What Size Golf Clubs for Kids?

Finding the right size golf clubs for a child is the first and most important step in introducing them to the game. When clubs fit properly, kids can develop a natural, powerful swing and, most importantly, have fun. This guide will give you a clear, step-by-step process for measuring your child and confidently choosing a set that will help them fall in love with golf.

Why the Right Fit For Kids' Golf Clubs Matters So Much

You might think, "They'll just grow into them," but using clubs that are too long, too short, too heavy, or too stiff can do more harm than good early on. A proper fit directly influences a child's ability to learn and enjoy the game. Here’s why it’s so vital:

• It Encourages a Good Swing: The goal of the golf swing is a rotational action around the body. Clubs that are too long and heavy force a child to lift with their arms instead of turning their torso. This creates flat, awkward "baseball-like" swings and ingrains bad habits that are tough to break later. Properly sized clubs are lightweight and allow them to rotate their body correctly, which is the engine of the golf swing.
• It Prevents Physical Strain: Swinging a club that is too heavy puts unnecessary strain on a small developing body, especially in the wrists and back. Lightweight, flexible shafts designed for kids absorb some of the vibration at impact and are much easier to swing, reducing the risk of injury.
• It Builds Confidence: When a child can make solid contact and get the ball in the air, their confidence soars. Properly fitted clubs make this happen far more often. Hitting topped or fat shots constantly because the club is fighting you is frustrating for anyone, but it can be enough to make a kid want to quit. Success breeds enjoyment.
• It Makes Golf Fun: This is the whole point! When the equipment works with them, not against them, kids can focus on the joy of hitting a great shot, walking the green fairways, and spending time with you. Fun is the an essential ingredient for a lifelong love of the sport.

The #1 Mistake: Cutting Down Adult Clubs

It can be tempting to find a dusty old 7-iron in the garage, cut it down to size, and hand it to your little one. While the intention is good, this is one of the most common and damaging mistakes a parent can make. Simply shortening an adult club does not make it a kid's club.

Here’s what’s wrong with that approach:

• The Shaft is Too Stiff: Adult shafts are designed for swing speeds of 70 to 120 mph. A child’s swing speed is much, much slower. A stiff shaft feels like a steel pipe to a kid, it doesn't bend (or load) during the downswing, robbing them of distance, feel, and the ability to get the ball airborne. Junior shafts are extremely flexible for this very reason.
• The Club Head is Too Heavy: Even after being shortened, the overall weight and head weight of an adult club is far too heavy. This forces compensatory, out-of-balance swings and can cause frustration and fatigue.
• The Lie Angle is Wrong: When you shorten a club, the angle at which the sole of the club rests on the ground (the lie angle) becomes much too upright. This will cause the heel of the club to dig into the ground, forcing every shot to go left (for a right-handed golfer).
• The Grips Are Too Big: Adult grips are too thick for small hands, preventing proper hand placement and control.

The bottom line: avoid this completely. Investing in a proper, affordable junior set is one of the best things you can do for your child's golf future.

How to Measure Your Child for Golf Clubs: A Simple 2-Step Process

Forget about age-based guessing games. The most accurate way to size clubs for a child is by using two simple measurements: their overall height and their "wrist-to-floor" measurement. You only need a tape measure.

Step 1: Measure Your Child’s Total Height

Have your child stand in their "golf shoes" (sneakers are fine) with their back straight against a wall. Use a pencil to lightly mark the wall at the top of their head. Then, use the tape measure to find the exact distance from the floor to the mark. Write this number down. This is the primary data point that nearly all junior club manufacturers use.

Step 2: Take the "Wrist-to-Floor" Measurement

This second measurement helps fine-tune the fit and accounts for kids who might have longer or shorter arms for their height. It will give you an even better idea of the perfect club length.

Have your child stand up straight, a very "at ease" posture with their arms hanging relaxed at their side. Stand in front of them and measure the distance from the crease in their wrist (where a watch would sit) straight down to the floor. Write this number down as well.

