Ultra Light Kid's Clubs

[mdl]

So my daughter is 3 and has gotten pumped about golf. We play at home with plastic clubs and balls, and take trips to a local range that has a bucket of kids clubs you can use. Partly she really enjoys big swings and hitting the ball far, and partly it's the papa-daughter hang out ritual of going to the range and coffee shop.

With the feather weight plastic club, she actually has an awesome natural swing. The only mechanics I'm giving her are reminders to put right hand low and to stand far enough from the ball, trying to just keep it fun. But at the range, the 3w is best, but all the clubs are too heavy.  The club head droops, she has to take a Ty Cobb split grip, and she makes less frequent good contact. That's the key. She wants to keep going to the range, but I don't want her to get bummed out because of the too heavy clubs.

So, now the question. Are there any ultra light kids clubs out there? All the ones I've seen have heads that are like 80% as heavy as an adult one. Maybe there's some weird composite or something? It doesn't need to hit great, just be substantial enough to hit a real ball satisfyingly far on a solid strike, for a three year old of course.

[billchao]

That's awesome, @mdl. I'm glad you can enjoy the game in some aspect with your daughter. I'd check out USA Kids Golf, I understand they make good junior equipment.

Here's a link to their Ultralight clubs.

Maybe I'll get something for my kids since they're always trying to hit my clubs in the net (then subsequently playing in the net, thus ending my practice sessions ).

[Dan Vesma]

4 minutes ago, mdl said:

So, now the question. Are there any ultra light kids clubs out there? All the ones I've seen have heads that are like 80% as heavy as an adult one. Maybe there's some weird composite or something? It doesn't need to hit great, just be substantial enough to hit a real ball satisfyingly far on a solid strike, for a three year old of course.

We tried out some Golphin clubs out at a competition - totally impressed. The clubs for toddlers are very light and bendy, but even by brand-obsessed 12 year old has decided to stop saving for Cobra irons and wants their 12-14yo irons instead – clean hitting and consistent as all heck.

[Denny Bang Bang]

2nd for US Kids Golf.  My girls have them, and they've worked out great.

[onthehunt526]

On 8/26/2017 at 5:19 PM, billchao said:

That's awesome, @mdl. I'm glad you can enjoy the game in some aspect with your daughter. I'd check out USA Kids Golf, I understand they make good junior equipment.

Here's a link to their Ultralight clubs.

Maybe I'll get something for my kids since they're always trying to hit my clubs in the net (then subsequently playing in the net, thus ending my practice sessions ).

+1, Alina is 3 almost 4 she has a set of Top-Flite clubs, but I'm going to probably get her some U.S. Kids Clubs in the winter. Next spring, she'll be old enough where she can actually play more than 4 holes at a time. 

 

[Valleygolfer]

I have a set of Barbie clubs I have been meaning to put on ebay. They are pretty much regular golf clubs and not superlight I suppose. I think they are for 4 to 6 year olds. The only ding is that the bag zipper is oxidized. Let me know if you're interested.

[Buckeyebowman]

Yup! Tons of lightweight kids clubs out there now, Just look around. Worst thing to do is try to have kids hit adult weight clubs, even if they're cut down! They're too heavy!

[billchao]

So both my kids are excited about getting a golf club now and I was wondering if the Yard Club might be the best bet? I'm mostly on the fence about the training grip. It's probably better than just letting grab a regular grip however they want, right?

[mdl]

@billchao, I lean towards agreeing with you.  I'm a bit intrigued by the grip forcing them to learn the right hand position, but kids pick things up pretty quickly and I think you're right that you should guide them whatever amount is appropriate and won't dampen their enthusiasm, but let them figure out exactly how to hold the club to hit the ball the way they want.

Though maybe it depends on age as well?  My daughter turned 3 in June, so I'm going to let her take whatever grip she wants as long as right hand is low, only encouraging her to try to keep the club face generally towards the ball.  Maybe if your kids are a bit older, then it's possible, depending on what your kids are like, that they'll respond well to having a clear right way to grip the club or something like that?

