{"appState":{"pageLoadApiCallsStatus":true},"articleState":{"article":{"headers":{"creationTime":"2016-03-26T21:44:38+00:00","modifiedTime":"2024-04-12T20:47:03+00:00","timestamp":"2024-04-12T21:01:07+00:00"},"data":{"breadcrumbs":[{"name":"Home, Auto, & Hobbies","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33809"},"slug":"home-auto-hobbies","categoryId":33809},{"name":"Sports & Recreation","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/34001"},"slug":"sports-recreation","categoryId":34001},{"name":"Golf","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/34018"},"slug":"golf","categoryId":34018}],"title":"How to Know Which Golf Club to Use","strippedTitle":"how to know which golf club to use","slug":"how-to-know-which-golf-club-to-use","canonicalUrl":"","seo":{"metaDescription":"To figure out which golf club to use for a particular shot, you need to know the average distance you hit a ball with each club.","noIndex":0,"noFollow":0},"content":"The sheer variety of golf clubs you need can be overwhelming. <a href=\"https://www.dummies.com/sports/golf/golf-for-dummies-cheat-sheet/\">Once you have all the clubs you need and you hit the links</a>, how do you know which club to use for each shot? The following table gives you a quick guide to the kinds of clubs in your bag and the shots you take with them.\r\n<table>\r\n<tbody>\r\n<tr>\r\n<th>Club</th>\r\n<th>What It’s For</th>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>Driver</td>\r\n<td>Teeing off — and <i>very</i> occasionally hitting from a\r\ngood lie in the fairway</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>Hybrid club</td>\r\n<td>Getting shots of 150+ yards airborne</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>2- to 9-iron</td>\r\n<td>Hitting toward the green, usually from 120–190 yards away\r\n— use low-numbered irons for longer shots, high-numbered\r\nirons for shorter shots</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>Wedges</td>\r\n<td>Hitting short, high shots from near the green or from sand\r\nbunkers</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>Putter</td>\r\n<td>Rolling the ball into the hole after it’s on the green\r\n(or occasionally from just off the green)</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n</tbody>\r\n</table>\r\nTo figure out which golf club to use for a specific shot, you need to know the average distance you hit a ball with each golf club in your set. Then, you simply choose the golf club that fits the distance you need to hit.\r\n<p class=\"Tip\">The best way to find out is to hit about 50 balls with each club. Eliminate the longest five and the shortest five, and then figure out the middle of the remaining group. That’s your average yardage.</p>\r\nThis table shows how far the average golfer generally hits with each club when he or she makes solid contact.\r\n<p class=\"Remember\">When you start to play this game, you probably won’t attain these yardages — but while you practice, you can get closer to these numbers.</p>\r\n\r\n<h2 id=\"tab1\" >Which Club Should You Use?</h2>\r\n<table>\r\n<tbody>\r\n<tr>\r\n<th>Club</th>\r\n<th>Men’s Average Distance</th>\r\n<th>Women’s Average Distance</th>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>Driver</td>\r\n<td>230 yards</td>\r\n<td>200 yards</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>3-wood</td>\r\n<td>210 yards</td>\r\n<td>180 yards</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>2-iron</td>\r\n<td>190 yards</td>\r\n<td>Not recommended; 4-wood or hybrid = 170 yards</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>3-iron</td>\r\n<td>180 yards</td>\r\n<td>Not recommended; 5-wood or hybrid = 160 yards</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>4-iron</td>\r\n<td>170 yards</td>\r\n<td>150 yards (consider a hybrid, instead)</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>5-iron</td>\r\n<td>160 yards</td>\r\n<td>140 yards</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>6-iron</td>\r\n<td>150 yards</td>\r\n<td>130 yards</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>7-iron</td>\r\n<td>140 yards</td>\r\n<td>120 yards</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>8-iron</td>\r\n<td>130 yards</td>\r\n<td>110 yards</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>9-iron</td>\r\n<td>120 yards</td>\r\n<td>100 yards</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>Pitching wedge</td>\r\n<td>110 yards</td>\r\n<td>90 yards</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>Sand wedge</td>\r\n<td>90 yards</td>\r\n<td>80 yards</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>Lob wedge</td>\r\n<td>65 yards</td>\r\n<td>60 yards</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n</tbody>\r\n</table>","description":"The sheer variety of golf clubs you need can be overwhelming. <a href=\"https://www.dummies.com/sports/golf/golf-for-dummies-cheat-sheet/\">Once you have all the clubs you need and you hit the links</a>, how do you know which club to use for each shot? The following table gives you a quick guide to the kinds of clubs in your bag and the shots you take with them.