How Far Should You Hit Your Irons? (By Handicap, Age + Swingspeed!)
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- Опубликовано: 27 июл 2024
- 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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I am now 75 and recently measured my driver distance,and to my suprise I hit several drives over 300. Then I looked at the distance finder and found it was measuring in feet ! Ah well, for just a few minutes I thought I should turn professional.
Now that was funny !!!
😂😂
Best comment!
@F Democrats Thank you, Captain Obvious.
That was a JOKE, son.
You got 100 yards and 300 yards confused…? How on earth do you play golf and you can’t tell the difference between 200 yards?!?
This comment can’t be true! If you hit your driver 100 feet, how far do you hit a 9 iron… 25 feet… 10 feet..?!?!?🙄
I am 73 yo and I hit a 7 iron only 120 yards. Now days I only hit my Driver around 180 yards. So my longer irons and woods have really fallen off at my age. I try to make up for it by a good short game. Long par 4's are now really a par 5 and once and a while chip up and 1 putt for a 4. Golf is just for walking exercise now, but when I was younger I did shoot in the 70's for eighteen holes quite allot - those days are long gone.
Key is you are still enjoying the game and exercise is an added bonus. Stay healthy and keep hitting the links.
I agree, but I still get a huge buzz when I do hit the odd “golf shot”…..its a walk but with good company its very enjoyable.
hi, i'm 74 and you describe my game . par 4's ARE a challenge
Just turned 80 in July and don’t worry about comparing myself with others…usually younger guys. What golf should be about is having fun out there. Breaking 90 isn’t too hard these days from senior tees and sometimes even breaking 80 occurs. What I enjoy is hitting a few shots a round that not many tour pros can hit any better. Now THAT’S fun!
64 got my dads old 50g senior shaft irons , big improvement.
Everyone should keep in mind that losing distance with age just comes down to your body deteriorating with age and there is one thing that has been proven time and time again to slow it down and even reverse it: Lifting weights. You would do best to start lifting and lifting heavy as soon as possible and try to maintain your strength as much as possible but even starting into your 30s or 40s you might end up being stronger than yourself in your 20s and also hitting the ball longer. It's also great to fight against the muscle imbalances golfers typically suffer from.
Absolutely spot on! 👍 Weight training from as early as you can 100% the way to go. Fit for Golf is a brilliant program focused on exactly this approach and Mike has had some great results with golfers even into their 70s! He also has some PGA Pros as clients to so well worth a look. You can also use discount code GOLFINGFOCUS20 for 20% off annual subscriptions!
Noticed gradual decline in swing speed and distance in my 60s, then precipitous drop in my 70s. Anything longer than 300 yards requires a third shot to reach the green; on the other hand, my chipping now is like a ten handicap & my putting is like a 4 handicap!
Hope the chipping and putting stay at that level!@@calvinmaestro3400 👍👍
😂
I have always swung slow and easy. I do that on purpose. When I get quick, that is when I play poorly. 7 iron, 145-150. PW-100-110. Driver about 230-250. All with a gentle fade. I play to a real 8 handicap. I'm 62 and better than I was when I was 42. I dont care about distance.
I've taken the same approach. In my teens and twenties I thought I was so bad ass hitting a 7 iron 200+ and driver 350, who cares I hit like 1-3 greens a round. No everything 160 and in is a 3/4 knock down. I average almost 13 greens a round and am scratch. At 36 I'd beat the hell out of my younger self, it isn't as fun to watch but it works.
@@CrushOfSiel oh ya, I would crush my 30 year old self, because i can now chip and putt. I will take that any day.
As long as you can get to a green the club distance is not relevant as long as you use the right one
Your point about swinging slow and easy is spot on I think Boone and would make a difference to everyone's game. The really bad shots tend to always come from trying to hit the shot at the edge or beyond your capabilities!
@@GolfingFocus Thats why they call it a swing right?
I’m 75. Handicap index 12.8.
I hit my 7 iron 135 to 140, driver about 230tops.
Swing speed is 65 to 70mph.
I have played with Senior shafts in my Callaway Razr x black irons and woods for about 8 years.
Don’t know what all this means, but in essence, I try just to enjoy what I find I can do.
Michelle Low has a golf channel (golf with Michelle) in which she describes a technique for shortening your swing as you get less flexible with age.
I can recommend it.
Ball compression, delofting the face at impact, and the variability of lofts on clubs with the same number are huge factors. I play Callaway x2 hot pro with traditional lofts, and with my friend who plays TM M2s and his clubs are 2.5⁰ stronger. That said I hit the ball on average just about the same distance as I did when I was playing competitively in high school, and I'm 39. However the feel and consistency just isn't there because I have too much stuff to do and can't practice all summer like I used to and my body is a bit more broken down with less flexibility. So I club up often to what I think I should hit. More important to hit it straight than far and I'd rather have a good short game than hit bombs these days.
Very nice vid. Helps us casual golfers get a gauge on how long we should be hitting. I am in the 160+ range for the 7 iron, but I am getting older and the distance will certainly go down every year I golf.
Many thanks for the feedback. Much appreciated!
I really enjoyed that. As a numbers person in general, i like being able to see how many factors influence outcome. Keep up the good work. Cheers!
Many thanks Torlef. Delighted you enjoyed the video!
I was an 11 handicapper and I am now playing off of 7. I didnt change my swing or clubs nor did I take any lessons or watch youtube tutorials but I did change 2 things. Firstly I stopped thinking or even considering how far I hit my drives off the tee and started focusing on hitting the fairway. I then started taking 1 extra iron when I played my iron shots. So if I used to hit a 7 iron 145 meters I started hitting a 6 iron at 145 meters. Taking a 6 iron resulted in better accuracy and far better consistency. These two changes in my thinking dramatically lowered my handicap. A 280 meter drive is no good to your score if you only hit the fairway with it 40% of the time. Much better to hit a 260 meter drive and hit the fairway 90% of the time. It doesn`t matter what iron number you hit into the green. What matters is that you consistently hit the green.
I think you have it spot on. Golf is a thinking man’s game, like you I’m focusing on hitting fairways more frequently and cutting the number of 3 putts. My handicap has dropped my 5 to 13 this summer.
You are so boring
100%! To your point, I’ve just played the distances the club gives me and then plot my way around-I’ve worked kn my short game too, so on a particularly long par 4 I’ll hit driver in the fwy, an iron in front and try for up and down-more often than not I’ll make a par, no worse than bogey-also have canned the idea of trying to hit Par 5’s in two-I play them as three shot 5’s, put the ball on and then make the par w a comfy two putt-I’m a 5,5 hcp and enjoy (or try for) a comfortable round. Great analysis-super tips-they work-WELL DONE
These are two things that I have also singled out in my game. It has made a big improvement.
I think it goes both ways. If you’re not currently a professional and playing for money, what does it matter what you shoot on a given day. Golf is about improvement. Period. If one day you want to dial it back and hit an easy 6 instead of a 7 that gets you out of wack, go for it. But if part of your sense of improvement is finding a way to hit the middle of the club face WHILE seeing how far you can stretch the 7 or the 8, let that be okay even if it results in inconsistency and the often rough or occasional OB. It depends on what your goals are. I want to feel engaged and in control of my body. If it’s not stretching/expanding my physical capacities, it doesn’t feel as rewarding for me.
These videos help answer so many questions straight and forward. Very informative.
Many thanks. Absolutely delighted you are finding the videos helpful.
I'm 61 and hitting 7-iron 155-165 yards. Holy crap I didn't know I still have a chance to join the PGA tour :)
im 45 , im the same .1 year ago i had to absolutely feel like i flushed it to get 150. then some thing click finally. for me it happened when i started practicing trying to hit the ball lower. really learned just how much i was casting
Did you spot that the distances shown for the PGA golfers at 3:17 was just for carry, not total distance?