BTW, thanks for all the pointers guys.  Both Golphin and US Kids look pretty great.  I got club head weight specs from Golphin, haven't heard back from US Kids yet. From the email back:

There are four clubs available in this range, and their head weights are:

• Driver: 170g
• #7 iron: 190g
• Swedger: 190g
• Putter: 270g

[onthehunt526]

6 hours ago, mdl said:

@billchao, I lean towards agreeing with you.  I'm a bit intrigued by the grip forcing them to learn the right hand position, but kids pick things up pretty quickly and I think you're right that you should guide them whatever amount is appropriate and won't dampen their enthusiasm, but let them figure out exactly how to hold the club to hit the ball the way they want.

Though maybe it depends on age as well?  My daughter turned 3 in June, so I'm going to let her take whatever grip she wants as long as right hand is low, only encouraging her to try to keep the club face generally towards the ball.  Maybe if your kids are a bit older, then it's possible, depending on what your kids are like, that they'll respond well to having a clear right way to grip the club or something like that?

BTW, thanks for all the pointers guys.  Both Golphin and US Kids look pretty great.  I got club head weight specs from Golphin, haven't heard back from US Kids yet. From the email back:

There are four clubs available in this range, and their head weights are:

• Driver: 170g
• #7 iron: 190g
• Swedger: 190g
• Putter: 270g

U.S. Kids has a PDF you can download with specs for all their clubs.

[onthehunt526]

You may have to zoom in a bit but here is the info you U.S. Kids.

[Denny Bang Bang]

@mdl and @billchao I put a training grip on one of the irons for my girls.  It worked OK for keeping their hands in a decent position, but didn't work wonders either.  Probably nice to have, but not a necessity.  Best thing for them was getting them into kids group lessons.  Helped them meet other kids who golf, have a little fun with new friends, and gave them access to a teaching pro to get better instruction than I could provide.

[Buckeyebowman]

On 9/1/2017 at 10:31 AM, Denny Bang Bang said:

@mdl and @billchao I put a training grip on one of the irons for my girls.  It worked OK for keeping their hands in a decent position, but didn't work wonders either.  Probably nice to have, but not a necessity.  Best thing for them was getting them into kids group lessons.  Helped them meet other kids who golf, have a little fun with new friends, and gave them access to a teaching pro to get better instruction than I could provide.

This^^^^^^! And you can challenge your Daughter to a little chipping and putting competition around the green with the promise of a treat if she "wins". That means if any chip or putt somehow drifts into the hole ahead of yours, she wins! But, no gimmes! No participation trophies! No "you got it close, so you win" rewards!

Most kids love to compete and to win! And they know when you're BSing them!

[Mr. Desmond]

I've bought a couple of sets from US Kids - UL Clubs in 54 and 58 - trying to sell the 54 now. The grips are firmish, and I cut them off and put some Winn Grip Jr. DriTac Grips on them. Much more comfortable for a child. My son is picky... like father, like son.

Still, when you round out the bag with a couple of extra clubs, we are talking $230-260, so I purchase at least one set larger than his current height as they grow like weeds.

I purchased the US Kids because the OEM sets were still too heavy for him. US Kids do the job and he's comfortable hitting them. I think US Kids now has a competitor but I don't recall the name.

The trade-in policy that they tell you about is not that great - you pay $34 per club and they give you a $5 credit ... lol. I need to get them to First Tee or sell them.

Edited September 3, 2017 by Mr. Desmond

[billchao]

5 minutes ago, Mr. Desmond said:

The trade-in policy that they tell you about is not that great - you pay $34 per club and they give you a $5 credit ... lol. I need to get them to First Tee or sell them.

I was wondering about that. $5 is kind of lame. I'd rather just flip them on eBay.

With any luck, both my kids will stay with the game and I can just hand down my son's sets to my daughter.

[Mr. Desmond]

3 minutes ago, billchao said:

I was wondering about that. $5 is kind of lame. I'd rather just flip them on eBay.

With any luck, both my kids will stay with the game and I can just hand down my son's sets to my daughter.

That's from memory of about 4 months ago on the irons. The woods may get a little more value.

[Denny Bang Bang]

The nice thing about the US Kids sets as well, they hold decent value on the used end (assuming they're in good shape when you sell them).  The first set my girls had cost me just under $100 new if I remember correctly.  Both my girls used them, and when my youngest grew out of them, I sold them for $45.