If you’re reading this, you’re likely a beginner golfer, which is important for this article because it will focus on the difference between men's golf clubs and women's golf clubs in terms of complete sets, which are designed for beginners. For example, if you compare the difference between two skilled golfers, one being 6'4" with a 115mph clubhead speed and the second being 5'5" with an 85mph clubhead speed, it would not matter if both were male golfers or female golfers.

You will see a significant difference in shaft flex, length, and weight. You might also see a difference in grip size. Both players will usually choose to play a blade or a cavity back clubhead, but they will be classified as a player's iron or distance iron. Then they would add drivers, woods, wedges, and a putter separately. Finally, they will adjust their shafts and grips based on their swing and size.

Making Clubs for a Different Demographic

The game of golf has grown a lot in the past several years, and golf manufacturers have not only taken notice but are creating new products geared toward the changing demographics of golfers. A larger portion of this change is in the amount of women golfers playing the game. The past two years have seen over 6 million women on-course golfers. Of the 6.2 million women playing on-course last year, 37% are classified as beginners. These numbers show the need for a product design specifically for women new to the game.

Complete Club Sets for Beginners

Most beginners don't want to spend thousands of dollars on premium golf clubs, which is where the complete sets provide a perfect option for them. The sets typically range from 11-14 clubs and include headcovers and a bag with a few color options. They are designed for forgiveness and to make it easy to get the ball up in the air. However, this is where the differences show up for women's golf clubs. Manufacturers make a few assumptions based on gender bias, specific to women golfers:

• Smaller stature
• Less muscle mass
• Create slower swing speeds
• Prefer a palette of colors for the golf bag and headcovers

So what does this mean in terms of the women’s club specs compared to men's?

• Shaft length will be shorter, usually by 1”.
• Shafts will also be lighter, labeled as a ladies' flex (usually a lighter graphite shaft instead of the heavier steel shaft).
• Grips will be smaller.
• Increased lofts on women's drivers, fairway woods, and hybrids

These changes in the shafts and lofts are designed to help increase the trajectory to hit the ball higher and further. These adjustments are there to compensate for the lack of speed they expect the women golfer to be able to generate. Most women's clubs will have a different club selection for the set. Women's golf club sets have more hybrids and fewer long irons compared to a men's set with more long irons and either one hybrid or a 5-wood. Both offer putters, but the women's will be shorter than the men's. On top of the club differences, you will see pinks, purples, and light blues instead of red, black, and dark blue.

Why Is There a Difference Between Men’s and Women’s Clubs?

Some people may ask why there are differences between the two types of clubs. Manufacturers try to assist women golfers by making it easier to increase clubhead speed, hit it higher, and gain more distance. They assume that a lighter, more flexible club will be easier to swing for most women. It is similar to the use of senior flex shafts because, as we age, it is more difficult to swing faster. Therefore, they want to provide a lighter, more flexible option to generate swing speed.

Example of Men’s and Women’s Clubs

To provide an actual club comparison, you can compare complete sets, like the Tour Edge Lady and Bazooka 370. The Tour Edge Lady set contains:

• High-lofted driver
• A higher degree of loft in 3 and 5 wood
• #6 and #7 hybrids
• 8-PW
• Ladies shaft (graphite/ high launch)
• Petite length option
• White and turquoise color scheme

The Men's Tour Bazooka 370 set offers:

• 10.5° driver
• 3 and 5 wood
• #4 hybrid
• 5-PW
• Regular flex
• Offer a longer length option
• Blue, black, and grey color scheme

Should I Buy a Women's Golf Club Set?

Now that you have a better understanding of the difference between men's and women's golf clubs, you probably want to know which one is best for you. I would recommend a women's complete golf set for the majority of beginner women golfers. If you don't expect to join the LPGA tour in the next year, a women's beginner's set will provide lighter graphite shafts and higher lofts to help you hit the ball. If you have a body type that is taller than most women, you have larger hands, or prefer a heavier club, you may want to try a men's set.

Ready to get a women's set of your own? Check out the Best Ladies' Beginners Sets to get started.

When looking for a golf club set, it is important to work with a Golf Expert. Experts here on Curated will help you find the right golf club set perfect for your game.