@@pjay3028 ok I missed that which makes sense PGA 7-iron carry (not total) to 175. I feel better now that I have no hope and I'm still a mile behind the pros 🤣🤣🤣
@@jwaynes71 I know exactly how you feel 🤣🤣
@@jwaynes71 although thinking about it, since the Pros often get backspin on the greens with a 7 iron, maybe their total distance is only about 150!!!🤔🤔
Well done video. At 53 and having injured my back a few years ago I have definitely seen yardage losses, but have switched to stronger lofted and more “forgiving “ irons to help compensate. 29 degree 7-iron compared to 35 degrees in my old AP2 set. It’s helped me mentally to see the gains in yardage but I know it’s the equipment. I miss the feel and short iron control in my old set and thinking of putting lighter shafts in my old set and see if I find some happy medium. At a 6 HCP, I can still play decent but got sucked into chasing distance.
Glad you enjoyed the video Jeff and definitely think looking at lighter shafts is a good thing to consider. Don't think nearly enough amateurs consider it for their irons.
@@GolfingFocus agreed. Ego is a big hurdle for a lot of guys to get past as well. I learned early on (in my 20s) that it doesn’t matter how far you hit it or with what after I played a round with a man in his 80s that had a bag full of persimmons woods and a wedge and putter none of which went more than 150 yards. But he hit it arrow straight and could putt lights out. Completely owned me that day to the point that 25+years later I still remember it. Just put what works for you in the bag and quit thinking anyone even cares about your clubs in the first place
@@Mboogie69agree, straight is always better than far and in the woods.
Until you play a match play on a 7000 yards golf course from the back tees and he can't reach the fairways on long par 5 😀
this makes me feel better. every teaching pro i on the web seems to hit their 7 iron 170+ and sez something like 'and i'm barely swinging at all', all you have to do is this........ spare me....
Yup the internet seems to add a huge amount of distance to everyone’s shots very easily. On Twitter I think I’m maybe only one of 5 people who hit the ball less than 300 yards off the tee and don’t hit their pitching wedge 150 yards 😂
I know I weigh 152 and have toothpicks for arms 68 now haven’t hit 150 yd 7 since I was 35
I'm 58 years old and hitting the ball farther than ever thanks to new clubs. New club technology (Ping G425, in my case) is such an advantage for mis-hits and solid strikes compared to older clubs. According to Garmin, my 5-iron average distance is 182 yards; 7-iron is 163, 9-iron is 142. I'm currently a 16 handicap.
That’s great hitting Michael and think you’re absolutely right tech is something to be exploited as much as possible as we get older to help maintain distance. Looking at graphite shafts as an option in my irons as well now despite the bad press they seem to get. Delighted your enjoying your Pings though and hope the distance gains keep going!
I'm 66 and hit my 7 iron 148 carry, drive it about 235 carry. 3.5 index. Hit 90% of fairways and over 60% of GIR's
That’s because your 5 is probably the length and loft of a 3.5 iron. That’s why these sets come with gap wedges. 5,6,7,8,9,P, g,g = 3,4,5,6,7,8,9,P. 🤔
@@lesleywillis6177 I use the P770's which are closer to a traditional loft
Have a set also…..love them !!
Very interesting post. There is a Mizuno video here with Faldo showing something similar. His TP-11 irons from the 90's compared to the Mizuno irons of a a few years ago. The 'hot' 7 iron of the contemporary range is 7 degrees stronger than the TP-11, effectively making it a 5 iron with a '7' stamped upon it. For the vast majority of us the important thing is to know how far one hits each club. Any comparisons to tour pros is doomed to failure for they have every possible advantage of the club maker at their disposal plus youth, talent and time on their side.
Couldn’t agree more. Vital point in all of this is to know how far you hit vs worrying about how far others do. It’s alway interesting to compare but certainly not against the pros who play a very different game to us mere mortals.
The improvements in the ball and clubs since 1990s has been unbelievable. In that period of time I have gone from 30s to 60s and only lost a little distance. BUT I no longer try to hit say 4 irons and the longest iron I have is a 6 - switching to Hybrids and Woods (7, 9, 5, 3) was the best thing I ever did. The second was using a softer Urethane ball - the Pro balls are great to chip and putt, and also with the Driver, but with the PW 9 8 7 irons I lose 10-15 yards. Get the right ball and clubs as you age is the best advice I can give. My 7 iron goes 140.
Absolutely agree and no doubt the change in the ball in the last 1990s / early 2000s was huge for the game. Suspect like me you remember the balata days which just wouldn’t allow the top players to hit it like they do now. Think you’re spot on also with your bag changes and more should be following you 👍
@@GolfingFocus Yes indeed mate - I played a balata ball -a few times. It was great to chip and putt - but with the driver I only hit the fairway 2-3 times. I loved how east it was to hit over a high tree - but I hated how much spin with driver. A fade became a big slice - but a draw became a hook and was way worse.
@@AussieBob999 And a bad shot let you with a ball with a big smile on its face! 😂
What I gathered from this video is we all are searching for distance and buying very expensive clubs, balls, lessons, training aids etc LOL and find out we are pretty much average over all. One thing that will help is play the correct tees, stop trying to hit from the tips and move up, it will make the game much more enjoyable. Just my 2 cents and as the Scottish man said "GO PLAY"
Couldn’t agree more John about your playing from the correct tees point. We’re all guilty of playing tees far longer than our capabilities which then affects enjoyment, pace of play et c. On the distance front main point is really that the stats are very clear that you have to hit the ball further if you want to make major improvement strides and also have a video coming out next week about impact of equipment on distance. As you quite rightly say though it’s all about just getting out there and enjoying this great game!
That was super advice. 71 and hit from the whites. Scrambles I hit from the reds if allowed too. Why try to compete with a kid that can hit it 300 yards consistently from the blue tees.
fantastic advice. At 60, I can't hit it 300 anymore and I still hit it further than all of my buddies. We play white tees. There are usually at least one, if not 2 sets of tees longer than what we play. Golf is supposed to be fun. Making triple bogeys all day isn't all that much fun. Keep it in play and learn to chip and putt a bit and you'll have a lot more fun.
My wife and I have lots of fun playing red tees of 18 holes. Don't torture yourselves in a hot day in the summer
@@hugowilliams1988 that is what I do now 5000 yds give or take a few
back when i played competitively, (in my late 50’s early 60’s) i carried a 9 hcp and only hit my 8 iron 130 yard carry. back then my mantra was it doesn’t matter how far you hit your irons as long as “you know” how far you hit your irons. now at 71 yrs old i thought my new skytrak launch monitor was way off when my current 8i carry distance was averaging only 115 yards! of course I’m still hitting my old 690.CB’s with dynamic gold regular shafts from 2004 and the loft is 40 degrees compared to modern Titleist T-150’s loft of 36 degrees. I still think my old mantra holds true tho. As long as I know how far I hit my clubs I think I’ll be happy. BTW, love practicing on my back yard driving range and a solid shot still feels solid with those clubs.
Nice info. Another factor that was not included is contact. When I was in my 30s, I swung for the fences and from time to time, it went far. As we age and hopefully become better golfers, improvement in consistancy, contact, and equipment can lead to greater distance even with a slower speed.
Many thanks and delighted you enjoyed the video. And you’re spot on with the contact point. Improving your ball striking is a big untapped distance gain for loads of amateurs. Video talking about this in the works and will be published very soon so watch this space!
No question. I wish I had paid more attention to that when I was younger. Also helps to get some clubs that are fit properly so making that good contact is easier.
i think something happens to us as we get older besides losing flexibility --- too many memories of swinging for the fences and losing the ball. So we automatically start easing up to the point that we can 't "turn on the speed" any longer.
