What Is the Maximum Height for Youth Golf Clubs?

Golf can be fun for kids, too.

When it comes to golf clubs, your height determines what type of clubs to buy. Frank Mantua, director of USGolf Camps, says, "As kids get older, they need a set of golf clubs that are made with their bodies in mind." The correlation between the height of your child and the height of the clubs used can make all of the difference when it comes to game play. Use clubs that are designed for youth, then transition to teen or adult clubs when your child's height meets the requirements.

Length

The length of your child's golf clubs should be proportional to his height. The minimum height for golf clubs is about 36 inches. According to research by the National Center of Health Statistics, children grow approximately 2 1/2 inches a year after the age of 2. The transition for your child from youth golf clubs to adult should happen when they are about 63 to 66 inches tall, at which point they will be using a club that is approximately 43 inches long. Some companies sell golf clubs that are targeted toward teen sizes (ages 13 to 17). The ultimate decision on when to move your child from youth clubs to another set should be your child's height and how he is holding the clubs.

Weight

Along with golfer height, club weight also plays a large part in which golf clubs you should purchase for your child. The goal is to have the child feel comfortable with the backswing and not have to modify it because the clubs are too heavy. Golferocity, a golf retailer, states that, "Younger golfers who are just making the switch from lighter junior clubs may want to use the graphite shafts, as they will produce a much lighter club."

Golf professionals also recommend purchasing a set of clubs specifically designed for children rather than one that is cut down from adult clubs. Brendon Elliot of the Professional Golfers' Association says, "Historically, kids learned the game with adult clubs that were cut down to junior size, but were still way too heavy and unbalanced, which made learning the game difficult for even the most athletic kids."

Shaft

For youth clubs, the shaft of the club should be flexible so they can feel comfortable swinging it. Mantua says, "The shafts of junior clubs today are so flexible that you can bend them with your hands."

Grips

Grips play an important part of a child's game, just as they do in an adult's game. Ensure your child uses a junior grip and not an adult grip because the latter can be too long. Mantua says that if you're having new grips put on youth clubs, ask for junior grips with a core size of .50.

Tips

Companies today make clubs that adjust in height to grow with your child. Some golf pros think this is a good investment for kids who are just starting out.

References

• Junior Links: A Guide to Buying Junior Golf Clubs
• Golferocity: Junior Golf Clubs for Teens
• U.S. Kids Golf: Boys Equipment
• PGA: Raising a Golfer--A Parent's Guide