can my 10 year old use ladies golf clubs?
My 10 year old is 5ft 1" and his hands are the same size as mine… a friend told me he can use ladies clubs sine the kids clubs are so small for him… Is this true? Or should he get mens? Thanks!
Thanks for all the replies! I guess I should have specified that I am his mom posting… 
I didn’t realize it was coming up under my hubby – so my son’s hands are as big as mine (ladies)… Thanks so much for the great advice – it has all been so helpful!! Now we are going shopping!!!! 
Yes, women’s will fit fine and be light and flexible enough for him to maneuver, they also make teen sets as well (which aren’t much different, but maybe a bit cheaper). Mens will be too long, heavy and stiff. He should do okay with women’s or teen’s until he’s ready to move to men’s (most-likely around age 14), depending on height and swing speed.
June 22nd, 2010 at 8:39 pm
if hes a beginner it dosnt matter just see if he likes the sport but if hes an experanced player i wouls suggest getting real mens clubs
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June 22nd, 2010 at 9:01 pm
Yes, women’s will fit fine and be light and flexible enough for him to maneuver, they also make teen sets as well (which aren’t much different, but maybe a bit cheaper). Mens will be too long, heavy and stiff. He should do okay with women’s or teen’s until he’s ready to move to men’s (most-likely around age 14), depending on height and swing speed.
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Pixie Golfer
June 22nd, 2010 at 9:15 pm
The ladies clubs will do him fine as a 10 year old. The ladies clubs are exactly the same in specs as youths clubs (his need). He won’t need to upgrade to mens clubs until say 13 or 14.
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June 22nd, 2010 at 9:54 pm
They should be fine so long as they have the right length, total weight, swing weight and grip size measurements for his body type and swing mechanics. If they’re too long or too heavy, he can develop bad habits that will be harder to break when he gets clubs custom fit for him.
As far as the grip is concerned, have him take his normal grip, bring the club up so it points to the sky and release his right (top; assuming right-handedness) hand. Do the middle and ring fingers of his left hand dig into his palm? If so, the grip is too small. Is there more than 1/8th of an inch space between the middle/ring fingers and palm? That would indicate a grip that’s too big. If the fingers barely touch the palm, or there’s less than 1/8" gap, the grip is the right size.
As far as flex is concerned, this is an example of why a numbering system, like Project X’s, is better than the "standard" lettering code. Even though there are more than a few male golfer’s (as well as juniors) who’d benefit from an "L" flex shaft, the fact that it says "L" creates an unnecessary stigma.
According to Ralph Maltby, in his "Complete Club Fitting Plan", for 8-10 year olds (boys and girls who’s height is in the 49"-53" range and weight range is 53-69 lbs) should be fit to a driving wood (a 4 or 5 wood) that’s 32.5"-37" with 17-19* of loft. The 5 iron should be 28.5"-32", with a putter in the 26.5"-30" range. The driving wood should weigh in the 326-340 gram range. Granted, these are all based on the national average. As we all know, very rarely is anyone truly "average". That’s why it’s important to see a custom fitter… not just adults, but kids as well.
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June 22nd, 2010 at 10:17 pm
You’re friend is spot on – since your son is about the size of a woman, and at that age has about the strength of one too, women’s clubs will be perfect for him.
The "basic" difference between men’s and women’s clubs is, while retaining the same basic clubhead weight, is that women’s clubs use shorter and more flexible shafts. So basically, just what your son needs – and will likely fit him until he’s 5-6.
He doesn’t need men’s clubs until he’s 5-8 or taller, or gets quite a bit older (like 15 or so) and stronger, and/or more experienced and skilled at the game. He’s not near tall enough, or strong enough, to be hitting standard men’s clubs.
Since you’re suggesting his hands are as large as you’re own, and thus that he’ll be "growing into them," the only thing I would suggest changing on a set of woman’s clubs would be to have the grips changed out to a set of standard men’s grips.
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retired pro