@@Golfzilla70 I think that is true. But i also know you can still get some speed back if you are willing to train and are in decent physical shape. Some yoga to help with flexibility is not a bad idea either. Speed training does work though and I am not going down without a fight!!!
@@Alan_Edwards I think speed training works for some, but not all. I got those speed sticks and did the work outs by the book. I saw a couple of MPH added, and then by the 5th week or so, i just couldn't hardly swing a club because i'd injured myself (according to them, you're supposed to swing as hard as you can with the lightest stick at the end of each session). I swung hard, and eventually put my golf game out of commission for a couple of months. I concede that i may be in the minority on this. All i know is i've played a lot of golf over 40 years, and my rotator cuffs definitely feel it. I can still get it over 100 mph, but not a whole lot more. I think i'm just worn out :)
I am 60 and have never played better in my life. Driving the ball farther too. It helps that I moved to FL last year and never had to put the clubs away for 7 months a year!
Thailand for me same thing,can play 365 days a year in shorts.Beat the NE of Scotland any day
At 67, I've been retired for just over a year. I got fitted for my irons and woods almost 3 years ago. That work thing got in the way of my steady playing days and I was never that good. Now, I can spend at least 2 or 3 days practicing and I generally play 2 or 3 times a week. I'm knocking at the door of the low 80's with that double and triple in the mix. The game is so much more enjoyable. I also took a few lessons from a local pro, now I know exactly what I'm doing when I hit a good shot as well as a bad shot.
That's awesome. Hope the improvement and the enjoyment keeps up! 👍
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.
My Pursuit C510 -6 iron is 32 degrees , my 88 mph swing is 162 yards.
At age 58, I am fortunate that through a combination of forking on my strength, flexibility, fitness, and swing speed, I was able to make significant improvements in my distance and accuracy in all club, but it was finding a coach who helped me truly understand my the swing and what I am supposed be doing in in the swing that made the biggest different in my mall striking . I also made a change in irons (from 2008 ping Rapture to a first gen TM Sim that I was able to increase my carry in most irons by 20-24yard ….my 9I carry was 129 but today it is 154. I got carried away with distance…and now AI have had to take a step backwards to eliminate my bad habits. Although I have lost 10 yard, I can hit it straighter and I learn how to transfer weight, keeps the face open through the hitter zone. And finally make a divot in from of the ball:)
That, old boy, is an excellent video and certainly jibes with my own observations of my own lengths over the last year. As a (currently) 20 handicapper I now accept that at a push on a good day I can squeeze 7 iron out to about 145 yards max.
I now accept this as an iron law (so to speak) and tailor the rest of my shots on this understanding.
And though it embarrases me to admit it only after 6 months did I realise my Garmin FitBit measures golf courses in meters as opposed to yards. My shot selection has improved vastly since then!!
All of which is a moot point as I live in Ireland and it is mid-December and there is NO golf at the moment.....
Many thanks for the feedback and delighted you found the video useful. Hope the weather lets you get back on the course soon!
I just turned 60 and I still hit my 8 iron almost exactly 150 yards .. driving occasional 300 yrd. .. My distances haven't changed (except for driver) for many years and still playing the same type of irons for the past 30 years (Mizuno muscle back blades). Can't hit my driver quite as far as I used to (used to be pretty long) but I still hit irons just about the same as always.
You're not hitting 300y drives if you hit 150y 8 iron.
Maybe down wind down hill and firm fairways. Maybe 210y carry and 90y roll :-D
@@Wesley_Juakali- BS!!! .. I've been playing competitive golf for over 30yrs .. I know what my yardages are. Can I hit further than 150 with an 8 iron? .. absolutely. I have (and can, if I wish), hit my 8 iron 200yds, that doesn't mean I do. Sheeesh .. go out and by yourself a clue.
@@squidly2112 Sorry if your stock 8 iron yardage is 150y than you can't hit it 200yards. You need 107mph clubhead speed and 138mph ball speed to get 200y carry with an 8 iron.
If you can have 107mph club head speed with an 8 that will be +125mph for a driver.
Or are you the father of long driver Kyle Berkshire?
@@Wesley_Juakali - yep, if crush an 8 iron, you can generate 107mph .. however, to extrapolate that to a 124mph driver is not possible. Different clubs, different weights, different lengths, different stress. At one time, perhaps 20 years ago, I could generate 124mph driver, but not anymore. My max at this time is probably closer to 115mph for driver. FYI, you only need 106mph to hit a 300yrd drive (in benign conditions). Also FYI, current long drive champions (like Berkshire) are hitting over 140mph clubhead speed!! .. 124mph speed wouldn't get you anywhere into long drive unless you are a girl.
Depends on ball flight. If you hit the ball high it will be up to 15 yards less. If you hit low and have run out it will be much longer. I hit the ball high and stick greens but only hit a 7 iron about 135 to 140 yards. I am 64 years old. When younger I hit an 8 iron 150 yards and hit a low draw. Now I hit a high straight shot.
Also delofting the club at impact and ball compression. Huge factors as well.
Very informative and helpful! Thank you!
Many thanks Joseph. Delighted you found it helpful.
I believe swing speed is one component of distance, but the other -is where the release is happening in the swing. Obviously the earlier you release the club (Flip) , you lose distance. The Pros are at proper club loft or more like delofting the club at impact (a 7 iron is more a 5/4 iron loft at impact ) where is an amateurs adds loft (a 7 iron is a 9 iron /pw loft at impact).
Turned 66 this year and getting back into golf more now that I am retired. I hope to get to a single digit hcp and one thing that will help get me there is knowing how far I can hit each club - along with some good course management and solid short game - things I did not have when I was younger. Still strong and athletic with decent swing speed, but not getting the gaping between clubs I once did years ago. So I have learned to do the job more efficiently with less clubs and changing my back swing to get the distance I need for the shot. Also trying out some of the newer game improvement clubs this year and building a pretty customized set using hybrids a lot more for long approach shots. I enjoy golf a lot more taking an easy, controlled, variable speed, swing - except for driver where you need to let the big dogs out 💪
Sounds like a great overall strategy to me Alan. All the best with it and hope you get to single digits goal soon!
Play the ladies tee
Glad to see I'm about on target for my handicap and age. My mid 90's Cleveland irons have a more traditional loft than the newer irons. I took advantage of some "demo days" and I gained 10 - 20 yards over my old clubs, but did I really? I say no, because the lofts have changed so much. New Callaway "game improving" irons are stronger lofted by 2 of my clubs. Their 7 iron has the same loft as my 5 iron. Now there's a need to add 1-2 additional gap wedges. There are a couple of club manufacturers that show the loft under the club number or only the loft. I'd like to see more manufacturers doing that. I'm fine hitting my 7 where others with newer clubs are hitting their 9. I know my clubs and I'm pretty accurate with my club choices for the distances I need. To me, that's much more important than hitting further than my golf buddies.
That is true that most of the new game improvement irons are stronger lofted, but there is a little more too it. They are also designed to launch the ball higher even though the loft angle is less. Plus they have a much bigger sweet spot so those toe, heel and thin hits can still go far and straight....well straighter anyway.
Quality of ball striking definitely key component of increased distance!
These guys can blah blah about newer "tech" materials and engineering all they want, but you're right: it is lower aggressive loft angles that are responsible for these increased distances. Frankly, I see it all as marketing smoke and mirrors.
Top video! Very informative. Its uncanny to see them numbers, I have a set of DTR's from 1991 and the yardages i hit with 90mph swing speed are almost identical to each iron. Got me wondering what i could hit with the latest golf tech + 15 - 20 yards on each club ill estimate.
Many thanks John. Delighted you enjoyed it.
