According to the rules in golf, you can have a maximum of 14 clubs in your bag. But, most of the players do not know what clubs they need. Especially when you are a beginner, you might be wondering what golf clubs to use for what distance? You’re not alone, this is a question heard frequently around the golf course.
In order to master your golf skills, you should know your clubs first of all. Most importantly, knowing the distance capabilities of each golf club is the first and the most important thing. A traditional set of clubs include the following clubs most of the time.
- Driver
- Fairway Wood
- Irons
- Wedges
- Putters
Along with these traditional clubs, you will see players using various specialist clubs like jiggers, chipping wedges, and hybrid clubs. And this is one of the best things about golf. You are free to pick the clubs and balls you want.
So, when you are preparing your golf bag for any game, you should know where you are going to use these clubs. So, to answer all your questions, I have tried adding all the things in this article. In fact, I am going to reveal all the distance characteristics of each golf club and help you make your club selection wise and accurate.
Why is understanding your clubs and their distances important?
It is important to assemble a set of clubs as per your preferences. If you are on the course and fall short of a shot just because you haven’t picked the right club, you will be kicking yourself. You are not going to score as well as you can without the right clubs your hands. So, instead of following the traditional concepts, you should try to understand the offerings from each club and then make a decision that is best for you.
The most important thing is to know how much distance you can cover with which club. This will help you to adjust your swing speed and the overall type of shot. In simple words, when you know how far you are going to hit your ball with a specific club, the whole game will become easier and more enjoyable too.
Different clubs and their distances
Let’s uncover the basic characteristics of most of the club-types, along with their varieties. Also, see the distances you can cover with these clubs.
Driver
A driver comes in the category of wood golf clubs. It is also known as the 1-wood club. It is often the lightest and longest club inside your bag. The purpose of using this club is to make the ball cover long distances. Players prefer using these clubs off the tees or on the fairways. Because of its big head, it is preferred to hit that “sweet spot” easily and effectively. Most of the players would use this club for hitting their first shot. However, it can be used as a perfect replacement for Fairway Woods. Let’s see the average distance you can cover with a driver.
| Player Skill | Distance |
|---|---|
| Beginner | 180 – 190 Yards |
| Intermediate | 200 – 220 Yards |
| Advanced | 250 – 260 Yards |
Last update on 2024-11-27 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Fairway Woods
Fairway Woods is another important club in your bag which you can use for long distances. This is slightly shorter than the driver and has a 5 to 7 degrees more loft. It is another option to choose off the tee when you do not have a fancy driver in your bag. If we talk about the distance, it will cover distances longer than your 4-iron but shorter than the driver. Just like you can use an iron instead of Fairway woods, you can do it in vice-versa too. In simple words, when you have to cover long or medium distances, Fairway woods are a good option to choose from.
Average Fairway Woods Distance in Golf:
190-200 Yards
Irons
Having a set of irons in your bag is important. You are going to use these clubs for second shots most of the time. They are best for medium distance shots ranging from 100 to 180 Yards. All the iron clubs in your bag will look similar and made up of the same material. However, you will see different face angles in each club. The selection of irons will depend on your preferences. But, if we talk about the distances, below are the Example Yardages.
Average Iron Distances in Golf:
| Club Type | Distance |
|---|---|
| 4-Iron | 170 Yards |
| 5-Iron | 160 Yards |
| 6-Iron | 150 Yards |
| 7-Iron | 140 Yards |
| 8-Iron | 130 Yards |
| 9-Iron | 120 Yards |
Last update on 2024-11-27 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Wedge
The wedge is a subset of iron golf clubs. But, there are some specific types of wedges that are used for various distances. Wedges are used in special cases and especially when you want to hit accurate, short-distance “lob” shots. Most of the golfers use wedges to hit bunker shots. The wedge comes handy when your ball gets into tricky places like sand, mud, or thick grass, etc. You can make use of various wedges in those circumstances. The average wedge distance from various wedges is as follows.
Average Wedge Distance in Golf:
| Player Skill | Distance |
|---|---|
| Pitching Wedge | 110 Yards |
| Approach Wedge | 95 Yards |
| Gap Wedge | 85 Yards |
| Sand Wedge | 85 Yards |
| Lob Wedge | 70 Yards |
Last update on 2024-11-13 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Hybrids
This is an optional club if you want some specific characteristics in your shots. These clubs are also known as rescue clubs. A hybrid club can become a perfect replacement for your long irons. Also, you can use it to fill the gap between your irons and fairway woods. You can various types of hybrids with numerous loft angles. Each of them will offer you different distances. So, you will have to test them before adding them to your bag. A chart showing the distances from various types of hybrid clubs is as follows.
Average Hybrid Club Distance in Golf:
| Club Type | Distance |
|---|---|
| 1-Hybrid | 190 – 240 Yards |
| 2-Hybrid | 170 – 220 Yards |
| 3-Hybrid | 160 – 200 Yards |
| 4-Hybird | 150 – 190 Yards |
| 5-Hybrid | 140 – 180 Yards |
| 6-Hybrid | 130 – 170 Yards |
| 7-Hybrid | 120 – 160 Yards |
| 8-Hybrid | 110 – 150 Yards |
| 9-Hybrid | 100 – 130 Yards |
Last update on 2024-11-27 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Putter
The putter is another important club used in golf to hit low-speed and shorter shots. The purpose of a putter is to hit a ball softly and push it towards the whole. You can’t use a putter for long distances, but it is definitely the main weapon when you hit your last of even the second last shot. Having a putter is very important in your bag.
Last update on 2024-11-11 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most popular golf club manufacturers?
There are numerous companies manufacturing golf clubs. Some of the popular brands are as follows:
- TaylorMade
- Callaway
- Cleveland
- Titleist
- Ping
- Wilson
Which is the best golf club type for long distances?
1-Wood, Driver, or Fairway Woods are the best golf clubs to choose when you want to hit long shots.
Which is the best golf club for chipping?
For a simple and basic chip, having a 50 to 56-degree wedge is the best option
What are the basic clubs required for beginners?
For learning purposes, having a driver, putter, a few irons, and sand wedge are enough. You can start adding more clubs later on.
What golf clubs to use for what distance – Final Verdict
I hope you have got your answer to “What golf clubs to use for what distance?”. I have tried adding the average distances in Yards (for males) with most of the clubs. It is possible that you may hit your balls less or more than what is written in these tables. These are the approximate number which are observed inside the golf courses most of the times. The distance will depend on various other things like your swing speed, ball-type, etc.
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