In the realm of golf, understanding average golf club distances is crucial for both amateur and professional players. Tour players, known for their exceptional golfing prowess, often attain remarkable driving distance swing to their adept swing speed and precise control over the golf ball. On the other hand, the average male golfer may not achieve the same distances as these professionals, leading to the importance of knowing one’s own driving distance about one’s handicap.
Consulting a golf club distance chart serves as a useful tool in determining the average distances one can expect to hit the ball with each club. This knowledge is instrumental in strategizing one’s golf game on the golf course. By having insight into one’s golf club distances, players can make informed decisions on which club to use in different scenarios, thus enhancing their overall performance.
Ultimately, having a comprehensive understanding of average golf club distances is integral to mastering the art of hitting the ball with precision and finesse.
Average golf club distances by age
When assessing average golf club distances by age, it is important to consider various factors that can affect the distance a ball is hit. One of the most significant factors is club speed, as higher club speed typically results in the ball traveling farther. In general, an amateur golfer’s average driving distance tends to increase as they gain more experience and improve their swing. However, it is important to note that the average golfer may not hit each club as far as a PGA Tour player, who has honed their skills through rigorous training and practice.
For example, an average golfer’s driver distance is typically around 220 yards, while a PGA Tour player’s average driver distance is closer to 280 yards. Furthermore, the average driving distance for different age groups may vary, with younger players having the potential to hit the ball farther than older players. As age increases, the average driving distance may decrease, but with proper training and technique, older players can still achieve respectable distances with each club, such as the pitching wedge.
Overall, when considering average golf club distances by age, it is essential to recognize the complex interplay of factors such as club speed, experience, and age that contribute to how far the ball is ultimately hit.
Why Is It Important to Know the Average Distance of Each Club?
It is imperative for golfers to understand the average distance of each club in their bag. Knowing the distance each club can cover allows players to make informed decisions on the course, ultimately leading to better performance. By having a clear understanding of the potential distance each club can achieve, golfers can appropriately judge their shots and strategize their game accordingly.
This knowledge also aids in selecting the right club for certain shots, contributing to greater accuracy and overall success on the course.
Driver Distances
The driver is the longest golf club in your bag and used to hit tee shots on par 4s and par 5s. The average male Tour player hits their driver over 300 yards. LPGA Tour players average around 250 yards with driver. As an amateur, you should expect driver distances less than the pros.
Here are the average driver distances by handicap:
Scratch Golfer (0 handicap): 250-280 yards
10 handicap: 220-250 yards
20 handicap: 180-210 yards
30 handicap: 150-180 yards
Pay attention to factors like your swing speed, launch angle, spin rate, and smash factor to understand what limits your driver distance. Getting custom fit for a driver optimized for your swing can pickup 10-30 yards instantly. Taking lessons to improve your ball striking, path, angle of attack, and clubhead speed are other ways to hit your driver farther.
3 Wood Distances
The 3 wood, or fairway wood, is normally the second longest club off the tee and useful for many long approach shots into par 4s and 5s. The typical PGA Tour average 3 wood carry distance is 260 yards. LPGA Tour players carry their 3 woods around 230 yards typically.
Here are the usual 3 wood distances by handicap:
Scratch Golfer: 230-260 yards
10 handicap: 200-230 yards
20 handicap: 170-190 yards
30 handicap: 140-160 yards
Factors like proper gapping between your driver and 3 wood, making contact that produces low spin and high launch, and generating faster swing speeds lead to hitting 3 woods farther. Adjusting the loft and shaft flex of your fairway wood during a professional club fitting also enables maximum 3 wood distances.
5 Wood Distances
5 woods have the least variance in distance versus other fairway woods on Tour. PGA Tour pros hit 5 woods an average of 240 yards. LPGA Tour players commonly carry 5 woods 215 yards.
Check the normal 5 wood yardages by handicap:
Scratch Golfer: 210-240 yards
10 handicap: 180-210 yards
20 handicap: 150-180 yards
30 handicap: 130-150 yards
Switching from lower lofted traditional fairway woods to higher lofted hybrid clubs often increases distance and accuracy for average golfers. This allows you to remove tough to hit long irons from your bag also. Controlling sidespin and increasing clubhead speed through your swing are other ways to maximize 5 wood distances.
Irons Distances
Irons are used for most approach shots into greens and hit shorter distances than woods off the tee or fairways. Distances range from 150-225 yards for irons compared to 200-300+ yards for woods.
