Getting your golf clubs fitted to your body is one of the simplest ways to improve your ball striking, and it all starts with one core measurement: your wrist-to-floor height. This single number is a foundational piece of the club-fitting puzzle, directly influencing how comfortably you stand over the ball and how consistently you can deliver the club face to it. This guide will walk you through exactly how to take this measurement accurately and what to do with the information once you have it.
You may have heard golfers talk about needing longer or shorter clubs, but how is that determined? While your total height is part of the story, your wrist-to-floor measurement is often more telling. Think about it: two people who are the same height can have very different arm lengths. The golfer with longer arms will have a shorter wrist-to-floor distance, while the one with shorter arms will have a longer distance. This measurement profoundly impacts your setup and swing.
Using clubs that are the wrong length for your body forces you to make unnatural compensations. If your clubs are too long, you might have to stand up too tall or choke down excessively on every club. If they're too short, you’ll likely find yourself bending over too much from the waist and reaching for the ball. This is one of those setup issues that feels bizarre and uncomfortable, very much like a brand-new golfer trying to learn the proper stance.
These compensations throw off your swing plane, disrupt your balance, and make it incredibly difficult to make a consistent, repeating swing. The goal, as with any part of the golf swing, is to create an action that is powerful, accurate, and consistent. Getting your club length right by using your wrist-to-floor measurement removes a huge variable and allows you to build a swing on a solid, repeatable foundation. It helps you find that athletic, powerful setup position where your body is ready to rotate, not contort.
The good news is that you don't need any fancy equipment. The process is simple, but it does require a little precision. Here’s what you should have ready:
Ready to get your number? Have your helper stand by with the tape measure and follow these steps carefully. The key is to get into your natural golf posture, not just stand straight up like you’re waiting in line.
First, stand with your feet about shoulder-width apart, with your weight feeling evenly distributed - 50/50 on each foot. You want a stable base that will allow your body to rotate smoothly. Now, do the following:
Take a moment to settle into this position. This posture should be the starting point for a golf swing, a rotational action powered by your torso and hips. Your body should feel balanced and tension-free.
With your arms hanging loose and relaxed, ensure they are straight. Your helper should check that you aren’t subtly bending your elbows or bunching up your shoulders toward your ears. Let gravity do the work. Your hands should be hanging directly below your shoulders.
Now it’s time for your helper to take the measurement. Here’s the critical part: they should place the end of the tape measure on the floor and extend it straight up to your wrist.
Okay, so you have a number. What does it mean? This wrist-to-floor measurement corresponds to a standard recommendation for club length. While a professional club fitter will use this as just one data point, you can use the chart below as an excellent starting point to understand where you fit.
Here’s a common reference chart that many club fitters use. Keep in mind this is based on a "standard" club length for a 5-iron being 38 inches. Find your wrist-to-floor measurement to see the recommended alteration from a standard-length club.
So, if your wrist-to-floor measurement was 38 inches, you can be fairly confident that a set of clubs with a half-inch of added length would be a great fit for you. If your measurement was 34 inches, a standard-length set is likely where you a belong.
While this measurement sets an excellent baseline, it's not the final word. A truly perfect fit involves a dynamic fitting where a professional watches you swing. However, avoiding common mistakes in your home measurement will get you very close.
Remember that this measurement is primarily for your irons. The length of your driver, woods, and hybrids are fit based on different criteria related to maximizing power while maintaining control. Secondly, dynamic factors like your angle of attack (steep or shallow) and your swing tempo can also influence your ideal length.
Ultimately, a feel-based component also exists. After finding out your recommended length, the best course of action is to try a club with that specification at a local golf store or driving range. You might find that even though the chart says +0.5 inches, a standard length club feels more comfortable and produces better results. The measurement provides a powerful, educated starting point to take the guesswork out of the initial process.
Understanding and correctly measuring your wrist-to-floor height is a simple yet incredibly effective way to ensure your equipment fits your body. By using clubs that are the proper length, you give yourself the best possible chance to repeatable setup, a balanced swing, and more consistent, solid strikes.
Taking this static measurement provides an amazing foundation for your equipment, but making smart decisions on the course is a dynamic challenge that changes with every hole and every shot. For that, we built Caddie AI to act as your personal, on-demand golf expert. You can get instant advice on club selection for a tough approach shot, ask for a strategy on a dogleg par-5, or even snap a photo of a tricky lie in the rough to see what the best play is. It’s a way to feel more confident and play smarter, taking the guesswork out of all the challenges golf throws at you during a round.
Thinking about hosting a golf tournament fundraiser is the first swing, executing it successfully is what gets the ball in the hole. This guide will walk you through the entire process, step-by-step, from laying the initial groundwork months in advance to watching your happy golfers tee off. We’ll cover everything from securing sponsors and setting your budget to planning the on-course fun that makes an event unforgettable.
A golf handicap does more than just give you bragging rights (or a reason to demand strokes from your friends) - it’s the game’s great equalizer and the single best way to track your improvement. This guide breaks down what a handicap is, how the supportive math behind a handicap index a is, and exactly how you can get one for yourself. We’ll look at everything from Course Rating to Adjusted Gross Score, helping you feel confident both on the course and in the clubhouse.
The compression of a Pinnacle Rush golf ball is one of its most defining features, engineered specifically to help a huge swath of golfers get more distance and enjoyment from their game. We'll break down exactly what its low compression means, who it's for, and how you can use that knowledge to shoot lower scores.
Figuring out which spikes go into your new (or old) pair of Puma golf shoes can feel like a puzzle, but it’s much simpler than you think. The key isn't the brand of the shoe, but the type of receptacle system they use. This guide will walk you through exactly how to identify your Puma's spike system, choose the perfect replacements for your game, and change them out like a pro.
The Golf Genius app is one of the best tools for managing and participating in competitive golf events, but figuring it out for the first time can feel like reading a new set of greens. This guide cuts through the confusion and shows you exactly how to use the app as a player. We’ll cover everything from logging into your tournament and entering scores to checking the live leaderboard so you can enjoy the competition without any tech headaches.
Walking onto the first tee with sweaty palms, worried you’ll be a good partner to paly wtih...or even asked back again ...We’ve all been there - trust me! The real trick of feeling confortable... is about how you handle you’re ready to plsy. THIS guide explains the simple rules of the rode to show you hnow t play golf while staying calm relaxed and focused... an having much morse fun while you,',re aat it? You'll also play with confidence a dn make fiendsa while you're at i
Just ask a question or share a photo and Caddie gives personalized guidance for every shot - anytime, anywhere.