Just found your channel over here in the 🇺🇸 USA love it !! Kudos.
Many thanks Cam. Delighted your enjoying the content.
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 video. Gave me a little bit more hope 😂. I’m 48 yrs old with a 90mph club head speed and my numbers are almost 2 clubs ahead of the averages listed here. I am a bigger player tho at 6’2” & 208lbs. I think I can comfortably stop trying to compare my distances to scratch golfers now & focus way more attention on my chipping & putting. Thanks again.
Great stuff David and hope the numbers stay above average. thanks also for sharing your stats. You must be one of the few golfers on RUclips who give an honest answer about their distances and swingspeed!! 👍all the best for the season ahead!
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.
Awesome and huge thanks for that feedback. Will see what we can do in terms of getting something downloadable for future reference! Thanks again.
age 72, have played golf since age 12. Have been fortunate to retain flexibility with no physical limitations, hc 6. Hit my 7 iron 160 yards stock. Can press it to 170 if needed. Irons are 2 year old Callaway Rouges with AreoTech steel fiber shafts. Believe those shafts are making a difference for me distance wise.
Driver distance is 240-245. Seems a bit light compared to my irons, but good enough for me.
Playing the country club course I grew up on this Thursday. Will play it at the tees I used in my late teens and early 20s, which was the last time I played the course, basically 50 years ago. Am really interested how where my drives and approach shots end up compared to my young years when I was using a Power Built persimmon driver and WS blades for irons.
Those are great yardages for sure and especially with the irons 👍 All the best playing your old course and would be great to hear how you got on!
I am 22 with a heavy sports background. I started around Febuary of this year. I hit my 7 like 165 i hope that once i get more consistent i can make it do that more regularly.
I AM 77, hit PW 90 yards, 9-105, 8-115, 7-130, 6-140, hybrd 155, hybrd 170, hybrd, 180, 3W 200 and driver 220-250. not a long hitter, but this year i have shot my age 8 times, with a low of 73. Its how stright you hit it and not how far. I practice chiping and putting more than anything else, at least 70% of my time on the range is with my pitching wedges.
If you hit your 7 130 yards I doubt you hit drives of 250
Shooting your age is great and a 73 is fantastic. What is Par and how long is the course are 2 very important pieces of info that you left out
Very good information, well presented as well.
Thanks Jim. Delighted you found it useful.
Thanks, I’m right where you said I should be.
Ahhh…..the days of hitting my 7- iron 150 yards. That’s in the past for me. Still play pretty well at 62 because I leave my ego in the car and club up.
Smart man 👍🏻
Good on you Jeff. I’m in the same boat. I’ve played off 5 for 19years but think my true ability is more like an 8 hcp now. I’ve Deffo lost iron length since I reached 63yrs but as you say, pick another club to do what you’re after achieving.
@@stevegordon2032 same but my chipping and pitching much better now.Practice from say 60 in
Howdy- with new tech you could get to 150 plus. I’m a couple of months from turning 60. Lifting weights is a game changer if you don’t. I’m striking and carrying a 7 in the low 140s at sea level with 20 year old irons. The new irons I was fitted for will land 11-14 yards further per iron. Can’t wait to get them. Lift weights will add muscle mass improve glucose utilization and improve testosterone as well as adding a few years to your life.
Yep last time I went to get clubs the fitter said let’s try to get that 7 iron up to 150 told him straight out I haven’t hit a 7 Iron 150 since I was 45 Im 68. Just fit me with a shaft the is not to heavy for me and I will be fine at 130 straight
69 years old hcp of 5.7 just achieved one of my golfing goals shot gross par (71) in my club competition. keeping fit and supple, knowledge of the golf swing, good practice is the key to playing good golf, remember golf is a scoring game not a distance game
That's true Bob but distance definitely helps alot when it comes to the scoring game.
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.
I realized this also. I hit wedges and up to 6 iron decently with solid impact but longer irons and 5 wood I am so inconsistent and as you said I break down at impact. Due to longer shafts obviously you need better control and better rhythm to really hit that thing. So yeah i dont care about more yardages rather I care more about scaling them up as I go up the clubs.
@@outlander234 Some people find that the heavier weight of hybrids makes of for the breaking down of the swings, and hey have much better luck with a hybrid than a long iron or fairway wood. I'm not one of them, and the heavier weight makes my hands break early, resulting in shots than go left and hook, too, for double trouble. I personally love my 7 wood, but for each person the correct answer is different.
@@carlr2837 7 wood eh... How far you hit that? From what you said I think we are same in swing speed.
@@outlander234 Usually about 10 yards less than the 5 wood, so about 175-180. It has the same loft as a 5 iron, so it goes much higher than a 5 wood, which takes some getting used to. Today I hit a horrid drive on one hole, leaving me in an adjacent fairway, 220 from the green, with tall trees in the way. I elected to hit the 7 wood, and absolutely crushed it, clearing the tallest tree, and hitting it about 195, just off the green, but that distance is the exception, not the rule.
I love the 7 wood. Fairway woods are the best part of my game, so adding a 7 wood made sense for me, especially since I hate hybrids. If you hit your 5 wood well most of the time, but are more inconsistent with long irons, a 7 wood is a nice option to a hybrid. I use it out of the rough, and I use it from fairway bunkers, plus shots where I need extra height.
But I should add that the chart showing distances with different irons by handicap is both eye-opening and right on the mark for higher handicap players. The distance gaps, especially with the long irons, really get compressed. So much so that there is hardly any use carrying a full set. At my handicap level, and the same for the 20 handicap, we cannot strike the ball in the dead center regularly enough to constantly hit one iron exactly 5 yards further than the next higher one. In fact, when you take into account perfect hits, average hits and toe or heel or thin hits, or pulled hits versus pushed fade hits, we are probably hitting three irons all within the same wide circle. A perfect 7 will go as long as a poor 5, and the gap will double in case of a poor 7 versus a perfect 5. When the average gap is only 5 yards, one might as well just carry every second iron.
A fantastic informative video,well done
Many thanks Oliver. Delighted you found it useful!
35 years old, 21 index and I hit my 7 iron 160 yards on average (it is 31 degrees tho)
260-270 with the driver (swing speed : 102-103 mph) I'm quite happy with my distance, considering I'm teeing from the yellows, it's often only a wedge (56*) shot next.
My local has a par 3 at 143y, through a ‘tunnel’ of trees that requires less loft- a nice, relaxed 7 iron gets me there every time.
Great stuff. Knowing your iron distances with a relaxed swing vs the furthest distance you have ever hit it is a much better approach for sure! 👍
I was using Players Irons Semi Bladed. Due to age at 69 I was loosing swing speed so was fitted for a forgiving set. I was recorded on trackman out on a range and was carrying a 7 Iron 165 yards, although on Course I have been controlling it to hit targets of 150 yards, glad I changed my Irons but I know I won’t have the same feel as Blades and expect to occasionally over carry some shots
Think there’s a huge amount to be said Peter for playing irons within your comfort zone. Nicklaus for one is a big advancer of that philosophy so don’t think you’re in bad company there! I know what you mean about the blades though. I keep hanging onto mine because I love them but no doubt now I’m losing a lot of distance of not biting the bullet and switching.
I am the opposite. I fly the ball longer on the course than i do on a simulator. On the course my 7 flies 160+. In the sim its 150+, With driver i can clear a bunker 255y with no wind out doors, on a sim i can't carry 245y at all.
At my favorite golf local shop that uses a different sim i hit my outdoor numbers spot on. It all depends on which sim they are using. I also found out that the sim can be set at different elevations. Maybe the sim at PGA store is set at sea level and the one at the local golf shop is set at 2400ft where i live and play? I dont know.
