In order to work to their maximum ability, women's golf clubs must be well sized to the individual using them. Even top of the line clubs will not perform properly if they don't fit the golfer. There are a few elements to sizing clubs which must all be taken into account. Regardless of whether you are a seasoned golfer or a rank beginner, it is important that you take the time to ensure your clubs are a good fit for you. In addition to getting a proper fitting from a local professional, use the tips below to dial in your clubs perfectly.
Stance-then-Club Drill. Use this simple drill to determine if your current clubs fit you nicely, or if they are in need of an adjustment. To start, have someone help you by holding onto your seven iron while you take a stance. Get into your normal address position with your knees flexed and your back flat. Let your arms hang down in front of you, ready to grab onto the club. From there, have your helper place the golf club into your hands to complete the setup. Since you have taken your stance without the club, you should be in a comfortable spot independent of the club. Take careful notice of what happens when you are handed the club. If you have to adjust your stance at all, the club is not well sized for you. If the club seems too long or short after doing this drill, take that information with you to either have your current clubs adjusted or new clubs built to the correct specs.
Grip Check. Another important part of club sizing is the thickness of the grip. A grip that is too thick will inhibit the release of the club; too thin of a grip will make the club hard to control. To check yours, hold your club by the grip using only one hand. The ring finger on that hand should wrap around the grip and barely touch your palm. If there is too much overlap, the grips are too thin; if there is a wide gap, the grips are too large.
Drivers are Different. An important factor to keep in mind is that your driver will not necessarily need to be adjusted in the same fashion as your irons. Since the driver doesn't contact the ground when it hits the ball, the length of the club is not that important. In most cases, a standard length ladies' driver will suit just about everyone. Make sure the shaft flex works for you, and you are ready to go.
It is easy to overlook the importance of well-sized clubs. After all, you are probably busy working on improving your swing to lower your scores. While that is always a good idea, poorly fitted clubs can actually inhibit your ability to improve your swing. Take some time out of your practice to review your clubs and make sure they fit you perfectly. Don't be surprised to see your scores drop quickly once you get your set of clubs in tuned with your individual needs.