What Kind of Golf Equipment For Kids Should You Get?

It's a jungle out there! There are a variety of junior golfSPALDING has an "Alliance" set of steel-shafted clubs
equipment options on the market, and some of it atwith metal heads, retailing for $110, and a "Teen" set
prices to make you think twice about cut-downthat retails for $155. The Alliance package, designed
freebies - which we don't advise - especially if you'refor pre-teen players, features one wood, four irons
already underwriting swim lessons and ski trips.and a golf bag. The Teen package contains two
Here are some of the options:woods, five irons and a bag.
TAYLOR MADE offers five-club junior sets withA JOLLA CLUB makes junior equipment only. For kids
graphite shafts in three sizes. Suggested retail is $250aged five to 13, it offers seven-piece sets in three
per set. You also can fill out a registration card thatseparate lengths. For 12 to 16-year-olds, it has a
allows you to upgrade as you grow for $30 per drivercomplete set of eight irons plus 1, 3, and 5 woods.
and $20 per iron.Driver is made with a composite (graphite) shaft and
TITLEIST offers its "T Rex" line in two sizes. For agesthe irons are shafted with flexible steel. The suggested
5 to 7, a seven-piece T Rex set includes 3-, 6-, 8-irons,retail is $180-300.
pitching wedge, putter and golf bag. All clubs areGOLFSMITH offers an array of junior golf equipment [
steel-shafted. Price is $175 retail. A similar package,packages under the "Firestar" and "Harvey Penick
retailing at about $200, is available for the 8 to 10 ageFuture" nameplates. The entry-level "Firestar" set costs
group. This set also includes a driver.about $50 retail and includes a 3-wood, "middle" iron,
WILSON has a black-and-red "Michael Jordan Junior"and a putter. Two other sets in the line are priced at
set for kids in the 54-60-inch range. Steel-shafted$100 and $120 each and they feature five clubs
line-up has driver, 5-, 7-, 9-iron and wedge, plus putter.(including a putter) and six clubs, respectively. The top
Wilson also offers an "Ultra Junior" line, with the sameend of the Penick Future line is a graphite-shafted
set configurations.package of seven clubs (including a putter), with bag,
KARSTEN builds junior sets by starting with itsfor $279. A steel-shafted, five-club version of this set
standard 37 3/4" 5-iron for adults and shortening it byis available for $199.
two, four and six inches to create three separateNANCYLOPEZGOLF has a Roswell set for girls, has
"Zing2 Youth" outfits. Available right- or left-handed, thea 5-wood, three irons and a putter.
sets have two graphite-shafted metal woods, fourU.S. KIDS GOLF makes "Ultralight Kids Klubs" for
Zing2 irons, also graphite-shafted, and a Ping putter.three- to 12-year-olds.
The suggested retail is $330.