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What happens if golf clubs are too short?

Author

Rachel Ellis

Published Jan 20, 2026

What Happens When Golf Clubs Are Too Short? For most golfers, having clubs that are too short will be better than if they're too long, but can still result in inconsistent shots. Clubs that are too short will make you stand bent over, which can cause back pain. You'll also have the tendency to push the ball a lot.

How do you know if your golf clubs are too short?

6 Signs Your Golf Clubs are Too Short

  1. You need to bend too much at the waist before swinging.
  2. You also have to bend your knees pre-swing.
  3. You keep hitting the ball with the golf club's heel.
  4. The swing path is in to out.
  5. The tempo is too quick.
  6. The ball tends to veer off to the right.

Can I play with shorter golf clubs?

Additionally, shorter length golf clubs can provide more control to the golfer, essentially making the golf club more forgiving. While longer clubs can help increase speed and launch angle, shorter clubs can be easier to hit solid due to the reduction in swing arc.

What happens when you shorten a golf club?

The more shaft you cut off, the lighter, more stiff, and effectively flatter the club becomes. For every 1/2 inch you remove, you will lose approximately three swingweight points. You can readjust the swingweight by adding lead tape to the head of the club. Any amount of cutting will slightly stiffen the club.

How long should my 7 iron be?

So, as an example, where a man's standard 7-iron length may be 37 ¼”, a women's standard 7-iron would be approximately 36 ¼”. So, when making length adjustments for women, keep in mind that the shaft changes you make are measured as additions or subtractions to this shorter women's standard for club length.

25 related questions found

Do you need longer golf clubs if you are tall?

Because golf is a game of repetition and your swing should not vary in most circumstances, your stance will be the same. It doesn't matter how tall you are if you have a deeper crouch in your swing because your wrists will then be closer to the ground, which means you need slightly shorter clubs.

Is it OK to choke up on golf club?

As you can tell, choking up on the golf club is a secret weapon that a lot of golfers don't take advantage of enough. Sure, you will lose some distance by choking up but in general, it's almost always worth it. This is a great way to add new shots in your bag and save yourself when you're hitting it poorly.

Can I cut my irons to one length?

Every ONE Length iron has been re-engineered to match 7-iron head weight, therefore, any custom shaft (cut to 7-iron length) can work with any of the ONE Length heads.

Should shorter golfers use shorter clubs?

Shorter golfers are often better served with shorter clubs, while the lie angle (how the club sits on the ground) may also need tweaking. If your clubs are too long and/or upright, you'll be forced to adjust away from a swing that's natural for you.

Are shorter irons easier to hit?

Long irons are considerably harder to hit than short irons, and it is good to have a general understanding of this concept. The more prepared you are to take on these long iron shots, the better your chance for success.

Do pro golfers use shorter clubs?

Most pro golfers use shorter shafts on their drivers than recreational golfers. Is this true? Absolutely true.

Does golf club length matter?

When it comes to golf clubs, size does matter. While correct golf club size can help you become a better golfer and make the game more enjoyable, inaccurate club length will have the exact opposite effect.

How do I know if my golf clubs are the right size?

To choose golf clubs that are the right fit, all you need is your height. If you're between 5 ft 9” and 6 ft (1.5 m 23 cm and 1.8 m) tall, you should go with the standard length for golf clubs. If you're taller than 6 ft (1.8 m), you'll need longer clubs.

Can I lengthen my golf clubs?

There are two ways to lengthen your shafts. You may add extenders to your existing shafts or you may replace your existing shafts with longer ones. The effects can be very different. Tom Wishon has written extensively about the effects of changing shafts in "The Golfsmith Practical Clubfitting Program" guide.

How do you cut an iron shaft?

With steel shafts, use a tubing cutter to trim the shaft; with graphite shafts, shorten using a hacksaw. Re-install a grip on the newly shortened shaft. And, most importantly, Wishon says, add weight to the clubhead in some manner to restore the swingweight feel of the club.

Should I grip down on my irons?

Having better control of the club makes it more likely you'll hit the sweet spot, which could lead to greater distance and accuracy, and you'll possibly hit more greens in regulation; at least lower your scores. If you're plagued with a hook or slice, try choking down an inch or two. It may help. Happy Golfing!

What happens if my golf clubs are too long?

What Happens When Golf Clubs Are Too Long? For most golfers, having clubs that are too long will result in the most inconsistent shots. Clubs that are too long will make you stand too upright, which can cause both heel and toe shots as well as a tendency to pull the ball.

Does shortening club affect lie angle?

The lie angle will automatically change if clubs are lengthened. Er, no it won't. Cutting length from or adding length to a shaft will not alter the angle between the hosel and the sole.

Are shorter irons better?

A shorter club technically should improve control and accuracy. A longer club technically should increase distance. A club that is properly fitted in terms of the length of the shaft will maximize accuracy and distance.

How far does Tiger Woods hit a 7 iron?

Tiger Woods is a legend of golf but on average, how long does he hit a 7 iron? Tiger hits his 7 irons approximately 172 yards. This is an average figure and there will times when Tiger hits the ball closer to 200 yards.

How Does height affect golf swing?

As a taller golfer, you will tend to have a more upright swing. This can lead to a steeper attack on the ball but it is important to make the most of your height and work to keep the hands high during your swing.