Until young people began turning to golf in record numbers, the only way you could fit them with a set of clubs was to cut down the shafts of regular clubs to their size. Since these were adult clubs, there was nothing you could do about the weight in the heads, which made it difficult for smaller children to swing properly. These days, you can pay a little or a lot, depending on which clubs you buy for a youngster. Still, the clubs have to be right for the child. Here are a few things you should think about before purchasing.
Step 1: Pay special attention to the length of the clubs. There's a temptation to buy clubs that will last the youngster several years, but he shouldn't be required to change his swing because he needs to choke up more than 1 or 2 inches.
Step 2: Make sure the club heads are the right weight for the youngster and that the clubs will be easy for her to swing. Today, junior sets of clubs are made with the right weight and head size, and they have very flexible shafts made of graphite, which makes them easy to swing.
Step 3: Buy clubs with grips that fit the youth's hands. There's nothing more frustrating to the junior than having clubs with grips that are too large. Most manufacturers offer different grips that will match the junior's hand size.
Step 4: Shop before you buy. Seek the advice of people at your local golf shop. They might have junior sets available that will fit the bill. Or ask a friend who has purchased youth golf clubs how he went about finding them.
ADDITIONAL TIPS
If price is a major consideration, go online for a much wider selection. At most times, eBay has several hundred auctions of junior sets of clubs, and you can occasionally find a good buy. Do remember, though, that the youth will not be able to see how the clubs fit prior to your purchasing them.
Resources
- — More about youth golf clubs.
