the male group of golfers. Meanwhile, the shaft length of drivers for the female group stands at 44 inches. However, the most crucial factor is that the ability to generate a good distance is not entirely dependent on the shaft length but depends on the golfer’s ability to make a hit on the ball’s sweet spot.

An increase in the driver’s shaft length makes it difficult to have the sweet spot’s consistent contact. The average golfer finds it difficult to make consistent contact with the sweet spot because of a longer shaft length. The best piece of advice for beginners getting their first golf clubs is to go for the longest manageable shaft so long as the ability to make and maintain consistent sweet spot contact is not interfered with. While it may be the standard 45-inch length for some golfers, it might also be a bit shorter for other players depending on their standard wrist-to-floor length.

2. Putter Length

If you want to get the hole with the first or lowest number of strokes, it is important to take heed to control and accuracy. The goal here is to directly get your eyes at the address and over the golf ball, and taller players have a natural benefit from longer putters. Similarly, shorter golfers are best situated to go for shorter putters in this case. In other words, the selection of the right putter heavily depends on what height the golfer has and the golfing techniques he possesses.

The ultimate mission in the length of the putters has always been to achieve a quality comfort level with your choice of putting stroke. There is no legal limit that a shaft or putter should have in length, with the general rule standard being that all clubs must be at least 18 inches long. Golfers should ensure that they are professionally fitted for putters, with the majority of the players who have their putters custom fitted having them at 35 to 36 inches long.

3. Iron Shaft Length

Other than the height, there are other factors that matter when it comes to the golf iron case. These include the arm length and the swing posture, with the optimal length often regarded as being determined by a set of the player’s measurements. When performing a static fitting, the calculators of the golf club length tend to be more accurate and discrete so that the golfer does not experience any issues with the iron shaft length while golfing. As a short professional or amateur golfer, it is in the game’s best interest to stay away from taller golf club shafts. Golf players have to settle for a modified shaft length depending on their physical stature for too long or too short.

Irons are considered to be highly versatile golf clubs because they come featured in variable lengths based on the number or the type of iron. How much shorter should the golf club be modified, or how much longer should be added to the club so that the taller golfer finds it convenient to use the golf club for golfing?

Methods To Determine Your Ideal Club Length

● Size Based on Height

To figure out the right golf club length, ensure you start with the overall height measurements, which is the most basic method of determining the proper club length. However, the overall height by itself does not provide adequate information that would help determine an accurate determination. The normal club fitting procedure uses the golfer’s height only as a part of but not entirely for the fitting process of a golfer club’s length.

To make the fitting process complete, thorough, and accurate, the overall height measures must be combined with other static measurement processes, such as the wrist-to-floor calculation.

Length Based Chart
Height	Height	Length Factor
Feet-Inches	Centimeters
6-9 to 7-0	206 – 213	Add 2″
6-6 to 6-9	198 – 206	Add 1 1/2″
6-3 to 6-6	191 – 198	Add 1″
6-0 to 6-3	183 – 191	Add 1/2″
5-9 to 6-0	175 – 183	Standard Length
5-6 to 5-9	168 – 175	Subtract 1/2″
5-3 to 5-6	160 – 168	Subtract 1″
5-0 to 5-3	152 – 160	Subtract 1 1/2″
4-9 to 5-0	145 – 152	Subtract 2″

● Wrist-to-Floor Measurement

The wrist-to-floor measurement has been commonly used in determining the correct club length because it contributes to improving accuracy by adding an additional layer to the measurement. Compared to the overall height method of taking measurements, the wrist-to-floor method includes additional factors that potentially make a difference in the club length’s calculations. Two individuals possessing the same height can have different wrist-to-floor measurements because of their arm or leg differences.

Therefore, the wrist-to-floor measurement is a fitting process’s crucial ingredient because it contributes to making your club fitting more accurate. White taking these measurements, ensure you have on only regular sneakers or street shoes so that not much effect is done on the height measurements.

