Recommendation for a first club set for a "height challenged" player.

[Dan Garcia]

Hello fellow Sand Trappers,

I'd love to get your opinion on buying my first set of clubs. I've picked up the game about 6 months ago and love it, I've been playing almost weekly. The issue is that most of the time I've been renting clubs since I don't have my own.

I think it's time to go ahead get my own set since I plan on playing as often as I can this year.

The issue lies in the fact that I am only 5'2". I feel like most of the clubs I rent are very long and don't sit flush with the ground, therefore I have to grip the club much lower on the grip handle, which can also feel uncomfortable sometimes. I've tried some of the children's clubs, but those are too short.

Do you recommend any specific shorter clubs? Is it better to just get fitted for my size? Or, I've also heard that I can get a set of clubs and take it in somewhere to have the grips removed, the top of the club sawed off, and then regripped. Has anyone else heard of this?

As a college student, I'm on a small budget. I'd be willing to spend roughly $4-500 on a great set that I can use often for the next 3 years or so.

Please let me know if you have any questions, thanks in advance for your help!

Regards,

Dan

[newtogolf]

I don't think club length is a issue other than you would need to be fitted.  I was told standard clubs are designed for people 5' 8" - 6' 1", but you'd still want to have the lie angle checked.  Any clubs can be shortened, so once you find a set you like then they will be built for your specifications.  My suggestion is get fitted from a professional, then test some clubs in your budget.  Your budget is a little low, so you are likely looking at pre-owned or older models of the more popular brands or some full sets from good  but lesser known manufacturers.

[QuazerSKITS]

Simple answer is get fitted by a professional. They will be able to tell you if you need a lie adjustment (which you probably do) or shaft length change. I'm 6'1" and my clubs are 1/4" longer, 1.75* upright.

If you buy a second set of PING's for example you can send them back to PING and they will alter the lie angle for you for a small charge. Over here in the UK i think its about £28 for the set.

[Dan Garcia]

Thanks for the replies gentlemen. I've heard of pros fitting you based on your measurements and pros fitting you based on your swing. In your opinion, should I focus on one or the other at this point?

Also, what's your opinion on half sets?

[The Tin Man]

Half sets make a lot of sense given all the combinations available today.

Such as:

Wedges, 9,8  - Blades

7,6,5 - Cavity Back

Hybrids for long irons.

[Dirtsquirrel]

I just did a search on eBay of the iron sets listed using "inch" in the search line and came up with a set of Taylor Made Burner Plus that are 1 inch short of standard. This might not be a bad place to start if you stick to the Top Sellers and Power Sellers in USA only and pay close attention to descriptions and shipping costs. Typically clubs non-standard length although less common do not have as much buyer interest. Set your price limit and avoid getting caught up in a bidding war-there will be another set. Best to have a Paypal account for EBay though. Why not check out the used club or demo club section at some of the golf stores where you can try hitting them into a launch monitor and get some advice with the fitting? It is usually cheaper to have clubs shortened than lengthened and typically will need new grips either way. If you are patient and take your time looking you can save a lot of money and wind up with a set of clubs that will really help you out with your game. Good luck

[WUTiger]

Quote:

I'd love to get your opinion on buying my first set of clubs. I've picked up the game about 6 months ago and love it ...

The issue lies in the fact that I am only 5'2". ... I

You should get a fitting for clubs, rather than trying to buy the off eBay. You need someone reliable who can do fitting for you. At 5-2, you are well outside the height range for using "normal" clubs.

Best case: find someone who can give you a couple of lessons AND fit you for clubs. As Dirtsquirrel says, get on the launch monitor and find out what you need. Also, don't forget the value of impact stickers for the face and club sole to seen where you're contacting ball and ground.

Originally Posted by Dirtsquirrel  Why not check out the used club or demo club section at some of the golf stores where you can try hitting them into a launch monitor and get some advice with the fitting?

Besides height and arm length, your stance will affect what lie angle is best for you. If money is tight, get some used irons and maybe a driver and a 5Wood, a putter and a sand wedge. You can fill in the rest later as you figure out what you need.

Good luck!

[Bullitt5339]

Static fitting is a decent start if you haven't achieved a semi-repeatable swing yet.  Then have a real fitting done once you feel that you are actually swinging the same way most of the time.