Choosing the right golf club affects your performance significantly on the course. So, when selecting your club, the factors to consider go beyond material type and quality.
Consequently, golf clubs are either classified as men or women-specific.
Men’s and women’s golf clubs each feature unique differences to accommodate the needs, abilities, and preferences of every gender.
That said, men’s vs. women’s golf clubs: what are the differences?
One of the most prominent differences is the shaft length and flexibility. Typically, women-specific golf clubs are shorter and less stiff than men’s to accommodate short arm lengths.
Aside from shaft length, there are other distinctions between sex-specific golf clubs, like club head design and grip size.
Learn the differences between men’s and women’s golf clubs and the importance of investing in clubs specifically designed for your gender in this beginner-friendly guide.
Key takeaways
- Men’s golf clubs are generally longer and heavier than women’s.
- Women’s golf clubs are less rigid compared with men’s.
- Men’s golf clubs have a larger grip size.
- Women’s golf clubs have higher lofts than men’s.
- There can be differences in aesthetics between women’s and men’s golf clubs.
Why Is It Important to Choose a Sex-Specific Golf Club?
It’s essential to opt for golf gear tailored to your gender to improve your game performance.
Hence, the main reason golf club varieties are categorized by sex is that men and women have different physical characteristics and levels of strength.
Moreover, sex-specific golf clubs consider the varying swing mechanics between both sexes. This is to ensure that the club’s specifications are refined for maximized shot control.
Golf Club Parts Are Sex-Coded
Golf club parts are often sex-coded to adjust to the unique needs of male and female players.
Every golf club component, from the grip down to the clubhead, is designed to allow players to optimize their swings and generate maximum power.
Often, the modifications of sex-specific golf club parts boil down to flexibility and lightweightness. Learn how these alterations affect your play.
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Understanding How Golf Club Parts Impact Shot Distance
Sometimes, you don’t need advanced skills to excel in golf; you just need to play with the right equipment. That’s why you must be critical when choosing a golf club that works for you.
A golf club has three main parts: the grip, the shaft, and the head.
Grip
First, the grip is the topmost part of your club. This part is usually made with rubber, with varying diameter sizes.
So, how does the golf grip affect your play, and why does choosing the suitable grip diameter or size matter?
If your grips are too small for your hands, your tiny muscles will exert more pressure, resulting in decreased stability while you swing.
Meanwhile, opting for bigger grips impairs your ability to release the club, impairing your swing speed. As a result, you end up slicing the ball a lot.
Shaft
Swing power isn’t dependent on exerted strength alone but is also affected by the compatibility of your force to the shaft’s structure and length.
The shaft is the long tube that connects the grip and the clubhead. They have varying lengths and degrees of flexibility and are usually made with carbon fiber or steel.
Golf club flexibility has six categories, with Ladies being the most flexible and Stiff being the most firm.
But how does shaft flexibility affect shot distance?
A player with high swing force will need a golf club with a stiffer shaft for less vibration. That way, all the energy you exert goes directly to the ball.
On the other hand, players with less swing force should opt for more flexible shafts for increased ball speed and distance.
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Clubhead
The clubhead is the part that makes contact with the golf ball, and clubhead size plays a role in shot distance and speed. Depending on the clubhead type and size, the trajectory of the ball changes.
For example, large clubheads (like woods) allow long-distance strikes.
Meanwhile, most men and women-specific golf clubs use the same types and sizes for clubheads.
What Are the Differences Between Men’s and Women’s Golf Clubs?
Did you know there aren’t as many women’s golf clubs in the market as men’s? This is because golf is a male-dominated sport, where there aren’t as many female players.
Apart from that, here are other vital variations between men’s and women’s golf clubs:
Golf Club Length
The club length affects the angle and ball-hitting precision; men’s golf clubs are ¾ to 1 inch longer than women’s since men are generally taller than women.
Men’s golf clubs fit those who are 5 ’10” tall and above, while women’s golf clubs are designed for those with a height that ranges between 5′ 5” to 5′ 9″.
For example, using a longer golf club incompatible with your height increases the lie angle, making it hard to hit the ball and reach a longer distance.
Club Weight
Women-specific golf clubs feature a more lightweight design. The shaft and clubhead are lighter than most golf clubs designed for men. For this category, the swing speed is taken into account.
With women having lesser swing speed, a heavy golf club limits shot distance and accuracy. For example, a driver club designed for men can weigh more than 60 grams, while women’s are only as heavy as 40 grams.
This video explains the main differences between men’s and women’s golf clubs.
The Shaft’s Flex Rating and Material
The stronger your swing power, the more stiff your golf club shaft should be.
Therefore, women’s golf clubs are less rigid compared with men’s due to the fact that their swing strength is less than men’s average.
Specifically, the flex rating (or level of stiffness) for women’s clubs is designated as L or Ladies, which is considered the least rigid.
Further, varying shaft flexes mean different materials are used, too. The shafts are usually made with steel (carbon or steel iron) for men’s golf clubs that are more rigid, while women’s golf club shafts are mostly made with graphite.
Grip Size or Diameter
Men-specific golf clubs have a bigger grip size, with a standard measurement of 0.900 inches. On the other hand, an average women’s golf club grip is much thinner and more lightweight, measuring only 0.850 inches.
Aesthetics
Historically, women’s clubs might have had more feminine designs, colors, and aesthetics. However, this has been changing as the golf industry recognizes the diversity of players and preferences.
Frequently Asked Questions
Read more information about golf club differences for easier comparison:
Are the lofts different between men’s and women’s golf clubs?
Women’s golf clubs, specifically woods and drivers, have higher lofts than men’s. A higher loft angle allows extra forgiveness and accuracy.
Can a man use a ladies’ golf club?
There are no gender limitations to which golf club type you can use—as long as it matches your swing speed and height. Additionally, if it allows you to perform well on the course, you can use a women-specific golf club even as a man.
How do you choose women’s golf clubs?
Aside from size, club type, and other specifications, women should note their skill level when choosing a golf club.
Conclusion
Choosing a sex-specific golf club is vital to maximize game performance. For that reason, golf clubs are categorized according to sex to accommodate the physical and skill variations of both sexes.
Women’s golf clubs are much lighter compared to men’s, not to mention that the shaft is much lighter and more flexible. The shafts also vary in length, with men’s golf club shafts being longer to match their height.