Quick answer: Size junior golf clubs by your child’s height, not their age. As a rough guide, a child under about 3’6″ needs a toddler set, 3’6″–4’1″ fits a 3–5 or 4–6 set, 4’1″–4’8″ fits a 5–8 or 6–9 set, 4’8″–5’2″ fits an 8–12 set, and teens over about 5’2″ can move to a teen or lightweight adult set. Check the brand’s own chart, then confirm the fit: the club should sole flat with the child standing tall and the hands below the chin. Ready to buy? See the best kids golf clubs.
Junior golf clubs that fit help kids make a natural swing, hit the ball in the air and enjoy the game. Clubs that are too long force a child to choke down and stand too upright; clubs that are too short make them hunch over. Because children grow quickly, getting the size right is the single most important decision when buying junior clubs.
This guide gives you a height-based size chart, a simple at-home fitting test, tips for growing kids and an explanation of how junior clubs differ from adult clubs.
Why Height Beats Age
Two 8-year-olds can differ in height by 10 inches or more. A set labelled “ages 8–12” might be far too long for a small 8-year-old and too short for a tall 12-year-old. That is why nearly every junior brand now publishes height ranges, and why you should measure your child before buying. Arm length and posture matter too, but height is the most reliable starting point.
Junior Golf Club Size Chart
The ranges below are typical across popular junior brands. Exact lengths vary by manufacturer, so always confirm with the specific set’s chart.
| Child’s height | Typical age guide | Typical driver length | Typical 7-iron length | Typical putter length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Under 3’6″ | 2–4 | Toy or plastic set | Toy or plastic set | Toy or plastic set |
| 3’6″–4’1″ | 3–6 | About 32″–35″ | About 26″–28″ | About 24″–26″ |
| 4’1″–4’8″ | 5–9 | About 35″–38″ | About 28″–31″ | About 26″–28″ |
| 4’8″–5’2″ | 8–12 | About 38″–41″ | About 31″–34″ | About 28″–31″ |
| 5’2″–5’6″ | 11–14 | About 41″–43″ | About 34″–35.5″ | About 31″–33″ |
| Over 5’6″ | 13+ | Teen or adult (about 43″–45″) | Adult length | Adult length |
These lengths are approximate and for guidance only. One example from a listing we checked: a set for 4–7-year-olds up to 4’6″ lists a 36″ driver, 30″ 7-iron and 28″ putter. To check the length of a club you already have, see how to measure golf club length.
How to Measure Your Child for Golf Clubs
- Measure height in socks or golf shoes, standing straight against a wall.
- Compare with the brand’s chart. If your child is near the top of a range, consider sizing up.
- Do the address test (below) with a club from the set, or a similar one.
- Check the swing: the child should be able to swing comfortably without the club feeling heavy.
The At-Home Address Test
Have your child take their normal golf stance with a driver or 7-iron:
- The sole of the club should rest flat on the ground, not on its heel or toe.
- They should stand fairly tall with a slight knee bend and a straight back.
- Their hands should hang naturally below the chin, roughly a hand’s width from the thighs.
- They should not need to choke down more than an inch.
If the toe sticks up and they have to stand very upright, the club is probably too long. If they are crouching over the ball, it is too short.
Sizing Up for Growth: How Much Is Too Much?
It is tempting to buy clubs a size up so kids can grow into them. A little room is fine; many coaches suggest no more than about 1 to 2 inches of extra length, which a child can handle by choking down slightly. Going a whole size up makes the clubs too heavy and long, encourages a flat, swinging-around-the-body action and can slow progress. If your child is right at the top of a range, the next size is usually the better choice.
How Junior Clubs Differ From Adult Clubs
| Feature | Junior clubs | Adult clubs |
|---|---|---|
| Total weight | Much lighter | Heavier |
| Shaft | Junior flex, usually graphite | Regular to stiff, steel or graphite |
| Head size | Oversized and forgiving | Varies by model |
| Driver loft | Often around 14°–15° or more | Often 9°–12° |
| Grip | Thin junior grip | Standard adult grip |
| Number of clubs | 3–8 in most sets | Up to 14 |
This is why cut-down adult clubs do not work well: shortening a shaft makes it stiffer, and the heavy adult head remains. For adult weights, see how much golf clubs weigh.
Which Clubs Should Be in a Junior Set?
| Stage | Recommended clubs |
|---|---|
| Toddlers | Plastic driver, iron and putter |
| First real set (3–6) | Driver or wood, 7-iron, putter |
| Developing (6–9) | Driver, hybrid, 7-iron, 9-iron or wedge, putter |
| Playing rounds (9–12) | Driver, wood or hybrid, 6/7/9 irons, wedge, putter |
| Teens | Driver, fairway wood, hybrid, 7-iron to PW, sand wedge, putter |
As kids progress, adding a sand wedge and a hybrid makes the biggest difference. For an adult comparison, see what clubs are in a golf set.
Grip Size for Kids
Junior grips are thinner so small hands can wrap around them. If a child’s fingertips dig into the palm, the grip may be too small; if the fingers barely meet the palm, it is too thick. When teens move to adult clubs, they may need undersize grips at first. See the best golf club grips and how to regrip golf clubs.
