How to Measure for Golf Clubs (Featuring Rangefinder Tips)

Selecting a suitable golf club is the most important factor in improving your game, achieving a more precise shot, and ensuring a comfortable swing. Golf clubs that are too long or too short can impact your stance, position, and shot precision. Accurately measuring for golf clubs ensures you get a set that is perfect for your height, arm length, and type of swing.

In the following guide, we will go through the basics of measuring for golf clubs. We will also discuss how rangefinders can be used to make the club selection more accurate by providing precise distance measurements.

Why Measuring Clubs Correctly is Important?

Your game is affected in several ways by proper club length and lie angle:

1. Improved Accuracy: Clubs that match your body and swing style improve shot precision.
2. Better Posture and Comfort: Appropriately sized clubs prevent overreaching or bending.
3. Consistent Ball Contact: Encourages more precise ball striking and reduces mishits.
4. Improved Swing Mechanics: The properly fitted club encourages a natural, flowing movement.

How to Measure for Golf Clubs?

Here are the steps you can take

1. Taking Your Height

Your overall height is the main determining factor in deciding the correct club length. The rule of thumb is:

2. Measuring Wrist-to-Floor Distance

Another important measurement is the wrist-to-floor distance. Stand up straight with your arms hanging loose and measure from your wrist (bend) to the floor. This is a more accurate measure of the club length than just your height.

3. Finding the Correct Lie Angle

The position of the clubhead at impact is affected by the lie angle. Too much upright will result in the shot heading left, while too flat will result in the shot heading right. A club fitter will check this by using a lie board test, but a rough guide is:

1. Tall golfers may need a more upright stance.
2. Smaller golfers typically require a shallower lie angle.

4. The Grip Matters

The right grip size provides more control and comfort:

1. Small hands: Regular or undersize grips.
2. Medium hands: Standard or midsize grips.
3. Large hands: Oversized or mid-size grips.

Using a Rangefinder to Improve Club Selection

Here's how you can use rangefinder to improve club selection:

How a Rangefinder Works

A golf rangefinder helps you measure the distance on the golf course so you can choose the appropriate club for the shot. It calculates:

1. Distance to the pin
2. Slope corrections (if applicable)
3. Hazard distances
4. Layup ranges

How to Use a Rangefinder for Club Fitting

1. Track Your Average Shot Distance: Use a rangefinder to measure how far you average for each club.
2. Adjust for Elevation: If your rangefinder has slope functionality, use it to understand how elevation changes affect club choice.
3. Determine Carry vs. Roll Distance: Some rangefinders will show carry and total distance, which helps in club selection for different lies.
4. Compare Distances Between Clubs: Having exact yardages for each club ensures a precise gap between clubs.

Common Mistakes When Measuring for Golf Clubs

Here are some common mistakes that you should must avoid when measuring for golf clubs:

1. Ignoring Wrist-to-Floor Measurement

Most golfers only take into account their height when deciding on club length, but this is not adequate. Two people of the same height can have arms of different lengths, which affect how they hold the club.

If your arms are longer, you will need shorter clubs, whereas if your arms are short, you will need longer clubs. Measuring the distance between your wrist and the ground will give you a more accurate idea of the right club length for your body. This will ensure you can stand comfortably and make solid contact with the ball.

2. Disregarding Lie Angle Adjustments

Lie angle is the angle formed by the club shaft and the ground. If this angle is not correct, your shots will not fly straight:

1. Too Straight: The ball will go left.
2. Too Flat: The ball will travel straight.

Few golfers think much about lie angle, which can have a big influence in the direction of your shot. A club fitter can ascertain this by watching how the club meets the ground when you swing at the ball. By correcting it if it is off, you can strike the ball straighter.

3. Employing Generic Club Length Charts

Standard club charts make general suggestions, but do not consider personal factors such as:

1. Posture: The greater the bend at the waist, the more likely you will need shorter clubs. The higher you stand, the longer clubs you may need.
2. Swing Style: Golfers have both a flatter type of swing, as well as an upright type. This will determine the best club length.
3. Grip Position: The position in which you hold the club naturally is also a factor in the right fit.

Instead of relying on a chart, a professional club fitting ensures your clubs will be fitted to your body and your specific swing.

4. Choosing Clubs Based Exclusively on Distance

Most golfers select clubs solely by the distance the ball will travel, but distance is just one of the things to look for.

1. Shot Shape: Correcting for right or left misses with the right club fitting is also possible.
2. Different Course Conditions: The club, which performs well in a flat driving range, may not perform as well in a hilly course.
3. Swing Speed: A quicker-swinging player might be in no need of added club length, while a slower swinger might be assisted by a different shaft.

Instead of focusing solely on distance, focus on control and precision. A well-fitting club will help you make more accurate shots, which is more important in improving your game.

By avoiding these mistakes and getting properly fitted for your clubs, you will have a more comfortable, more enjoyable golfing experience and will actually see improvement in your game.

Conclusion

Precise measurement of golf clubs ensures a comfortable, efficient, and accurate game. Measuring your height, wrist-to-floor measurement, lie angle, and grip size will provide the perfect club fit. A rangefinder gives your game an added dimension by providing accurate distance data, enabling you to choose the perfect club for each shot.

Taking the time to get properly fitted will equal better performance and a more enjoyable golf game. Whether you're a beginner or a pro, the right club fit is the key!