\r\n<table>\r\n<tbody>\r\n<tr>\r\n<th>Club</th>\r\n<th>What It’s For</th>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>Driver</td>\r\n<td>Teeing off — and <i>very</i> occasionally hitting from a\r\ngood lie in the fairway</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>Hybrid club</td>\r\n<td>Getting shots of 150+ yards airborne</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>2- to 9-iron</td>\r\n<td>Hitting toward the green, usually from 120–190 yards away\r\n— use low-numbered irons for longer shots, high-numbered\r\nirons for shorter shots</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>Wedges</td>\r\n<td>Hitting short, high shots from near the green or from sand\r\nbunkers</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>Putter</td>\r\n<td>Rolling the ball into the hole after it’s on the green\r\n(or occasionally from just off the green)</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n</tbody>\r\n</table>\r\nTo figure out which golf club to use for a specific shot, you need to know the average distance you hit a ball with each golf club in your set. Then, you simply choose the golf club that fits the distance you need to hit.\r\n<p class=\"Tip\">The best way to find out is to hit about 50 balls with each club. Eliminate the longest five and the shortest five, and then figure out the middle of the remaining group. That’s your average yardage.</p>\r\nThis table shows how far the average golfer generally hits with each club when he or she makes solid contact.\r\n<p class=\"Remember\">When you start to play this game, you probably won’t attain these yardages — but while you practice, you can get closer to these numbers.</p>\r\n\r\n<h2 id=\"tab1\" >Which Club Should You Use?</h2>\r\n<table>\r\n<tbody>\r\n<tr>\r\n<th>Club</th>\r\n<th>Men’s Average Distance</th>\r\n<th>Women’s Average Distance</th>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>Driver</td>\r\n<td>230 yards</td>\r\n<td>200 yards</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>3-wood</td>\r\n<td>210 yards</td>\r\n<td>180 yards</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>2-iron</td>\r\n<td>190 yards</td>\r\n<td>Not recommended; 4-wood or hybrid = 170 yards</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>3-iron</td>\r\n<td>180 yards</td>\r\n<td>Not recommended; 5-wood or hybrid = 160 yards</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>4-iron</td>\r\n<td>170 yards</td>\r\n<td>150 yards (consider a hybrid, instead)</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>5-iron</td>\r\n<td>160 yards</td>\r\n<td>140 yards</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>6-iron</td>\r\n<td>150 yards</td>\r\n<td>130 yards</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>7-iron</td>\r\n<td>140 yards</td>\r\n<td>120 yards</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>8-iron</td>\r\n<td>130 yards</td>\r\n<td>110 yards</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>9-iron</td>\r\n<td>120 yards</td>\r\n<td>100 yards</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>Pitching wedge</td>\r\n<td>110 yards</td>\r\n<td>90 yards</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>Sand wedge</td>\r\n<td>90 yards</td>\r\n<td>80 yards</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>Lob wedge</td>\r\n<td>65 yards</td>\r\n<td>60 yards</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n</tbody>\r\n</table>","blurb":"","authors":[],"primaryCategoryTaxonomy":{"categoryId":34018,"title":"Golf","slug":"golf","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/34018"}},"secondaryCategoryTaxonomy":{"categoryId":0,"title":null,"slug":null,"_links":null},"tertiaryCategoryTaxonomy":{"categoryId":0,"title":null,"slug":null,"_links":null},"trendingArticles":[{"articleId":175788,"title":"Trig Identities for Pre-Calculus","slug":"trig-identities-for-pre-calculus","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","math","pre-calculus"],"_links":{"self":"/articles/175788"}},{"articleId":147241,"title":"How to Use the Z-Table","slug":"how-to-use-the-z-table","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","math","statistics"],"_links":{"self":"/articles/147241"}},{"articleId":192609,"title":"How to Pray the Rosary: A Comprehensive