Players of all levels benefit from using custom golf clubs. If you think your golf game can be improved, investing in a set of clubs that are perfectly tailored to you can help you play at the highest level. To learn what kind of clubs you need, you need a few specific sizes and some basic information about your playing style.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Taking measurements for custom clubs
Step 1. Measure your height
Clubs are chosen based on your height and the distance between your hands and the ground. To find the right size club for your body, use recent length measurements to determine the right angle for your clubs. It usually helps to have someone measure you so that you get the most accurate reading possible.
Measure your base height from the top of your head to the bottom of your feet. Stand as straight as possible to get the measurement. You don't have to be in your hitting position
Step 2. Measure the length between your wrist and the floor
The other essential measurement you need is the distance between your wrists and the ground. Stand as straight as possible and let your arms hang loosely at your sides. Ask your assistant to measure from the top of your wrist, where the top of the club would be, to the floor.
Step 3. Swing a standard length club at a shop
If you're considering investing in custom clubs, these two basic measurements will give you specific information about the angle and approximate length needed based on the standard club length. So your height and distance from wrist to floor are the only things you need before going to the store and talking to a salesperson about custom clubs. Typically, someone will work with you to evaluate your shot with a standard club, and use your measurements to determine which clubs are best suited to your playing style.
- It's also good for the staff member to see how you're making shots with the clubs you already own and play with regularly, to see what a good corrective measure is and help correct inconsistencies in your shots.
- Standard size golf clubs are different for men and women. Every club, from the driver to the wedge, also has its own standard length. So you have to have each type made to measure separately.
- If you just want to quickly check your measurements and get an idea of your approximate height score, enter the numbers here.
Step 4. Enter your handicap
If you play with a handicap, it might be helpful to mention them when you go to the pro shops to check out clubs. If you're not sure what your handicap is, a basic description of your playing level will be a big help in determining the right clubs to improve your game.
One of the most common reasons for buying standardized clubs is that golfers think they are not playing well enough for a custom club. In fact, the game of people with greater handicaps can be improved much more drastically with custom clubs, which help to properly train the stroke movement
Part 2 of 3: Finding the right flex and grip
Step 1. Determine your stroke rate, if possible
Once you're sure you've determined the correct length and angle of the clubs you need, the next step in the process is to figure out which flex and grip work best for your playing style. To do this, you will usually be asked to make a trick, but you can also provide some of the basic information needed to improve your game as much as possible.
- To determine your stroke rate, you will probably need access to an electronic launch monitor and radar machine, which are available at most major golf shops. You can hardly determine this at home. However, usually most amateur players fall somewhere in the 128-138 km/h range.
- In general, people with faster strokes prefer stiff shafts for the wooden clubs and iron shafts for the iron clubs. People with slower strokes tend to prefer flexible shanks for the wooden and graphite shanks for the iron clubs.
Step 2. Keep track of how far you hit the drive consistently
When hitting with your wooden drivers, it's good to keep track of the average drive for each club. This can help to get a set of drivers with properly tuned flex. Follow the guidelines below to determine what flex your wooden clubs should have.
- Less than 165 yards, use women's flex.
- Between 166 and 183 meters, use seniorflex.
- Between 183 and 215 meters, use normal flex.
- Between 216 and 251 meters, use stiff flex.
- Over 251 meters, use extra stiff flex.
Step 3. Determine the right flex for your irons
Determining the flex of your irons depends on which club you typically use to make a 137-meter shot. So in other words, if you're preparing for a 150-yard shot, which club will you grab?
- If it's a 4 or 5 iron, ladies flex.
- If it's a 5 iron, seniorflex.
- If it's a 6 iron, soft normal flex.
- If it's a 7 iron, normal flex.
- If it's a 7 or 8 iron, firm flex.
- If it's an 8 iron, stiff flex.
- If it's a 9 iron, extra stiff flex.
Step 4. Adjust each club with your golf gloves
A golf glove should fit snugly and should not wrinkle or fold, this works together with the grip of the individual clubs to give you the best and most comfortable contact possible. In general, the larger your glove size, the larger the grip you should use. There are grips from a standard women's size to a very large men's size. The wrong grip can cause friction, which can disrupt an otherwise perfect shot. Use the pinch test to determine if a golf glove will fit. Only a small amount of material should remain on the fingertips and no material should be loose in the palm. Use the size of a well-fitting glove to determine the correct grip:
- When using a petite or cadet sized glove, use a standard women's grip.
- If using a medium or medium-sized glove, use a standard grip.
- When using a large glove, use a medium grip.
- If you are using an oversized glove, use an oversized grip.
Part 3 of 3: Choosing the right clubs
Step 1. Talk to a golf pro
No, you don't have to call Tiger to ask for advice. A pro is someone who works in the golf shop and gives lessons. The golf equivalent of a personal trainer. It's good to get a pro to help you learn more about your shots and find out what your needs are for a set of golf clubs. It can be difficult for laymen to determine whether too high or too low shots are caused by incorrect technique or by ill-fitting golf clubs.
Step 2. Try many different clubs first
If you're considering investing in a set of custom clubs, it's a good idea to develop a playing style and gain experience before buying a brand new set. Focus on developing a consistent shot and getting a score below 100 on a standard 18 hole field before spending the big bucks on a new set.
Ask your golf friends, family or employees at a golf shop to let you try out different clubs on the golf course. You can kind of predict what you'll like based on your height and stroke rate, but a lot of it is personal taste. Choose a standard club to practice
Step 3. Choose the right clubs for your loft
The loft of specific clubs is based on how your shots typically fly, which is another reason to gain experience before customizing clubs. If you find yourself consistently higher than you want, try a little less loft in the clubs. If you keep hitting lower than ideal, then a higher loft might suit you better.
Step 4. Consider buying some hybrid clubs
Some experienced golfers like to use long irons or hybrids to bridge the gap between the 5 iron and wooden clubs. Some people swear by hybrid clubs, while others prefer the low irons. Only time on the golf course and hitting the court will tell you what you like and what works best for you.
Step 5. Choose what feels right
There is no ideal size. Even the custom tracks are less important than how you play most comfortably. If you're going to invest in an expensive golf set, make sure you can enjoy it while playing with it.