How To Measure For Golf Clubs – The Ultimate Guide

No matter your skill level, your golf game will certainly benefit from using custom-fit golf clubs.

Size matters!  Just as using the correct golf club size can improve your game and help lower your handicap, the opposite is true when using incorrectly sized clubs.  In order to get the best club fit, you’ll need a few measurements and some basic info about your play style.

In an ideal world, we’d all be able to afford a custom fitting. If your budget or schedule don’t allow, or you’re new to the sport, start with your best foot forward by properly measuring for clubs.

We break this down for you in the following guide.

What is Golf Club Length and Why Does it Matter?

Golf club length is the measurement of the club from it’s heel (where it rests on the ground) to the end of the grip.

Golf clubs come in different lengths, with the most common size being standard – the typical starting point for every player when they purchase a set of clubs.  Most clubs you’ll find at your local golf or sporting goods store are standard length.  One caveat here is that there are different standard lengths for men’s and women’s clubs.

When comparing sizes, a club’s length is indicated by the amount over (+) or under (-) the common standard length.

The Importance of Golf Club Length

Having the proper club length can affect several different areas of your game, so it’s important to understand the factors at play here in order to choose the best size clubs.

Club Length Affects Your Swing

It’s easy to overlook this detail, but a club length has a lot to do with a player’s swing mechanics.  The shorter the club, the more upright a player needs to swing in order to hit the ball effectively, while a longer club will require more of a flat swing.

Club Head Speed

Club head speed is a big influence in your shot’s distance, and a longer club shaft increases the head speed, allowing you to hit the ball farther.  This is why you’ll often see longer drivers in use during long drive competitions.

Accuracy

The longer the club, the harder it is to control, which directly affects your accuracy.  Shorter clubs will provide a better likelihood of hitting the ball solidly.

Flexibility

Shorter clubs are less flexible than longer clubs with the same shaft.  Club flex is directly related to ball trajectory, and if you have too much flex, you could have trouble getting air under the ball or could experience hook shots.  Alternatively, if your club has too little flex, you may slice.  You should consider how long you typically drive the ball when thinking about club flex.

Now that we’ve covered all the ways finding the proper club length can affect your game, let’s explore how you can find the perfect club size.

How to Measure for Golf Club Length

Measuring Player Height

The first factor you must take into account is your height.  Generally, the taller the player, the longer the clubs.  (This isn’t always true, and we’ll walk through that in a moment.)

Start by Measuring Your Height from the top of your head to the bottom of your feet, standing up straight as possible.

Measuring Wrist to Floor Distance

Measuring your wrist-floor distance accounts for differences in arm and/or torso length versus your overall height, giving you a more accurate measurement.

Measure from the top of your wrist to the floor while standing up straight, arms hanging loosely at your sides.

Swing a Standard Length Club for Reference

Now that you’ve got your two key measurements for club length, grab a standard length club (if you have one handy), or take a trip to the golf store or a local sporting goods store to take a few swings.

If you go the store route, most stores have size fitters who will work with you to look at your swing using a standard club and can help find the best club for your measurements and play style.  The fitter can help address any swing inconsistencies as well when making a recommendation – an added bonus.

Golf Club Length Chart

Refer to the following chart to find the suggested club length based on your measurements:

Height	Wrist to Ground Measurement	Shaft Length
>6’8”	>42”	+2”
6’6”-6’8”	41”-42”	+1.5”
6’4”-6’6”	40”-41”	+1”
6’2”-6’4”	38.5”-40”	+0.5”
6’1”-6’2”	37”38.5”	+0.25”
5’7”-6’1”	34”-37”	Standard
5’4”-5’7”	32”-34”	-0.25”
5’2”-5’4”	29”-34”	-0.5”
5’-5’2”	27”-29”	-1”
4’10”-5’	25”-27”	-1.5”
<4’10”	<25”	-2”

Golf Club Size Guide for Drivers

Shaft length is important here, as it plays an important part in your club’s path, head speed, attack angle, and your consistency in making solid contact with the ball.  There is a point at which the weight of a longer shaft, paired with the control issues that come with that extra length, will result in a reduced clubhead speed.  Rules of Golf for competition allow for a club shaft length of up to 48 inches, while the average driver length used is closer to 45 inches.

Golf Club Size Guide for Irons

As the length is increased, so is the weight and flex of the iron.  For every inch added to the shaft length, the shaft becomes one flex softer.  Length also affects the lie angle of the club- be sure to consider this.

You may also use this standard golf club size guide from Golf Monthly to choose irons by your height:

• 6ft 9″ – 7ft 0″ Add 2″ to Standard Length
• 6ft 6″ – 6ft 9″ Add 1 1/2″ to Standard Length
• 6ft 3″ – 6ft 6″ Add 1″ to Standard Length
• 6ft 0″ – 6ft 3″ Add 1/2″ to Standard Length
• 5ft 9″ – 6ft 0″ Standard Length
• 5ft 6″ – 5ft 9″ Subtract 1/2″ from Standard Length
• 5ft 3″ – 5ft 6″ Subtract 1″ from Standard Length
• 5ft 0″ – 5ft 3″ Subtract 1 1/2″ from Standard Length
• 4ft 9″ – 5ft 0″ Subtract 2″ from Standard Length

Golf Club Size Guide for Putters

It’s important to note that there isn’t a standard length for putters!  Most putters range between 32 and 37 inches in length.  Control and accuracy are critical here, and as such there is no standard rule of thumb for choosing a putter.  You’ll need to account for your experience, comfort, stance, and putting style when choosing the best putter length.  This is best done by trying out several different putter lengths in your local golf shop or sporting goods store.

Custom Fit Golf Clubs

If going the standard route just won’t cut it, or if you’ve got the extra budget, custom fit golf clubs are an excellent option.  There are two main ways to fit for custom golf clubs:

Static Fitting

This is the measurement method we used above, taking into account a player’s height and wrist-to-floor measurement, and can be used for off-the-shelf clubs or custom clubs.

Dynamic Fitting

This process is more precise and uses a launch monitor to determine the best shaft length and head to match to the golfer.  The launch monitor will measure ball speed, spin rate, launch angle, and dispersion, all of which is then used in the calculation process to suggest the best set of clubs for the golfer.  Lie angle is also measured to pair the best club head with the shafts.

How to Change Club Shaft Length

You may be relieved to find that it’s relatively easy to change your golf club length!  This can be done a few ways:

1. Buy new shafts in the proper length for each of your clubs (remove the old shaft and install the new one)
2. Modify your current shafts by either extending or cutting them (use a golf shaft cutter if shortening the length to make it easy on yourself).

Conclusion

Golf can be an expensive sport, but buying the wrong club can make it expensive and frustrating, as club length affects both the playability of your clubs and your overall skill.  Make sure your purchase is the best option for your game.