Guide","slug":"how-to-pray-the-rosary","categoryList":["body-mind-spirit","religion-spirituality","christianity","catholicism"],"_links":{"self":"/articles/192609"}},{"articleId":232914,"title":"The Flop, Turn, and River Cards in Texas Hold'em","slug":"flop-turn-river-cards-texas-holdem","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","games","card-games","poker"],"_links":{"self":"/articles/232914"}},{"articleId":193770,"title":"How to Play Rummy: All You Need to Know","slug":"rummy-understanding-the-rules-and-starting-a-game","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","games","card-games","general-card-games"],"_links":{"self":"/articles/193770"}}],"inThisArticle":[{"label":"Which Club Should You Use?","target":"#tab1"}],"relatedArticles":{"fromBook":[{"articleId":208724,"title":"Golf For Dummies Cheat Sheet","slug":"golf-for-dummies-cheat-sheet","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","sports-recreation","golf"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/208724"}},{"articleId":189289,"title":"Knowing Which Golf Club to Use for Which Golf Shot","slug":"knowing-which-golf-club-to-use-for-which-golf-shot","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","sports-recreation","golf"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/189289"}},{"articleId":189286,"title":"Understanding Golf Scoring Language","slug":"understanding-golf-scoring-language","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","sports-recreation","golf"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/189286"}},{"articleId":189287,"title":"How to Score Golf Penalty Shots","slug":"how-to-score-golf-penalty-shots","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","sports-recreation","golf"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/189287"}},{"articleId":189288,"title":"Making Typical Golf Bets","slug":"making-typical-golf-bets","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","sports-recreation","golf"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/189288"}}],"fromCategory":[{"articleId":208724,"title":"Golf For Dummies Cheat Sheet","slug":"golf-for-dummies-cheat-sheet","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","sports-recreation","golf"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/208724"}},{"articleId":208397,"title":"Golf All-in-One For Dummies Cheat Sheet","slug":"golf-all-in-one-for-dummies-cheat-sheet","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","sports-recreation","golf"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/208397"}},{"articleId":206217,"title":"How to Correct a Hook in Your Golf Swing","slug":"how-to-correct-a-hook-in-your-golf-swing","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","sports-recreation","golf"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/206217"}},{"articleId":206215,"title":"How to Perform a Standing Balance Exercise","slug":"how-to-perform-a-standing-balance-exercise","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","sports-recreation","golf"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/206215"}},{"articleId":206214,"title":"How to Perform a Trunk-Rotation Stretch","slug":"how-to-perform-a-trunk-rotation-stretch","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","sports-recreation","golf"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/206214"}}]},"hasRelatedBookFromSearch":false,"relatedBook":{"bookId":282248,"slug":"golf-for-dummies-4th-edition","isbn":"9780470882795","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","sports-recreation","golf"],"amazon":{"default":"https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0470882794/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=wiley01-20","ca":"https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/0470882794/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=wiley01-20","indigo_ca":"http://www.tkqlhce.com/click-9208661-13710633?url=https://www.chapters.indigo.ca/en-ca/books/product/0470882794-item.html&cjsku=978111945484","gb":"https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/0470882794/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=wiley01-20","de":"https://www.amazon.de/gp/product/0470882794/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=wiley01-20"},"image":{"src":"https://www.dummies.com/wp-content/uploads/golf-for-dummies-4th-edition-cover-9780470882795-203x255.jpg","width":203,"height":255},"title":"Golf For Dummies","testBankPinActivationLink":"","bookOutOfPrint":false,"authorsInfo":"<p><b data-author-id=\"9940\">Gary McCord</b> is a PGA Champions Tour player and celebrity golf instructor. He’s best known for the knowledgeable perspective, refreshing humor, and irreverent wit he has shown as a golf commentator for CBS for nearly 25 