What Is The Difference Between Male & Female Golf Clubs?

Playing with the proper set of golf clubs is one of the quickest ways for any golfer to improve their game. While the differences between male and female golf clubs may appear to be relatively minor, but there is a definite reasoning for why clubs for each are made differently. The differences can be minor, such as cosmetic, to the stiffness of the shaft, club length, weight and grip size.

Cosmetic Differences

One of the most visible differences between male and female golf clubs is appearance, as golf club manufacturers tend to use colors they believe will be appealing to females when making women's golf clubs. This has no effect on the club or the golfer's swing, but is merely an attempt to produce a golf club that is visually appealing to the individual golfer.

Length

As a rule, male golf clubs tend to be one inch taller than female clubs for both steel and graphite shafts. The typical 5 iron length for a men's club is 38.25 inches for a graphite shaft and 37.75 inches for a steel shaft, while a 5 iron for females is 37.25 inches for a graphite shaft and 36.75 inches for a steel shaft.

Grip

As males tend to have larger hands than females, the grips for men's clubs are slightly thicker and longer. The second difference between grips for male and female golf clubs is the material used for the grips. Grips for men's clubs are typically harder than they are for women's clubs and have cord woven into the grip, while the grips for women's golf clubs are generally made from rubber or are wrapped in leather and have a much softer feel.

Weight

Golf clubs for females tend to be lighter than those designed for males, so that females can produce the highest club speed with the least amount of effort. The club heads, however, will tend to be slightly heavier on clubs designed for females. This is in part to offset the shorter club length and help females generate club speed.

Shaft Flex

Shaft flex is simply the stiffness of the golf club. Golf clubs designed for females are more flexible than clubs designed for males. The flex of the shaft is more pronounced in woods and longer irons than it is in shorter irons and wedges.
Shaft flexes are categorized between Ladies Flex, which is designed for club speeds of less than 60 miles-per-hour up to Extra Stiff, which is designed for club speeds in excess of 93 miles-per-hour. Stiffer shafts are designed for longer hitters.