When it comes to discussions of distance in golf the focus is typically on the longest clubs in the bag but it is clearly just as important that amateurs have a clear idea of how far they hit their irons?
So in this video we take a detailed look at the best data available to answer how far you should hit your irons – analysing the topic by handicap, age and swingspeed – and also explain how changes in iron lofts and lengths by club manufacturers over the years have made it much more difficult for amateurs to have an accurate idea of how their iron distances match up against others.
0:00 Introduction
1:02 Distance Tracking Tech
2:15 Distances by Handicap
3:30 Iron Lofts & Lengths
4:26 Distances by Age
8:20 Distances by Swingspeed
#golf #golfing #golfdata #amateurgolfers #golfaddict #golfdriver #playgolf
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27 Comments
I hit my 7 iron 180 ish on a normal swing. Not enough spin though. Handicap is 18 but it's my first ever looking to get that to sub 10
Great data and analysis…
For most men on the planet, the most common stock hitting distance with a 7-iron averages out to 150 yards.
For Tiger Woods, his average hitting distance with a 7-iron is 170 yards.
For Bryson DeChambeau, his average hitting distance with a 7-iron is an astounding 230 yards.
By comparison, for me to hit a ball 230 yards like Bryson DeChambeau, I would need to pull my 2-iron out of the bag and hope I hit it flush.
I'm 68 and currently hitting my 7-iron 150-155, and my 5-iron around 180-190. These are Ping G30, and I use relatively cheap golf balls. Would using a premium ball give me any more distance?
A SIM2 8 Iron is 31.5 degree and 7 iron Adams blue is 31.5 degree, your spot on about the loft issues.
My 7 iron is optimum 152 yards using GPS tags over 80 shot. My personal launch monitor show a swing speed 80-90 MPM.
I'm 53, I have a feild that I hit no less than 70 balls per day ( weather permitted ) then have to walk (and mow ) the feild to recover the balls.. my strength is increasing my lean muscle mass is increasing, I hear this age loss crap too often… for all you men over 50 , DONT STOP!! don't slow down!! Take it easy at 1st for the sake of your joints , but longevity is in exercise done right!! And when you hear this LOSS DUE TO AGE CRAP, take what you will from it. Don't turn it into an excuse to stop
I am not a good golfer by any means, but my PW is 125 and my 4 iron is 190. That is considerably farther than the chart says I should be hitting it for my age and handicap, and most golfers I see on the course hit it as far or farther than me.
I must be an exception. I'm 65, currently playing to a 4.0 hdcp. I hit my 8-iron 155-160 total, carry about 145-150. I am 6'-2" tall and weigh 220lbs. I play Callaway Rogue X irons which are a bit stronger lofted. But, I am a much better golfer at 65 than I was at 35 (started playing at age 30). I took lessons at GolfTec when I turned 60 after years and years of being tired of not improving. My handicap then was about 15, now down to a 4 and was even down to 3 earlier this season. I can't imagine needing a 5 iron to hit the ball just 145 yds at my age. I'm longer now with these Callaway clubs than I've ever been in my life. I play with a friend who is just 6 months younger than me (he's the same height but thinner) and when he's reaching for his 5 hybrid I'm grabbing my 8-iron. He's about a 14 hdcp.
I gave up golf 20 years ago, in my late 40's, and took it back up again this year. After a few months on the range, I'm striking the ball reasonably consistently, but not surprisingly, my distances are much shorter. Based on the chart, I'd say that I used to have a swing speed of 104 or so, and today it is closer to 84, however, I'd like to add two thoughts. The first one is that what is important is the swing speed after contact with the ball, not the speed before. If you swing really fast, but don't have the strength and striking position to maintain it through contact, it's not going to do a bit of good, so a smooth, comfortable swing will work better than trying to swing hard. The second comment is so important, that I'm going to put it in a separate comment.
