Last Updated on February 3, 2024 by Matt Greene

For most of us, the 7 iron is the club we reach for when we need a confident, comfortable swing.

But what are the lofts, launch angles, distances and lengths of 7 irons in the modern golf bag?

Does your 7 iron meet the standards?

I've crunched the numbers for you. The average male golfer hits his 7 iron a total distance of 138 yards.

Why do you hit your 7 iron longer or shorter than 138 yards? Let's get into the reasons why and how to increase your accuracy and distance with a 7 iron.

What is a 7 Iron?

A 7 iron is a mid-iron golf club with a loft between 29-33 degrees. The 7 iron remains one of the easiest club to hit, and is the first club used in fittings and lessons with professionals to assess your swing.

The 7 iron's moderate length and medium loft makes it easy to hit airborne with decent distance for most golfers. 

What is a 7 iron used for?

A 7 iron is used for 6 main purposes:

1. Approach shots from 120-170 yards
2. Punch shots out of the trees
3. Chipping bump and run chips close to the ground
4. Fairway bunker shots
5. Assessing your swing at a lesson with a pro
6. Fitting your new iron set with a club fitter

Standard 7 iron length

The standard 7 iron length with a steel shaft is 37 inches while a 7 iron with a graphite shaft has a standard length of 37.5 inches. These 7 iron lengths work for golfers ranging in height from 5 foot 9 to 6 foot.  

How to hit a 7 iron

There are 7 keys to hitting a 7 iron well:

1. Start with a forgiving cavity back 7 iron - it is the easiest to hit style of iron head.
2. Play the ball between your front big toe and the middle of your stance.
3. 60% of your weight should be on your front leg.
4. Your hands should be ahead of the golf ball at address position.
5. You must hit down on the ball, not scooping it up.
6. Take a practice swing where you graze the grass lightly feeling the club bounce off the ground to get ready for the shot.
7. Try and leave a scuff mark the size of a dollar bill after the ball on your shot.

Ideal 7 iron launch angle numbers

Ideal 7 iron launch angle degrees range from 16 to 19 degrees for a fast swing speed to 17 to 21 degrees for a moderate swing speed. 

7 iron apex height explained

The apex height of a 7 iron is the maximum height the ball reaches above the ground. The ideal number will vary based on swing speed. 

The apex height will determine the angle of descent into the target. The angle of descent into the target is the angle the ball falls from the apex height into the target relative to the flat ground. 

Soften the apex height and angle of descent can negate the need for spin in order to stop the golf ball. If you combine a steeper angle of descent and higher apex height with a lot of backspin, that is when the ball rips back 20 feet or more for that cool back spin look. 

How far should a 7 iron go?

You may ask: How far should I hit my 7 iron? A 7 iron should go between 100 yards for a beginner and 200 yards for a professional on the PGA Tour. The average recreational golfers hits a 7 iron around 135 to 140 yards. The distance depends on the loft of the club and the swing speed. 

7 Iron Distance - Averages by Skill

• Beginner male golfers - 100 yards
• Male Mid handicappers - 135 yards
• Male Low handicappers - 165 yards
• PGA Tour Players - 172 yards

Average club head speed with a 7 iron

The average club head speed for a 7 iron for most male amateurs is 70 mph with a resulting carry of 135 yards.

The club head speed of your 7 iron depends on:

• Your strength levels
• Your swing mechanic efficiency
• The golf ball you use
• Your mobility
• The weight of the club in relation ot your swing characteristics
• The weight of the shaft
• The shaft material
• The type of head - cavity back, game improvement, blade

Matching 7 Iron Swing Speed to Shaft Flex

If you swing at 75 mph to 85 mph with a 7 iron, you will fit into a regular shaft most of the time seamlessly.

You can roughly match your swing speed to your shaft flex but always remember to check with a fitter because your transition and tempo may require a different shaft. 

7 Iron Distance Matched to Shaft Flex

The ideal smash factor for a 7 iron is 1.33 so we use 1.33 as a way to standardize all the numbers in the chart below. Remember that you will not hit every shot well and mor ethan likely will hit most shots with lower smash factor than 1.33. 