Left-Handed Kids
Many junior sets come in left-handed versions, including several in our list of the best kids golf clubs. If you are unsure which way your child swings, let them try both with a plastic club or watch which way they naturally throw and bat. See also the best left-handed golf clubs.
When to Move Up a Size
- Your child has grown about 4 to 6 inches since the last fitting.
- They are hunched over at address or the toe of the club sits up.
- Their swing looks cramped or they are hitting the ground behind the ball often.
- The clubs feel too light and they are swinging out of control.
Most families replace junior sets every two to three years. Selling or handing down outgrown sets helps offset the cost.
Should Kids Get Professionally Fitted?
For young children, a careful at-home sizing using the brand chart is usually enough. Once a junior is playing competitively or approaching adult height, a professional fitting can check length, lie and shaft flex. See how to get fitted for golf clubs and how much a fitting costs.
Common Sizing Mistakes
- Sizing by age alone.
- Buying a full size up to save money.
- Cutting down adult clubs.
- Too many clubs too soon, which confuses beginners.
- Ignoring weight: a club can be the right length but still too heavy.
Teen Transition: From Junior to Adult Clubs
Teens often outgrow junior sets between 12 and 15. At around 5’2″ to 5’6″, a teen-specific set is a good bridge. Over about 5’6″ with a moderate swing speed, many teens can use lightweight adult clubs with regular or senior-flex graphite shafts; see what senior flex means and what length golf clubs do I need. Stronger teens may go straight to standard adult clubs.
Junior Sizing Example
Consider a 9-year-old who is 4’7″. By age alone, a 5–8 set might seem right, but by height they sit at the top of the 4’1″–4’8″ range. With growth expected, the 8–12 set (4’8″–5’2″) is likely the better choice, provided the driver is not more than about an inch or two too long at address. A quick address test in the store or at home confirms the decision.
Sizing Each Club Type
Driver
The driver is the longest club and the one most likely to be too long. With the ball teed up, the child should be able to stand to it with the club soled and the hands just inside the front thigh. If the driver feels unwieldy, many coaches suggest starting with a lofted fairway wood off the tee instead; it is shorter, easier to control and still gets the ball airborne.
Irons and hybrids
Irons are the best clubs for checking fit, because the lie angle shows clearly. With a 7-iron soled behind the ball, the leading edge should sit level. If the toe points up noticeably, the club is too long or too upright for the child. Hybrids follow the same rule and are usually easier for kids to hit than a long iron of the same length.
Putter
For putting, the child’s eyes should be roughly over the ball, with the arms hanging naturally and the putter sole flat on the ground. Junior putters are often around 24 to 33 inches depending on height. A putter that is too long pushes the hands away from the body and makes it hard to start the ball on line.
Weight Matters as Much as Length
A club can be the right length and still be too heavy for a young child. Signs that clubs are too heavy include a slow, laboured takeaway, the club dropping behind the body at the top of the swing and the child tiring quickly on the range. Junior sets with graphite shafts and light heads solve this. If you are choosing between two sets of the right length, the lighter one is usually the better choice for younger kids.
In-Store Sizing Checklist
- Bring your child, wearing the shoes they will play in.
- Measure height and compare with the set’s label.
- Have them address a ball with the driver, 7-iron and putter.
- Check that each club soles flat and the posture looks athletic.
- Let them make a few practice swings; watch for strain.
- Ask about left-handed availability and return policies.
Junior Golf Club Size FAQ for Parents
My child is between two sizes. Which should I choose? If they are growing quickly and the larger set passes the address test with no more than an inch or two of extra length, choose the larger set. If they look cramped or the club feels heavy, stay with the smaller set for another season.
Can siblings share one set? Only if they are within the same height range. Sharing an ill-fitting set usually means one child is learning with the wrong equipment.
Do girls and boys need different sizes? No. Junior sizing is based on height; colour and styling are the only real differences between most girls’ and boys’ sets.
Bottom Line
Size junior golf clubs by height, use the brand’s chart, confirm the fit with a simple address test and avoid buying more than an inch or two of growth room. Light, properly sized clubs make golf easier and more fun for kids. When you know your child’s size, compare our picks for the best kids golf clubs.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know what size golf clubs my child needs?
Measure your child's height and compare it with the brand's size chart. Then check that the club soles flat at address with the child standing tall and the hands hanging naturally.
Should I size junior golf clubs by age or height?
By height. Children of the same age vary widely, so height is a much more reliable guide.
Is it OK to buy kids golf clubs a size bigger?
A little room of about 1 to 2 inches is fine, but a full size up makes clubs too long and heavy and can harm the swing.
How long should a junior driver be?
It depends on height. As a rough guide, children around 4 feet 1 inch to 4 feet 8 inches often use a driver about 35 to 38 inches long, but check the brand chart.
When should kids move up to the next size?
When they have grown about 4 to 6 inches, or when they are hunched over at address and the toe of the club sits up.
At what height can a teen use adult golf clubs?
Many teens can move to lightweight adult clubs at around 5 feet 6 inches, depending on swing speed and strength.