Why are pro golfers clubs so short?
William Rodriguez
Published Jan 06, 2026
It takes a shorter club for most people to create the desired spine and shaft angles, swing planes, and contact with the ball. As would be expected, the shorter club and improved planes create better accuracy with the golf shots.
Do pro golfers use shorter clubs?
Most pro golfers use shorter shafts on their drivers than recreational golfers. Is this true? Absolutely true.
Are golf clubs supposed to be short?
Whether you're short, average or tall, there are no shortcuts for determining the proper club length. The only rule of thumb is that the stock golf club length off the shelf is likely not the exact right length for you. Custom fitting will always trump buying off the rack, especially when it comes to length.
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.
Why are shorter golf clubs easier?
The short irons in your bag are more forgiving because of the higher launch angles and more confidence-inducing look to their setup. Most players can stand with an eight or nine iron in their hand and the club looks like it is going to get up in the air and produce some impressive shots.
26 related questions foundDo tall men need longer clubs?
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.
What happens if your clubs are too short?
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.
What is the shortest golf club?
The pitching wedge has the most loft, the shortest shaft, and the shortest distance in the traditional 3-PW iron set.
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.
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 should my golf clubs fit my height?
Using the ratio of every 6" of height there should be a 1" change in length then there should be a 1 ½" difference between their 5-irons. For example, recommend 36.5" for the lady and 38" for the man (or 36.75" / 38.25").
Is it OK to shorten a driver shaft?
Shortening the shaft will make the club shorter but it will also make the shaft stiffer and adjust the swing weight as well. Plus, the more length you remove, the less flex your club will have. Depending on how much you cut it down, it could move a regular flex to a stiff or a stiff to an extra stiff.
Are shorter drivers better?
When fitting a driver, it's important to get loft, lie, shaft, and grip sorted, but better driving may be hiding in a shorter shaft. In fact, a shorter shaft should help you find the sweet spot more often and may even add distance.
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.
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.
How do you know if your golf clubs are too short?
6 Signs Your Golf Clubs are Too Short
- You need to bend too much at the waist before swinging.
- You also have to bend your knees pre-swing.
- You keep hitting the ball with the golf club's heel.
- The swing path is in to out.
- The tempo is too quick.
- The ball tends to veer off to the right.
Are irons shorter than drivers?
Irons vs Driver
Because your irons are shorter than your driver, and because the ball is positioned farther back in your stance, there will be less tilt in your spine. The center of your body will even with the ball, not slightly behind it like with the driver.
Is there a 1 iron golf club?
The 1 iron, or driving iron, is the lowest lofted and longest iron (14 or 16 degrees of loft), although Wilson did make a 0 iron for John Daly. Often called a butter knife because of how it looks, the 1 iron has the least surface area on its face and so is commonly regarded as the most difficult club in the bag to hit.
Should irons sit flat at address?
How should a golf club lie on the ground? The golf club should address the ball with the toe set a few millimetres in the air – the clubhead should never sit flat on the turf. You should be able to fit a small coin under the toe of the club at address, with the heel remaining in contact with the ground.
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.
Do tall golfers need stiff shafts?
Due to the increased length of the shaft, a flexible shaft will not work and will give very poor control. If a longer shaft is chosen, ensure a stiff or extra stiff shaft is selected.