Golf + Fitness Technology

DOES YOUR JUNIOR

HAVE THE RIGHT CLUBS?

By Matt Kilgariff • PGA Director of Player Development The Bridges at Rancho Santa Fe • Rancho Santa Fe, Calif.

GOLF IS A DIFFICULT GAME that requires a high degree of precise skill. For people just beginning the game, it can be a humbling experience. When it comes to juniors, it’s even more challenging as they have not fully developed their strength, coordination and sensory systems, and their bodies are constantly changing. In order to combat these difficulties, juniors should be playing equipment that is suited to their size and strength.

Poorly fitted equipment is one of the biggest reasons juniors struggle in their development, creating poor habits in their swing and often killing their passion for the game before it has a chance to develop. Most often, juniors are playing with equipment that is too long and too heavy for their size and strength.

Due to the expensive nature of the sport, it can be tempting to get clubs that your junior will “grow into.” While it might seem like a good idea on the surface, there are some hidden costs that parents should consider. As a coach, I would much prefer to have the clubs be too short than too long. If you are concerned about the cost of clubs, it’s much better to have your junior play with clubs that are too short for a while than get them into clubs that are too long.

For kids who are early on in their development, one of the biggest risks with getting them started with equipment that does not fit is that they are far less likely to experience any sort of success and may

Consider the “hidden costs” of having junior golfers play with clubs that are too long or too heavy.

not enjoy it or develop a passion for the game as a result. When it comes to cost, most people don’t realize how economical properly fitted equipment can actually be when juniors are getting started.

For juniors under 10, they don’t need more than four to seven clubs, and you can get quality junior clubs for $25–$30 per club. After the cost of a bag, that’s about $175–$250 for a set. Most major brands make clubs for juniors. The clubs I like for the younger kids are US Kids brand. When they get a little older, Ping’s Prodi G clubs are great. Ping’s Prodi G program allows for a one-time re-shaft as you junior grows. This is getting two sets for the price of one.

When juniors get older, clubs do get more expensive, but they shouldn’t need more than two sets of clubs to get them from adolescence to young adulthood. When considering the cost of equipment for your junior, do not forget to consider the additional physical costs of poorly fitted equipment.

Proper club length with a driver: • A good general rule is to keep the club no higher than up to their belly button. • If the driver is too long, your junior will stand with very limited hip hinge at address in order to accommodate the excess length of the club. The result is usually poor utilization of the lower body during the swing. • A longer club will typically be too heavy, making it very difficult for them to make a proper backswing, which will result in poor ball striking.

Reach out to your local professional and make sure your junior has the proper equipment. This will at least give them a chance to fall in love with this great game.

Matt Kilgariff is a PGA professional who spent much of his career working for Butch Harmon and the Harmon Family. He is currently the Director of Player Development at The Bridges at Rancho Santa Fe in Rancho Santa Fe, Calif. Prior to joining The Bridges, Kilgariff was Director of Player Development at The Olympic Club in San Francisco. Matt has also been part of TaylorMade’s National Advisory Staff since 2012.