The chart shows rough estimates for distances matching to shaft flex with a 7 iron.

What swing speed with a 7 iron hits 150 yards?

A swing speed of 80 mph with a 7 iron will achieve 150 yards in distance. 

If you have a lower lofted 7 iron, your swing speed can be lower to hit 150 yards. If your loft is higher, you need more swing speed to hit 150 yards.

Average 7 iron Club Head Speed of PGA Tour Players

The PGA Tour players average club head speed with a 7 iron is 90 mph. That may not sound impressive but their priority is accuracy and consistent distances so there is no reason for them to smash the golf ball.

If they wanted to, PGA Tour pros could smash a 7 iron with 100 mph swing speed, but they don't need to. It doesn't serve any purpose for them because their swing is crafted to hit specific distances on command to hit the ball close to the hole, not as far as possible. 

PGA Tour professional male golfers hit their 7 iron 172 yards.

Professional ladies on the LPGA hit their 7 iron 141 yards.

Source: Trackman

7 iron distance averages on the PGA Tour

The average 7 iron distance on the PGA Tour is 172 yards of carry. Some PGA Tour pros average much higher like Rory McIlroy who hits his 7 iron 195 yards but the emphasis on the PGA Tour is to control consistent distances, not hitting long distances. 

Ideal trackman numbers for 7 iron

The ideal Trackman numbers for a 7 iron are:

• Attack Angle: -4.3°
• Smash factor: 1.33
• Launch angle: 16.3°
• Spin rate: 7,000 rpm
• Maximum Height: 32 yards
• Landing Angle: 50°

Source: Trackman

What happens hitting 105 mph ball speed with a 7 iron?

At 105 mph swing speed with a 7 iron, the ball will carry 215-220 yards depending on the smash factor of the shot. 105 mph with a 7 iron is very rare and mostly not necessary.

I tried to hit the ball as hard as I could with a 7 iron in this video on my Golf Sidekick Extras channel. 

I found that at 102 mph, the ball flies 207 yards, rolling out to 215 yards with a smash factor of 1.39. 

Ideal 7 iron back spin rates

The ideal 7 iron back spin rate for a fast swing is between 6,500 rpm and 7,000 rpm. Multiplying 1,000 by the number stamped on the bottom of the club can give you a rough guide to ideal spin, though most golfers produce 500-1,000 rpm lower than this calculation.  

7 Iron Ball Speed Chart

7 iron ball speed depends on swing speed, and smash factor. If you strike the ball well, the smash factor increases and so does ball speed. The opposite happens when you strike the ball poorly. 

The average swing speed of the average male golfer is 70 mph and ball speed of 95 mph, resulting in a carry of around 135 yards with a 7 iron.

7 iron bump and run guide

You can use a 7 iron to chip a golf ball close to the ground. Here's how:

1. I recommend that for every 1 yard of carry on a 7 iron bump and run, your ball will roll out 5 or 6 yards.
2. Judge if you can carry the ball onto the front of the green and have enough space between that spot and the pin to allow the ball to roll up. 
3. Read the break of the green because your ball will roll like a putt so it will take the break of the green. 
4. Narrow your golf stance and put more weight on your front leg.
5. Stand close to the golf ball in the same stance as a putt, raising the 7 iron more up on its toe. Yes, raise the handle like you're putting. 
6. Grip near the top of the grip - do not grip down. 
7. Pick a landing spot a few feet onto the green. The ball will roll out.
8. Use your putting stroke to chip the ball off the toe of the 7 iron onto your chosen spot. Imagine you are putting and be aggressive.

Here is a video on how to do the toe down chipping described above:

You need a lot of space between your landing spot on the green and the hole. Your ball will roll out. Use this video from my Youtube channel to understand roll out with the Rule of 12:

Final thoughts on the 7 iron

The 7 iron remains the favorite in the golf bag for millions including Tin Cup, Roy McAvoy.

He parred the back nine of a qualifying round for the US Open.

You can too if you learn from this article, and use your 7 iron to the maximum capacity as an all-round versatile golf club.

Last Updated on December 26, 2023 by Matt Greene

Launch monitor or home golf simulator reviews online are often written by people who know nothing about the product or how it works. Not this one. This review is thanks to three great subscribers of the Golf Sidekick Youtube channel.

