We women are fully aware that a size 12 by one clothing manufacturer is not equal to a size 12 by another clothing manufacturer. Consequently, clothes must be tried on in order to determine the best fit. This frustrating experience can be made easier, though, if the salesperson is familiar with you, your body type, and the style of clothes that you prefer.
The same can be said about purchasing golf clubs. The different golf club manufacturers all offer a women’s line of equipment, but can it possibly be true that one size fits all? Should a 5’2″ woman golfer use the same golf clubs used by a woman 5’9″ tall? And should a 20-year-old college golfer use the same clubs that her 63-year-old grandmother used to win the championship? Common sense tells us this can’t possibly be true!
Unfortunately, women have been discriminated against, but not in the way you may think. Tall women, short women, young women, and older women have few choices when it comes time to purchase golf clubs. Don’t get me wrong, we have choices of manufacturers, but each manufacturer offers only one size and, as in clothing, the same size is different from brand to brand. It’s no wonder that 80% of women golfers today are using clubs that do not fit them.
Height, strength, body type, and your goals as a golfer all play a part in determining the golf clubs that will fit you best. An experienced instructor/clubfitter will want to know a lot about you and your golf game in order to help you choose the equipment that will reward your efforts. And they must watch you “try on” your clubs, observing you and the ball flight.
Factors involved in a properly fitted golf club include grip size, type of grip, length of club, shaft flexibility (graphite or steel), overall weight, and lie angle. The fitter must have a relationship with a club manufacturer that can provide the appropriate specifications. At present, only a handful of manufacturers recognize this need and are available to the golf professional.
Needless to say, purchasing golf clubs today is a big investment. Do yourself a favor and buy clubs that are custom fit for you by an experienced instructor. And make sure that when your golf clubs arrive, you and the fitter are satisfied with the product. The proof will be that you will recognize a difference in your golf swing and your results.
