Being petite does not lessen your ability to achieve some serious distance when playing golf. However, finding the right clubs - with shorter shafts - can prove a little more tricky.
Thankfully, many of the top golf brands also create clubs in petite sizes, so there’s no reason for you to use ill-fitting regular clubs. Having the right equipment for your height will improve your form, enhance your swing, and allow you to take your game to the next level.
If you’re wondering where to start, we’ve scoured the internet to find the Best Women’s Petite Golf Clubs on the market, and we’ve also compiled a handy Buyer’s Guide so you know exactly what to look out for.
What qualifies as ‘petite’ golf clubs?
Generally, petite women are considered to be between 4’11” and 5’3” tall, which is slightly below the average height. Petite golf clubs are usually at least 1 inch shorter than regular clubs, with the average female driver measuring 43 inches.
Manufacturers sometimes display petite clubs as ‘-1.’ Don’t forget that all clubs, female or male, must conform to a standard length.
As well as their length, there are some key characteristics of petite golf clubs. Due to having a smaller arc that generates less clubhead speed, petite clubs usually have graphite shafts and extra flex to compensate for this.
So basically, you’re looking for:
- Clubs suited to female golfers between 4’11” and 5’3” and that are -1 inch shorter than regular clubs
- A lightweight graphite shaft with good flex
- Low center of gravity in the irons for improved accuracy
- Driver with a large sweet spot for greater forgiveness
OUR TOP PICK
The Aspire Pro-X petite set is designed with increased head speed thanks to its industry-leading aerodynamics.
Premium V6 (variable control) ladies flex graphite shafts generate more clubhead speed and provide more forgiveness irrespective of where the ball and clubface meet.
The face of each club has been designed to be thinner and more lightweight, while still providing a robust, powerful feel that provides a consistent launch and distance across the entire face.
These clubs are ideal for intermediate to advanced players and are equipped with ‘Tour Pride’ multi-material proprietary grips that give an enhanced feel.
All of the clubs are as lightweight as possible to ensure petite golfers get the most out of Aspire’s aerodynamic technology.
Pros
- Premium V6 flex graphite shafts
- More forgiveness and clubhead speed
- Thin, lightweight face
- Tour Pride multi-material proprietary grips
- Sturdy and durable feel
Cons
- Putter could be of better quality
EDITORS CHOICE
Designed for women 5’3” and below, this complete set from Aspire features graphite shafts which are lightweight and more flexible than steel alternatives.
The clubheads on the irons have been designed with larger than normal soles to provide extra forgiveness for greater consistency.
Perfect for beginner golfers, this complete set includes a Titanium Driver, Fairway Wood, Hybrid, 6-PW Irons, Putter, Stand Bag, and 3 headcovers, and petite golfers rave that this set allowed them to improve their game by providing forgiveness and flex with a lightweight feel.
The stand bag also has dual straps so you can carry it like a backpack.
Pros
- Lightweight and flexible graphite shafts
- Larger soles on the irons provide extra forgiveness and greater consistency
- Dual-strap bag for easy carrying
- Affordable price point
Cons
- These are OK for beginners, but intermediate or advanced players may require a higher quality set in the long-run
BEST VALUE
When you’re just starting out, you don’t want to break the bank on an expensive set of clubs, and Wilson’s complete golf set is the perfect halfway point between affordability and quality.
The petite cart features clubs with lightweight graphite shafts (except for the putter) and soft, all-weather grips for superior swing and feel.
The high-lofted driver has a large sweet spot and is swing speed matched to improve ball flight for greater distance, while the deep 431 stainless steel irons are perimeter-weighted with a very low center of gravity for improved accuracy.
The Easy Launch Sand Wedge features very low weighting and a wide sole for better greenside control and improved shot-making
The cart bag has also been designed to be ultra-lightweight and easy to carry and has a double padded shoulder strap for comfort, as well as a rugged handle top, fleece-lined valuables pocket, and three roomy pockets for extra storage.
Pros
- Affordable set for beginner golfers
- Lightweight graphite shafts are ideal for petite women
- The high-lofted driver has a large sweet spot for greater distance and accuracy
- Perimeter-weighted irons for improved accuracy
- Lightweight bag with plenty of pockets
Cons
- No stand attached to the bag
RUNNER UP
This is a good budget set ideal for beginners, with clubs designed for women 5’3” or shorter.
The 460cc Driver has a low center of gravity for higher trajectories and increased distance, while the irons have a large sweet spot to promote greater distance and forgiveness.
These clubs come with ladies flex graphite shafts to increase clubhead speed and reduce weight, and they come with a deluxe dual-strap bag, headcovers, and a rain hood.
The handy grab handle also makes it easier to pick up your entire set and provides greater versatility.
This set is available at a very affordable price, making it ideal for beginners, but more advanced players may need a higher quality set.
Pros
- Low CG on driver for higher trajectories and distance
- Irons have a large sweet spot
- Flex graphite shafts
- Deluxe dual-strap bag
- Low price point
Cons
- Not the best quality
RUNNER UP
If you’re looking to invest in a good quality golf club set, look no further. These clubs have a graphite-flex shaft and are perfectly suited to petite women thanks to the lightweight and forgiving clubs that deliver easy launch and distance.
