WRX club length response, inquiry by Gentles on 10/22/22

In general as you inquired, the key(s) is not really club length in and of itself, but rather the understandings and applications of all club components and specifications related to club length cumulatively. When such relationships and integrating them are properly comprehended and applied (in other words if competent clubfitting is performed), in principle there is no club length, from driver through putter to any club beyond or in between, that one should not be able to swing and play basically the same with.

Any restrictions from there would comprise, but not necessarily be limited to, a golfer’s talent capabilities (notwithstanding any medical issues that might rightly need to be addressed), limitations encountered because of certain other club component and/or specification values determined to be used, and/or clubfitter skills. If told for instance that club length should be chosen based upon trying to accomplish some predetermined address posture, find a different clubfitter (and swing instructor as applicable).

In addressing clubfitter skills, the more deficient a clubfitter is regarding the above, the greater the limitation(s) are regarding fitting club length(s). Stuart_G’s advice sadly exhibits a perfect example of this. As almost just an afterthought, in his last paragraph he finally mentions clubhead weight as being related to fitting club length. But in a different, very recent thread, he differently wrote that choosing grip size is the most important club specification to attend to first, before any club length fitting should even be attempted.

His lack of any mentioning of grip sizing here divulges much, as the capable fitting of grip size to one’s swing mechanics helps to open up virtually unlimited possibilities toward fitting club length, while the incompetent fitting of grip size severely limits club length possibilities. This is rudimentary stuff regarding performing and equipment fitting. Yet here we have a so-called golf forum expert posting 31,000+ times to date (countless of them about clubfitting) that is apparently oblivious to this rudiment of clubfitting.

If reading Stuart’s entry after this, vastly different insights might be gained. This may include perceiving severe limitations concerning his club length fitting skills (almost to a point it seems of suggesting single-length clubs if any lengths beyond that start to “feel” uncomfortable for a golfer already). This is perfectly consistent with that stated here. But acquiring clubfitting (and swinging) skills via qualified entities is actually achievable, just needing to learn where to go and whom to trust if wanting to truly become good at it.