Junior Golf Club Sizing
Also known as: junior golf clubs, kids golf clubs, golf clubs for kids, youth golf clubs, children's golf clubs, what size golf clubs for my child, cut down adult clubs
Size junior clubs by your child's height and swing speed, not by age. Dedicated junior clubs have lighter, more flexible shafts and smaller grips. Cutting down adult clubs makes them play very stiff and often too heavy for a child.
Children of the same age can differ widely in height. Age-based charts are only a rough guide. Most junior brands publish height-based sizing charts. Measure your child in shoes and pick the size that matches. Fitters often size slightly ahead of where the child will be in about six months, not years ahead.
A child does not need 14 clubs. A starter set of a driver or wood, a hybrid, a 7-iron, a pitching wedge, a sand wedge and a putter covers most needs. Junior clubs come with smaller grips and lighter, more flexible shafts. Simply cutting down adult shafts and regripping them makes the clubs play very stiff.
Clubs that are too long tend to make a child stand too upright and swing too flat. Clubs that are too heavy slow the swing and invite compensations. Check the fit as your child grows. Teenagers gaining height and speed often move to adult heads with ladies or senior flex shafts, then to regular and stiff.
Tips by skill level
Start a young child with three clubs: a 7-iron, a wedge and a putter. Add a driver or hybrid once they swing with confidence.
For a competitive junior, check carry gaps and launch on a launch monitor each year. Fit slightly ahead of growth, not years ahead.
Example
A 9-year-old who is 4 feet 6 inches tall struggles with cut-down clubs from his dad's old set. His parents buy a junior set sized for his height. The lighter clubs let him swing freely and get the ball in the air.
Why it matters
Clubs that fit let a child make a full, athletic swing. Ill-fitting clubs teach compensations that are hard to undo later.
Common mistakes
- Buying clubs a child will grow into for several years
- Cutting down adult clubs without changing the shafts
- Giving a young beginner a full 14-club set
- Sizing by age instead of height
Frequently asked questions
What size golf clubs does my child need?
Use the maker's height chart and measure your child in shoes. Fit by height and swing speed rather than age, and only slightly ahead of growth.
Can I cut down adult golf clubs for my kid?
It is not ideal. Cutting adult shafts makes the clubs play very stiff and often too heavy. Junior clubs have lighter, more flexible shafts and smaller grips.
How many clubs does a junior golfer need?
Far fewer than 14. A driver or wood, a hybrid, a 7-iron, a pitching wedge, a sand wedge and a putter make a good starter set.
Sources
Related terms
- Getting Kids Started in GolfThere is no single right age to start golf. Children can begin as soon as they enjoy swinging a club, as long as sessions are short, playful and social. Use clubs sized for their height, start with putting and chipping games and short holes, and let them play other sports too.
- Club LengthClub length is fitted to a golfer's height, arm length, and posture at address. A mismatched length changes lie angle at impact and forces compensations that can undermine consistency more than most golfers realize.
- Shaft FlexShaft flex describes how much a shaft bends during the swing. Ratings run from L (Ladies) through A (Senior), R (Regular), S (Stiff), to X (Extra Stiff) — matched to swing speed for optimal launch.
- Beginner Golf Club SetA beginner does not need a full 14-club set. A half set of seven or eight clubs is enough to learn with: a driver or fairway wood, a hybrid, a few irons, a pitching wedge, a sand wedge and a putter. Choose forgiving clubs with a shaft flex that suits your swing speed.
- Grip SizeGrip size is fit to hand size, from undersize to oversize. A slightly larger grip can also quiet an overactive release by reducing hand action through impact.
Related guides & benchmarks
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