Height	Height	WTF		Height	Height	WTF
Ft. in.	in	48.90%		Ft. in.	in	48.90%
4′ 0″	48”	23.47”		5′ 10″	70”	34.23”
4′ 2″	50”	24.45”		6″ 0″	72”	35.21”
4′ 4″	52”	25.43”		6′ 2″	74”	36.19”
4′ 6″	54”	26.41”		6′ 4″	76”	37.16”
4′ 8″	56”	27.38”		6′ 6″	78”	38.14”
4′ 10″	58”	28.36”		6′ 8″	80”	39.12”
5′ 0″	60”	29.34”		6′ 10″	82”	40.10”
5′ 2″	62”	30.32”		7′ 0″	84”	41.08”
5′ 4″	64”	31.30”		7′ 2″	86”	42.05”
5′ 6″	66”	32.27”		7’ 4”	88”	43.03”
5′ 8″	68”	33.25”

● In-Swing Considerations

Also known as ‘dynamic fitting,’ the evaluation is done during the course of the player’s actual swing motion. Overall height measurements and wrist-to-floor measurements are considered static methods because they are conducted while the player is standing. Often, these static methods are supplemented by professional club fitters by incorporating additional elements, which are sometimes considered ‘dynamic.’

In dynamic fitting, the professional fitter determines the measurements by watching how the golfer hits the ball, proving if the player has stance-related issues and if their swing movements could potentially cause a modification in the shaft length assessment. Through a dynamic fitting, the professional golf fitter is also able to make observations and observations of other critical aspects that could affect the proper club length.

Benefits of Properly-Sized Golf Clubs

The topic of getting fitted clubs has left a ton of debate in the golf community, with some swearing by the services and others considering the whole process a scam. Custom-fitted golf clubs are tailored to the golfer’s techniques of hitting the ball, and they help to correct the swing’s face angle hence orienting the golfer towards the set target upon every hit.

Some of the benefits of getting tailored golf clubs to include:

● They are typically tailor-made for your swing

During club fitting, a personalized appointment is scheduled, which includes the professional fitter taking an analysis of your swing and the unique club tendencies so that the club is modified into what you are used to doing.

Using advanced software, the professional fitter determines that no crucial data is left out, and the most suitable club head is singled out depending on your individual profile.

● Helps in improving golf handicap

The correct wrist-to-floor measurements help the golfer launch more consistent strikes, hence improving the handicap score. The better you make your shot, the better chances you have of obtaining better scores.

● It saves the golfer some money in the long run

Signing up for custom fitting services eliminates the chances of having trial and error because the golfer gets to settle on the best club available according to their measurements and specifications. As much as custom fitting is expensive, it can be compared to the endless journey of having to purchase random clubs every time because the golfer is unable to acquire what suits them the best.

● More solid golf ball contact

A more solid connection between the golf club and the ball depends on the clubface’s proper squaring. With an accurate golf size club, you are guaranteed to create and leave a big impact on the golf ball contact.

Impacts of Golf Club Length Adjustments on the Shaft Flex

Modifications done on the shaft length directly impact the shaft flex, an occurrence not noticed by most golfers. The shaft stiffness changes when the length is modified to align with your arm length or overall height.

Shortening the current shaft length simultaneously causes an increase in stiffness while adding some length to the shaft to suit the golfer’s specific information also affects the club’s stiffness. The stiffness of the shaft flex depends on where the shaft trimming is done. When the trimming is done from the grip side, the stiffness impact is significantly less compared to when the trimming is done from the side to the tip where there is more stiffness.

It is also good to note that shortening the shaft from the butt end may also leave the shaft’s flex unaffected.

Golf Club Length for Junior Golfers

Juniors prove to have the broadest spectrum of wrist-to-floor and height measurements. For this reason, there is a set of obstacles involved in measuring juniors to obtain the required set of golf clubs. Numerous online fitting centers are set up for junior golfers looking to make the right purchase.

If the junior golfer is particularly tall, it is safe to use the standard-length clubs with a lighter shaft to have the suitable length of golf clubs. However, consulting a certified fitter is the best alternative for people who are not certain if they have the correct length of golf clubs or not.

Purchasing Pre-Owned Clubs

Before purchasing pre-owned golf clubs, makes make sure they are in the exact height that the descriptions said they were in. Engage with the manufacturer’s website and use their previously available model information to clarify the length the clubs should be in.

However, all is not lost if you make a purchase and realize that the golf clubs are either longer or too short. The solution is to have a professional fitter take your measurements and adjust the golf clubs according to what you desire to have.

To identify the correct club length, the professional fitter uses a golf club length chart which can be easily done at the convenience of your home. Using a golf club with no accurate length according to your measurements is a sign of trouble right from the time the first swing is made. The moment the setup and stance are off, there is a high possibility that the swing plane and the takeaway will also be off.

Once the swing plane is affected, you must also worry about the tempo, timing, impact, and angle of the club. If you do not have enough finances to consult a professional fitter’s services, you can also obtain the measurements at home using a tape measure. However, the method is considered as not being accurate.