What Size Golf Clubs for a 4-Year-Old?

Shopping for your 4-year-old's first golf clubs can feel like a big deal, because it is. Getting the sizing right from the very beginning sets a child up for success and, more importantly, for having fun. This guide is here to walk you through exactly how to choose the perfect set, covering everything from simple measurement techniques to understanding what clubs your little golfer actually needs.

Why Getting the Right Club Size is Everything

Before we get into measurements, it’s worth understanding why this is so important. Handing a 4-year-old a club that's too long or too heavy is like asking them to write a letter with a pen the size of a baseball bat. They might find a way to make a mark, but it won't be efficient, it won't be comfortable, and they'll get frustrated almost immediately.

Clubs that are the wrong size force a child to develop unnatural swing habits right from the start. If a club is too long, they'll stand too far away from the ball and have a flat, loop-heavy swing. If it’s too short, they'll hunch over, which restricts rotation and power. If it’s too heavy, they won’t be able to swing it at all, or they'll use all arms and no body.

Correctly sized clubs, on the other hand, promote a natural, athletic posture and a proper swing motion. They are light enough to be swung easily and short enough to allow the child to set up to the ball comfortably. This builds a solid foundation and, as any coach will tell you, a good setup is the bedrock of a good swing. Getting it right from day one makes the learning process smoother and keeps the game from feeling like a chore.

The Easiest Method: Measuring Your Child’s Height

The simplest and most reliable way to find the right club size for a young child is by using their total height. Junior golf club manufacturers design their sets specifically around height ranges. Forget about age, a tall 4-year-old might need a larger set than a shorter 5-year-old. Height is the number that matters.

Here’s how to do it correctly:

1. Have your child stand in their socks with their back flat against a wall.
2. Make sure their heels, bottom, and shoulders are touching the wall.
3. Place a flat object, like a hardcover book, on their head flat against the wall.
4. Make a small, light pencil mark where the bottom of the book meets the wall.
5. Use a tape measure to measure from the floor to the mark. This is your child's true height.

Once you have that measurement, you can match it to the manufacturer’s sizing charts. While every brand is slightly different, here is a general guideline to get you started:

• For golfers under 3'0" (36 inches): Look for the smallest available sets, often labeled "Toddler" or "Size 00." These are typically very simple sets with just 2-3 clubs.
• For golfers between 3'0" and 3'5" (36-41 inches): This is a very common size for a 4-year-old. You'll be looking for kits often designated as "Size 0" or in the US Kids Golf system, their "Ultralight" series in the 39" height category.
• For golfers between 3'5" and 3'9" (41-45 inches): If you have a taller 4-year-old, they may fall into this slightly larger category. Brands will often label these kits as "Size 1" or for heights of 42".

Always double-check the specific brand’s sizing recommendations when you shop. Their website or the packaging should clearly state the recommended height range for each kit.

For a Perfect Fit: The "Wrist-to-Floor" Measurement

While height is your primary guide, if you want to be extra precise, you can use the "wrist-to-floor" measurement. This helps dial in the exact club length needed to promote a good posture. For a 4-year-old, the height-based sizing is usually spot-on, but this is a great secondary check you can do.

Here’s the process:

1. Have your child stand up straight and relaxed with their arms hanging naturally at their sides. They should be wearing their tennis shoes or golf shoes.
2. Using a tape measure, measure the distance from the crease of their wrist (where their hand meets their arm) straight down to the floor.

This measurement tells you the raw length the club needs to be from the top of the grip to the bottom of the clubhead. Some premium junior brands, like US Kids Golf, use this measurement in their fitting process. It helps confirm you’ve selected the right height-based set and avoids a situation where a child might have a shorter or longer wingspan than average for their height.

What Should Be in a 4-Year-Old’s First Golf Set?

Walking into a golf store and seeing full sets with 14 clubs can be intimidating. The great news is your 4-year-old does not need that. In fact, a smaller set is much better for a beginner. It keeps things simple and prevents them from feeling overwhelmed by choices.

