Height alone does not tell you the correct golf club length. Two golfers can be the same height but have different arm lengths, so one may fit standard clubs while the other may need shorter or longer clubs.
The Simple Idea
Think of it like this:
- Long arms: your hands already sit closer to the ground, so you may need shorter clubs.
- Short arms: your hands sit farther from the ground, so you may need longer clubs.
- Average proportions: standard-length clubs are usually a sensible starting point.
This is only a starting point. Posture, swing and lie angle still matter.
How to Measure Wrist to Floor
- Stand straight on a hard, level floor.
- Wear normal shoes.
- Let your arms hang naturally at your sides.
- Do not bend down or reach toward the floor.
- Ask another person to measure from the wrist crease to the floor.
- Record the number in centimetres.
Simple Height and Wrist-to-Floor Guide
Find the row closest to your height, then compare your wrist-to-floor measurement. Measurements are shown in both centimetres and inches.
160 cm / 5 ft 3 in
- 1 inch shorter: 71 cm / 28 in or less
- 0.5 inch shorter: 72–73 cm / 28.5–29 in
- Standard: 74–80 cm / 29–31.5 in
- 0.5 inch longer: 81–82 cm / 32–32.5 in
- 1 inch longer: 83 cm / 32.5 in or more
170 cm / 5 ft 7 in
- 1 inch shorter: 76 cm / 30 in or less
- 0.5 inch shorter: 77–78 cm / 30.5–31 in
- Standard: 79–85 cm / 31–33.5 in
- 0.5 inch longer: 86–87 cm / 34–34.5 in
- 1 inch longer: 88 cm / 34.5 in or more
180 cm / 5 ft 11 in
- 1 inch shorter: 80 cm / 31.5 in or less
- 0.5 inch shorter: 81–82 cm / 32–32.5 in
- Standard: 83–89 cm / 32.5–35 in
- 0.5 inch longer: 90–91 cm / 35.5–36 in
- 1 inch longer: 92 cm / 36 in or more
190 cm / 6 ft 3 in
- 1 inch shorter: 85 cm / 33.5 in or less
- 0.5 inch shorter: 86–87 cm / 34–34.5 in
- Standard: 88–94 cm / 34.5–37 in
- 0.5 inch longer: 95–96 cm / 37.5–38 in
- 1 inch longer: 97 cm / 38 in or more
200 cm / 6 ft 7 in
- 1 inch shorter: 90 cm / 35.5 in or less
- 0.5 inch shorter: 91–92 cm / 36–36.5 in
- Standard: 93–99 cm / 36.5–39 in
- 0.5 inch longer: 100–101 cm / 39.5–40 in
- 1 inch longer: 102 cm / 40 in or more
Why Height Alone Can Be Misleading
A golfer who is 190 cm tall may not need longer clubs if they also have long arms. A golfer who is 170 cm tall may still need longer clubs if they have short arms.
That is why the fitter compares both numbers instead of using height by itself.
Club Length and Lie Angle
Club length and lie angle are related, but they are not the same thing.
- Longer clubs: may also need a more upright lie angle.
- Shorter clubs: may also need a flatter lie angle.
A static chart cannot confirm lie angle. That is best checked while actually hitting golf balls.
Signs Your Clubs May Be Too Long
- you stand too upright
- you strike the heel often
- the club feels difficult to control
- your contact is inconsistent
Signs Your Clubs May Be Too Short
- you bend too much from the hips
- you strike the toe often
- you feel cramped at address
- it is difficult to maintain posture
Does This Apply to Drivers Too?
Not in exactly the same way. This chart is mainly useful for irons. Driver length is strongly influenced by center-face contact and control. A shorter driver can sometimes produce better average distance because it is easier to strike consistently.
Use the Golf Club Fitter
The Golf Club Fitter now compares your height and wrist-to-floor measurement directly. It gives one of five simple starting points:
- 1 inch shorter
- 0.5 inch shorter
- standard length
- 0.5 inch longer
- 1 inch longer
It also explains why it gave that result.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if I need longer golf clubs?
If your wrist-to-floor measurement is high compared with your height, you may have relatively short arms and may need longer clubs.
How do I know if I need shorter golf clubs?
If your wrist-to-floor measurement is low compared with your height, you may have relatively long arms and may need shorter clubs.
Is wrist-to-floor more important than height?
Neither should be used alone. The useful information comes from comparing both measurements.
Can tall golfers use standard clubs?
Yes. Tall golfers with long arms often fit standard-length clubs.
Can short golfers need longer clubs?
Yes. A shorter golfer with relatively short arms may need longer clubs than expected.
Is this an exact fitting?
No. It is a practical starting point. A dynamic fitting can confirm length, lie angle, shaft and strike pattern.
