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Ladies Golf Clubs: Length, Shaft Flex and What a Women's Set Should Contain

Ladies golf clubs differ from men's in three practical ways: they are usually about an inch shorter, they are lighter, and they use a softer "L" (ladies) flex shaft designed for slower swing speeds. Women's sets also tend to replace hard-to-hit long irons with hybrids and fairway woods. None of that means every woman should buy a ladies set: a tall golfer or a fast swinger may be better off with standard or "senior" flex clubs. This page explains what is different, how to tell which clubs suit you, what a sensible set contains, and what to check before you spend money.

What actually makes a club "ladies"

Shaft flex

Flex is how much the shaft bends during the swing. A slower swing needs a softer shaft to help the clubface square up and launch the ball. Ladies flex, marked "L" on the shaft, is the softest standard option. Manufacturers' fitting charts generally place it at the slowest driver swing speeds, commonly below about 70mph. Senior or "A" flex is slightly firmer, and regular "R" flex firmer again. Too stiff a shaft tends to send the ball low and to the right for a right-hander; too soft can make the ball balloon or hook.

Length

Women's clubs are typically about an inch shorter through the set. That suits golfers of average women's height, but length should be fitted to you, not your sex. Golfers measure height and wrist-to-floor distance for this: a tall woman may need standard men's length, and a shorter man may need ladies length.

Weight and grips

Women's clubs use lighter shafts, usually graphite in the irons as well as the woods, and slimmer grips for smaller hands. Lighter clubs are easier to swing faster, which is where distance comes from.

Lofts and head design

Women's drivers usually come with more loft than men's, which helps a slower swing get the ball airborne and carrying. Irons and hybrids are built with low, deep weighting for the same reason.

What a sensible women's set contains

You do not need 14 clubs, especially when starting out. A typical, useful set is:

That is ten to eleven clubs, which also keeps a carry bag light. Our guides to hybrid golf clubs, the 7-wood and how many clubs to carry go into more detail.

Box sets versus individual clubs

Box sets come with a driver, a wood, a hybrid, irons, a putter and usually a bag, at one price. For a beginner they are the simplest start: everything is designed to work together and the lofts are sensible. The trade-off is that you get one shaft flex and one length for everything.

Individual clubs or part sets cost more per club but can be fitted to you, and you can add clubs as your game develops. Once you play regularly, a fitting is the best money you can spend, because a club that matches your swing will help more than any change of brand. Our page on which clubs a beginner needs covers the starting point, and for a bag to put them in see our ladies golf bag guide.

How to tell if ladies clubs are right for you

• Your ball flight: if your shots fly low and drift right (for a right-hander) with a standard club, the shaft may be too stiff. A softer flex usually helps.
• Your carry distance: as a rough guide only, if your 7-iron carries well under 100 yards a ladies flex is likely to suit; if it goes much further, try senior or regular as well.
• Your height: if you are well above or below average height, ask about length and lie angle rather than buying off the shelf.
• Feel: try before you buy on a launch monitor or at a range. A club that feels heavy at the end of a round will cost you shots on the back nine.

Hiring clubs for a round, or borrowing a friend's, is a cheap way to try different flexes before buying. If you are just starting, a lesson or two first helps you find a repeatable swing to fit to; see our page on your first golf lesson.

Second-hand ladies clubs

Used women's clubs are often in good condition and much cheaper than new, because many sets see little play. Check the shaft label for flex, look for dents or rust on the shafts, worn or slippery grips (cheap to replace), and grooves on the irons. Avoid very old drivers with small heads; modern larger heads are far more forgiving.