years. </p>","authors":[{"authorId":9940,"name":"Gary McCord","slug":"gary-mccord","description":" <p><b>Gary McCord</b> is a PGA Champions Tour player and celebrity golf instructor. He’s best known for the knowledgeable perspective, refreshing humor, and irreverent wit he has shown as a golf commentator for CBS for nearly 25 years. ","hasArticle":false,"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/authors/9940"}}],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/books/"}},"collections":[],"articleAds":{"footerAd":"<div class=\"du-ad-region row\" id=\"article_page_adhesion_ad\"><div class=\"du-ad-unit col-md-12\" data-slot-id=\"article_page_adhesion_ad\" data-refreshed=\"false\" \r\n data-target = \"[{"key":"cat","values":["home-auto-hobbies","sports-recreation","golf"]},{"key":"isbn","values":["9780470882795"]}]\" id=\"du-slot-6619a113934cc\"></div></div>","rightAd":"<div class=\"du-ad-region row\" id=\"article_page_right_ad\"><div class=\"du-ad-unit col-md-12\" data-slot-id=\"article_page_right_ad\" data-refreshed=\"false\" \r\n data-target = \"[{"key":"cat","values":["home-auto-hobbies","sports-recreation","golf"]},{"key":"isbn","values":["9780470882795"]}]\" id=\"du-slot-6619a11393f32\"></div></div>"},"articleType":{"articleType":"Articles","articleList":null,"content":null,"videoInfo":{"videoId":null,"name":null,"accountId":null,"playerId":null,"thumbnailUrl":null,"description":null,"uploadDate":null}},"sponsorship":{"sponsorshipPage":false,"backgroundImage":{"src":null,"width":0,"height":0},"brandingLine":"","brandingLink":"","brandingLogo":{"src":null,"width":0,"height":0},"sponsorAd":"","sponsorEbookTitle":"","sponsorEbookLink":"","sponsorEbookImage":{"src":null,"width":0,"height":0}},"primaryLearningPath":"Advance","lifeExpectancy":"Five years","lifeExpectancySetFrom":"2021-08-25T00:00:00+00:00","dummiesForKids":"no","sponsoredContent":"no","adInfo":"","adPairKey":[]},"status":"publish","visibility":"public","articleId":193988},"articleLoadedStatus":"success"},"listState":{"list":{},"objectTitle":"","status":"initial","pageType":null,"objectId":null,"page":1,"sortField":"time","sortOrder":1,"categoriesIds":[],"articleTypes":[],"filterData":{},"filterDataLoadedStatus":"initial","pageSize":10},"adsState":{"pageScripts":{"headers":{"timestamp":"2024-10-21T10:50:01+00:00"},"adsId":0,"data":{"scripts":[{"pages":["all"],"location":"header","script":"\r\n<script src=\"https://cdn.optimizely.com/js/10563184655.js\"></script>","enabled":false},{"pages":["all"],"location":"header","script":"\r\n<script>var _comscore = _comscore || [];_comscore.push({ c1: \"2\", c2: \"15097263\" });(function() {var s = document.createElement(\"script\"), el = document.getElementsByTagName(\"script\")[0]; s.async = true;s.src = (document.location.protocol == \"https:\" ? \"https://sb\" : \"http://b\") + \".scorecardresearch.com/beacon.js\";el.parentNode.insertBefore(s, el);})();</script><noscript><img src=\"https://sb.scorecardresearch.com/p?c1=2&c2=15097263&cv=2.0&cj=1\" /></noscript>\r\n","enabled":true},{"pages":["all"],"location":"footer","script":"\r\n<script type='text/javascript'>\r\n(function(){var g=function(e,h,f,g){\r\nthis.get=function(a){for(var a=a+\"=\",c=document.cookie.split(\";\"),b=0,e=c.length;b<e;b++){for(var d=c[b];\" \"==d.charAt(0);)d=d.substring(1,d.length);if(0==d.indexOf(a))return d.substring(a.length,d.length)}return null};\r\nthis.set=function(a,c){var b=\"\",b=new Date;b.setTime(b.getTime()+6048E5);b=\"; expires=\"+b.toGMTString();document.cookie=a+\"=\"+c+b+\"; path=/; \"};\r\nthis.check=function(){var a=this.get(f);if(a)a=a.split(\":\");else if(100!=e)\"v\"==h&&(e=Math.random()>=e/100?0:100),a=[h,e,0],this.set(f,a.join(\":\"));else return!0;var c=a[1];if(100==c)return!0;switch(a[0]){case \"v\":return!1;case \"r\":return c=a[2]%Math.floor(100/c),a[2]++,this.set(f,a.join(\":\")),!c}return!0};\r\nthis.go=function(){if(this.check()){var a=document.createElement(\"script\");a.type=\"text/javascript\";a.src=g;document.body&&document.body.appendChild(a)}};\r\nthis.start=function(){var t=this;\"complete\"!