With these two measurements - total height and wrist-to-floor - you have exactly what you need to shop with complete confidence.

Using a Sizing Chart from Popular Brands

Now that you have your measurements, you can easily use the sizing charts provided by major junior club brands like U.S. Kids Golf, Top Flite, and Tour Edge. You won't have to guess or eyeball clubs in a store.

These charts typically use player height ranges to organize their sets. For example, a U.S. Kids Golf chart will look something like this:

• UL-39 (Ultralight): For golfers 39"-42" tall
• UL-45 (Ultralight): For golfers 45"-48" tall
• UL-51 (Ultralight): For golfers 51"-54" tall
• TS-57 (Tour Series): For golfers 57"-60" tall

With your child's height measurement in hand, you can immediately identify the correct set. If your child is on the border between two sizes, this is where the wrist-to-floor measurement comes in. Here's a good rule of thumb:

• If they fall between sizes but have a longer wrist-to-floor measurement (shorter arms for their height), it's generally better to size up.
• If they fall between sizes but има shorter wrist-to-floor measurement (longer arms for their height), you have a bit more flexibility and could size down or up, but leaning toward the larger size is still often best for growth.

A Coach's Tip: When in doubt, it’s usually better to go with the slightly larger size. A child can choke down on the grip an inch or so very easily, giving them room to grow into the set over the next season or two.

What Should Be in a Kid's Starter Set?

The last thing a beginner needs is a bag overflowing with 14 clubs. It's confusing and unnecessary. A good junior starter set is designed to be simple, giving them one good option for every type of shot.

Most basic starter sets for a younger child (under 10 or so) will include:

• A Fairway Wood or "Driver": This is the longest club, designed for hitting off a tee. Junior drivers have huge, forgiving clubheads and flexible shafts to help get the ball launched.
• A Mid-Iron (like a 7-iron): This is the versatile "workhorse" club used for a wide range of shots on the fairway. It’s perfect for learning the fundamentals of an iron swing.
• A Short Iron (like a Pitching Wedge): This club has more loft to hit the ball higher and shorter. It’s used for approach shots closer to the green and for learning how to chip.
• A Putter: This one is self-explanatory! A well-balanced junior putter with alignment aids will help them learn the stroke and get the ball in the hole.
• A Lightweight Stand Bag: Nearly all junior sets come with a super-light bag with backpack-style straps, making it easy for kids to carry their own clubs.

As they get taller, older, and more skilled, their sets will start to include more clubs, like a hybrid, a sand wedge, or an extra iron (e.g., a 5-iron and 9-iron).

Signs Your Child Has Outgrown Their Clubs

Just like shoes and clothes, kids grow out of their golf clubs! Keep an eye out for these tell-tale signs that it might be time to move up to the next size:

• They are choking down a lot. If you see their bottom hand is more than halfway down the grip, the clubs are definitely getting too short.
• Their setup posture looks too cramped. If they have to bend over excessively at the waist or bend their knees a lot to reach the ball, the clubs are too short.
• Lots of topped or thin shots. While this can be a swing issue, it’s also a classic sign of clubs that are too short, causing their swing arc to bottom out before it reaches the ball.
• They seem to be swinging "all arms". As a club becomes too light for their growing strength, they may stop using their body rotation and start manipulating the club with just their arms and hands.

Final Thoughts

Sizing golf clubs for a child isn't complicated once you know what to look for. By taking two simple measurements and using a manufacturer's sizing chart, you can easily find a set that enables your child to develop a proper swing, build confidence, and truly enjoy their first experiences with this great game.

Once you’ve got them set up with the right equipment, the focus shifts to building confidence and learning how to navigate the course. We designed Caddie AI with young and new golfers in mind. When they face a tricky shot or aren't sure on the best way to play a hole, I am always here to provide they can get a simple, clear strategy in seconds. This eliminates the guesswork and lets them commit to their next shot with confidence, which is what the game is all about.