Taller man needs longer clubs

[Bazz]

Who knew?

Just back from my first lesson, started off hitting my own 7 iron, knocking it 110 yards (yes I know I'm still learning), few bits and pieces about grip and posture etc. then the pro handed me a slightly longer Ping G30 after checking how long I needed it to be considering I'm 6ft 3in, straight away I was hitting it 150 dead straight, my own clubs cause it to start straight and leak right.

Long story short, I'm having my uncles R11s lengthened to fit me.

Anyone else need longer clubs and have they made a difference?

 

[GreiginFife]

An aside from being longer were the Ping shafts the same flex?

 

[Tiger man]

Who knew?

Just back from my first lesson, started off hitting my own 7 iron, knocking it 110 yards (yes I know I'm still learning), few bits and pieces about grip and posture etc. then the pro handed me a slightly longer Ping G30 after checking how long I needed it to be considering I'm 6ft 3in, straight away I was hitting it 150 dead straight, my own clubs cause it to start straight and leak right.

Long story short, I'm having my uncles R11s lengthened to fit me.

Anyone else need longer clubs and have they made a difference?

Mainly about the wrist to floor measurement but at your height it is no surprise longer clubs are needed, 40 yards difference is mighty impressive in an inch mind!

 

[Bazz]

Didn't ask mate, grips were thicker though.

 

[Markw]

As tiger man said, its not just height. you can have a tall person with long arms need shorter than standard or a short person with short arms needing longer than standard!

 

[Bazz]

Well I've been told I've got short arms deep pockets....

He measured the distance from the floor with my hands by my side, so sounds like he covered that too.

Measured hand size too

 

[Ethan]

Not all 6'3" men need longer clubs. The extra inch or whatever did not create an extra 40 mph purely due to the extra speed of the longer shaft. There must be other factors including quality of strike involved.

Still, good luck, but 150 yards for a 7 iron is still a bit weak around these parts

 

[Sats]

Being 5'6" I actually benefit from having my clubs 1" shorter

 

[Markw]

Another thing to consider is that if you struggled with a standard 7 iron (37") and you lengthen your new clubs 1", your new 9 iron will be 37", pitching wedge 36 3/4 and wedges shorter , will you struggle with them!
Probably something you don't want to get in to but worth considering, I am 6'1" and standard length irons but struggled with the shorter 8,9,pw as my back isn't as good as it used to be.
On my latest set The only iron which is so called standard length is the 6 iron and the gaps go up and down in 3/8" increments instead of standard 1/2" which makes my 9 iron 3/8 longer and 3 iron 3/8 shorter than standard and for me has improved consistency and easier on the back!

 

[Bazz]

Another thing to consider is that if you struggled with a standard 7 iron (37") and you lengthen your new clubs 1", your new 9 iron will be 37", pitching wedge 36 3/4 and wedges shorter , will you struggle with them!
Probably something you don't want to get in to but worth considering, I am 6'1" and standard length irons but struggled with the shorter 8,9,pw as my back isn't as good as it used to be.
On my latest set The only iron which is so called standard length is the 6 iron and the gaps go up and down in 3/8" increments instead of standard 1/2" which makes my 9 iron 3/8 longer and 3 iron 3/8 shorter than standard and for me has improved consistency and easier on the back!

Thanks for this Mark, all valid points worth considering. I suppose I can only try it and see how it goes

 

[Markw]

Thanks for this Mark, all valid points worth considering. I suppose I can only try it and see how it goes

I have read Tom wishons book and he recommends this method as a great way to improve consistency.
With taller players you pick an 5 or 6 iron at your playing length and gap from there in 3/8 increments which makes your shorter irons longer and gives a more natural upright position with them.
With shorter players you would normally start at correct length Pw and go up in 3/8 gaps which will leave the longer irons easier to handle.

 

[ManinBlack]

This business of having longer/ shorter clubs depending on height is, to me, a bit nonsensical. Even if you have, say, your 5 iron made ½" longer it's still only the length of a normal 4 iron and still a lot shorter than your driver & a lot longer than your wedge. Much more important, in my view, to set the length to obtain a swingweight you feel comfortable with. That's what I did with my current set. They were very light with the lightweight shafts and the additional length means I hit the long irons 10 to 15 yards further, very handy when playing into the wind. No matter how tall you are you're still hitting very long & very short clubs.

 

[Tiger]

This business of having longer/ shorter clubs depending on height is, to me, a bit nonsensical. Even if you have, say, your 5 iron made ½" longer it's still only the length of a normal 4 iron and still a lot shorter than your driver & a lot longer than your wedge. Much more important, in my view, to set the length to obtain a swingweight you feel comfortable with.

But you've ignored the fact that different clubs have a different lie angle which gradually increases as you move from 4 iron to PW. It is a combination of these factors that affect your set up.

I'm 6'4" if I use a standard sized club I stoop over the ball way too much. A combination of adjusting the lie angle and increasing the shaft length gets me in a much better set up position and posture. When clubs are too short I will set up too stooped, adjust my posture in the take away by getting more upright and then top the ball

Adjusting length and lie makes a big difference to us lanky folk

 

[ManinBlack]

But you've ignored the fact that different clubs have a different lie angle which gradually increases as you move from 4 iron to PW. It is a combination of these factors that affect your set up.

I'm 6'4" if I use a standard sized club I stoop over the ball way too much. A combination of adjusting the lie angle and increasing the shaft length gets me in a much better set up position and posture. When clubs are too short I will set up too stooped, adjust my posture in the take away by getting more upright and then top the ball

Adjusting length and lie makes a big difference to us lanky folk

The lie angle is easily adjusted, if you buy forged clubs, that is. Changing the length by an inch isn't going to stop you stooping, you'd do that with a wedge no matter what length it was. I'd much rather the swingweight was right. as soon as you start lengthening clubs you upset the weight. This has more effect than a little bit of bending over.

 

[MadAdey]

The lie angle is easily adjusted, if you buy forged clubs, that is. Changing the length by an inch isn't going to stop you stooping, you'd do that with a wedge no matter what length it was. I'd much rather the swingweight was right. as soon as you start lengthening clubs you upset the weight. This has more effect than a little bit of bending over.

I take it you are not a tall person yourself then. Trust me having an extra inch makes a big difference, with a standard length and lie club i find myself hitting punch shots as my body is not in a natural position for me to make a full swing.

 

[ManinBlack]

I take it you are not a tall person yourself then. Trust me having an extra inch makes a big difference, with a standard length and lie club i find myself hitting punch shots as my body is not in a natural position for me to make a full swing.

As long as you can handle the increased swingweight. I'm 6', by the way, & use clubs longer than standard, but not for the same reason as you.

 

[MadAdey]

As long as you can handle the increased swingweight. I'm 6', by the way, & use clubs longer than standard, but not for the same reason as you.

Why do you use longer clubs then?

 

[ManinBlack]

Why do you use longer clubs then?

When you've got ½ an hour to spare!


http://forums.golf-monthly.co.uk/sh...ing-mine-longer!&highlight=making+mine+longer

 

[Markw]

The lie angle is easily adjusted, if you buy forged clubs, that is. Changing the length by an inch isn't going to stop you stooping, you'd do that with a wedge no matter what length it was. I'd much rather the swingweight was right. as soon as you start lengthening clubs you upset the weight. This has more effect than a little bit of bending over.

It goes without saying that you would have the correct lie angle and swing weight if you get fitted properly.
I disagree with the 1" length increase comment, a standard 7 iron is a lot more comfortable position than a standard 9 iron for the average 6 footer.
A lot of people are going over to the 3/8 gap which also makes it easier to moi match the irons.