==document.readyState?window.addEventListener?window.addEventListener(\"load\",function(){t.go()},!1):window.attachEvent&&window.attachEvent(\"onload\",function(){t.go()}):t.go()};};\r\ntry{(new g(100,\"r\",\"QSI_S_ZN_5o5yqpvMVjgDOuN\",\"https://zn5o5yqpvmvjgdoun-wiley.siteintercept.qualtrics.com/SIE/?Q_ZID=ZN_5o5yqpvMVjgDOuN\")).start()}catch(i){}})();\r\n</script><div id='ZN_5o5yqpvMVjgDOuN'></div>\r\n","enabled":false},{"pages":["all"],"location":"header","script":"\r\n<script>\r\n (function(h,o,t,j,a,r){\r\n h.hj=h.hj||function(){(h.hj.q=h.hj.q||[]).push(arguments)};\r\n h._hjSettings={hjid:257151,hjsv:6};\r\n a=o.getElementsByTagName('head')[0];\r\n r=o.createElement('script');r.async=1;\r\n r.src=t+h._hjSettings.hjid+j+h._hjSettings.hjsv;\r\n a.appendChild(r);\r\n })(window,document,'https://static.hotjar.com/c/hotjar-','.js?sv=');\r\n</script>","enabled":false},{"pages":["article"],"location":"header","script":" <script src=\"//get.s-onetag.com/bffe21a1-6bb8-4928-9449-7beadb468dae/tag.min.js\" async defer></script>","enabled":true},{"pages":["homepage"],"location":"header","script":"<meta name=\"facebook-domain-verification\" content=\"irk8y0irxf718trg3uwwuexg6xpva0\" />","enabled":true},{"pages":["homepage","article","category","search"],"location":"footer","script":"\r\n<noscript>\r\n<img height=\"1\" width=\"1\" src=\"https://www.facebook.com/tr?id=256338321977984&ev=PageView&noscript=1\"/>\r\n</noscript>\r\n","enabled":true}]}},"pageScriptsLoadedStatus":"success"},"navigationState":{"navigationCollections":[{"collectionId":287568,"title":"BYOB (Be Your Own Boss)","hasSubCategories":false,"url":"/collection/for-the-entry-level-entrepreneur-287568"},{"collectionId":293237,"title":"Be a Rad Dad","hasSubCategories":false,"url":"/collection/be-the-best-dad-293237"},{"collectionId":295890,"title":"Career Shifting","hasSubCategories":false,"url":"/collection/career-shifting-295890"},{"collectionId":294090,"title":"Contemplating the Cosmos","hasSubCategories":false,"url":"/collection/theres-something-about-space-294090"},{"collectionId":287563,"title":"For Those Seeking Peace of Mind","hasSubCategories":false,"url":"/collection/for-those-seeking-peace-of-mind-287563"},{"collectionId":287570,"title":"For the Aspiring Aficionado","hasSubCategories":false,"url":"/collection/for-the-bougielicious-287570"},{"collectionId":291903,"title":"For the Budding Cannabis Enthusiast","hasSubCategories":false,"url":"/collection/for-the-budding-cannabis-enthusiast-291903"},{"collectionId":299891,"title":"For the College Bound","hasSubCategories":false,"url":"/collection/for-the-college-bound-299891"},{"collectionId":291934,"title":"For the Exam-Season Crammer","hasSubCategories":false,"url":"/collection/for-the-exam-season-crammer-291934"},{"collectionId":301547,"title":"For the Game Day Prepper","hasSubCategories":false,"url":"/collection/big-game-day-prep-made-easy-301547"}],"navigationCollectionsLoadedStatus":"success","navigationCategories":{"books":{"0":{"data":[{"categoryId":33512,"title":"Technology","hasSubCategories":true,"url":"/category/books/technology-33512"},{"categoryId":33662,"title":"Academics & The Arts","hasSubCategories":true,"url":"/category/books/academics-the-arts-33662"},{"categoryId":33809,"title":"Home, Auto, & Hobbies","hasSubCategories":true,"url":"/category/books/home-auto-hobbies-33809"},{"categoryId":34038,"title":"Body, Mind, & Spirit","hasSubCategories":true,"url":"/category/books/body-mind-spirit-34038"},{"categoryId":34224,"title":"Business, Careers, & Money","hasSubCategories":true,"url":"/category/books/business-careers-money-34224"}],"breadcrumbs":[],"categoryTitle":"Level 0 Category","mainCategoryUrl":"/category/books/level-0-category-0"}},"articles":{"0":{"data":[{"categoryId":33512,"title":"Technology","hasSubCategories":true,"url":"/category/articles/technology-33512"},{"categoryId":33662,"title":"Academics & The Arts","hasSubCategories":true,"url":"/category/articles/academics-the-arts-33662"},{"categoryId":33809,"title":"Home, Auto, & Hobbies","hasSubCategories":true,"url":"/category/articles/home-auto-hobbies-33809"},{"categoryId":34038,"title":"Body, Mind, & Spirit","hasSubCategories":true,"url":"/category/articles/body-mind-spirit-34038"},{"categoryId":34224,"title":"Business, Careers, & Money","hasSubCategories":true,"url":"/category/articles/business-careers-money-34224"}],"breadcrumbs":[],"categoryTitle":"Level 0 Category","mainCategoryUrl":"/category/articles/level-0-category-0"}}},"navigationCategoriesLoadedStatus":"success"},"searchState":{"searchList":[],"searchStatus":"initial","relatedArticlesList":[],"relatedArticlesStatus":"initial"},"routeState":{"name":"Article3","path":"/article/home-auto-hobbies/sports-recreation/golf/how-to-know-which-golf-club-to-use-193988/","hash":"","query":{},"params":{"category1":"home-auto-hobbies","category2":"sports-recreation","category3":"golf","article":"how-to-know-which-golf-club-to-use-193988"},"fullPath":"/article/home-auto-hobbies/sports-recreation/golf/how-to-know-which-golf-club-to-use-193988/","meta":{"routeType":"article","breadcrumbInfo":{"suffix":"Articles","baseRoute":"/category/articles"},"prerenderWithAsyncData":true},"from":{"name":null,"path":"/","hash":"","query":{},"params":{},"fullPath":"/","meta":{}}},"dropsState":{"submitEmailResponse":false,"status":"initial"},"profileState":{"auth":{},"userOptions":{},"status":"success"}}