We have three guys who all warn the same thing: You need more space than what FlightScope advertises.

Avid reviewers David, Eric and Brandon provide us with deep actual user insights in this FlightScope Mevo Plus review so you can decide if the Mevo+ meets your requirements and how it stacks up against other launch monitors. We'll take a look at how it works, how it's set up, whether the Mevo+ is accurate and how it compares to Skytrak and Trackman. We'll also look at some of the Mevo Plus problems and how to solve them.

First Impressions of the FlightScope Mevo Plus

Your purchase comes with:

1. FlightScope Mevo Plus unit
2. Power cord
3. Adjustment tool
4. Metallic dots for golf balls
5. Very well constructed carry case.

Eric mentions that the unit is very durable. It’s much harder material than similar priced products. Eric loves his Mevo Plus and says the company is great with updating the software and firmware. 

David felt the initial feeling when you look at the unit, is that you feel intimidation because it's a beautiful and high end piece of machinery but it's very easy to set up as long as you have enough space.

The following issue is easily fixed with enough space but Brandon adds something important: "My first impressions were not good. They advertise (still do) minimum space requirements that do not allow enough room to get accurate reads and I had maybe 6inches more room than the min. I had many issues with distance accuracy with faster ball speeds. It was really accurate when hitting shorter clubs (7i and down) but when I hit 5i or longer I could not hit any shot over 210yds. My driver carry is/was over 250yds."

FlightScope Mevo Plus Key Features

Multiple in-depth data points make the Mevo+ an attractive option for indoor simulation. Below is the list of every data point you can accurately capture.

A big benefit of using the FlightScope unit is that the company continues to update and upgrade the software so you always have improvements to the experience. This is a a big factor to consider so you have a long term usage of your hard earned money.

Mevo+ Data Parameters

Full Swing: Ball speed, club speed, smash factor, carry distance, launch angle, spin rate, apex height, flight time, angle of attack, spin loft, launch direction, spin axis, roll distance, total distance, lateral landing, shot dispersion, shot type

Chipping: Ball speed, club speed, smash factor, carry distance, launch angle, spin rate, height, flight time, angle of attack, spin loft, launch direction, spin axis, roll distance, total distance, lateral landing, shot dispersion

Putting: Launch speed, total distance, ball direction

Mevo vs Mevo Plus

Mevo vs Mevo Plus Similarities

• Both units can be used indoors and outdoors. 
• Both of the units has no subscription fees and can be used for free. 
• The Mevo and Mevo Plus are portable and not heavy.

Mevo vs Mevo Plus Differences

• The Mevo requires 4 to 7 feet of space behind the ball while the Mevo plus requires 8-9 feet minimum behind the ball. 
• Data numbers are more accurate with the Mevo Plus and rival some of the big name expensive units.
• The Mevo Plus is good for simulator use while the Mevo cannot be used with simulator software.
• Battery life is longer int he Mevo because the Mevo Plus has many more features and simulation mode.
• The Mevo Plus requires metallic stickers on the balls to read spin rates.

Mevo Cameras

Yes, Mevo+ has a built-in camera for sensor alignment and video capture. In the Awesome Golf coaching session the camera automatically records your swing. So we use it there to look at our swings. The new version of app allows you to have multiple cameras which really will help you if you have some swing changes to make.

FlightScope Mevo Plus Indoor Space Requirement

All 3 of our reviewers all said the same VERY IMPORTANT thing. 

You MUST have at least 18 feet of indoor space - 9 feet behind and 9 feet in front of the ball. 

All three reviewers agreed that at high ball speed, or with longer clubs, the date was less accurate. With only 16 feet of space, 5 iron is the longest club you could hit and get reliable information. 

Optimal Space Requirements for Mevo Plus 

For optimal results, you should have 9 feet between the sensor and the ball and ideally, you should have 13 feet of ball flight for a total of 22 feet especially if you intend to hit long irons through driver.

