Sizing golf clubs for kids correctly is vital for their success and enjoyment in the game. Yes, you can size golf clubs for children at home, though professional help offers the best results. Getting the correct golf club size for juniors makes a huge difference in how well they swing and how much fun they have. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about fitting golf clubs for children.
Why Club Length Matters for Young Golfers
Many parents buy clubs that are too big, thinking the child will “grow into them.” This is a big mistake. Golf clubs that are too long force kids to change their posture. They might stand too far away from the ball. Or, they might grip the club far down the shaft. Both actions create bad habits that are hard to fix later. Poor fit leads to poor swings and frustration. When the club fits right, kids can swing naturally. This helps them learn the right motions from the start. Finding the best golf clubs for young golfers starts with the right size.
The Basic Principle: Measuring Height, Not Age
Age is a poor guide for buying clubs. Kids grow at different rates. A tall 7-year-old needs different clubs than a small 7-year-old. The best way to start is by measuring the child’s height. This measurement is the key factor in our kids golf club size guide.
How to Measure Your Child’s Height
Measuring correctly ensures you use the right youth golf club length chart.
- Find the Right Spot: Have the child stand straight against a wall without shoes on. This is important for accuracy.
- Keep Feet Together: Ask them to place their feet close together.
- Mark the Top: Use a book or a flat object placed squarely on their head. Mark the wall just below the book.
- Measure the Distance: Use a tape measure to find the distance from the floor to the mark. Write this number down in inches.
The Role of Hand Size and Swing Speed
Height is the main factor, but hand size and how fast a child swings also matter. These factors help refine the choices during a proper junior golf club fitting.
Hand Size and Grip
The grip size must fit the child’s hand. If the grip is too big, the child cannot wrap their fingers fully around it. This leads to a weak grip or using too much wrist action. If the grip is too small, they might grip too hard. This causes tension in the arms and shoulders.
- Simple Test: Have the child hold the club like they are about to swing. The fingertips of their dominant hand should just touch the pads of their palm. If the fingers easily cover the palm, the grip is too big.
Swing Speed
Faster swing speeds usually mean the shafts should be slightly stiffer. Slower swings benefit from slightly more flexible shafts. However, for very young beginners, shaft flex is less critical than length and weight.
Deciphering the Youth Golf Club Length Chart
Once you have the height, you can use a standard chart to get a starting point for club length. This youth golf club length chart uses height ranges to suggest general club sets.
| Child Height (Inches) | Child Height (Feet/Inches) | Suggested Club Length (Driver) | Typical Age Range (Approx.) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 36″ – 40″ | 3’0″ – 3’4″ | 18″ – 19″ | 3 – 5 Years |
| 41″ – 44″ | 3’5″ – 3’8″ | 20″ – 22″ | 5 – 7 Years |
| 45″ – 48″ | 3’9″ – 4’0″ | 23″ – 25″ | 7 – 9 Years |
| 49″ – 52″ | 4’1″ – 4’4″ | 26″ – 28″ | 9 – 11 Years |
| 53″ – 57″ | 4’5″ – 4’9″ | 29″ – 31″ | 11 – 13 Years |
| 58″ – 63″ | 4’10” – 5’3″ | 32″ – 34″ | 13 – 15 Years |
Note: This chart offers a baseline. Custom fitting golf clubs for kids adjusts these numbers.
Fathoming Club Weight and Loft
Length is crucial, but weight and loft are also important parts of how to choose junior golf clubs.
Club Weight
Junior clubs should be significantly lighter than adult clubs. A heavy club is hard to swing quickly. It forces the child to use too much arm strength instead of their body rotation. Lighter clubs promote faster swing speeds and better control. Many junior golf club recommendations focus on lightweight composite or graphite shafts for this reason.
Loft Angles
Loft is the angle on the clubface that helps lift the ball. Younger kids starting out need more loft, especially on their woods and hybrids.
- Why More Loft? Young golfers naturally have slower swing speeds. Higher loft helps get the ball airborne easily. This builds confidence. As they get older and swing faster, the required loft angle decreases slightly.
The Importance of a Proper Fit Check
After selecting clubs based on the chart, you must check the fit in person. This is the core of fitting golf clubs for children.
The Static Fit Test (Standing Still)
This test checks the length and lie angle while the child is standing still.
1. Driver/Fairway Wood Length Check
When the child holds the driver naturally by their side (arms relaxed):
- The clubhead should hover slightly above the ground.
- The shaft should not be pointing too far away from the body.
- If the child has to lean too far forward, the club is too long.
- If the shaft points almost straight down, it might be too short.
2. Iron Length Check (The “Putter Test”)
For irons, especially the mid-irons (like the 7-iron):
- Have the child stand in their normal address position, ready to hit the ball.
- The shaft axis (the center of the shaft) should point toward their belly button or slightly inside it.
- If the shaft points too far outside the body, the club is too long. This forces them to stand too far away, leading to a slice.
3. Lie Angle Check
Lie angle is how the shaft sits relative to the ground when the club is flat. While lie angle adjustment is complex, for off-the-shelf clubs, check this:
- When the child addresses the ball, the sole of the iron (the bottom edge) should sit flat on the ground.
- If the toe (the end of the club) points up, the club is too upright (too long for their build).
- If the heel (the part near the shaft) points up, the club is too flat (too short).
The Dynamic Fit Test (Swinging)
The best way to confirm the correct golf club size for juniors is to watch them swing.
- Ball Contact: Are they making solid contact near the center of the clubface? If they consistently hit the ball off the heel or toe, the club length or lie angle might be wrong.