@@andya2665 It also matters what Altitude they are set on , See what they carry at sea Level !
In don't know about that feel. They make some pretty decent game improvement irons that feel real close to forged....but I get your point. Still for me, if I can hit the sweet spot more consistently and get decent distances I can rely on....I'm good.
I bought a set of Titleist DCi Irons (PW-3), Xtra-stiff shafts in '92...dropped 15 points from my game over night. Turned around and ordered a 2-Iron of the same brand and make. First time I hit the 2-iron was off the tee-box...285 yards. I use to play a lot of golf in those days...but most rounds were without a "wood" in my bag. Still have the Irons...beautiful set...I dream of replacing the shafts if only to visit the driving range once in a while. I had an 11 handicap, never had a lesson, never shot over a 60 on any 9-holes I ever played (came close a couple times). But in '93 I had a string 30 rounds of 11-over on two courses. In one small tournament I was sitting at 9-over after nine holes, had a single beer and joked that my long streak of 11-over rounds was probably at an end...only to shoot a +2 on the back...and keep the string alive. That +2 back gave me the confidence that I could play better, and the next week I shot a short string +7, then +5, then +2. Life and the changes it can bring shifted my attention away from golf though. But, I still dream of how that 2-iron use to feel as it kissed a ball off the Tee.
How's the confidence in your game? Terrible? Go back to playing around the greens. Ignore the tee-boxes...just drive down to with 75 yards and play the short game. Get good at it....really good at it! Go play a par-3 course. Move out to the 150-yard markers. DO NOT go to the tee-boxes or the driving range. Get that short game hot! The game is not about how far you hit the ball off the tee...it's how well you finish EACH hole. And folks...it is very, very, very rare to finish holes....from the Tee.
I played with a retired Air Force officer a few times who played his own game. He was in his 80s, moved slowly, and carefully, and never hit the ball more than 150 yards. "I can't see much further than that", he'd say. He didn't have a handicap. He didn't miss fairways. He might not reach all greens in regulation, but he'd be close enough to one-put everything. I don't know what it would be like playing golf with God, but I think that was close.
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.
Golfing narcissist alert.
hcp 28 64 years old 7 iron 34 loft carry 110 yards on a good day half swing only.
Not a criticism but, it's almost impossible to have this discussion in a meaningful way given the vast differences in club specs. My Mizuno's are fairly close to "normal" or "conventional" specification but, even in them my gap wedge starts at 50 deg which is what a PW used to be. Most clubs, particularly those marketed for the masses are designed to hit the ball farther because farther sells more clubs. What you really want are clubs that have consistent gaps between them. It doesn't really matter how far you hit any individual club (within reason of course) It matters that you know how far you hit any individual club and your set provides a good choice for the progressive yardages you encounter while playing. It's more important to have the right club for short shots than long.
Unfortunately the ego in most golfers won’t allow them to tell the truth about their distances! I’m amazed at the amount of people on RUclips who can hit their drivers 275yds+. Really? Sure if you’re playing at altitude, in the desert, tail wind, hard fairways or just indoors on a golf monitor it’s possible, But in the real world when the wind is blowing from different directions, it’s wet, middle of winter, you’re wearing 3 layers, the drive is uphill, grips are damp……….. Let’s see you rip it 275yds! Remember guys, the distance you should be thinking about is your Average, not the once in a blue moon! To work out your true distance on the hole your playing, You take your average CARRY and then start adding or subtracting as per the conditions! So if you carry it 220yds and it’s hard underfoot, add 25yds for roll, minus 5 for slightly uphill, minus 10 for wind in your face, gives you a 230yd drive - if you connect properly! Golf is not just hitting a little ball, it tests your character and honesty, you can tell a lot about someone out on the course.
I agree. Every golf you tuber I see on here is scratch or better, has the BEST fix to make anyone better and crushes all their clubs super far. It is quite impressive. 😅
Excellent video, I am 70 and I would say charts and comments are pretty much right on. I myself fall into the 60-69 range. Loft comment is 100% accurate. Do not pound balls at range anymore, I do practice short game, chipping and pitching is where I practice, no putting anymore either. Wish I had listened to people in my younger years. Don't care how far you hit the the ball or what age anyone is, want to score, short game, short game, short game. That old saying there is no substitute for distance is bull, short game is where it's at.
Many thanks and delighted you found the video helpful. Not sure we agree with you on the distance point though and would argue that the old sayings of ‘drive for show but putt for dough’ are the ones that are wrong based on all the stats! 😂
Very interesting information. You might take altitude into consideration.
I was clearing 180 with a 7iron.... The first hole at the club I grew up on was 190 yards.
That’s an incredible yardage Graeme. You’re further than the PGA Tour average for 7-iron!
Adding comment May 23, 2023. A LOT depends on how hard you work at improving your swing, a LOT depends on whether a lighter shaft might give you more speed, and a LOT depends on the ball you use. The results are striking, so please forgive my length. If you have the patience to follow the details it may help you.
I will be 82 in June. I have been working hard at the PGA Superstore practice bays since December. The screens provide data and you can export tables with the results to your email. I am still playing Chicago Classic forged blades with a 7 iron with a 34 degree loft (one fitter measured 34.5). My current Rifle Lite stiff flex shafts weigh 120 grams. I have been trying out lighter shafts, namely Nippon NS Pro Zelos 7 stiff flex and Zelos 8 stiff flex. The Zelos 7 weighs 77.5 grams. The Zelos 8 weighs 87.5 grams. I had to buy the shafts and have the club maker at my range, who has boxes of the Chicago Classic heads in his workshop, make me a new iron for each shaft. Makes sure I can compare apples with apples. Huge difference from the Rifle shafts.
I have been hitting my own balls. In the past ten days I hit Titleist Pro V1 balls one day and Taylor Made TP5x balls another day. Then I changed to a very different ball, the Callaway Super Soft. I also had worked on improving my weight shift so my swing was better.
So, what were the results?
My 7 iron with Rifle Lite stiff 120 gram shaft: with ProV1 carry 121, total 136, ball speed 89.9; with TM TP5x carry 113 total 126 ball speed 86.3 (swing was off that day); with Callaway Super Soft carry 126.2 total 141, ball speed 94.2 (best 4 shots avg was carry 131.9 total 144.1 ball speed 95.4).
My 7 iron with Nippon Zelos 8 stiff 87.5 gram shaft: with ProV1 carry 125 total 139 ball speed 91.2; with TM TP 5x carry 126, total 139.7 ball speed 93; with Callaway Super Soft avg for 17 shots carry 132 total 148.8 ball speed 94.7 (for best 11 shots it was carry 135.2 total 150 ball speed 96.3).
My 7 iron with Nippon Zelos 7 stiff 77.5 gram shaft: did not use ProV1; with TM TP5x carry 123 total 135.5 ball speed 91.2; with Callaway Super Soft avg of 24 shots carry 131.4 total 147.2 ball speed 96.4. But avg of best 15 shots was carry 135, total 150.3 ball speed 97.8. And avg of best 9 shots was carry 137.4 total 151.2 ball speed 98.8.
So it seems clear that regardless of the ball used, my avg carry with my current 120 gram shafts was 121 to 126 yards, and total 136-141, with ball speed 90 to 95. With the lighter shafts my carry distances were 123 to 126 and total 136 to 140 with the premium balls, with ball speed 91 to 93. A little improvement, but not anything spectacular. However, with the Callaway Super Soft balls I got better results with my current 120 gram shafts, including four that got 10 yards more carry and 8 yards more total. And with the two lighter shafts I got 10 yards more carry and 10 yards more total distance than with the premium balls. So I'd say we can all improve and hopefully beat the averages shown, but it takes work and attention to both the shaft and balls.
