It's tempting to save a little money and cut down a couple of your old golf clubs to get your child started in the game. But if you want your pint-sized golfer to enjoy golf and develop good swing habits, consider getting her properly fit junior clubs. Their lighter weight and flexible shafts make swinging a pleasure, and also helps prevent injury to young joints and tendons.
Proper Shaft Flex Allows High Shots
Children who play with cut-down adult clubs have difficulty getting the ball up in the air. When a shaft is cut down, it actually becomes stiffer, and tends to produce very low shots. Your child will either get frustrated from hitting grounders, or develop the habit of trying to scoop the ball into the air as he tries to hit the same kind of shots he sees you hitting. Flexible junior shafts kick the ball into the air, which makes the game more fun.
Proper Weight Produces Control
Even when shortened, adult clubs weigh up to 25% more than junior clubs. This makes the club difficult to control, especially for golfers under 12. Your child needs to be in balance at address, at the top of her backswing, and in the finish --- and only clubs of the proper weight allow this balance to occur.
Proper Grip Size Promotes Accuracy
A golf club is designed to rotate during the swing, and improper grip size makes proper rotation difficult or impossible to achieve. If the grip is too large, the club won't square up with the ball at impact, and your child will hit shots to the right of his target. If the grip is too small, your child will squeeze too hard and lose power. Proper grips can can help your junior golfer relax, and swing with control.
Proper Length Allows Perfect Posture
Your child should be able to address the ball in a tall posture with unlocked knees. This will allow a comfortable turn in the backswing, a level approach to the ball, and a balanced finish. To allow consistent posture, the length of the club should match the growth of your child. You should have your junior golfer fit for club length at the beginning of each golf season.
Member Comments