How Do I Know What Club To Use?

When you first play golf, it may be difficult to decipher what clubs to use when out on the course. The answer to this question is to not be in a rush to use all your clubs even if you feel if a certain club is required for a certain distance. The key at the beginning is to build your confidence first by playing clubs that your are most comfortable with, even if it's a short club like a 9 iron when off the tee or in general play. Once your swing is more refined, you will be able to work out exactly how far each club goes.

Now when understanding which club to use for a certain distance, it's important to know the differences between each club. The shortest irons in your bag are called wedges. There is typically a PW (Pitching Wedge) and SW (Sand Wedge) in most bags. The SW will go the shortest distance as this has a loft of 56 degrees and is the shortest club in the bag. The next longest club is the PW and is often .25 inches longer than your SW and has 48 degrees of loft which inevitably will make the ball flight lower.

Now after the wedges come the numbered irons. The irons start at a 9 iron which is the club just after the PW. The irons then typically range from 9 iron down to 4 iron. Every time time the number gets lower for example between a 9 and an 8, the club gets shorter each time by half an inch and the loft decreases by 4 degrees each time. This means as the number gets lower, you will hit the ball further by roughly 10 metres between each club. Now after the irons come the woods. Most people have a hybrid these days which replaces a 3 iron. This club is more bulky than an iron but not as big as a wood. This club will go again roughly 10 metres further than the 4 iron.

Lastly you have the 3 wood and the Driver. The 3 wood's head is quite bulky and is roughly 1 inch longer than your hybrid. This again will make the ball go further. Lastly you have the Driver which can be used for the majority of your tee shots. This club is the longest and is roughly two inches longer than your 3 wood.. It also has a loft of around 10-12 degrees.

Now getting back to the question of how to know which club to use for a certain distance, I firstly outlined to play the club that you're most comfortable with at the beginning to build your confidence. However once your swing is improving and gaining consistency, you want to go to the Driving Range or even take note on the course, by hitting three balls with an 8 iron and averaging the distance between them. These need to be solidly struck shots. Once you find the average distance, you will then have your 8 iron distance. This distance that you've established with your 8 iron can then be used to determine all your other clubs. As mentioned the difference between the clubs will be roughly 10 metres. Now between the hybrid and 3 wood and 3 wood and Driver will be roughly 20 metres.

If you'd like any further advice about how to choose clubs on the course, just contact myself at David Waters Golf located at Emerald Lakes Golf Coaching Centre.