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Children need a set of clubs that fits them to a tee.
Congratulations, your kid enjoys playing golf. That’s terrific. But you’re doing them a disservice if you hand them cut-down adult clubs. They may struggle to lift the relatively heavy and stiff club, which causes one grounder after another. That will dissipate their enjoyment and confidence, and perhaps even send them on their way to a different sport.
Thankfully, several major brands now offer junior sets for kids. When buying a set of golf clubs for your child, keep several criteria in mind. Your primary concern is getting the correct length clubs. Make certain your child has growing room within the set. And if he or she is between sizes, go with the longer option—provided the child can handle the additional weight. If the clubs are too heavy, your child won’t be able to generate enough clubhead speed for distance. If the weight is fine but the length is too long, just have them choke down on the grip.
Next, pay attention to the clubheads. Junior clubheads weigh less and have lower and deeper weighting than adult clubs, so kids can get shots airborne with more ease. That said, make sure you select a driver clubhead with at least 15 degrees of loft. And periodically have the iron lie angle checked—that will help your growing child keep solid swing fundamentals and more-consistent impact. There’s no need to buy a full set for beginners—you can get a reduced set of maybe a lofted wood, mid-iron and putter, even if you have to buy them individually. When your child gets into playing on a regular basis, then you can step up to a full set.
What are your best starter clubs for kids? Here’s where to start for your Tiger cub:
US Kids
U.S. Kids Golf Ultralight
This is one of the top brands for kids’ clubs. Ideal for the beginner or intermediate golfer between ages 7 and 9, the set’s club lengths and weights are tailored to height. Lightweight clubheads get the ball in the air while encouraging longer and straighter shots. The flexible shafts help kids generate more swing speed for additional power and distance—a real confidence-builder. Included in this set are a driver, 6-iron, 8-iron, pitching wedge and a putter. Plus, it comes with a lightweight stand bag.
Cobra Kids' KING
Cobra
This complete set is for older kids—9 to 12—who are taller than 53 inches. It includes stainless steel metalwoods and cavity-back irons with fast launch designs, junior-flex shafts and junior-size grips. The Cobra Kids' KING 375cc driver is forgiving and high-lofted, while the fairway wood has a low center of gravity and high loft. The set even includes a low-profile hybrid with a small clubhead. Perimeter-weighted irons feature a wide sole, to help it glide more easily through turf. And a high-lofted sand wedge helps make shots around the green a cinch to negotiate. Finally, a blade-style putter features shaft offset and visual cues along the topline, so kids learn how to properly align putts. The included 2.3-pound stand bag comes with adjustable shoulder straps and an automatic pop-out stand.
Callaway
Callaway Girls' XJ Hot
Your daughter deserves to play a top brand like Callaway. This thorough set is specifically designed for 9- to 12-year-old girls taller than 53 inches. It features ideal lengths, weights and lofts for optimized performance. Specific center of gravity and weight placement gets shots airborne quickly. An increased hosel offset helps beginners square the face at impact, so they get longer shots that travel straighter. Each club in the Girls’ XJ Hot comes armed with a graphite shaft that helps maximize power. A junior version of the brand’s wildly popular 2-Ball alignment putter comes with the set, as does a lightweight stand bag with dual carry straps and numerous pockets. Headcovers are also included.
Tour Edge
Tour Edge Junior Bazooka 360 Varsity
So your teen is already eyeing the Tour. It’s time to get that pre-adult set. This Tour Edge 12-piecer includes a high-MOI, 460cc driver that helps kids hit long and straight drives, as well as a low-profile fairway wood and sleek hybrid. Two oversize stainless steel irons and two wedges feature undercut cavities and large sweet spots for forgiveness. A classic heel-toe weighted blade putter showcases an alignment system, helping your kid sink more putts. A multiple-pocket stand bag is included, with padded dual shoulder straps, several grab handles and full-length club dividers. Headcovers also come standard for the driver, fairway wood and hybrid.
