Golf club distances are essential to the game of golf, as they help players select the right club for each shot on the course. Understanding these distances can significantly improve a golfer’s performance and help them make informed decisions during play. This comprehensive guide will discuss various factors affecting golf club distances and provide an overview of the average distances for each club type.
Factors Affecting Golf Club Distances
Swing speed: One of the most critical factors in determining the distance a golf ball travels is the golfer’s swing speed. Players with faster swings can generally hit the ball farther than those with slower swings.
Clubhead design: The design of the clubhead, including its loft and weight distribution, can impact the ball’s trajectory and overall distance.
Ball type: Different golf balls have various designs and materials that can influence their distance and performance.
Weather conditions: Factors such as wind, temperature, and humidity can affect the ball’s flight and distance.
Course conditions: The condition of the golf course, including the type of grass and the firmness of the ground, can impact the ball’s roll and total distance.
Golfer’s skill and technique: A golfer’s skill level, swing mechanics, and consistency can all impact how far they can hit the ball with each club.
Average Golf Club Distances
It is essential to note that the distances mentioned below are average values and can vary significantly based on the factors mentioned above.
Average Distances for Men’s Golf Clubs
Club Type
Average Distance (yards)
Maximum Distance (yards)
Minimum Distance (yards)
Shot Dispersion (yards)
Driver
230-290
300+
200-220
20-40
3-Wood
210-240
270+
190-200
15-30
5-Wood
195-225
250+
175-185
10-25
3-Iron
180-210
235+
165-175
5-20
4-Iron
170-200
225+
155-165
5-15
5-Iron
160-190
215+
145-155
5-10
6-Iron
150-180
200+
135-145
5-10
7-Iron
140-170
185+
125-135
5-10
8-Iron
130-160
170+
115-125
5-10
9-Iron
120-150
155+
105-115
5-10
Average Distances for Women’s Golf Clubs
Club Type
Average Distance (yards)
Maximum Distance (yards)
Minimum Distance (yards)
Shot Dispersion (yards)
Driver
150-175
200+
125-135
15-30
3-Wood
130-155
180+
115-125
10-25
5-Wood
120-145
165+
105-115
5-20
3-Iron
110-135
150+
95-105
5-15
4-Iron
100-125
135+
85-95
5-10
5-Iron
90-115
120+
75-85
5-10
6-Iron
80-105
105+
65-75
5-10
7-Iron
70-95
95+
55-65
5-10
8-Iron
60-85
85+
45-55
5-10
9-Iron
50-75
75+
35-45
5-10
Average Distances for Senior Men’s Golf Clubs
Club Type
Average Distance (yards)
Maximum Distance (yards)
Minimum Distance (yards)
Shot Dispersion (yards)
Driver
200-230
260+
180-190
15-30
3-Wood
180-200
240+
165-175
10-25
5-Wood
165-185
220+
150-160
5-20
3-Iron
150-170
200+
135-145
5-15
4-Iron
140-160
185+
125-135
5-10
5-Iron
130-150
170+
115-125
5-10
6-Iron
120-140
155+
105-115
5-10
7-Iron
110-130
140+
95-105
5-10
8-Iron
100-120
125+
85-95
5-10
9-Iron
90-110
110+
75-85
5-10
Average Distances for Junior Boys’ Golf Clubs
Club Type
Average Distance (yards)
Maximum Distance (yards)
Minimum Distance (yards)
Shot Dispersion (yards)
Driver
180-210
250+
160-170
10-20
3-Wood
160-190
220+
140-150
5-15
5-Wood
145-170
200+
125-135
5-10
3-Iron
130-150
180+
110-120
5-10
4-Iron
120-140
165+
100-110
5-10
5-Iron
110-130
150+
90-100
5-10
6-Iron
100-120
135+
80-90
5-10
7-Iron
90-110
120+
70-80
5-10
8-Iron
80-100
105+
60-70
5-10
9-Iron
70-90
90+
50-60
5-10
Average Distances for Junior Girls’ Golf Clubs
Club Type
Average Distance (yards)
Maximum Distance (yards)
Minimum Distance (yards)
