Do You Have The Right Length Of Beginner Golf Clubs?

When I’m coaching beginner golf players I’m constantly amazed by the amount of people playing with equipment that doesn’t fit them. Beginner golf clubs are so important because the habits you learn and create when starting the game will be with you for the rest of your golfing life. The technique issues I see with golf clubs that are not the right length are: posture at setup, grip position, postural control during the swing and impact conditions.

Posture at setup

Golf clubs that are too short will make beginner golf players bend forward in a non athletic manner. Most players will add too much knee flex or bend forward from their thoracic spine in order to get the club down to the ground. Clubs that are too long will force a golfer to place their weight back into their heels and be too upright with their upper body posture. This is not an athletic position and it makes it hard for the activation of the muscles required to hit the golf ball well from happening.. A setup like this has great affect on one’s balance.

Grip position

Usually golf clubs that are too short will force the player to place their top hand grip very long into the palm. They are doing this since they want the golf club to play effectively as long as possible. What this does is place the hand in a position on the club that is very difficult to lever the club properly as the hand and wrist has nothing to anchor off. This also makes the club play effectively heavier even though the overall weight of the club hasn’t changed.
Clubs too long makes the golfer hold their hands too high into the air just to get the toe of the club on the ground. This usually effects the takeaway sequence as the lead wrist works into flexion and the club moves to the inside of the plane with the face shutting down. This takeaway is the reason why it is more difficult to play golf.

Postural control

If the golf club is too short the golfer will tend to dip down and forward in the backswing and downswing to be able to get to the ball. This takes away from the more rotary motion needed to hit the ball with power and consistency. Compensations will be required to be done with some other body parts so as to hit the ball great. If the golf club is way too long, we will basically see the golfer standing up and losing postrue all throughout the swing. This is particularly damaging in the downswing as it affects the timing and quality of the strike. This takes place since the golfer makes more room to deliver the strike.

Impact conditions

Beginner golf instruction needs to focus more on impact. Impact conditions are effected because of the requirement of the golfer to manipulate the club through impact to make up for the poor movements during the swing. Often a golfer with poor golf club length will add flexion to the trail wrist through impact due to the body being out of position. This makes it more difficult to hit down and through the ball with the creation of a quality strike.