Cut Down Wedges and Putters for Juniors

[socalsharky]

Does anyone have experience with cutting down men's (or women's) wedges or putters for use by juniors? My son is 12 (4'-10"), and I am starting to think about transitioning him into full sized clubs. I realize the implications of shaft stiffness with cut down clubs. For that reason, he is currently playing a set of Ping junior clubs. However, now seems to be the right time to get him into full sized wedges and a putter. I am thinking of getting some used Cleveland or Titleist wedges, and just cutting them down to 32 inches or so, and cutting a putter down to 31". No one seems to make good quality adult-style wedges and putters for kids.

Any thoughts or comments would be appreciated.

[jamo]

I know when i was a kid (not too long ago, i'm 17) i learned the game with my father's cut down Mizuno Altron PW. It seems like you son is a little past that. Basically the only options for kids clubs are ultra-light, extremely whippy US Kids clubs, or something heavier. I might not be the best person to ask because i was about 5 foot 5 when i was 12, but Nike makes some pretty good kids clubs. They aren't as flexible as the US Kids ones, but they are still really light.

If you want to get him full sized clubs, I would recommend getting him a couple womens or senior clubs. If he can swallow his pride, they are lighter and have more flexible shafts, and you could cut them down without them becoming too stiff, at least less stiff than comparable men's clubs. They are also usually cheaper than men's clubs I believe.

[ET-Taylor]

Clubs with M (senior flex) taylormade look exactly the same as R S or X I mean like their irons and hybrids with graphite. I would advise to get you son custom fitted first to see what he needs.

[socalsharky]

Obviously flex does not matter with a putter, so in this case I was more worried about the weight of the head. Extra weight here might actually help, right. With the wedges, I know almost all wedges come in "Wedge Flex". How does that relate to R, S, X, etc.? If wedge flex is very stiff already, cutting down the shaft probably wouldn't matter much since the shots are typically smaller swings.

[-BAMA-]

i grew up playing a partial set of cut down spaulding executives, and a tom watson 56*

i had no trouble with them.

[Capt Hook]

When my son was about that height, I moved him to a set of Nike Eagle clubs which included a PW and putter. Those clubs were designed for juniors 4'10" and taller. That was a few years ago, so I don't know if Nike still offers a similar model. Sports Authority and Roger Dunn Golf carried the Nike Eagles.

When he reached about 5'2", I switched him to womens clubs. Cleveland made women's versions of their 588 and CG11 wedges (shorter length with lighter, graphite shafts). I believe Cleveland currently makes a women's version of the CG14.

[ET-Taylor]

I got my mizunos which were cut down for previous owner which devalues the club so I got a great deal i was about 4'10 at that time also

[WUTiger]

If you cut more than a half-inch off a shaft, increased stiffness could become noticeable.

Ralph Maltby talks about this on one of his forums:
http://www.ralphmaltby.com/forum/art...ge=12#number65

Women's clubs would be something to consider. Given he's less than 5-foot-2, women's petites might fit him quite well. (Yes, clubs come in petite too)

Also, women's standard clubs cut off a full inch might go from A flex to R flex.

When I was a caddie years ago, the littlest guy in our group took a lesson from the pro, who put him into women's clubs. For the next two years, he beat us soundly using those women's clubs, because the rest of us were all trying to use men's clubs that were "too strong" for us.

[Kcas77]

Womens clubs would probably be the best option just dont buy the all pink ones.

[ET-Taylor]

No like they make a womens version of the taylormade R9 and I didn't even notice the diffence but taylormades kind of womens light blue isn't that bad ihave a 3 wood like that