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Being short of stature doesn’t mean you can’t be long off the tee. Ian Woosnam stands all of 5’4”, but the 1991 Masters winner (aka the “Wee Welshman”) could positively pound the ball. Granted, Woosnam has forearms like Popeye and a sturdy, stocky build. But 5’6” Jeff Sluman doesn’t, and he’s got more than adequate length.
Bottom line: Height isn’t that important in golf. But leverage is, and that’s where being short (less than 5’8”) becomes a distinct advantage. Having a lower center of gravity gives you better balance, and it’s easier to make a compact, “connected” swing – with the elbows close to the sides and the big muscles working together – than for someone with long limbs.
Here are a few quick tips to make the most of your diminutive stature:
Get clubs that fit properly: Standard, off-the-rack clubs are made for golfers of average build, around 5’8” or 5’9”. Shorter golfers are often better served with shorter clubs, while the lie angle (how the club sits on the ground) may also need tweaking. If your Titleist AP2 712 irons are too long and/or upright, you’ll be forced to adjust away from a swing that’s natural for you.
Set up with a wide stance: When hitting the cheap Titleist 913 d3 driver, the insides of your feet should be underneath the outsides of your shoulders. The stance gets slightly narrower with each successively shorter club. This will not only enhance your balance, it will create a wider swing arc for greater distance.
Learn to hit a draw: Short golfers tend to have flatter (more horizontal) swings, which promotes a right-to-left ball flight for right-handers. This is a good thing, since a draw rolls farther than a left-to-right fade and provides added distance. Here’s a video that will teach you the technique for hitting a draw.
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