When I’m coaching beginner golf players I’m constantly amazed by the amount of people playing with equipment that doesn’t fit them. Beginner golf clubs are so important because the habits you learn and create when starting the game will be with you for the rest of your golfing life. The technique issues I see with golf clubs that are not the right length are: posture at setup, grip position, postural control during the swing and impact conditions.
Posture at setup
Golf clubs that are too short will make golfers bend forward in a non athletic manner. Most players will add too much knee flex or bend forward from their thoracic spine in order to get the club down to the ground. Clubs that are too long will force a golfer to place their weight back into their heels and be too upright with their upper body posture. This is very non athletic position and it is hard to activate the muscles needed to hit the golf ball well. This type of setup also plays havoc with one’s balance.
Grip position
Usually golf clubs that are too short will force the player to place their top hand grip very long into the palm. They do this because they are trying to make the golf club play effectively longer. What this does is place the hand in a position on the club that is very difficult to lever the club properly as the hand and wrist has nothing to anchor off. This also makes the club play effectively heavier even though the overall weight of the club hasn’t changed.
Clubs that are too long usually force a golfer to place their hands too high into air in order t get the toe of the club on to the ground. This usually effects the takeaway sequence as the lead wrist works into flexion and the club moves to the inside of the plane with the face shutting down. This takeaway makes it difficult to play good golf.
Postural control
If the golf club is too short the golfer will tend to dip down and forward in the backswing and downswing to be able to get to the ball. This takes away from the more rotary motion needed to hit the ball with power and consistency. Compensations will need to be made with other body parts to be able to hit the ball well. If the golf club is too long we will generally see the golfer stand up and lose posture throughout the swing. This is particularly damaging in the downswing as it affects the timing and quality of the strike. This occurs because the golfer is trying to make more room to deliver the strike.
Impact conditions
Impact conditions are effected because of the requirement of the golfer to manipulate the club through impact to make up for the poor movements during the swing. Often a golfer with poor golf club length will add flexion to the trail wrist through impact due to the body being out of position. This makes it difficult to hit down and through the ball and create a quality strike.
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