I'm 53 and i hit my 7 iron about 160m or 175 yards. The largest factor in distance is actually Ball speed, not swing seed. Swing speed obviously gives you potential for big distance but wont give you ball speed unless you dead center it. It's more about solid delivery and contact. I swing at the same speed as other people who only hit 7 iron 140m or 153 yards. Maximize whatever speed you have by proper delivery to the sweet spot on the club.
Spot on 👍 We go into lots of detail on the points raise here on another one of our videos -
ruclips.net/video/lYzSl523imA/видео.html
Phoenix Arizona, 57 y/o 4 hdcp.
Dr: 280 ish average
5 iron- 205
7 iron- 177
9 iron- 148
Wedges P-G-S-L all differ depending on what the shot calls for but generally I try mostly half to 3/4 punch shots rather than full swings. Seem to have much better outcomes.
I play Maxfli Tour yellow balls
PXG 0211 irons (2022)
Cobra Radspeed XB 10.5 X flex
HZDRS Jumbo grip
Driver Speed 101-107
Side note, PXG Irons are generally one club strong on loft
With those iron yardages you should be longer with the driver unless that’s your driver Cary yardage. I’m about 165 yds 7 iron and 190 5 iron. I carry my driver about 270
Excellent report
Many thanks. Delighted you found the video helpful!
Good thing that as the Great Gary Player said, "golf is played from 100 yds in". So theres hope in all of us. What a game huh !!!!
It sure is!
One thing that is ignored in swing is the rhythm. One day I came to the range and I just felt lose and confident and my rhythm, stopping the back swing at right point and then transition to downswing, it was just so perfect everything felt effortless. My yardages went up 15-20 yards on all irons it was crazy. Never replicated it again at that scale but it showed me what really matters.
The rhythm and tempo of the golf swing is absolutely key as you say. Great trick I find sometimes to help this is by imagining you are copying a pros swing. When struggling with my tempo or really want to focus on it to try and make sure I hit a good shot I think of Nick Faldo's swing and imaging I am him hitting a long iron. That probably shows my age mind you and there are better modern equivalents to pick!
When I feel tight and grip harder, my distances are buttcheeks. Like 9i for 100y lol.
But when I don’t feel like I’m gripping the club so hard, 9i for 130-140y.
I have Mizuno forged irons. I hit 7i 175/180
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
That's great Thomas and thanks for sharing. Hopefully you've still got a few yards to add also over the next couple of years!
Do you hit it 175 yards 185 yards? It’s the difference between being pin high and missing the green completely.
@@sloebone7399 The 185 yards is probably a pull/draw and 175 a push/fade. If you can control those factors, you can get as close to the exact distance as possible.
This is all interesting to me as I am 62 this December and I have been playing from age 7
Just went out with my wife and played 9 holes with 3 balls
Missed just 2 fairways over 21 Tee Shots (Par 4 & 5), direction has increased as I aged with distance drop off
The other part of he game that has gotten better is my Chipping from 30 yrs in
I put that on my two clubs I have for this range depending on the type of shot requires
both are NOT of the same brand as are my Driver, 3W, Hybrids that replaced my 3-5 irons or my 6 - PW (Cobra Set)
Putting has never been a problem in my game, ever
My only issue is the 6 - PW, where I have to guess at the range, carry distance and total distance
Now at age 61 and with only my second set of irons I have ever purchased I have to go back to school on my Irons
I will print the chart at the end and see how I rate
Thanks
James
ps - HandyCap 16
Thanks for sharing James and let us know how you get on once you start doing the comparisons!
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..🙏⛳️
Awesome stuff and many congrats on the ace! Hope you keep enjoying your golf for a long time to come yet!
Having started playing golf at 10 when only blades were made I can attest to the fact that irons and woods have become easier to hit and more forgiving. Fast forward with new tech, clubs can now be tailor made to each individual’s strengths and compensate for their weaknesses. The common goal for young and new golfers is distance. Bragging rights on how far a drive goes or PW. But in my experience, I was a much better golfer when I focused less on distance and more on accuracy. Possibly due to maturity. The key is not how far a specific iron goes, 7-150 or 9-150, but how close to the flag stick you can command your irons. If you can can hit an iron shot from 150 to 5ft of the stick, then it matters not if you hit PW-150 or 7-150, what matters is you only have a 5 footer left to finish the hole.
Agree but it's easier to swing a PW instead of a 7 iron. The dispersion of a PW will be less than a longer iron.
The longer the club/shaft the harder to hit.
Agreed Wesley and think your both right. Its the combination of the two - as far as possible off the tee leaving you a fair chance of getting it on the green with as short a club in your hand as possible and then executing that approach shot to find the putting surface as often as possible! 👍
Great data and analysis…
Delighted you found it useful Dan.
That makes sense. I hit an 8 iron well over 150 yards. In saying that, my clubs are 20 years old. So it’s more likely a 6 iron.
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?
Absolutely not Carl and totally agree. Genuinely don’t think enough amateurs though know their distance numbers that we’ll and that makes a big difference. As your grandmother showed clearly skill is the top component to combat losing distance as you age and she proved conclusively it can be done!
problem would be no club for 160 or above
@@neilcameron3021 Absolutely, and that will be a problem on any hole over 320 yards. Yet, as we age, declines in distance are inevitable. I watched her repeatedly take on 400 yard holes by hitting 160, then 160, and then get up and down from 80 yards away. As a teenaged boy, it was incredibly frustrating to be, not beaten, but destroyed by my grandmother, yet now, approaching 70 myself, I have a strategy going forward.
My length is getting shorter, too, and now my 3 iron tops out at about 175 yards. I could move up to the white tees, I suppose, but I'm not willing to do that yet, so I still play the blue/black tees. With 2 perfect hits I can be on a 400 yard hole in regulation, but more often I face the need to try to get up and down. Got to go...it's time to practice my chipping and putting. ;)
@@carlr2837 Keep it going Carl and wish you all the very best with the new strategy. Would have loved to watch your grandmother play and see how she got around. Reminds me a bit of Bernhard Langer at the Masters a couple of years back playing with McIlroy and DeChambeau. Both were in awe of how Langer managed his game around Augusta and became the oldest man to make the cut. And he outscored Bryson by 2 on Sunday despite being outdriven by between 50 to 100 yards all day long!
@@GolfingFocus Thank you. And yes, that is my strategy going forward:
1.Continue to improve my short game,
2. Accept that my hits will get shorter over time
3. Focus on accuracy and consistency
If I succeed, I will be shooting my age in a decade or so.
I was lucky to have a scratch golfer teach me how to golf 25 years ago. Once I got pretty consistent and much better he helped me measure my iron distances how far I land each iron and roll out. I have won closest to he pin several times and people are always surprised when they hear which iron I hit to do it. At 163 to 168 I hit a 6 iron into a flag because that’s where I land it. If the greens are hard I hit an 8 or a 7. Both my sons land their 6 irons 188 yards I 195. My oldest hits his 5 iron 210, seriously, something to see .
Those distances your sons are hitting it Joseph just don’t seem fair! Hope you can still show them a thing or two however!
So much depends on the loft and lofts on the same number iron vary wildly. I'm 81, play to a 16-17 handicap. I have forged blade irons with traditional weak lofts. My 7 iron has a 34 degree loft. I can hit it 130-135 yards Occasionally with an absolutely perfect swing I can get it to 140, but can't count on that. I have Rifle Lite stiff shafts. Must admit that I should change to graphite regular flex shafts but there's always cost. Today fooling around at my range, I happened to hit a Callaway Epic forged black star 7 iron with a senior flex Attas graphite shaft. It went 15 yards further than my present 7 iron. Temperature was 53, with a little wind against. Kind of blew me away. But then I looked up these clubs. Besides the high cost, $2,600 for a set of 8 clubs, the loft on the 7 iron is 26 degrees. Yes, 26. My previous Mizuno MP-33 iron lofts are 25 for a 4 iron and 28 for a 5 iron. My current irons have the same lofts. So no wonder these clubs go further. The 7 iron is equivalent to a strong 5 iron, almost a 4. So trying to say how far we should hit our irons is complicated because we don't all use the same lofts, shafts and clubhead types.