How to Know Which Golf Club to Use

Updated: 04-12-2024

From The Book: Golf For Dummies

Golf For Dummies

Book image

Explore Book Buy On Amazon

The sheer variety of golf clubs you need can be overwhelming. Once you have all the clubs you need and you hit the links, how do you know which club to use for each shot? The following table gives you a quick guide to the kinds of clubs in your bag and the shots you take with them.

Club	What It’s For
Driver	Teeing off — and very occasionally hitting from a good lie in the fairway
Hybrid club	Getting shots of 150+ yards airborne
2- to 9-iron	Hitting toward the green, usually from 120–190 yards away — use low-numbered irons for longer shots, high-numbered irons for shorter shots
Wedges	Hitting short, high shots from near the green or from sand bunkers
Putter	Rolling the ball into the hole after it’s on the green (or occasionally from just off the green)

To figure out which golf club to use for a specific shot, you need to know the average distance you hit a ball with each golf club in your set. Then, you simply choose the golf club that fits the distance you need to hit.

The best way to find out is to hit about 50 balls with each club. Eliminate the longest five and the shortest five, and then figure out the middle of the remaining group. That’s your average yardage.

This table shows how far the average golfer generally hits with each club when he or she makes solid contact.

When you start to play this game, you probably won’t attain these yardages — but while you practice, you can get closer to these numbers.

Which Club Should You Use?

Club	Men’s Average Distance	Women’s Average Distance
Driver	230 yards	200 yards
3-wood	210 yards	180 yards
2-iron	190 yards	Not recommended; 4-wood or hybrid = 170 yards
3-iron	180 yards	Not recommended; 5-wood or hybrid = 160 yards
4-iron	170 yards	150 yards (consider a hybrid, instead)
5-iron	160 yards	140 yards
6-iron	150 yards	130 yards
7-iron	140 yards	120 yards
8-iron	130 yards	110 yards
9-iron	120 yards	100 yards
Pitching wedge	110 yards	90 yards
Sand wedge	90 yards	80 yards
Lob wedge	65 yards	60 yards

About This Article

This article is from the book:

Golf For Dummies ,

About the book author:

Gary McCord is a PGA Champions Tour player and celebrity golf instructor. He’s best known for the knowledgeable perspective, refreshing humor, and irreverent wit he has shown as a golf commentator for CBS for nearly 25 years.

This article can be found in the category:

Golf ,