A perfect starter set for a 4-year-old should contain:

• A Fairway Wood or Driver: This is the "big" club for hitting the ball far. These clubs have oversized heads to make contact easier and are incredibly light. Hitting the "bomber" is almost always a kid's favorite part of going to the range.
• One Iron: A single, versatile iron is all they need. Typically, this will be equivalent to a 7-iron. It's fantastic for learning a basic swing, hitting shots on the fairway, and even for chipping around the green. The goal is to learn the motion, not dial in a specific distance.
• A Putter: Putting is a fundamental part of the game that can be practiced almost anywhere. A properly sized putter will have them standing comfortably over the ball, which helps develop a smooth, repeatable stroke.
• A Lightweight Bag: The kit should come with a small, lightweight carry bag that the child can conceptually carry themselves (even if a parent ends up doing most of the work). It gives them a sense of ownership over their equipment.

That's it. Three clubs are plenty. These clubs are specifically designed not just to be shorter, but to have more flexible shafts and lighter clubheads. This allows a young child to generate some clubhead speed and get the ball airborne, which is one of the most encouraging feelings for a new golfer.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Buying Kids' Clubs

As a coach, I see the same well-intentioned mistakes over and over. Here are the most common pitfalls to avoid:

Mistake 1: cutting Down Adult Clubs

This is the most common and damaging mistake. Simply taking a saw to an old adult club doesn't work. The resulting club will be far too stiff, as the shaft's forgiveness is in the tip section that you just cut off. Furthermore, the clubhead will be incredibly heavy relative to the new shaft length, throwing the balance completely off. The grip will also be too large for tiny hands. Stick to clubs manufactured specifically for children - they are engineered from the ground up to be lighter and more flexible an appropriate fit.

Mistake 2: Buying Clubs The Child Can "Grow Into"

While it seems economical, buying clubs that are too big for a child to use now is a recipe for frustration. Forging bad habits to compensate for oversized clubs is much harder to fix later than simply buying a new, properly-sized set in a couple of years. The right fit now gives them the best chance of falling in love with the game.

Mistake 3: Getting Too Many Clubs

A 4-year-old doesn’t need a sand wedge, a 5-iron, and a hybrid. Extra clubs just add confusion and weight to the bag. Keep it simple. Let them master the motion with one iron before you even think about introducing another. Confidence is built on simplicity, not on having more options.

Signs the Clubs Might Be the Wrong Size

Once you’ve got the clubs, keep an eye on how your child sets up and swings. Their body language will tell you if the fit is off.

Signs a Club is Too Long:

• They have to "choke down" significantly on the grip, with their bottom hand touching or nearly touching the metal shaft.
• They stand very far away from the ball and look like they are reaching for it.
• They stand very tall and upright, with little knee flex or bend from the waist.
• The heel of the club is high in the air at address, with only the toe touching the ground.

Signs a Club is Too Short:

• They are excessively hunched over, with their back almost parallel to the ground.
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• Their hands are positioned very close to their body, leaving no room for their arms to swing freely.
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• They have to bend their knees excessively just to reach the ball.

If you see any of these indicators consistently, it might be time to remeasure your child and re-evaluate their equipment.

Final Thoughts

Choosing the right size golf clubs for a 4-year-old comes down to one key factor: the child's height. By accurately measuring them and matching that to a purpose-built junior set, you give them the best possible start in the game. Remember to keep the set simple and resist the urge to buy something they can "grow into" a proper fit now is infinitely more valuable.

Of course, getting the gear is just the first step. As you and your child start spending time at the range or on the course, new questions will pop up about basic swing thoughts, course etiquette, or what to do from funny lies. For moments like those, we developed our on-demand coaching tool, Caddie AI, to give you simple, clear answers right when you need them, helping you guide your little one with confidence.