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Sometimes known as yardage charts, golf distance charts are a handy tool for any golfer hoping to improve their game. They show the average distance that can be hit with each club depending on which skill level is using it.
Golf is a science, composed of angles and power, meaning it’s easy to get lost in all the numbers. Which is why we have compiled all the numbers for you so that you can easily find the information you need.
Below you will find all the distance charts you will need depending on your age, gender, and your skill level. One thing to remember is that all of these charts show averages. As the saying goes, your mileage may vary!
Most good players develop their own distance chart to understand exactly how far each of their own clubs will travel.
Always remember, distance is only one aspect of golf. Plenty of long hitters can’t score well and many shorter hitters still play scratch golf despite their lack of distance.
Club
Beginner
Average
Good
Excellent
PGA Tour
Driver
190
220
250
280
296
3-wood
170
210
225
235
262
5-wood
150
195
205
220
248
Hybrid
145
180
190
210
242
2-iron
145
180
190
215
236
3-iron
135
170
180
205
228
4-iron
125
160
170
195
219
5-iron
120
155
165
185
209
6-iron
115
145
160
175
197
7-iron
105
140
150
165
185
8-iron
95
130
140
155
172
9-iron
80
115
125
145
159
Pitching Wedge
70
100
110
135
146
Gap Wedge
60
90
100
125
135
Sand Wedge
55
80
95
115
124
Lob Wedge
40
60
80
105
113
Here is a rough guide on how to figure out what your skill level is.
Beginner: Self explanatory, usually people who are within their first few months of playing
Average golfer: 16-24 handicap
Good golfer: 8-16 handicap
Excellent golfer: below 8 handicap
A ‘handicap’ is the number of strokes a player is expected to make over par.
When starting out golfing it can be a bit overwhelming. New golfers all start with different skills and natural talents or physical traits. For example, junior, women, and senior players may not be able to hit the ball as far as young adult men.
This chart gives you a good idea of the distances a beginning player could be hitting the ball, and it may help you choose what club to use if you aren’t sure.
Club
Beginner’s Distance (yards)
Driver
190
3-wood
170
5-wood
150
Hybrid
145
2-iron
145
3-iron
135
4-iron
125
5-iron
120
6-iron
115
7-iron
105
8-iron
95
9-iron
80
Pitching Wedge
70
Gap Wedge
60
Sand Wedge
55
Lob Wedge
40
Average Golfers
This chart shows the average distance for male golfers.
Club
Men’s Average Distance (yards)
Driver
220
3-wood
210
5-wood
195
Hybrid
145
2-iron
145
3-iron
135
4-iron
125
5-iron
120
6-iron
115
7-iron
105
8-iron
95
9-iron
80
Pitching Wedge
70
Gap Wedge
60
Sand Wedge
55
Lob Wedge
40
Female Golfers
Female golfers tend to hit shorter distances than male golfers, but don’t be disheartened by these numbers. It is shown that female golfers are more accurate than their male counterparts.
Golf is inclusive for all ages and there is no point in which you can’t improve. For comparison there are also the Professional Golfers’ Association (PGA) TOUR Champions averages.
Club
Senior’s Average Distance (yards)
PGA Tour Champions (yards)
Driver
196
279
3-wood
173
240
5-wood
164
227
Hybrid
160
222
2-iron
156
217
3-iron
151
209
4-iron
145
200
5-iron
138
191
6-iron
130
180
7-iron
123
169
8-iron
114
157
9-iron
105
146
Pitching Wedge
97
136
Gap Wedge
89
122
Sand Wedge
82
108
Lob Wedge
74
97
Swing Speed
The Trackman system or something similar is a great tool for tracking your swing speed. It is always good to track your speed as that is the main determiner of your distance.
This chart goes up to 150 mph but it is unlikely you will need those numbers. For reference the average swing speed in PGA Tour is around 115 mph.
All these distances are in yards.
Club
60 mph
70 mph
80 mph
90 mph
100 mph
110 mph
120 mph
130 mph
140 mph
150 mph
Driver (Total)
155
181
206
232
258
284
310
335
361
385
Driver (Carry)
146
170
195
219
243
268
292
316
340
365
3-wood
130
150
175
195
215
238
259
283
303
318
5-wood
125
145
165
185
205
225
245
265
285
305
Hybrid
120
140
160
180
200
220
240
260
280
300
2-iron
118
135
155
176
194
213
233
252
271
292
3-iron
115
130
150
170
188
207
226
245
265
284
4-iron
110
136
145
165
180
190
208
226
245
264
5-iron
105
120
138
155
170
185
198
215
228
247
6-iron
100
115
130
145
165
175
185
19
208
219
7-iron
95
105
120
135
155
165
175
185
195
210
8-iron
85
100
115
130
145
155
165
175
190
202
9-iron
80
90
105
120
130
145
160
175
186
197
Pitching Wedge
73
85
100
110
120
135
145
156
167
179
Ball Speed To Distance
This chart can be used to determine different driver ball speeds.
Ball Speed (mph)
110
120
130
140
150
160
170
180
190
200
Club Head Speed (Mph)
77
84
91
98
104
111
118
125
132
138
Driver Carry
181
198
241
231
247
263
280
296
313
329
Driver Swing Speed
As previously stated, swing speed is the main factor in how far your ball goes. The more speed you put into your swing the more power you will gather. If you’re looking to improve your overall game this chart is a good place to start.
Skill Level
Driver Distance (yards)
Swing Speed (mph)
Beginner
190
80
Average
220
94
Good
240
100
Excellent
265
110
PGA Tour Average
275
113
Women’s Average
180
77
LPGA Tour Average
218
94
Smash Factor
Smash factor is a relatively new golfing term but it can help immensely once you understand how to utilize it. The way you calculate it is by dividing your ball speed by your club speed.
The higher the smash factory the better the transfer of energy from your golf club. The ideal smash factor is 1.5.
Other Factors To Consider
As well as smash factor the loft of a golf club plays a part in how far you can hit a ball. The more loft a club has the less distance it will go. But what is loft? A loft is the angle created between the club face and the ground.
For comparison a driver will have a loft between 8 and 13 degrees. While a pitching wedge will have a loft from 45 degrees to 47.
You can calculate numbers all day but sometimes there are factors in play that you just can’t control, mainly weather. The optimal weather for a round of golf is a warm wind-less day. On a cold day your ball won’t go as far and wind can be both a benefit and a disadvantage.
While these are all useful tools they are not strict rules to follow. Remember to have fun!
My name is David Shelly and golf has been my passion since early childhood. For more than three decades now, I’ve been trying to make sense of this crazy game.
Golf is the greatest game ever played. I want to help more people experience its joys. Let's hit the links!