If you want to hit driver with the Mevo+ you need a minimum 10 feet high ceilings. Eric confirms that his ceilings are only 8 feet so he can hit up to 6 iron. This is vital information so that you are not disappointed. The width of the room should be enough to contain your swing, which will be unique to you, but 14 feet is enough. 

What if you don't have 18 feet? Mevo Plus Driver Issues

Any less space than the minimum 18 feet and your Mevo plus will not provide accurate information particularly using a driver or with higher swing speeds. Your driver distances could be out by up to 40 yards.

Eric confirms that he tried the Mevo+ from 5, 6, and 7 feet behind his golf ball and it did not perform as well. Brandon actually did not have enough space and had to remodel the room despite having the exact minimum 16 feet that FlightScope recommends. He firmly recommends 18 feet minimum.

The FlightScope Mevo+ works well as a Simulator

Yes you can use the Mevo+ as a golf simulator. There are some limitations but overall, it's a reliable indoor simulator with many options for software and golf course options. The flight dynamics form the tee and fairway work very well and accurately.

E6 Connect, Awesome Golf, The Golf Club 2019 and GSPro simulation & training software are the most popular software to use in simulation. You can send the images to a computer, iPad Pro, iPad Pro and TV combo or to a computer and projector combo onto a hitting screen. 

Awesome Golf

Awesome Golf is better for range practice and  swing work. David says 'I also play their courses because they have different tees and I’m not hitting a driver so I hit from shorter tees. I practiced the way of the playa when I played. When I was 220-185 our I hit an approach that got me to 100 yards.' I’m looking closely at GSPro for simulator work. I need a gaming PC for this and don’t have. Putting for me was a challenge, so I had set to autoputt.

GSPro

GSPro is the most popular among all of us and the three reviewers all agree that GSPro is the best for simulation. You do need a gaming PC for this though. 

E6 Connect

E6 Connect comes with the Mevo+ for free and there are 5 free courses to play already on the unit.

The courses included on the unit are:

• Stone Canyon
• Sanctuary
• Wade Hampton
• Aviara
• The Belfry

These are free and you can upgrade your subscription to include many more golf courses. You will need either a high power PC for gaming or newer Apple device for this to work as intended and that means having the Apple Watch 5 or the iPhone 8 or later. It is some of the best software around though.

Limitations of the Mevo+ as a Simulator

The limitations are minor and are by no means deal breakers at all.

• Some short chips are difficult to get it to read.
• Everything is a flat lie, so your scores are in no way reflective in real life.
• The flight dynamics off the tee and fairway work well.
• If you’re in the rough, sand, and other playing areas, you're still hitting off the flat mat. 
• The putting feature is basically useless. Putting cannot be replicated indoors. You can however set putting to autoputt. No one should really be buying a simulator for putting!

Top Secret Tips for Optimal Mevo+ Experience

• Mevo+ uses your WiFi connection to communicate, so if you want connect to the internet to play games you need to find a way to establish ANOTHER WiFi connection. Brandon: I went the route of getting an adapter that I could plug into an iPad that allowed me to hardwire into the internet.
• It helps if you turn on the Mevo+ in the right connection so you can change weather conditions. I was using it in winter and if FS Golf connects to WiFi first it will take the temperature in your area. I did not want a 5 degree temperature. To do it correctly you connect you unit to your iPad first and then connect to open FS Golf.

How accurate is the Mevo Plus?

We tested the Mevo Plus vs the GC Quad. Keep in mind the Mevo Plus is about 15% of the price of the GC Quad! The Mevo Plus an accurate machine.

FlightScope App can suit your needs

The FlightScope app is perfect for taking the unit to the range and it now has a swing speed session option. It keeps and displays all data in many different arrangements. FS Golf also keeps data on each session.

David adds that "I really like the app. I thinks it's accurate and you can also set parameters you want to work on. It even has a chipping area for indoor. I used this to get my chipping to improve. I have distances for each club with a 10 and 20 yard carry."

Eric thinks "this app works well for my needs. It has four parts; Full swing, Chipping, Putting, and Swing Training. I only use the full swing because the other three seem less valuable to me.  Also, its fun to play the five free courses provided with the E6 Connect app. No membership required!"