- Posture: Does the child maintain a balanced posture throughout the swing? If they have to crouch excessively or stand unnaturally straight, the clubs are forcing bad posture.
Golf clubs for different kids’ heights: When to Transition to the Next Size
Children outgrow clubs fast. It is better to have a club that fits perfectly now than a club that might fit in six months.
When should you size up? Look for these signs:
- Grip Issues: The child is gripping too far down the shaft (more than an inch or two). This means the club is too long to grip near the top comfortably.
- Stance Changes: The child starts swaying or bending their knees excessively just to reach the ball.
- Inconsistent Contact: Solid contact becomes difficult, and misses are consistently fat (hitting the ground first) or thin (hitting the top of the ball).
Most kids move up a club size every 1 to 2 years, depending on their growth spurt timing.
Types of Junior Sets Available
When searching for junior golf club recommendations, you will find different types of sets.
Pre-Sized Sets
These are common sets sold by big-box stores. They are based strictly on the height chart we discussed. They are cost-effective for absolute beginners. They provide a good starting point for how to size golf clubs for kids.
Adjustable/Grow-With-Me Sets
These sets are gaining popularity. They feature shafts that can be extended slightly or heads that can have their loft adjusted. This offers a few extra months of playability before needing a full replacement set.
Component/Custom Fitting Sets
For serious young golfers, a junior golf club fitting session is ideal. Experts use specialized fitting carts to test shaft flex, club length, and head type. This process is similar to custom fitting golf clubs for kids for adults. It ensures every detail matches the child’s swing mechanics.
The Specifics: What Clubs Do Kids Need?
Young golfers do not need a full 14-club bag. They need clubs that cover the basic distances.
Beginners (Ages 3-7)
Focus on just a few clubs to start:
- Driver/Fairway Wood (18-22″ shaft): For tee shots or long shots on the course.
- 7-Iron or Hybrid: The primary iron for most shots.
- Pitching Wedge (PW): For shots around the green.
- Putter: Essential for learning the short game.
A 4-piece or 5-piece set is often plenty.
Intermediate Players (Ages 8-12)
As swing speed increases, they need more tools:
- Driver: Longer shaft (26-28″).
- Fairway Wood or Hybrid: To replace longer irons that are hard to hit.
- Mid Irons (5, 6, 7-iron): For approach shots.
- Wedges (PW and SW): For specialized short game shots.
- Putter.
This group benefits greatly from exploring golf clubs for different kids’ heights options based on their specific growth stage.
Advanced Juniors (Ages 13+)
These players might start using shorter, lighter versions of adult clubs, especially if they are tall for their age or play competitively. At this stage, a full junior golf club fitting becomes essential. They need shafts that match their swing speed closely.
Adjusting for Lie Angle in Off-the-Shelf Clubs
Lie angle adjustment is often overlooked but is vital when fitting golf clubs for children. If you buy clubs slightly too long, the lie angle will be too upright. This causes shots to fly left (for a right-handed golfer).
Most quality junior sets have shafts that can be bent slightly by a professional club fitter. A simple lie adjustment might solve the problem if the length is almost right but not perfect.
The Impact of Shaft Flexibility (Flex)
Shaft flexibility dictates how much the club bends during the swing.
- Too Stiff: The club will feel hard to swing. The ball will fly low and might hook (curve left sharply).
- Too Flexible: The club head lags too much, leading to inconsistent contact and shots flying high and right (a slice).
For beginners, the flexibility should be soft enough to allow them to generate speed easily. Look for shafts labeled “L” (Ladies flex, often used for youth) or specific junior flexes. A true junior golf club fitting measures swing speed to assign the correct flex.
Why Professional Fitting Beats Guesswork
While this guide helps you start, professional services offer the precision needed for serious improvement. Custom fitting golf clubs for kids looks at:
- Club Length and Lie Angle (Static and Dynamic Check)
- Shaft Flex and Weight
- Grip Size
- Head type (forgiveness level)
If you are serious about your child loving golf and developing correctly, investing in a junior golf club fitting session is highly recommended before making a significant purchase of best golf clubs for young golfers. They use specialized equipment that measures shaft deflection in real-time.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Can I just cut down an old adult iron for my child?
A: It is generally not recommended. Adult clubs are much heavier than junior clubs. Cutting them down doesn’t fix the weight or the lie angle. More importantly, the shaft is too stiff for a child’s swing speed. This results in poor performance and bad swing habits.
Q: How much should I spend on junior clubs?
A: Prices vary widely. Starter sets run from $150 to $300. High-quality, custom-fitted sets can cost $500 or more. For a child who plays occasionally, a good quality pre-sized set is fine. For a player practicing often, investing more in better materials (like graphite shafts) pays off.
Q: Should I buy clubs slightly too long so they last longer?
A: No. This is the most common error. Clubs too long hurt swing mechanics immediately. It is better to buy clubs that fit perfectly now and plan to replace them in 12–18 months as the child grows.
Q: What is the difference between a “junior” shaft and a “ladies” shaft?
A: Junior shafts are designed to be much lighter than adult shafts, often using softer graphite materials. Ladies shafts are lighter than men’s standard shafts but are usually stiffer than true junior shafts. For younger children (under 10), the junior flex is usually better. Older, taller juniors might use ladies flex shafts.
Q: Do I need to fit every club in the bag?
A: For a beginner, fitting the driver/wood and the 7-iron is a great start. These two clubs help establish proper swing plane and length perception. If you buy a matched set from a reputable brand, the other clubs will generally scale correctly from the driver and 7-iron fit.