How to know when your kids have outgrown their golf clubs

Learn how to know out if your child has outgrown their golf clubs

There comes a time when every junior golf set must be retired. This is usually due to the sad fact that your child has grown since you purchased it. Don’t get teary eyed parents; they may have grown but they’re still your little bundles of joy (mostly)!

The most important advice AllKidsGolfClubs.com gives parents is that when shopping for kids golf clubs, purchase a set that fits the child’s current height. Otherwise, their swing and success on the golf course will struggle due to the improper fitted clubs. If you really want to give your child room to grow into clubs, we recommend you size them no more than 1-2” taller than they currently are. AllKidsGolfClubs was the inventor of shop by height and not age, which our founder started doing in 1999. It is our expert formula to guarantee a proper fit on every kids golf set you purchase.

We know you spent countless hours researching the original golf set that your purchased for your child. Last year it fit them perfectly, but now as the golf season is approaching you are concerned that these clubs are going to be too small. Trust us, we get it – our kids shot up overnight too. Just as we learned how to adapt and keep tabs on our children’s constant growth, we want to share that experience with you! If you are ready to shop, feel free to explore all of our Kids Golf Clubs.

How Soon Will My Child Outgrow Their Clubs?

Outgrowing a golf set is a very sad reality after all the time and experience a child spends with that set. This stage usually occurs within 1 to 2 years after purchasing, as kids have a habit of growing faster than weeds.

But let that beloved golf set's legacy live on! Whether it be donating to your local First Tee or to a golf course for rental clubs, this memorable set doesn't need to collect dust in the basement. We encourage you to donate it to somewhere that other junior golfers could benefit from it!

What Size Clubs Should Kids Use?

The exact size of clubs your child should use will vary depending on their height. In general, youth golf clubs can be fitted for any child as short as 28 inches (under 3 feet) tall. At most, youth golf clubs are intended for a maximum height of 68 inches (5 foot 8) tall. View the exact club lengths we recommend for every height by checking out our Youth Golf Cub Sizing Chart here!

Is It Time to Buy My Child New Golf Clubs?

If this is the question being asked, it warms our hearts at AllKidsGolfClubs.com. This means your child is ready to keep golfing, and all they need is that brand new golf set that will keep them fueled to play the game they have grown to love.

We have learned some tricks and tips throughout our years of experience in the golf world that can help you see signs of your child needing new clubs. These are things you can check while at home or during a practice session at the driving range. 

How to Know Your Child Has the Wrong Sized Clubs

When your child is getting into their swinging position, have them pause before they begin their swing. In this stance, we want you to look at a few key details: posture, hand & grip placement, club head positioning.

Posture

• If your child’s golf clubs are too short, they will be excessively bent over.
• A proper golf “ready position” will have a golfer bent over at roughly a 35° angle (this angle is seen when you are facing either side of their hips, not their chest)
• If your child is bent over more than this, or even close to being parallel with the ground, this is a clear sign their clubs are too short
• If your child’s golf clubs are too long, they will be standing too upright.
• Again, the proper angle of the spine is just about 35° (when facing their hips)
• If a child is standing more upright than this, or all the way upright, then this is a clear sign their clubs are too long

Hand & Grip Placement

• If your child’s golf clubs are too short, their grip will naturally be all the way at the end of the golf shaft
• This grip position intends to extend a short golf club
• It is recommended to have space left between the top of a golfer’s grip and the end of the shaft. If there is no extra space here, then you can tell the clubs are too short
• If your child’s golf clubs are too long, their grip will naturally be far too low on the golf shaft
• This grip position intends to shorten an excessively long golf club
• We recommend that at most, a golfer leaves one hand’s worth of space above their grip at the top of their golf shaft
• Placing hands any lower on the shaft will create poor form and lack of consistency in performance

Club Head Positioning

• If your child’s golf clubs are too short, the heel of the club head will be off the ground (view picture below for reference)
• Such club head positioning will create great difficulty in solid contact, shot accuracy, and overall consistency
• If your child’s golf clubs are too long, the toe of the club head will be off the ground (view picture below for reference)
• Such club head positioning will create great difficulty in solid contact, shot accuracy, and overall consistency

A Fun Trick to Try!

• Here’s a nifty club fitting technique that we want to share with you. Grab a tape measure and measure from the floor to the crease on your child’s dominant wrist.
• This is a bit opposite in golf; left wrist is dominant for righties, and right wrist is dominant for lefties.
• This measurement is a good estimate for how long your child’s golf clubs should be

The Cons of Kids Using Clubs That Don’t Fit

At this point you may be asking yourself, “What happens if my child’s golf clubs are too small?” or “What happens if my child’s golf clubs are too large?”. We’ve got you covered.

There’s a substantial list of cons or issues that come into play when a child is using clubs that don’t fit their height. From negative effects on their performance to their physical body, such a small incompatibility can have a big impact.

• Struggle with Proper Swing Mechanics
• Whether too small or too big, not having the proper sized kids golf clubs will cause your child’s mechanics to crumble – or least be far more difficult to perfect than it already is
• Shot Inconsistency
• Clubs that are too short for a child (or anyone for that matter) tend to cause overly low shot trajectory
• Shots will lack proper loft, often being “topped” or shot along the ground
• Clubs that are too long for a child (or anyone for that matter) tend to cause weak contact
• You may see divots being made in the grass in almost every shot
• A swing that looks great may not have full power due to a lack of solid contact
• Lack of Power & Accuracy
• We just touched on this a tad, but a consistent lack of power in shots is usually a clear result of improper club length
• When a club is too short or too long for a child, the club head will not make perfect contact with the ball, leading to weak and inaccurate shots
• Poor Posture
• When a child us using clubs that are too short or too long, they will struggle to stand at the proper posture during their swing
• This can cause aches and pains during and after play, as well as longer-term back problems if continuously practiced without resolve
• Poor Performance
• In total, all of these cons boil down to a child not performing at their best
• Golf is already a hard sport to learn at a young age – give your child the best opportunity possible by ensuring they are playing with clubs designed for their current height

How Durable Are Childrens Golf Clubs?

Junior Golf Sets are extremely durable and can last a while. Don’t let this be a reason for you to buy your child golf clubs that they will grow into though.

We at AllKidsGolfClubs.com, as parents, understand the concept of saving money or “killing two birds with one stone”. But your child’s enjoyment and success at golf shouldn’t be something you’re willing to compensate for the sake of buying one less club set.

Children’s growth is unavoidable, and if you’re lucky your child’s love for golf will grow as well. Help them enjoy this game to the max by suiting them up with junior golf clubs that will foster their development and performance.

What Do I Do If My Child Has Outgrown Their Clubs?

Your child needs proper sized kids golf clubs. So we have a simple answer for this question: surprise them with the BEST junior golf equipment on the market by shopping the largest collection of junior golf clubs online at AllKidsGolfClubs.com!

Scan through our countless clubs selection, including brands such as Callaway, Tour Edge, Cobra, and so many more top names in the golf world! Add full junior golf sets or individual junior golf clubs to your cart and enjoy them shipped directly to your door. From educational blogs and shopping guides, to a seamless customer experience online and on the course, AllKidsGolfClubs.com is the #1 home for junior golf!