Do you have to be tall to advance?

Sup guys,

Im just wondering, do you think being tall is a key component to being a good golfer, cause all the commentators make it seem like its a big advantage. Being a smaller guy I kinda get intimidated. Do you think if im around 5'8 (my distances are decent...280 yard drives) that I can keep up with kids at the college level, cause thats my goal right now is to get a scholarship.

hi golf scholar88
im no expert by a long chalk but dont think being tall carries any particular advantage sure i would think you would generate higher club head speed but i remember reading an article last year about how some of the best guys on european tour are not that tall and under 154 pounds. im 5'8" and regularly outplay my regular partner who is 6ft!

For sure man, I find it motivating kinda being labelled as an underdog. But yeah thats good to know I got someone whos in a similar situation and is suceeding.

your welcome guy
i like the tag of underdog myself! dont know all the usa golfers but look at the european guys none of em would be basketball players! LOL

Taller means more leverage but there are plenty of golfers that are "shorter".

Ben Hogan was not exactly a basketball player. Neither is Gary Player
Michael Campbell: 5'-10"
K.J. Choi: 5'-8"
Tim Clark: 5'-7"
Luke Donald: 5'-9"
Fred Funk: 5'-8"
Sergio Garcia: 5'-10
Mark Hensby: 5'-8"
Jeff Sluman (who?): 5'-7" (made $1,087,506 last year!)

Not to mention the women:
Paula Creamer: 5'-9"
Lorena Ohoa: 5'-6"
Annika Sorenstam: 5'-6"
Heather Young: 5'-3"

I LOVE IT! lol thanks for the stats. Stats always convince me.

Taller makes for more potential. Taller generally means longer arms. This in turn creates the potential to generate more clubhead speed. This also creates the potential to have to take much more time to get the clubhead back to the ball, which potentially means that more mistakes can be made.

Did I mention that all this is in the realm of potential?

dont forget Ian Woosman!
Tht guy was an oompa loompa!

I think the trend is moving towards taller players, but it certainly wont preclude your from a scholarship, if youre good enough, your tall enough. If you can swat it 280 then you arent doing to badly, par 4 465 yards, would be what, Drive and 5 iron maybe even 6? The average distances on the tour stats arent much bigger except for the apes at the top.

What age are you anyway?? You may have a growth spurt to come. Basically, keep yourself in shape, do some weights and cardio and lots of flexibility work and make sure you are in the best possible shape to maximise your power.

But dont get hung up on length, no one wins out there without an all round game, the majority of the big hitters on tour dont have great winning records. Lots of the guys at 280-290 have more wins and more money.

Stick in....

D.

__________________
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Odyssey DFX 2-Ball

Callaway Tour iX

Im 18 so Im not too sure whether I have a growth spurt on the way. I can only hope. I have been working out for the past year and it has helped my game tremendously so I will continue to get stronger and more flexible. Im going to be competing this year and am gonna make an attempt at a scholarship around september (aiming for a 2007 scholarship).

Mike Weir is 5'9" and he's done okay for himself.

I finally quit growing at age 20 or 21. I was 6'0" at 18 and I was 6'2" by the time I was 21.

At 18 you will still be getting stronger and best of all, smarter! I was fearless at 18, then I got smarter as I got older and started choosing the right times to take a chance, not every time is the right time. If you are already through that stage, congrats!!!