club fitting primer for junior golfers

Properly fit golf club can have a huge influence on the performance of golfers. Fitting junior golfers with the right equipment is difficult because they are in a constant state of flux – working hard to improve their technique, while they are getting bigger and stronger. Pick ingthe right equipment is a challenge for coaches who are trying to balance long-term improvement with short-term performance. Parents also have a difficult choice to make when they’re considering an investment in new equipment knowing that their son or daughter could outgrow the new clubs relatively quickly.
These complications and challenges can be lessened by following the guidelines I have laid out below.
When it’s Time to Get New Clubs for Your Son or Daughter
New clubs support the development of competitive junior golfers and can speed up improvement and make the game more fun. There are three key times for juniors to get new clubs.

1. A new junior golfer should get a few clubs that fit their skill and size as soon as they begin to take lessons. Getting the right clubs early in the process will have a big impact on whether a young golfer stays with the sport beyond the initial trial period.
2. Once a junior golfer begins to improve, it makes sense to get a more complete set of well-fit clubs that includes a driver, a fairway wood or hybrid, several irons, a couple of wedges, and a putter.
3. Since speed and size are the key factors in fitting competitive juniors, it is important to consider new clubs whenever a golfer sees either an increase in speed of 5-10 mph or an increase in height of more than 2-3 inches.

What to Consider When Purchasing New Clubs
All the major manufacturers make quality clubs, but just a few offer a variety of options for younger golfers. When purchasing new clubs, there are important swing characteristics and club specifications that need to be evaluated and taken into consideration when fitting a junior golfer. Here are the essential ones:
Swing Characteristics

• Club speed – Fast speeds produce more height and spin
• Skill level – Beginners need clubs that are forgiving and help the ball get in the air
• Distance and shot dispersion with current clubs – A left or right bias can influence the choice of clubs
• Delivery of club at impact – The 3D position of the clubface at impact can affect the lie and loft of the club
• Launch and land angle – Lower and higher ball flights require a different set makeup

Club Specifications

• Design of the clubhead in terms of forgiveness – Clubs can vary from super game-improvement to clubs that offer little correction to errant shots
• Loft of the clubs – Stronger clubs can help players with slower swing speeds
• Shaft length, stiffness, and weight – it is always best to err on shorter, lighter, and more flexible
• Lie angle – Clubs with a proper lie angle will improve contact and starting direction of the ball

How to Make Sure the Clubs are Fit Correctly
When buying new clubs, the desired change to the ball flight should be the number one priority. For example, some players will want more distance while other players might prefer a lower ball flight. For competitive junior golfers, I suggest you follow these basic guidelines:

1. Purchase equipment with an eye toward the future. It’s tough to determine how much faster or bigger a young player will get, but we often fit our students to where we think they will be in three to six months, from a skill and speed standpoint.
2. Don’t buy clubs that correct for swing flaws. This approach can impede development. We like our students to have clubs that are relatively “neutral” and that will encourage the changes in technique that we are recommending.
3. Don’t skimp on equipment. Of the three major expenses associated with junior golf (tournaments, coaching, and equipment), equipment will require the least investment and has a significant effect on performance.
4. Take your time with the purchase and have your son or daughter test various clubs and shafts using a high-end launch like the one we use from TrackMan in addition to testing the clubs on the course.

In closing, I would strongly suggest that you solicit the assistance of your son or daughter’s coach to help with all equipment purchases. Unfortunately, I’ve had to correct the mistakes that parents have made in buying clubs. It’s not very much fun to deliver the bad news that the clubs that were purchased have to be returned.