There are two ways of length fitting – a static fitting and a dynamic fitting.
Dynamic Length Fitting
A dynamic fit, one that is performed while the player swings the club, is more precise. This method allows to find the club length that creates the best athletic set-up and the best motion. Consequently, it maximizes distance and accuracy. There are no calculation – just swing trials, observations and corrections.
Static Length Fitting
On the contrary to dynamic fitting, static fitting uses mainly measurement and some calculations. Therefore, it gives slightly less precise results. But certainly it provides a player with basic comfort in stance and posture. Moreover, the method is quick and easy. The player receives the good starting point for further swing analysis and dynamic fit.
There are several approaches to static fitting. All of them base on golfers’ body dimensions. See the required measurements in the picture below.
Static method no 1 – Producers charts
Club makers publish charts that suggest the necessary correction of the club length depending on the golfer’s height and the distance from his/her wrist to floor (WtF). Usually, the results of this method are rather “conservative” in changing length. The most likely reason is that the length changes greater than 1 inch (2,5 cm) make significant differences in swingweight and MOI. Compensation of these changes would require the production of of a variety of club heads. Obviously, this is less convenient for manufacturers. Nevertheless, the calculator below gives the typical (average) values proposed in manufacturers’ tables.
Static method no 2 – Golfer’s height
This is another method proposed by producers. It simply takes the difference between the height of a particular golfer and a “standard golfer” *. The method use a 1 inch change in club length for each 5 inches of height difference. This method gives also rather “conservative” results. Only adult golfers with classic body proportions may attempt to use the results of this method.
Static method no 3 – Fingertip height
Calculation in this method uses the distance between the floor and the golfer’s fingertips. During the measurement, the golfer should stand erect with arms hanging straight – see FtF at the picture. The change in length depends on the difference between the FtF of a particular measured golfer and a “standard golfer” *. Different authors say about different ratios of changes: from ¼ inch up to one inch for each full inch of FtF. In the calculator below we use ratio of ¾. In our opinion, this value is the most appropriate factor.
Static method no 4 – Anthropometry
This method is based on average body proportions and bending angles that occur at positioning the golfer’s body when addressing the ball. The algorithm and calculations are fully developed by us. It would be helpful to get feedback from readers to try to apply and verify this method.
*) “standard golfer” is 178 cm (5’10”) tall for man and 165 cm (5’5”) for woman
Results of all 4 methods are shown in the calculator below. It displays the recommended corrections of length in relation to the factory “standard” length. There are 4 different approximations. Visitors can use any of them and verify the results at their own discretion and at their own risk.
NOTES:
- Traditionally the nominal (factory “standard”) length of the women’s club is shorter than the men’s club by one inch. Please check the gender of the original club appropriately.
- The length changes greater than 1 inch (2,5 cm) make significant differences in Swingweight (SW) and Moment of Inertia (MOI). However, these changes could be partially or fully compensated by adjusting lie angle and/or weight of the club head.
See more details on the subpages:
– length / lie trading
– length / head weight trading
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update: September 2021