Hello Golfers! The need to get fit for all our golf clubs is of the utmost importance and we are now in an era where it’s never been easier. We can get world-class fitting options which were once only for tour professionals, but now all of us golfers have it readily available. Not only is it available to us, it’s also never been more accessible for the next generation of golfers – juniors. Our friends at PING have produced a junior range, the Prodi G, for a while now, however what they have been able to do is two important things when it comes to junior golf equipment. Firstly, they produce the best junior golf equipment in regard to performance, quality and service and the second, it’s never been easier to get fitted for their equipment. In fact, the process starts at the tips of your fingers with access to the internet!
The process takes less than two minutes, before you receive recommendations and a personalized gapping report for your junior’s set. One thing should be noted that there is a green and white setting icon, so as to change the unit of measurement to suit who you would like to measure.
Step 1 – Inform as to your child’s level of play. Are they at a beginner level (has never played or new to the game), at the intermediate level (plays occasionally, potential to play more) or lastly the expert (junior who plays quite often)? Why this matters? PING uses this to determine the optimal number of clubs for your juniors based on their skill level. They custom-build every set, preferring beginning golfers to play fewer clubs and add more as they grow in size and skill. The more competitive golfers should play more clubs for improved gapping and to unlock their shot-making skills.
Step 2 – Establish the age or your child. Why this matters? PING use age to power distance and swing-speed estimations for your junior. Generally, younger juniors will hit the ball a shorter distance and require fewer clubs, while older juniors will, on average, hit the ball farther and require more clubs for optimal gapping.
Step 3 – What is the junior golfer’s dexterity? Pretty simple!
Step 4 – How tall the junior golfer is?
Step 5 – What is the junior’s wrist-to-floor measurement? Have your junior stand straight with their arms hanging freely, feet shoulder-width apart with shoes on and looking straight ahead. (Posture is critical in establishing an accurate measurement). Measure from ground level to your junior’s wrist crease on their glove hand with a tape measure.
Step 6 – About how far does your junior hit the driver? (Total Distance = Carry + Roll) PING will give an estimated average for the distance. I have used my 6-year-old daughter, and the estimation is 75m average.
Step 7 – What is your junior’s putter preference? PING offers two head designs when it comes to putters, the Anser and Tyne H head models.
Step 8 – What is your junior’s bag preference? There are two colour options – black and the green and white.
Step 9 – From here we get a fitting recommendation.
Below is an example using my six-year-old daughter:
PING Engineers Recommend
Driver – 15* Loft | Regular Flex | Length 34” (-5 ½”)
Hybrid – 28* Loft | Regular Flex | Length 32” (-4 ¼”)
Irons – 7i & 9i | Regular Flex | Length (-4 ¼”) | Standard Lie Angle (Black Dot)
Wedges – 54S | Regular Flex | Length (-4 ¼”) | Standard Lie Angle (Black Dot)
Putter – Anser Model | Length: 25 1/4” (-4 1/4”) | Standard Lie Angle (Black Dot)
From here we get a report on the gapping estimates for the six clubs and the average gap between clubs. We also get the ability to download the yardage report which lays out the clubs, carry and total distances.
As for the testing, as a coach, I’ve been giving junior lessons and running junior programs and clinics for multiple years now. Putting my coaches’ hat on, too often I see kids with equipment that isn’t helping them and is actually creating patterns within movement making it much harder to play. When I put the 7-iron down, I couldn’t believe the weight, yet the iron looked great. I didn’t have any preconceived ideas, however I probably didn’t think a specific junior club could look this good. As I made my way through the bag the driver looked great, the hybrid to my surprise presented extremely well and then the sand wedge was just about as good as any wedge could. PING also offer a bag that will fit all clubs. They have strategically placed thick foam padding so if their clubs are made shorter, they will still fit in the bag and not get stuck halfway down. The foam padding can be taken out with a zip pocket placed inside the biggest pocket to be removed easily.
As a parent I know we can be are hesitant to invest in premium clubs, knowing your kids may soon grow out of them. PING however have a program that can put everyone’s minds at ease. Their “Get Golf Growing” program offers a one-time, no-cost adjustment to clubs, an affordable way to get juniors into high-performance, custom-fit clubs while bringing more boys and girls to the sport.
I started hitting the 7-iron and wow, the forgiveness is unbelievable for such a good-looking head. The grips on the clubs are made by Lamkin and have marks on each of them where you can grip down slightly if needed, which makes things so much easier for the kids. I haven’t forgotten the putter because I wanted to save the best piece of equipment to last! PING Golf started in 1959 when Karsten Solheim, a Norwegian-born engineer and avid golfer, designed a revolutionary putter in his Redwood City, California garage. Solheim invented the “PING 1A,” which used perimeter weighting (heavy, heel-toe design) to improve stability. The company name came from the distinct “pinging” sound the club made when it hit the ball and for as long as I can remember PING have been at the forefront of putters, so it’s really no surprise that this putter is elite. For a junior golfer getting access to the Anser head model makes me jealous but it also helps to make golf more enjoyable.
The PING Prodi G junior range is exactly what junior golf equipment should be: easy to access, properly fitted, and built to the highest standard. The online fitting process is incredibly simple, takes only minutes to complete, and can be done from home, while instore fitting support is just as seamless for those who prefer a hands-on experience. What truly sets Prodi G apart is that every club is custom built to the junior golfer not just a generic height-based set, ensuring correct weight, length, gapping, and performance as they grow. Combine that with PING’s industry-leading quality, durability, and heritage, and it’s clear that Prodi G sits at the very top of the junior golf market, giving young golfers the best possible start in the game.
Michael Cooney is a teaching professional at the PGA Centre for Learning and Performance at the Sandhurst Golf Club in Melbourne and is always on the hunt for the latest and greatest in golf products.