The titanium driver has an oversized shape and heel-biased weighting for longer and straighter drives, while the 3-wood, 5 wood, and 7-wood feature a shallow profile and heel-biased weighting for improved accuracy and distance off the tee and from the fairway.
The 5 hybrid creates perfect gapping between the fairways and irons for longer approach shots into greens, while the irons (6-PW, SW) have a traditional cavity back design and perimeter weighting for effortless launch and distance.
We also really like the fact that these come in a black and blue design, rather than the pink or purple that you often see ladies’ golf club sets in.
Pros
- Graphite flex, petite shaft
- Achieve longer and straighter drives
- More accuracy and distance off the tee
- Effortless launch and distance
- Quality clubs that are well-designed and durable
Cons
- The Cobra name comes with a higher price tag
Buyer’s Guide
If you’re between 4’11” and 5’3” you should strongly consider a petite golf club set. If you’re taller than this - or you’re around the 5’3” mark, you’ll be fine with a regular ladies’ golf club set. The right-sized clubs for your height will allow you to achieve greater distances and height while taking your game to the next level.
Why do I need a petite club?
If you’re between 4’11'' and 5’3” and try to use a regular club, you’ll find that it’s probably too long for you. This will result in erratic, inconsistent shots which lack accuracy and refuse to go straight - no matter how hard or how fast you swing.
Women who are about 5’3″ or shorter should consider shorter golf clubs, though generally, this also depends on other aspects of your body composition such as arm length.
If you’re currently using a regular set of golf clubs and you just feel like you’re not improving no matter how hard you try, it could be that you require a petite set instead.
If you’re unsure about whether or not you need a petite set, it may be a good idea to go to your local club fitter and get properly fitted to see what kind of clubs are the best choice for you. You can also try out a friend’s club to compare to your current set.
Either way, having a set of clubs that suit your height will make all the difference to your game.
The Shafts
The main distinguishing factor of petite clubs is the length of the shaft. The shaft should be slightly shorter than the standard shaft - around 1” shorter.
The flex and weight will also affect the feel and performance of a golf club for petite women. A lighter, graphite shaft with the correct flex for your swing speed will allow you to achieve greater clubhead speed.
Weight of Your Clubs
Petite shafts with a greater level of flex should also be combined with lighter clubs. Together, these will allow for faster clubhead speed which will help you cover a greater distance. This is particularly important for senior female golfers.
Set Composition
When buying a new golf club set, you should ensure that its composition enables you to cover most scenarios so that you’re not switching clubs too often.
The maximum driver head size is set at 460cc and there’s no reason to opt for a smaller head, as you’ll only end up sacrificing forgiveness which is essential for petite golfers. Bigger club heads are likely to have bigger sweet spots which provide greater accuracy and distance.
Woods will provide you with more distance than irons, while hybrids are a common replacement for long irons and offer great versatility.
Wedges are your scoring clubs - therefore it’s worth considering carrying one or two extra wedges with you.
Budget
Your budget is going to be a big influencing factor on your final choice. Most of the sets we’ve included are pretty budget-friendly. How much you spend is also going to be dependent on your golfing experience.
For example, if you’re an advanced golfer, spending more on a quality set of clubs will probably save you money in the long run, as cheaper ones will need replacing more frequently.
On the other hand, if you’re new to golfing, you may be reluctant to spend too much at first, and in this case, there are plenty of affordable options on the market from brands such as Aspire or Precise.
Cart
Most golf sets will come with a cart as well, and, while a cart can always be replaced by a better quality one, you may still want to consider the quality of the bag that comes with your golf set.
You should also check how heavy it is and whether it has dual straps to carry your clubs more easily, as well as a grab handle which can make picking up your bag easier.
Some golf sets will come with a cart but not a stand, so you may need to buy one separately.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall should Petite golf clubs be?
Petite clubs are designed for women who are between 4’11” and 5’3”.
A standard golf club for women measures 43 inches, and usually, a petite club will measure at least 1 inch shorter, so it will measure 42 inches or less.
Sometimes, petite golf clubs are described as ‘-1’ which means they are 1 inch shorter than regular female clubs.
Should short golfers have shorter clubs?
Yes, the bottom line is that you should have a set of clubs that are suited to your height.
However, this isn’t necessarily a disadvantage, and petite golfers can use their height to their advantage.
Shorter golfers will achieve greater accuracy and distance if they use shorter clubs, while the lie angle - how the club sits on the ground - may also need adjusting.
The shorter the club, the narrower your stance will become, which will not only improve your balance but will also create a wider swing arc, enabling you to cover greater distance.
What happens if golf clubs are too long?
If our clubs are too long, it affects the amount of speed we can generate, meaning we cannot cover greater distances.
Physically, we can only reach maximum speed when our arms are “straight.” Think about it: If a club is too long, it prevents us from straightening out our arms, which means we will very likely decelerate into impact and prevent the clubface from squaring itself up.
Some beginners think that a longer length club will equal further distance, but this isn’t the case at all. Petite golfers, and petite clubs, are just as capable of generating speed and achieving accuracy and distance - if the clubs are the right fit for the golfer.