Shot Dispersion (yards)
Driver
140-170
200+
120-130
10-20
3-Wood
120-150
180+
100-110
5-15
5-Wood
105-135
160+
85-95
5-10
3-Iron
90-120
140+
70-80
5-10
4-Iron
80-110
125+
60-70
5-10
5-Iron
70-100
110+
50-60
5-10
6-Iron
60-90
95+
40-50
5-10
7-Iron
50-80
80+
30-40
5-10
8-Iron
40-70
65+
20-30
5-10
9-Iron
30-60
50+
10-20
5-10
Golf Club Distances for Average Golfers
Club Type
Average Distance (yards)
Maximum Distance (yards)
Minimum Distance (yards)
Shot Dispersion (yards)
Driver
200-240
275+
180-200
20-40
3-Wood
180-215
250+
165-180
15-30
5-Wood
165-195
230+
145-160
10-25
3-Iron
150-175
210+
135-145
5-20
4-Iron
140-165
195+
125-135
5-15
5-Iron
130-155
180+
115-125
5-10
6-Iron
120-145
165+
105-115
5-10
7-Iron
110-135
150+
95-105
5-10
8-Iron
100-125
135+
85-95
5-10
9-Iron
90-115
120+
75-85
5-10
Golf Club Distances for Professional Golfers
Club Type
Average Distance (yards)
Maximum Distance (yards)
Minimum Distance (yards)
Shot Dispersion (yards)
Driver
280-320
350+
250-270
20-40
3-Wood
255-285
320+
230-245
15-30
5-Wood
230-265
285+
205-220
10-25
3-Iron
215-245
275+
190-205
5-20
4-Iron
200-230
255+
175-190
5-15
5-Iron
185-215
240+
160-175
5-10
6-Iron
170-200
225+
145-160
5-10
7-Iron
155-185
210+
130-145
5-10
8-Iron
140-170
195+
115-130
5-10
9-Iron
125-155
180+
100-115
5-10
Golf Club Distances for Male College Golfers
Club Type
Average Distance (yards)
Maximum Distance (yards)
Minimum Distance (yards)
Shot Dispersion (yards)
Driver
250-280
320+
220-240
20-40
3-Wood
225-255
300+
200-215
15-30
5-Wood
200-230
270+
175-190
10-25
3-Iron
185-215
245+
160-175
5-20
4-Iron
170-200
230+
145-160
5-15
5-Iron
155-185
215+
130-145
5-10
6-Iron
140-170
200+
115-130
5-10
7-Iron
125-155
185+
100-115
5-10
8-Iron
110-140
170+
85-100
5-10
9-Iron
95-125
155+
70-85
5-10
Golf Club Distances for Female College Golfers
Club Type
Average Distance (yards)
Maximum Distance (yards)
Minimum Distance (yards)
Shot Dispersion (yards)
Driver
200-230
270+
180-195
20-40
3-Wood
180-215
245+
160-175
15-30
5-Wood
160-190
220+
140-155
10-25
3-Iron
145-175
205+
125-135
5-20
4-Iron
130-160
190+
110-120
5-15
5-Iron
115-145
175+
95-105
5-10
6-Iron
100-130
160+
80-90
5-10
7-Iron
85-115
145+
65-75
5-10
8-Iron
70-100
130+
50-60
5-10
9-Iron
55-85
115+
35-45
5-10
Golf Club Distances for Amateur Senior Golfers
Club Type
Average Distance (yards)
Maximum Distance (yards)
Minimum Distance (yards)
Shot Dispersion (yards)
Driver
200-230
260+
180-190
15-30
3-Wood
180-200
240+
165-175
10-25
5-Wood
165-185
220+
150-160
5-20
3-Iron
150-170
200+
135-145
5-15
4-Iron
140-160
185+
125-135
5-10
5-Iron
130-150
170+
115-125
5-10
6-Iron
120-140
155+
105-115
5-10
7-Iron
110-130
140+
95-105
5-10
8-Iron
100-120
125+
85-95
5-10
9-Iron
90-110
110+
75-85
5-10
Golf Club Distances for Recreational Female Golfers
Understanding golf club distances is vital for any golfer looking to improve their game. By familiarizing yourself with the average distances for each club type and considering the factors affecting these distances, you can make better-informed decisions on the course. Remember that practice and experience will help refine your ability to gauge distances and select the appropriate club for each shot.
Ray Barnes, our Senior Staff Writer and a Golf Analyst with a PhD in Sports Analytics, is a beacon of insight in the golfing world. With a deep understanding of the sport's nuances, statistical analysis, and a talent for demystifying complexities, he provides in-depth analysis and captivating narratives that engage golf enthusiasts worldwide.