Mevo+ Indoors

As long as the unit has enough space to pick up the ball indoors, it is very accurate and can help you with your shot distance estimation and function as a fun and accurate simulator. Here is a chart showing the comparison over 5 shots between the GC Quad and the Mevo+.

The FlightScope Mevo+ is within less than 3 yards of a machine 6 times its price. The difference in readings between this $2,000 unit and a $15,000 machine is minimal. It is a Doppler unit so excessive metal, lighting, or ceiling fans can mess of the readings but more on that below.

Metallic Stickers or Titleist RCT for Indoors

Metallic stickers are needed in an indoor environment in order for the Mevo to accurately measure ball spin. 

A great tip from Brandon is that you can use Titleist RCT Pro V1 golf balls which are made to be picked up by radar. RCT stands for Radio Capture Technology and it's a game changer so you can have great quality reliable golf balls indoors while you play your favorite course. 

How the Mevo Plus Works

You should take care to cover reflective surfaces and avoid excessive lighting to get optimal use of your unit.

According to the FlightScope website: 

"Mevo+ is a low power Doppler radar using phased antenna array technology to detect and track golf ball launch and flight.

It measures the speed of the ball, as well as the position of the ball as it progresses along its flight path. 

Sophisticated mathematical estimators are used to track the ball even under adverse conditions, using the physics of ball flight to overcome random noise and fading conditions experienced in the real world. 

The phased array technology also picks up tiny variations in the Doppler signals caused by the spinning motion of the ball, enabling direct measurement of the ball spin rate."

The Mevo Plus requires either metallic stickers or the Titleist Pro V1 RCT golf balls to detect the balls indoors. 

FlightScope Mevo+ Outdoors

Eric and David report that the Mevo Plus works flawlessly outside on the driving range and is highly accurate. There's even a setting to account for using limited flight range balls. You just set up the unit behind you and select the 'outdoor' setting and start hitting. 

You do not need the silver dots outdoors. You need them for indoor use only. 

"As far as I am concerned, outdoors, there is no difference between the Trackman and the Mevo+ because they are both doppler technology - the Trackman is just bigger and more expensive" is what Eric tells me and after experimenting with the two units, I find this is true. The difference is minimal and who knows which is actually the more 'accurate' one? 

Eric also suggest that if you’re only planning on using this outdoors then this is where this unit shines. Photo units like in Skytrak are affected by excessive sunlight. This Mevo Plus unit doesn’t have that issue because it’s Doppler based. 

Because there is unlimited space to track the ball, the data is actually more accurate than indoors. You have unlimited space so you can definitely put the unit the recommended 8-9 feet behind the golf ball. Just be sure no one stands on it! 

FlightScope Mevo Plus Battery Life

Brandon says "Playing on the range (away from a power source) I can spend about 2hrs before it starts getting low." 

How to Set Up a Mevo+ to Use as a Simulator

The Mevo+ is a bit more involved than the Skytrak. You will need to play around with angles, distances and settings until you get the thing dialed. This is part of the fun though.  is a must. Your environment that you will be using the unit in is unique so while the setups below can help you get an idea of how to set up your unit, you MUST optimize it yourself.

That is a very simple process as the unit is easy to manoeuvre. As mentioned multiple times, just be sure to have enough space behind and in front of the ball. 

• Mevo+ uses your WiFi connection to communicate, so if you want connect to the internet to play games you need to find a way to establish another WiFi connection. I went the route of getting an adaper that I could plug into my IPAD that allowed me to hardwire into the internet
• It helps if you turn on the Mevo+ in the right connection so you can change weather conditions. I was using in winter and if FS Golf connects to WiFi first it will take the temperature in your area. I did not want a 5 degree temperature. To do it correctly you connect you unit to your IPAD first and then open FS Gol

Example Mevo Plus Setups

Mevo Plus Man Cave Setup - Brandon

Brandon chose to create the ultimate Mevo plus setup in his home where he can watch the ball on screen like he is on a golf course. This will require some computing power and a projector to send the picture onto the screen.

Mevo Plus and Hitting Screen

1. Monitor to tee and 10ft from tee to screen
2. Indoor golf screen (10x10)
3. Gaming CPU Computer
4. Hitting mat
5. Custom platform I built myself
6. I also bought the Titleist Pro V1 RCT balls

These allow you to not have to worry about the metallic stickers and works great!