The lofts are for sure getting crazier and making it increasingly difficult to compare amateurs with each other, especially given lots of players don't upgrade clubs for a long period whether through cost or not seeing the need. Price of new clubs a key thing also I agree although was listening to a podcast recently saying they had an old Golf Digest from the early 1990's advertising a new TaylorMade driver for $499. That would be the equivalent of well over $1000 today which just seems incredible.
I hit my 7 iron about 145 yards. I am 67 and play to a 5 handicap from senior tees on the municipal courses I play. I keep the ball in play most of the time. My score is determined by how well I am driving the ball and chipping and putting. I work on my putting a lot but need to work on the other parts of my short game a little more. Driving the ball well consistently and 50 yards and in are vital to good scoring.
I'm 61 and play to a 4 handicap from the men's tees. I'm not moving up until I can't reach a 450 yd par 4 in 2. I see too many really good seniors playing the senior tees. Age doesn't pick my tee box. Some of those guys are hitting par 4s off the tee. That's not the way it's supposed to work. They never drove greens when they played the men's tees. Then they brag about their scores. Basically turning par 4s into par 3s. Do you know anyone like that?
@@jimmyReesby you'll eventually move up.
@@roberteslick3050 I told you when but I'm stubborn 🤷🏻♂️
@@jimmyReesby I judge it by the courses I play when I was younger. I have about the same club or a little more into most holes.
Bingo!
@Golfing Focus - I really enjoyed your video but I am confused. I am 63 yrs of age, an 18 handicap and I hit a 7-iron 160 yds (consistently). That may drop to 150yds but that’s during the winter here on the north coast of Northern Ireland. My ‘go-to’ Iron for 150 yds is always an 8-iron. I hit a 5-iron 180-185, again consistently, my PW (48degrees) 120 yds, my 50 degree gap wedge 100 yds and my 10.5 degree driver 265-285 but on occasion I can get close to 300 yds. My clubs are Red dot Ping G-410s and after a break from golf of over 35 years and having retired 5 years ago I enjoy my golf once or twice a week. I have no idea what my swing-speed is but it’s quite fast. My question is this, where am I going wrong?!! According to your video, I appear to be hitting the ball (Srixon AD333) too far!! 😜✌️☘️⛳️
10 years ago i hit my kzg 36* 7 iron 155 yds. Today, at 71 yo, i hit my ping g425 32* 7 iron 140 yds.
Ha,,that brings a smile to my face. nice to see that list confirms what everybody tells me,, You can't hit yet,your a long hitter.
I'm 63 and I'm an 8hc,
and I do hit my 7 iron 155 meters,,
my 5 iron 178 meters
Pitch 117meters.
that's my current winter distance.
Those definitely look like pretty good numbers Sam!
@@GolfingFocus I always thought that Pro's can hit a 7 iron 180y + because their clubs were different to what we buy and have fitted, but as I improved my swing and striking, I'm hitting long with out having to swing super fast.The only thing that is my down fall is my back,, if that's not free on the day,, I can't do the distances. Still, I love golf, even when I can't swing.the days when my shots are pure and my putting is on song, I finish even with the course, that keeps me coming back,. .love your work.. Cheers
@@samrad1745 many thanks and delighted you are finding the videos useful. Ball striking absolutely key as you say no matter your swingspeed and it’s importance often missed by amateurs. Video covering this topic coming up next week!
@@GolfingFocus looking forward it .. cheers
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 :)
I hit my 35* 7 iron 161-164. My handicap is 3.2 so it seems the data is reasonably accurate. The altitude I play at (3600 msl) no doubt help the carry by a few yards. My 7 iron spins 6200-6800 rpm and zips back 0.5-1 yard average on a receptive green.
How old are you? You can clearly play. But at over 10,000' above sea level that's going to add at least 10% I'd guess.
@@333pg333 Just to clarify for the other guy, 3600 msl means 3600 feet above mean sea level. So he's playing around 3600 feet not over 10,000 ft
@@briar1395 I'd never heard of mean sea level. I mean, sea level is sea level no? I'll take your word for the explanation though. I thought it must be metres above sea level. I do actually play a course that is just a couple of feet above sea level. No help with the thin air down there!
@@333pg333 Meters above sea level isn't a bad guess to be honest. Yeah I play at a mile high so I dont even know how far I would hit the ball at sea level anymore haha
Some information if you're interested:
MSL is an aviation term so I would bet the OP is a pilot. There are multiple ways to define "altitude" in aviation. Sea level actually changes during the day, aka the tides, and is actually different depending on where you are on earth (there are parts of the atlantic that are higher than the pacific due to unique tidal currents). So there is an average standard altitude that is defined as "sea level", aka 0 ft, so that altitudes can be measured consistently.
I shot 68 a week ago. I average about 150 with a 7. It’s not the distance you hit it. It’s how accurate you hit it. And a sold short game.
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 !
Thanks for sharing Kevin and delighted you found the video helpful. As you say getting good with your ball striking is absolutely key for both distance and control. Hope the injuries hold up ok also to let you keep playing a lot of golf!
My 7 iron only goes 125 but I have blades from the 90’s, maybe loft is different than today?
as mentioned, newer irons have stronger lofts. On my old Ping i20’s the 7 iron has 33 degrees of loft. I’m 70 now and typically carry my 7 150-155 yards. I typically shoot 87-92 scores so Im by no means a low handicap player.
I’m 68; 7 hc and carry my S58 to 140. I can muscle it to 155 but tend to pull it a good 20 degrees.
I tried a friend’s Xxio 7 iron at 27degrees with a 55g graphite shaft in R. I hit that thing 190!
I’m 5’7” (crap, I shrank a good 3 inches) and my buddy John who’s a few years younger hits his Titleist CB (35*) 160. But he stands 6’4”.
Fairways and Greens!
PenguinGolf
Thats a good distance on a 7
I'm more concerned about trajectory than distance. I hit a 7, 140-145 but my trajectory seems low. If I'm playing to a shallow green, I'm not hitting it high enough to hold the green. I'm sure my ball position is correct so that's not an issue.
In terms of age, I am proof that it is more of a factor if you also consider late life changes in health and fitness. I have a history of CAD and thyroid issues that caused me to shed 30 pounds over about a year, mostly muscle tissue.
This year, for the first time, I saw a 20 yard drop off in driver carry distance and that was sudden!
My iron set is traditionally lofted, so I see it there too. But my iron carry distance is more in line with the 50-59 age bracket ( I am 71).
I no longer carry any irons longer than a 6 iron, and the top three spots are all hybrids, because they are longer and the head/sole design of hybrid clubs make them much easier to hit well and get them airborne. So, loss of body mass, decline in my swing speed, and less physical strength can be countered with choosing different club designs.
Think you’re spot on with the choice of hybrids above the 6-iron Boyd. Think many of us miss out on some extra distance by biting the bullet and going for more hybrids!
I'm 66 and play of 9 with a swing speed of 87 MPH for driver yet all my stats line up with the 100 MPH swingspeed table eg: 110 Metres for PW (120 yards),140 M for 7 iron (153 yards) and all the rest are similar as I have a 10 Metre gap between my iron from PW up..
Driver is only 200/210 Metres but my short game is good.
I've been playing for 35 years and just before Covid hit here in 2020 I got down to my lowest handicap ever and was playing to six so age doesn't always determine loss of distance.
