How to Measure Golf Club Length
- Last Updated on
Contents
Length plays a big role in golf, I’m not just talking about total distance off the tee either. I’m referring to the golf club length for each of your 14 clubs in the bag.
Playing clubs that are the right length for your size will help you make better contact, improve distance, and accuracy. The trick is to make sure you measure them properly before sending them to a golf club repair shop to alter them.
Here’s how to measure golf club length the right way.
How to Measure Golf Club Length – 3 Simple Steps
Whether you want to confirm a new order of clubs you just bought or if you just picked up some used clubs online, here’s how to get started. Please note, this is how you measure any golf club except the putter, which is a separate method and detailed below.
Here is the step-by-step method to measure your golf clubs.
Step 1: Set up Your Area
The first step to measure your golf club is to find a flat surface. One of the biggest mistakes that most people make is trying to measure the club vertically instead of horizontally. Find a flat surface with at least 50 inches of space.
Then, make sure you have a tape measure or measuring stick that is at least 48 inches long. You won’t need a stick that is longer as most golf clubs aren’t longer than 46 inches (unless you’re a long drive competitor).
Step 2: Create a 60-Degree Angle
Another common mistake that most golfers make when measuring clubs is not setting the club up properly. You will need to make sure the club has a 60-degree angle from the ground.
You might be thinking, why 60 degrees? It’s a good question, but the USGA made this the preferred angle to measure clubs so it’s important to stick with it (so your clubs are legal length). Sixty degrees is about the average lie angle between all golf clubs (less lie angle with longer clubs, more with more lofted clubs).
To get the 60-degree angle, you will likely need to put something against the club to ensure it sits at about the right angle. Ideally, you want to invest in a sole plate/sole adapter so you can ensure it’s the proper angle. I know this sounds meticulous but having the incorrect angle can mess with your measurements by 1/8 inch or more.
Click here to buy the Mitchell Golf CLUBLENGTH ruler measuring toolkit which has everything you need to measure clubs.
Step 3: Measure Your Club
Finally, once the club is in the right position, measure it using the tape or stick. You’ll want to measure from the end of the sole plate to the end of the grip cap for woods, hybrids, irons, and wedges.
Here is a great video that shows exactly how to measure with a stick and sole adapter.
In this video, he also talks about the importance of measuring a raw shaft (meaning, there is no grip). In this case, you’ll want to add ⅛ inch to your overall length to account for the grip that will be placed on the golf club.
Additional Method – Measuring Apparatus
While the 3-step process from above is pretty straight forward, you can also measure your clubs using a golf specific measuring apparatus. These are more commonly used by golf manufacturers or repair shops.
Here’s how to use one of these devices instead:
- Turn the machine on.
- Push the grip support assembly all the way to the left so that you can insert the club.
- Place the clubhead into the measuring apparatus so it’s inserted into the 60 degree sole plate. Then, slide the grip support to it’s touching the butt-end of the grip.
- If the scale is 0 or less, it will conform to the standard length. If not, you would not be able to use the club in a competitive event.
Long Driver Measuring Method
As I mentioned, most clubs aren’t longer than 46 inches, unless of course you’re a long driver. In that case, they actually choose to measure the length of golf clubs differently. In fact, it pretty much goes against every method that we just covered above.
So, how do they measure golf clubs?
Instead of measuring the club horizontally, they are measured vertically against a wall. This ensures that the toe is on the ground and will end up making the club much longer. The lie of the driver will also impact the total length of the club as well since it’s against a wall.
The Long Drivers of America not only measure differently but allow longer clubs in competition as well. The maximum allowable length for long drive competitions is 50 inches using this measurement method.
Measuring Your Putter Length
The 3-step method above is great for all clubs except your putter. The flat stick has its own way of measuring total length so let’s dive into that now. Putters are measured differently depending on the type of putter and how the shaft is inserted into the putter head.
If you use a heel shafted putter (which is the majority of golfers), you can follow the three steps above. However, if you have a center shaft or toe-shafted putter, you will need to make some adjustment to properly measure length.
If the club isn’t offset, you will lean the putter against a wally. Then, measure it from the grip cap straight down through the middle of the putter face.
Read More: How To Measure Your Putter Length
Top Questions About Golf Club Length
If you have additional questions about measuring golf clubs and what length is best for you, keep reading.
What is a golf club length calculator?
If you’re not sure if you should play standard, short, or lengthened clubs, you can easily do a quick measurement with the help of a friend. According to GolfLink, “The most common way of measuring yourself for the correct golf club length is the wrist-to-floor measurement. “
Here are the steps they provided:
- Stand on level ground with your shoes on (preferably golf shoes).
- Stand tall and have a friend measure from the floor to your wrist using a tape measure or measuring stick.
- Then, use a golf club measurement chart to find the ideal length of clubs based on this measurement and height.
For example, if you’re a man that is 5’6” – 5’8” with a 34-inch wrist to floor measurement, you would play standard clubs. But if you were two inches taller, you would benefit from clubs that are ¼ inch shorter.
What is the standard length for a 7-iron? Driver?
For men, the average shaft length is 37-37.5 inches for a 7 iron. While drivers range from 45.5 to 45.75 inches.
As the Golf Channel stated, “Golf’s governing bodies announced a new model local rule Tuesday that will reduce the maximum length of driver shafts from 48 to 46 inches.
The rule, which goes into effect Jan. 1, will allow the various tours the option to implement a local rule (MLR G-10) that will cap driver length at 46 inches.”
This change caused quite an uproar by player’s like Bryson DeChambeau and Phil Mickelson as they worried about player’s safety. But as the distance debate rages on, this is one of the methods the USGA chose to keep golf courses a challenge for players.
Is there a maximum length for putters?
No, there is no maximum length for putters. While the USGA banned anchoring your putter, long putters are still allowed.
Most traditional putter lengths vary from 32-36 degrees for men, while long putters are 48 to 52 inches. Finding the right putter length is a big part of making sure you get the most out of your putting.
You’ll want to factor in your height, arm length, typical putting posture, and other factors to find the right length for your specific stroke.
Wrapping Up
Hopefully this makes it easier for you to measure the length of your golf clubs the right way. Remember, the overall length of your clubs plays a big role in making sure your clubs match your swing, gender, and body.
When you buy new or used clubs, it’s always a good idea to measure your clubs and ensure they’re the proper length. Additionally, I would suggest having the loft and lie checked when you buy irons and woods. I’ve bought clubs brand-new from the manufacturer and still had the specs off, so it’s always a good idea to get a baseline measurement for all your equipment.
Do you play clubs that are standard length? Or, have you had a fitting and added or shortened them?
Let us know in the comments below.
Phil Grounds
Phil is an avid golfer, and the creator of The Golfers Gear. He’s been playing golf for 30 years, and is obsessed with improving his game and sharing his experience helping fellow golfers score better.
You May Also Like
