Question:
Now, the reason why many tall people get fitted with overlength clubs by clubmakers is that most golf club components only come in a narrow range of lie angles. And, you can only bend them so much (a few degrees). So the natural solution is to manipulate the lie angle further by increasing or decreasing the shaft length, all in an effort to provide the correct lie angle. I am slightly taller than 5′6". GolfSmith cut down the length of the clubs I had and provided me some new clubs 1" short (my long putter is 3" shorter). They never mentioned changing their angle – and I am not sure that they would bend well. Did I mess up in getting my clubs from them?
Golfsmith has a "lie board" for $12. Swing your clubs and brush it. look at the marks to see if they’re not in the center. ~1/4" off equates to 1* of lie angle. If your clubs are cast, let them adjust the angle. If the angle is off it will cause straight shots off to one side. -WG
Response:
Normally tall men have long arms as well. With his hands 4 inches closer to the ground, he would want clubs even shorter than mine. This is completely untrue. One of the (incorrect) myths about golf clubs is that tall people need long clubs and short people need short club, or vice versa.
I think you missed the post I replied to, where he suggested cutting 4" off the golfer’s legs. I know you’re advocating changing the angle of the club to allow for a flatter swing, but this would be an extreme situation. Shorter clubs would help if he had a tall man’s arms and a short man’s legs.
Response:
Now, the reason why many tall people get fitted with overlength clubs by clubmakers is that most golf club components only come in a narrow range of lie angles. And, you can only bend them so much (a few degrees). So the natural solution is to manipulate the lie angle further by increasing or decreasing the shaft length, all in an effort to provide the correct lie angle.
I am slightly taller than 5′6". GolfSmith cut down the length of the clubs I had and provided me some new clubs 1" short (my long putter is 3" shorter). They never mentioned changing their angle – and I am not sure that they would bend well. Did I mess up in getting my clubs from them? My son-in-law is my height and he cannot hit a driver reliably, preferring a 3W. He tried my shorter driver a few swings without finding it to be any better. He can be 20 strokes better than I am though. I went to the range yesterday and discovered my lob wedge got twisted around. I’ll take it back to GolfSmith tonight. It’s only a couple of months old, and it looks as though the epoxy failed.
Response:
Good point. As for the original question, there is no one best club for a tall man. There is no one best club for any man. The best thing you can do is test out clubs and see what hits well for you. If you think you are a freak of nature in your body demisions, you can get custom made clubs. Note: not only freaks of nature should get custom clubs, they are good for everyone.
I remember reading that Shawn Bradley’s brother had his clubs stolen. I think that’s the name – the 7′6" basketball player from BYU. At any rate, they were very long clubs, and the thief tried to sell them but got caught.
Response:
I need a new 3-wood. I am 6 foot three. Thanks for the advice in advance.
If you are 6 foot threee and need a new 3 wood my advice would be to buy one. JimH
Response:
Normally tall men have long arms as well. With his hands 4 inches closer to the ground, he would want clubs even shorter than mine. This is completely untrue. One of the (incorrect) myths about golf clubs is that tall people need long clubs and short people need short club, or vice versa.
snip This myth probably came about because if a tall person swings a club fitted for a short person, it will be too flat for him. Increase the shaft length, and the lie angle gets more upright, and it fits the tall person better. Ergo, tall person must need long clubs. Actually, the tall person can and should swing both long and short clubs (long iron, wedge, etc). Now, the reason why many tall people get fitted with overlength clubs by clubmakers is that most golf club components only come in a narrow range of lie angles. And, you can only bend them so much (a few degrees). So the natural solution is to manipulate the lie angle further by increasing or decreasing the shaft length, all in an effort to provide the correct lie angle.
Lie angle is important and forged heads can be bent up by 3-5 degrees, but a tall person trying to hit a standard length PW, SW, 9i will have problems if their hands are farther from the ground than another person. IOW, the shortest irons may be too short. After various measurements my teacher gave me the most accurate advice (based on my posture) about the best club lengths for me. -WG
Response:
I need a new 3-wood. I am 6 foot three. Thanks for the advice in advance. If you are worried about it… go to the local driving range, and watch other people.. see what seems to be the best for people of normal height. Go to the store and buy that three wood. Then go to the hardware store and get a hacksaw. Use the hacksaw and remove about 4 inches from both of you legs. Be sure to remove the same amount from both legs, or you will be crooked and will have trouble reading greens.
Normally tall men have long arms as well. With his hands 4 inches closer to the ground, he would want clubs even shorter than mine.
Response:
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I need a new 3-wood. I am 6 foot three. Thanks for the advice in advance. If you are worried about it… go to the local driving range, and watch other people.. see what seems to be the best for people of normal height. Go to the store and buy that three wood. Then go to the hardware store and get a hacksaw. Use the hacksaw and remove about 4 inches from both of you legs. Be sure to remove the same amount from both legs, or you will be crooked and will have trouble reading greens. Normally tall men have long arms as well. With his hands 4 inches closer to the ground, he would want clubs even shorter than mine.
Good point. As for the original question, there is no one best club for a tall man. There is no one best club for any man. The best thing you can do is test out clubs and see what hits well for you. If you think you are a freak of nature in your body demisions, you can get custom made clubs. Note: not only freaks of nature should get custom clubs, they are good for everyone.
Response:
I need a new 3-wood. I am 6 foot three. Thanks for the advice in advance.
Response:
I need a new 3-wood. I am 6 foot three. Thanks for the advice in advance.
If you are worried about it… go to the local driving range, and watch other people.. see what seems to be the best for people of normal height. Go to the store and buy that three wood. Then go to the hardware store and get a hacksaw. Use the hacksaw and remove about 4 inches from both of you legs. Be sure to remove the same amount from both legs, or you will be crooked and will have trouble reading greens.