Club length and lie for shorter players.

[SMaitland]

Finally getting back into golf after a few years. Putting back together an old set of MP32’s and another newer set of Callaway Maverik Pro’s. Every time I’ve talked to guys at the big box stores, they always tell me I’m standard standard..but I feel like they are soooo long. I’m 5’8” with around a 32” wrist to floor but (I also have a left color bone issue that has my left arm hanging lower than my rt).  Legs are on the shorter side....30” inseam are a little long. I don’t want to keep tinkering, so before I do, I wanted to get some input on length and lie recommendations. I’ve been debating on going somewhere between -1/2” up to and -1” and/or 1°-2° flat. 
 

TIA-Steve

[Stuart_G]

14 hours ago, SMaitland said:

Finally getting back into golf after a few years. Putting back together an old set of MP32’s and another newer set of Callaway Maverik Pro’s. Every time I’ve talked to guys at the big box stores, they always tell me I’m standard standard..but I feel like they are soooo long. I’m 5’8” with around a 32” wrist to floor but (I also have a left color bone issue that has my left arm hanging lower than my rt).  Legs are on the shorter side....30” inseam are a little long. I don’t want to keep tinkering, so before I do, I wanted to get some input on length and lie recommendations. I’ve been debating on going somewhere between -1/2” up to and -1” and/or 1°-2° flat. 
 

TIA-Steve

 

 

Just focus on length.  Once you have that down, lie is easy to test dynamically - which is the only reliable way to do it.   But you have to figure out length first.

 

WTF of 32" generally put you at -1" in a fitting session (37" 5i) although not all charts are the same.  Some others might put you at -1/2".    But that's just a starting point.  Work with your shortest full swing club choking up to figure out the point at which the clubs will start to become too short for your swing and posture.  Then work your way back up from there and see how well you handle the longest iron in your bag.    You can then adjust the length increments between the LW/SW and 9i to make sure the longest iron doesn't get too long for you.   e.g.  For me, I play the LW and SW at the same length,  GW and PW at at the same length,  1/4" longer than the SW.  Then another 1/4" between PW and 9i, then use 1/2" increments from there.  But that's just me - only meant to give you an idea of the flexibility you have down there - it was not a suggest for you.

 

 

Then you can check out lie angles.  Use this easy and the most accurate lie testing method (Forget lie boards).  Don't even need the labels.

 

=

Edited August 19, 2023 by Stuart_G

[SMaitland]

Super helpful Stuart! Thank you..gonna cut down a 48° I have to 34.75 and then start messing around with choking down on the rest of the set to find my comfort zone. Hadn’t really hit to the rest of the bag. Now not sure what I wanna consider taking of woods and driver! Hahaha

[Stuart_G]

21 hours ago, SMaitland said:

Super helpful Stuart! Thank you..gonna cut down a 48° I have to 34.75 and then start messing around with choking down on the rest of the set to find my comfort zone. Hadn’t really hit to the rest of the bag. Now not sure what I wanna consider taking of woods and driver! Hahaha

 

Unless you've already done some testing.

For 48* - I might start a little bit longer - at least 35" or better yet 35.25."    There are lots of variations but in my set 34.75" would be starting at -1"   So better to start at -1/2" and work your way down then potentially starting out too short.

 

[monty09]

I am 5'8'' and play standard/standard.... didnt belive them and went -2 flat for a season and got worse...

[sm_watts]

We’re all made different… I’m 5’5” with t-Rex arms, so I’ve settled in at +.25” length and standard lie. 

[sergizmo]

5'6" here. Irons and wedges 2* flat, standard length (38" 5 iron). Irons are forged blades and cavity combo. 45" driver. Standard length 3 wood and hybrid.

 

Power/GI irons often don't fit great at standard for short golfers as they tend to be long (38.5" 5 iron) and upright as stock. 

 

 

[HalfShell]

FWIW, I'm 67.5" (5'7" and half.. don't forget the half!) barefoot and also have a 30" inseam.  I have always been standard, standard, standard in Ping (black dot) and Titleist irons.  I was then recently fit for a set of Mizunos at 1 degree up.

 

At some point a long time ago, I remember being told that standard off the rack clubs are suitable for someone around 5'8" but I don't have a reference.

 

 

Edited September 15, 2023 by HalfShell

[ShortGolfer]

I hoped that I could use off the rack clubs for women as they are an inch shorter. At the suggestion of a fitter I now use clubs that are 2 inches short and 2 degrees upright.  Much better accuracy.

[MannJ]

5’7” and 31” wrist to floor. 3 iron thru PW I removed 5/8” from shaft length. I left gap sand and lob wedge at standard. I tried a driver at a variety of lengths and found 44-1/2” the best for me. I haven’t adjusted lie angles. 
Overall I think shortening the club length helped me quite a bit. Though, growing up playing with standard clubs and developing a flatter swing because of my height I did not want to try as drastic change as my measurements would suggest. That might be something to think about. 

Edited September 21, 2023 by MannJ

[woodriff]

I’m 70 and shrinking. I’ve shrunk to 5’ 7”. 1/2 short and 2 degrees flat. Driver is 43”

[ShortGolfer]

It is hard to avoid letting ego get in the way of a proper club fitting.

What counts is how well you can swing the club!

Last time I played I was hitting greens with all my irons!