THE LONG AND THE SHORT OF IT – GOLF CLUB DISTANCES EXPLAINED

Playing a round of golf is all about making strategic decisions; which golf club do you use, and why? How much energy are you putting into your swing, and how do you hit the ball further? Understanding the average distance for each club will help make these decisions much easier, so we’re going to have a look at the average distances for different clubs, and the things that have an impact on those distances – wherever you are on the green.

WHY DISTANCE MATTERS

A 2019 USGA (United States Golf Association) report showed that the average, amateur male golfer can hit a ball 217 yards, while the average distance for a PGA Tour player was 293.9 yards. Understanding the importance of golf club distances can have a positive impact on your game because when you’re confident that you have the right club for each shot, you’ll play more accurate shots and be able to avoid hazards. You’re also less likely to over/undershoot and if you understand where you’re losing distance, you’ll be able to pinpoint the areas of your swing, etc, that you need to work on.

THE AVERAGE DISTANCE FOR DIFFERENT CLUB TYPES (in yards)

WHICH FACTORS AFFECT GOLF CLUB DISTANCES?

• Loft – Each club has its own loft (angle of the clubface) that affects how far the ball goes; for example, if you want to achieve some distance, you’ll use a driver which has a lower loft and a longer shaft that’ll give you a low, long shot, whereas a pitching wedge will have a higher loft and a shorter shaft, giving you shorter, high shots.
• Swing speed – The faster your swing, the further your balls will travel; a good swing speed can make the difference.
• Shaft type – Shafts have different flex ratings, ranging from regular to extra stiff, depending on your swing speed, so it’s important to find one that suits your swing style or you’ll lose distance.
• Balls – You need to choose a golf ball with a lower spin and a higher compression to achieve more distance.
• Environmental conditions – We’re no strangers to wind and rain here on UK golf courses, but a wet course can limit how far the ball rolls. A dry course could add 10 – 15 extra yards.
• Physical fitness – Muscle, flexibility, balance and core strength all play a key role in improving your game so incorporate some golf exercises into your schedule.

HOW TO DETERMINE YOUR PERSONAL GOLF DISTANCES

Making a note of your own distances can help you monitor your performance and highlight any issues; for example, there might be a particular club you perform better with, and you can keep an eye on your consistency. You could take advantage of all the golf gadgets out there; a rangefinder, for example, and record your distances, remembering to make a note of the type of shot, the weather conditions etc.

You could also try hitting the driving range with your clubs – choose a target and hit ten balls with each club, keeping a note of the distances achieved with each club. If you do this regularly, you’ll be able to keep track of your progress.

HOW CAN YOU IMPROVE YOUR DISTANCE?

The aim is to achieve accurate shots and consistent distances for you, based on your technique and swing mechanics. You want to hit distances that are as consistently close to the average as possible. Here are a few things you can do:

• Practice, practice, practice – As with any sport, consistency counts, so that means regular practice sessions and working on your swing, as well as putting the time in off the course.
• Ask the pros – Having professional coaching means you get personal guidance and techniques to improve your distances.
• In the club – The right golf clubs make all the difference, so when choosing your clubs think about getting them custom fitted, based on your swing characteristics, build, height etc.

The distance you hit your golf balls isn’t an exact science; it will differ from player to player, and for those players it will differ from day to day, game to game, depending on the conditions, the players skills etc. The key is to not compare yourself to how other golfers are playing today, but to how you yourself played last week, or last month.

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