A Guide to Buying Junior Golf Clubs

What to Look for in Junior Golf Clubs when Shopping for your Child

Junior golf equipment has come a long way in recent years. Gone are the days when young golfers had to use adult clubs that had been cut down to size.

It's fine to get a very young child started with a cut down 7-iron and putter, but as kids get older, they need a set of golf clubs that are made with their bodies in mind. Today there is a good selection of manufacturers making clubs specifically for juniors.

With all the different types of clubs to choose from, there are a few things to remember when buying junior clubs.

Length 
Length is the first consideration. The trick is to find a set of clubs that is the right length for the junior golfer, but also a set that the junior can grow with. Remember that it is OK for the junior to choke down or grip down on the club. You just don't want them to move their hands down the grip too much.

The basic rule is this: if the junior is choking down more than 1½ to 2 inches, he or she is choking down too much. Choking down more than two inches can change their whole swing, requiring them to manipulate the swing to get the club around their body. A set of clubs whose length requires the junior to grip down only one inch allows them to make a normal swing at the ball, while probably have enough length to get a second year out of the set.

Shaft Flex 
The next consideration is shaft flex. The main problem with cut-down clubs for juniors is the stiffness of the shafts. When you take 4-5 inches of length off a golf club, you make the shaft extremely stiff. And this explains why juniors using cut-down clubs are unable to get any height on their shots.

One good thing with new sets is that the manufacturers are now making shafts that are the right flex for kids' swing speeds. Using light-weight steel and graphite have made junior golf clubs more playable. The shafts of junior clubs today are so flexible that you can bend them with your hands. So check to make sure that your child's set of clubs has a nice, flexible shaft.

Weight 
The weight of the golf club is also very important to junior golfers. If the club is overly heavy, the child will struggle to take the club to the top of the backswing. The struggle to get the club back causes a manipulation of the swing that results in inconsistency. A lighter club will help the junior get the club in the correct position at the top of the swing, and lead to an easily repeatable swing.

Just like with shaft flex, most club companies make junior clubs with lighter heads and shafts. So before you buy, just make sure to check the overall weight of the clubs. You want clubs that are light enough to fit your child's age.

Grip Size 
The last consideration is grip size. Paying attention to grip size for young golfers is a new thought in the last few years. In the past, clubs were cut down and any grip that fit the shaft was put on. But oversized grips cause the same problems for juniors as they do for adult golfers. If the grip feels like a baseball bat, it's going to change the swing mechanics.

So when buying a set of junior clubs, make sure they are fitted with junior grips. If you're changing grips, ask for junior grips with a core size of .50. These thinner grips will make a difference in your child's game.

As adults, we realize how tough golf can be some days and how much the right equipment can help our games. By keeping these considerations in mind when buying junior golf clubs, you can help your junior play better golf, and more importantly, have a better time on the golf course.

Choosing Golf Clubs to Suit Your Kid

Most parents do not know the importance of choosing golf clubs correctly for their kids.

The obvious choice is to cut down some adult clubs for them to use and in all sincerity it is the worse choice to make. Why?

A child swinging with cut down clubs will not be able to feel the club head when they swing because the shaft gets stiffer when you shorten it. The head will also be too heavy and the grip too thick.

This can cause your child to get into bad habits right from word go. Think of it if you were to try to swing a golf club that was 3 times as stiff and twice as heavy. I am sure you would also struggle and give up.

When choosing golf clubs, half sets are available for kids from 2 to 3 year olds. They could even use a plastic set with plastic golf balls. Junior clubs are manufactured to fit a child better and should be taken advantage of. The shaft is more flexible, club head is lighter, and the grip is thinner, perfect for kids.

 
My advice when first choosing golf clubs is to buy only 2 clubs to start with, a 7 iron and a putter which can be bought separately. You can buy both these clubs for as little as $20. The reason I say a 7 iron is that it is easy for the child to get the ball airborne, which will give them confidence from the beginning and think that golf is a really cool game.

My experience has taught me that this is a major factor in keeping their interest and getting them motivated.

Sooner or later your "young champ" is going to grow out of the club that they using and will need a longer one. You need to keep a watch on this and have the club lengthened accordingly.

Should you have the existing shaft lengthened the shaft will become more flexible. If so, then you may need to buy another one.

Club fitting measurements for kids is done according to their height. Choosing golf clubs is easy. Measure you child's height and the distance from his or her wrist to the floor when standing erect. This gives you the measurement needed for a perfect fit.

Always make sure that your kid is playing with correctly fitted clubs to give them maximum benefit. As they get older and better at golf they will probably need more clubs or possible a full set. 
 

A Review of the Callaway XJ Junior 11-Piece Boy's Golf Club Set (9-12 Years Old)

The ultimate set of clubs for junior golfers looking to jump-start their love of the game. The X Junior Set of golf clubs set is small in size only, and includes a 360cc all-titanium driver, a stainless steel fairway wood, stainless steel irons (5, 7, 9-iron and sand wedge), XJ Odyssey 2-Ball Putter and a lightweight stand bag. Every club comes with the same technological and innovative advancements Callaway Golf has put into its X Series for adults. The X Series provides the perfect combination of performance and forgiveness so junior golfers can play confidently and aggressively. Now juniors can play with golf clubs designed specifically for them and their unique swing needs.