Features
Most major golf club brands carry a women's line of clubs. They offer the same clubs--drivers, woods, irons, hybrid, wedges, putters--but women's clubs are shorter, lighter and have more flexible shafts. Women's irons are usually graphite, while men's clubs can be either graphite or steel and have more flex, shorter staffs, slightly heavier heads and are of overall lighter weight. In addition, most women's clubs are about one inch shorter per club and have higher loft heads and include shorter and thinner grips than men's.
Size
Women's drivers usually have a 12- to 13-degree loft, compared to men's drivers with lofts of 9 to 11 degrees and woods with higher degrees of loft. Women's woods are also usually available in higher numbers (2-13), while men's woods generally range from 2-9.
Identification
Every golf brand that carries women's clubs tends to offer cosmetic differences, such as grip colors. Most women's clubs will look exactly like men's clubs, especially in head shape and the golf brand name tag. However, women's clubs tend to come in different colors; generally lighter colors than the men's version.
Misconceptions
Women do not have to play with women's clubs and men do not have to play with men's clubs. There are many golfers all over the world who use the opposite sex club, especially women. Many women, because of comfort, will use a men's driver, irons or even putters, and occasionally men will use ladies flex shafts because of their slow swing speed. No one should be forced to use a line of clubs with which they are not comfortable.
Considerations
Golfers should consider having clubs measured and built specifically to their swing speed, plane and range. Many golf shops and pro shops can custom-build clubs, offering a better match for your game than what some off-the-shelf brands might offer.
About The Author
Mike Camunas is a free lance reporter, covering local golf in the Tampa Bay area, from events to golfers hitting hole in ones, to even covering the professional events that hit town. He has been playing golf for about 11 years and has never seen his handicap lower. Perhaps one day. He attended the University of South Florida.
