Golf clubs are often sold in a “standard” length, which is relative to each club. However, golfers differ in height and arm length, so sometimes the length of a club must be adjusted. Not only can golf clubs be lengthened for people who need it, but they can also be shortened.

Standard Golf Club Lengths

The lines have been blurred around standards in golf equipment over the years as new technologies have emerged. It is rare to find a “standard” anymore for things like golf shaft flex, golf ball construction, or any other number of metrics in golf equipment. However, golf club length continues to be relatively consistent across brands and club types.

For example, the standard length of a 7-iron in most iron sets is 37-inches for a club equipped with a steel shaft. Most drivers are either 45- to 46-inches in length. Additional golf clubs will fluctuate about a half-inch higher or lower from the previous club, depending on the club’s intended yardage output. Graphite shafts might add an extra half-inch to every club.

The advent of new technologies like single-length irons, for example, have begun to question the idea of a “standard length.” These irons are constructed to provide a consistent swing feel throughout a golfer’s bag as a matter of preference. In recent years, golf pro Bryson DeChambeau is the player best known to embrace this concept.

Should Your Clubs Be Shortened?

Determining if your golf clubs are too long – and therefore need to be shortened – is a detailed process.

Golf clubs should be properly fit to every player. This is best done under the guidance of a certified golf club fitting professional. Some head golf professionals at local courses are certified in this process and must take several measurements from the golfer being fit for new clubs.

Metrics that are considered include:

• A golfer’s height while standing straight up

• A golfer’s height while addressing the golf ball

• A golfer’s arm length when standing straight up

• A golfer’s arm length when addressing the golf ball

• Additional measurements like swing tendencies, impact with the ground, and more

Once the above measurements are taken, a certified golf club fitter will determine if your golf clubs are the correct length for your height, arm length, and swing. This can include shortening your clubs as much as a full inch, depending on the above factors.

It should be noted, however, that players are also able to “choke-down” on a club’s grip, or simply hold the club in their hands further down the grip. While this is not a permanent alteration to the golf club, it can be an easy alternative if you prefer to not physically shorten the golf club shaft by other means.

How to Shorten a Golf Club

Shortening a golf club is a straightforward process and can be done by anyone with the correct tools and knowledge. NOTE: for best results, this process should only be completed by a certified golf club fitting professional.

Once the desired length of the club is known, the golfer must remove the grip from the golf club first. There are many ways to complete this task and there are many golf club repair tools available to purchase online or at your local golf retailer. However, you can also remove a golf grip using tools commonly found at your local hardware store.

To remove a golf grip, you will need to:

• Securely fasten the golf club in place using a vise on a workbench or similar setup, such as a golf club regripping station used at golf courses or pro shops

• Cutting off the rubber golf grip using a sharp blade, such as a utility knife with a hooked blade

• Remove the underlying grip tape that holds the golf grip in place. This can be done using a heat gun to loosen the grip adhesive

Once the golf grip and tape are completely off the golf shaft, you are ready to cut the shaft to your desired length. To do this, a yardstick or specially made golf club measuring stick can be used.

When measuring a golf club’s length, you should set the club down on a level surface like you normally would when playing golf. This means positioning the clubhead on a level floor as if you were to address a golf ball for a shot. Next, position the measuring stick behind and along the golf shaft with the end of the stick resting on the same surface and height as the clubhead. You can then record the length of the shaft by measuring the end of the golf shaft closest to you.

Relying on the measurement stick as a guide, use a permanent marker to draw a small line on the steel golf shaft in accordance with the preferred measurement length.

One of the safest ways to cut the shaft is by using a pipe cutter. This tool can be found at any hardware store and is often used by plumbers to cut copper or steel pipes. Refer to the pipe cutter’s user’s manual for details on how to use the tool.

To cut a graphite shaft, you can use either a rod saw blade specifically designed for cutting graphite attached to a hacksaw. Alternatively, you can use a small chop saw or table saw with a steel- or graphite-grade blade. NOTE: Remember to always wear safety goggles and gloves when cutting any metals or other materials.

Repeat these steps for every club you wish to shorten.

Considerations

While shortening a golf club is a relatively easy process once you know the steps, it should be done by an experienced club builder or golf club fitter for best results. However, over time you can learn the steps needed for this golf club alteration, which can be helpful if you plan on playing golf for many years.

Before cutting any golf club, however, you should visit your local golf professional or certified golf club fitter to determine if shortening a golf club is right for your game. They’ll also be able to answer questions you have about the process.