What actually makes a ‘women’s golf club’?
The golf industry has spent years marketing equipment specifically towards male and female golfers. But with custom fitting become an increasingly popular concept, is it a concept that still makes sense?
Looking at the market, it would seem not. More brands are moving away from producing men’s and women’s specific clubs.
On the latest episode of the Your Golf NCG podcast, PGA qualified golf coach Jack Backhouse and professional golfer Nicola Slater questioned the need for them at all.
The pair argued that clubs tailored to the player, regardless of who they were originally marketed towards, are the ones that fit best. There’s an argument to say gender labels can act as a deterrent for golfers who could actually benefit from them.
“One of the problems with calling them women’s clubs is that it then actually puts off old men from using clubs that would probably be more suited to them as well,” said Backhouse.
Slater added: “There is, like a real conflict of interest, because the senior male golfers might need what you consider to be a women’s shaft. Something really soft, much easier to hit, and super light.
“I think the best thing that Titleist did was tell us that how they don’t brand as men’s and women’s (golf clubs).
“If you were to look in my golf bag, you’d go, ‘Oh, she has women with men’s golf clubs’. But I don’t have men’s golf clubs because I’m not a man. I just have golf clubs that are fit to me.”
A big margin of women’s clubs are made up of package sets. Often they are designed to help golfers with slower swing speeds by using lighter shafts, softer flexes and shorter lengthened clubs.
Advertisement
They are also usually cheaper and more convenient for beginners looking to get into the game. However, Slater believes that they only really offer a narrow idea of what a female golfers needs.
“I’m completely not against those sets (women’s package golf club sets), but I do think it’s slightly lazy marketing at times,” she said.
“I think overall, these package sets are great, but they are only designed for one sort of woman.
“They’re catering for the average, which I think is obviously great, because if you go around my entire golf club, the women’s section, they do all have these package sets, and I can understand why.
“They do very much fit the slightly older (golfer) – they obviously have slower swing speeds. It’s very convenient. So they will just buy these package sets.”
- NOW READ: What club golfers can learn from Rory McIlroy’s Master win
- NOW READ: How to go from a mid- to a low-handicap golfer
- NOW READ: More speed, more forgiveness and more adjustability – Meet the new Titleist GTS range
LISTEN TO OUR PODCAST
NCG GIVEAWAYS – WIN FREE STUFF
- RELATED: Deals of the week – grab yourself a bargain
- RELATED: Golf gear giveaways – FREE prizes
YOUR GOLF NCG YOUTUBE CHANNEL
Don’t forget to check out and like our YouTube channel – YOUR GOLF NCG – where you will find lots of hints, tips and equipment reviews.
DISCOUNT GOLF BALLS – UP TO 80% OFF
MailOrderGolf are #1 when it comes to lake balls.
Their lake balls are collected directly from divers, then carefully cleaned, sorted, and graded to ensure top quality.
MailOrderGolf aim to provide quality balls at reasonable prices – with savings of up to 80%!