My grandmother was playing near scratch golf into her mid 70s even though her maximum driving distance was only 160 yards. The lesson she taught me is that it doesn't matter how far you hit your irons. What matters is that you hit each one the same distance each time. When you have 130 yards to the green, you then can go to your bag and select the proper club for that distance. Does it really matter what number is stamped on the club?
Very interesting , Thank you. I'm almost 72 but I'm a pretty big guy and keep quite fit despite dodgy hips, back and shoulders. My irons are traditional lofts e.g. PW is 46degs and 7 Iron is 34degs. They are however an 1 inch longer than std. My comfortable max distance with a PW is 125yds and 150yds with a 7. Of course there are variables in terms of weather and atmospheric conditions. I have played golf for a very long time and my current hcap is 6. The swing speed data is actually pretty accurate, more so perhaps than the other info in the age comparison chart. I'd love to access that data in a way I can print it off for future reference. Many thanks again.
I’m 76 years young. 9 handicap. Driver, 240, Ping rescue, 200-210, 5 iron, 185-190, 6 iron, 170-180, 7 iron, 155-165; 8 iron 145-150, 9 iron, 130-140, P wedge, 120-125, gap wedge, 115, 52 degree, 110, 56 degree, 100. Stay healthy and never stop turning 🙂
These numbers seem reallly low, tour players are hitting thier 7 irons 170 to 200 yards. I am an 8 hcp and 52 and I still carry my 7 iron just over 170 yards.
These videos help answer so many questions straight and forward. Very informative.
Wow .. I didn’t know Dechambeau swung his irons at 130 mph!! That’s insane!!
When I tee off with a driver I’m a 20 hcp… I can’t hit it to save my life.
When I tee off with irons I’m about a 12-13 atm.
Irons and wedges are the only thing that save me.
Excellent report
Are these all based on low altitude and humidity?
Noone ever counts the stronger dudes that are just ok at golf but can easily get 170 mph ball speed off of a driver lol when you can swing like that it is a complete nightmare to try and get better. It doesn't help that there is almost no lesson advice or equipment aimed at us sucky long hitters lol and no, purposely slowing your swing speed does not help at all 😂
I hit 7 iron 200 carry on average
When I hit my 7 out to 150 and a golf partner asked what I hit I tell him my gap wedge.
I hit my 7 iron 165, the thing is I hit the 6,5 and 4 all 150 yards lol
I'm 58 with many injuries, I absolutely love players irons if not blades for scoring clubs, lofts are traditional, apex TCB,Wilson staff CB, Ben Hogen fort worth Black talk about a butter knife lol, I'm a low teen HC but a pretty good ball striker , that said a pure shot with the better forged irons nothing like it ,unbelievable feel and sound, but I've also gamed callaway apex ,ZX 5 srixzon,p790,770,ZX7, and a newer model the rogue ST pro etc,all lofts on players distance iron category are jacked up a 7 iron is really a 6 and 8 iron has 7 iron lofts etc I'm sure you understand what I'm getting at, distance is unbelievable compared to standard lofts, but the feel and the sound I can't take omg , lol, ill lose distance all day with correct spin ,flight, and distance smaller forged profile no doubt in my mind, find the middle of the club face before you chioce any Iron and get fitted please makes all the difference in competition in your swing! Thank you for video eye opener, And they say 90 % of club golfer under club in all area of golf! But rather be short with a chip then long in the water lol !
Total distance is so much less useful than carry distance
I’ve lost 30-40 yds off tee just this year(69yrs old)..got my first ace.. shot many rounds in 70’s..for my $$$..it’s that 2nd shot and the putter..only bought drinks after that ace..pray to play another decade at least..🙏⛳️
I thought the distances would be a bit higher but the video was very informative, I am a 16-year-old high school student and I carry my 7 iron about 175-185
I’m soon to be 65 years old and will be playing from the gold tees in tournaments this spring.
7i = 165 yards
Driver = 260
3w = 225
4.8 hcp from the white tees currently, and I use “players” irons made by Honma.
Little forged TW747V irons and I love them.
Game improvement irons go too far and make it harder for me to control distance and work the ball.