Here are the standard averages for each iron shot under normal conditions:
3 Iron Distance: 200-225 yards (PGA Tour Average: 215 yards)
4 Iron Distance: 180-205 yards (PGA Tour Average: 200 yards)
5 Iron Distance: 170-195 yards (PGA Tour Average: 190 yards)
6 Iron Distance: 160-185 yards (PGA Tour Average: 180 yards)
7 Iron Distance: 150-175 yards (PGA Tour Average: 165 yards)
8 Iron Distance: 140-165 yards (PGA Tour Average: 150 yards)
9 Iron Distance: 130-155 yards (PGA Tour Average: 140 yards)
Pay attention to proper gapping between each iron in your set to ensure consistent yardage deductions as you progress from longer irons to shorter irons. Having consistent distances for each club builds confidence to pinpoint shots into greens and attack flags.
Fine tuning launch angle and backspin rates during professional club fitting also produces longer and more accurate iron shots. Signing up for lessons helps correct slice, hook, fat, and thin strikes robbing you of distance.
Wedge Distances
Wedges give golfers precision and accuracy inside 150 yards to hit approach shots close for birdie opportunities. They are the highest lofted clubs built for maximum spin, trajectory control, and stopping power into fast greens.
Here are the standard wedge yardages by club for Tour players and average golfers:
Pitching Wedge Distance: 130-135 yards (PGA Tour Average: 125 yards)
Gap Wedge Distance: 115-120 yards (PGA Tour Average: 110 yards)
Sand Wedge Distance: 100-110 yards (PGA Tour Average: 95 yards)
Lob Wedge Distance: 80-90 yards (PGA Tour Average: 75 yards)
Pay attention to proper wedge yardage gapping between each club. Having gaps of 10-15 yards enables dialing in different trajectories and distances with scoring precision.
Focus on making crisp contact, angle of attack, optimal spin rates, and sharp grooves to maximize wedge distances. Custom wedge fitting for proper bounce, sole grind, shaft flex, and lie angles produces the most accuracy too.
Putters Distances
Putters are only used on the putting greens to roll the golf ball into the hole. Distances for putters depend on the length of putts typically faced on each green.
Here are the make percentage averages for pros based on putt length:
10 foot putts: 50% make percentage
20 foot putts: 33% make percentage
30 foot putts: 16% make percentage
As an amateur golfer, you can use these make percentages based on putt length as benchmarks for your own putting averages and practice goals.
Holing more putts builds confidence, take strokes off your scores, and keeps momentum swinging your way during rounds. Proper putter fitting for toe hang, length, lie angle, and stroke type matching improves accuracy to make more putts.
How Far Should You Hit Each Golf Club?
Now that you know the average distances for every club based on data from the PGA and LPGA Tours, here is a recap chart you can refer to for realistic yardages to shoot for by handicap:
Scratch Golfer Distances:
- Driver: 250-280 yards
- 3 Wood: 230-260 yards
- 5 Wood: 210-240 yards
- 3 Iron: 200-225 yards
- 6 Iron: 160-185 yards
Pitching Wedge: 130-140 yards
- 10 Handicap Distances:
- Driver: 220-250 yards
- 3 Wood: 200-230 yards
- 5 Wood: 180-210 yards
- 6 Iron: 150-170 yards
Pitching Wedge: 120-130 yards
- 20 Handicap Distances:
- Driver: 180-210 yards
- 5 Wood: 150-180 yards
- 7 Iron: 140-160 yards
Sand Wedge: 100-110 yards
- 30 Handicap Distances:
- Driver: 150-180 yards
- 5 Wood: 130-150 yards
- 8 Iron: 120-140 yards
- Pitching Wedge: 100 yards
FAQs
What are average golf club distances?
Varies greatly by age, gender, ability and club type. Roughly 250-300 yards for drivers.
Average golf club distances by age?
Seniors and older players generally hit shorter distances.
Average golf club distances in meters?
Multiply average yard distances by 0.9144 to convert to meters.
How far should a woman hit a 7-iron?
The LPGA Tour average is 150 yards. Beginner women around 130 yards.
Conclusion
Use these golf club distance guidelines personalized to your ability level to make better decisions on course. Being realistic with typical carry yardages for each club you can achieve allows dialing in proper aim, smart shot selection, accurate distance gapping, and strategic course management.
Work on your distances and ball striking techniques to hit clubs farther. Get custom fit for clubs optimized to your size, strength, athleticism, and swing speeds too for maximum distance from driver to wedges.