100% on the age point Corny. Are bigger determinants when it comes to distance than age and we talk about those in one of our newer videos if of any interest - ruclips.net/video/-P-lgkXFKps/видео.html. And wouldn't say your driver is ONLY 200-210 metres as that puts about average or above it which is a definite positive.
I’m a 20 handicapper at age of 70. At age of 45 same handicap. I don’t hit the driver 275 any more but some times 225-250
My sand 55 wedge - 95 yards max.
Gap wedge - 100 yards
PW - 115 - 120
9i - 125-135
8I- 145-155
7I- 150-160
6I- 160-165
5i- 170- 180
3w- 190-220
DW-200-250
I’ve determined that your short game makes the difference and playing more than once per week. Practice practice practice!
Practice, practice, practice is always a great strategy 👍
Great video.
Glad you enjoyed it!
I am 56 years old and I hit my 7 iron 168 yards, 8 iron 157 yards, 9 iron 140 yards, PW 130 yards, 52 deg 120 yards, 56 deg 110 yards and 60 deg, 100 yards... My problem is anything shorter than 100 yards is an issue, especially over water or sand traps as I cannot then pitch short of the green and roll....When I open the face on the 60deg lob wedge I sometimes hit it thin or thick.... I guess the remedy is practice, practice and more practice...
Sad to say the answer does always seem to be through spending hours on the practice fairway. Wish it wasn’t a lot of the time and there was a much easier way to improve! 😂
Hard to mix age + handicap for all.
However, for reference, I'm 62, HCP 14 and my average distance on a mild day is roughly (in yards) : P=110 / 9i = 120 / 8i = 130 / 7i = 140 / 6i = 150 / 5i = 160 / Driver = 210. In line with your table.
No question Marc the averages will not fit everyone and there will be plenty of outliers.
I'm 78 and play 1980s Spalding Tour Editions, the Greg Norman ones. The 7 iron is 138 degrees and about the same length as a modern 9 iron...so, you see loft creep over that time is about 2 clubs worth. No idea what my Swing Speed is, never had it measured, but I get 130 yards out of it. I don't like the much lighter graphite shafts, it feels like swinging a piece of damp cloud., no feel at all.
Awesome clubs! They were first ever proper set of irons and I still have them. Not sure I'm good enough to play them now though 👍
So true, my iron set is from 2008; my 7 iron has 34 degrees of loft; which would be considered an 8 iron in most sets, and a weak one at that. Sometimes even a 9 iron.
I play Titleist 718 AP2 Irons. These are 2018 vintage. 7 is 34°
Most "player's" clubs today are traditionally lofted with a 34° 7 iron. Anything outside of the "players" club lines, mainly the game improvement lines, will have 7 irons between 32 and 28 degrees, or even stronger depending on their target users.
Incidentally, the iron set I use, Wilson Staff FG-51, has a 7 iron that is 38 degrees which I really haven't seen anywhere else before
I hit my 7 iron 165, the thing is I hit the 6,5 and 4 all 150 yards lol
😂
My distance decreased significantly when I turned 75. I adjusted by a club or two.
22HCP, 49, in decent shape. PW:100-110, 9: 120ish, 8: 130, 7:140ish, 6: 150ish. 3W off the tee usually, with about 200 carry for a great strike.
I was around the same, but changed a few weeks ago to Titleist T400, they are so easy to hit. I went to lay up on a Par 3 of 185 yards protected by water, I hit a 6 Iron and ended up Pin high. Only reason I hit a 6Iron was I wasn’t feeling confident with my Hybrid and I am waiting for a 5Iron that’s on order. I also won the Competition. Wish I had switched to cavity backs earlier now.
I'm similar. 49, pretty good shape, 19.1 HC. I hit it farther but I play a players distance iron. 7i, loft 31°, carries 170 with a good strike. (10-12 yrd gap up and down from there.) Driver, TM M3 with 9.25° loft carries 260ish.
I really don't know why anyone worries about how far you can hit your irons. If you can hit your 7 iron 200 yards but your always in the shit or chipping onto the green your blowing chunks. Accuracy is everything. I'm 71 and very happy with my 240 drives and my 130 yard 7 iron as long as they go where they are supposed to.
Are the distances on the simulators accurate? Interested in getting a fitting but is it accurate? They seem to be inflated to me but I haven’t hit on them recently. I was thinking about Game Improvement irons to help with distances but not sure that will help or hurt.
The modern simulators are excellent and continuing to get better and better. You won't got far wrong with a fitting using one of the top brands and would highly recommend it. And would definitely recommend irons towards the game improvement end unless you are a good player and plan on practicing and playing a lot. A good club fitter will guide you though and is definitely worth a visit. If you are based in the US, Canada or UK you can find the best one nearest to you through our searchable list here - golfingfocus.com/best-places-to-get-fitted-for-golf-clubs-a-complete-guide/
Even in current models the same iron # can very a couple degrees across different sets even in the same brand
A 7 iron might be 34 degrees in one set and 30 degrees in another set all made in year 2021. Take the Taylor made p790 vs say a more player iron. If I remember the p790 #7 iron is like 29 degrees my ping 7 is 34 degrees both modem clubs
I never cared how my distances compared to others. My foursome nearly always plays 2 on 2 match play, best ball, and my usual partner is always 2 clubs under me in distance (ie, he'll hit a 9 where I'll hit a 7). All I really care about is consistency in my range so that I select the right club. Granted, being able to hit a higher loft club further has advantages on your approach, but unless I am wanting to actually compete, I'll never realize that disadvantage. The only place where it hurts me is on par 5 or long par 4. My fairway club is always shorter, so if I was playing my own ball, then that would make things more difficult once I get into approach range, because I will typically be further away than others. But overall, I don't care about iron distances compared to anyone else. I've actually long forgotten the standard expected distances for each club. I only know my distances. That being said, that doesn't apply to my driver... because who doesn't like smashing a long drive? :)
Knowing your own yardages the absolute key in all of this as you say. And if you know your ranges even better. Agree also it’s tough not to get dragged into comparisons when it comes to the driver!
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?
Definitely worth a try Carter and experimenting with different balls definitely something amateurs (including me!) should be doing more.
So at 60 years old, I'm still hitting my irons in the 20-29 year old distance range. I'll take it.
Sounds good to me 👍
I play with a set of Ping i 3s. I bought them new in 2003. I was a 7 but am hurt right now. My 7 standard shot with the usual draw is 155. I have hit new 2021 clubs and the 8 was an average close to 160. What matters is there being no major gaps between your clubs. Stick with 10 to 12 yards difference throughout the bag. My 5 wood is 200 to 215. My 3 wood 220 to 230, driver carry 235 to 250 . Your woods have a bigger gap because of spring off the face. This and $2.07 will get you a medium size coffee at Tim Hortons here in Canada
Gapping is so important as you say Chris and something which alot of amateurs, including me, don't consider often enough. One thing to bear in mind also when deciding on the best gapping for you is where you play most often.
This holds no water when any give club can be a different loft. 7iron Cobra 29 degrees vs titleist 31 degrees. Looking at just the number on the bottom of the club means little
I think the main take away is to just know what distances you hit with your clubs and having the ones you need to fill the gaps - regardless of the lofts. At least that is how I take it and what I focus on. I never ask anyone what they used on any one shot...but I get asked a lot since I might pull a hybrid for a 130 yard shot.
@@Alan_Edwards agree 100% 👍
Spot on Jerry.. Manufacturers have put such a focus on length that a pw is an old 9 iron, or 8.. why the need for so many additional wedges now.. also why some people are hitting pw 150-160 but not on TV lol. So many youtubers hitting that and longer but in a scramble still are only 3-4 under in 9... because they are not that good..