Men's vs. Women's Golf Clubs
Finding the right set of golf clubs can be overwhelming, especially when the options include both men's and women's designs. While women's clubs might seem like the obvious choice for female golfers, the decision isn’t always so straightforward. Understanding the key differences between men’s and women’s clubs—such as length, weight, and flexibility—can help you determine what’s best for you. Our Golf Experts break down these differences to help guide you toward finding the perfect fit for your swing.
Key Differences
Visually, apart from often brighter colors, women's golf clubs can seem similar to men's. However, pick one up and you'll likely notice a big difference in how it feels and plays. The following factors break down why this is the case:
Club Weight
Women's golf clubs are generally lighter and made with graphite, compared to men's clubs which can be made with graphite or steel. Even for women with more upper body strength, a standard men's club is still often too heavy.
Club Length
Because women have a shorter average height than men, women's clubs are usually 3/4 to one inch shorter than men's clubs.
Shaft Flexibility
Women's golf clubs are generally constructed with more flexible shafts to accommodate statistically lower swing speeds than men's.
Clubhead
Slower swing speeds are also factored into the clubhead design; women's clubheads can feature significantly more loft to increase trajectory and distance. Larger sweet spots are also common to provide more forgiveness on off-center hits.
Grip Size
Women's clubs are typically designed with smaller grip sizes to better fit smaller hands.
Benefits of Women's Golf Clubs
Female golfers can achieve the following benefits with a properly fitting women's club:
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More consistent and accurate swings due to higher lofts and larger sweet spots, which provide increased forgiveness and aid straighter, longer shots.
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Increased distance for golfers with slower swing speeds. The lighter weight and more flexible shafts of women's clubs help generate higher clubhead speed, and in turn, distance.
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Improved comfort and control due to an overall better fit. For the average female golfer, a shorter club and smaller grip size allow for a better stance and a more comfortable, controlled hold.
The most important thing you can do to set yourself up for success is to find a club that properly fits—these benefits go away when a club is too long, too short, too heavy, or not suited for your swing speed. If you're unsure what your proper fit feels like, learn about our custom fittings at SCHEELS.
Can Women Use Men's Clubs?
With so many options available for standard men’s clubs, a common question is whether women can use them too. The short answer is yes, but it depends. For the majority of female golfers, women's clubs will provide more comfort, distance, and control than can be achieved with men's clubs. However, for female golfers who are taller than average, have fast swing speeds, or are highly experienced, standard clubs can provide an edge. The answer will vary from one golfer to another; if you're uncertain or new to golfing, then women's clubs will generally be a better starting point.
Apart from visual design, men's and women's golf clubs have many features that set them apart. The easiest way to figure out what's best for you is hands-on experimentation. For personalized guidance, you can reach out to a Golf Expert at your local SCHEELS or schedule a custom fitting with one of our Master Fitters.