Mevo Plus Barn Setup - Eric

Eric uses a hitting mat and basic net with a FlightScope Mevo Plus. This is a simple set up that will not require intense Gaming CPU for the simulator projector. You use the iPad Pro.

If you would like the full projector experience, you will need a high spec CPU gaming computer and a projector onto a specifically designed hitting screen. 

Mevo with iPad Pro and TV Setup

1. iPad Pro 
2. HDMI lightning adapter for iPad 
3. HDMI cable
4. 50 inch TV
5. Hitting net

You can use an iPad like in this picture to send the information from the Mevo Plus to the iPad. You need an adaptor  and then plug the iPad into a larger television, like you see in the golf fitting stores. 

Mevo+ with iPad Pro E6 Connect and Awesome Golf Setup - David

1. iPad Pro
2. E6 Connect and Awesome Golf for simulator and games
3. Hitting mat
4. Sporina net

David says about his hitting net, "I’m changing the Sporina because if I want to putt the Sporina net has a floor on it so I can’t putt far enough."

Bob's Perfect Mevo Plus Simulator Build

Bob put about $9,000 into this setup but tells me you could do this for a lot less. He just enjoyed the process. 

He highly recommends more than the 9.5 feet he has to the ceilings. 10 feet or higher is the best for the simulator to allow for a driver to not hit the ceiling. 

Bob: I’m a lefty so the Mevo + made sense because it sits in behind the tee rather than to one side. I needed 8ft for radar to the tee and at least 9ft tee to screen

How to make a perfect Mevo+ Setup

• Flightscope Mevo+
• E6 software
• GSPro software
• Forward Design fixed dock for Mevo +
• Homecourse Pro 180 retractable golf screen
• Optima EH412ST projector
• PCMD projector ceiling mount
• Gigabyte G5 gaming laptop
• LED Pinspot stage light
• Acoustic foam 2.5” egg crate tiles
• Moneyputt putting turf with CCE hitting strip
• Black patio curtain on right
• White Amazon golf net on left

Projector - $500 up to $4k for high end 4k picture.  Mine is a $1k short throw ceiling mount capable of 4:3 aspect ratio.  The garage size dictated a 4:3 picture. I’m very happy with the picture.

Screen - Retractable screen is wireless with a remote and is rechargeable. Rolls out in about 30 seconds. Pricy at $2,200.  I could have gone on Amazon and got a manual retractable roller (kind of the ones for window blinds) and bought a much cheaper screen and did it DYI.

Computer - Gaming Windows laptop for $1,100.  A desktop pc would have better graphics.  With Mevo +, you can display on an Ipad Pro however some third party software only works with either Windows or IOS.

Hitting strips or mat - Get the best you can afford. Read the comments about some strips causing elbow pains and plan accordingly.

Basic Software - with Mevo + you get FlightScope FS software. It has about 27 golf courses with partner E6 and multiple practice ranges. You get all the data points you need. iOS and PC.

Third party software - Subjective and pricing is highly variable from outright purchase to annual subscriptions. I chose E6 and GSPro. GSPro has over 100 courses created by volunteer programmers. Courses are reproductions of actual courses. E6 and GSPro are under $300 annual subscription for each. I will drop E6 and keep GSPro when it comes time to renew. 

What I would redo - You can build a basic sim for under $4k easily.  Buy a Mevo +, hit into a good quality net, use the supplied software (FS) and project on an iPad Pro. Go even cheaper with used equipment. 

Experience - Playing a course with friends is great fun.  A foursome is my limit, strictly due to garage space for chairs.  There are online tournaments available and some software is family oriented with lots of fun games for young golfers.

FAQs

What Are Some FlightScope Mevo Plus Problems?

There are only a few problems we experienced with the Mevo Plus, some of them preventable from reading this review and some you can rectify with FlightScope.

Cons

1. The minimum recommended space required is not 16 feet but rather 18 feet or more with the ideal being about 22 feet. 8-9 feet behind the ball will be optimal.
2. If you put the Mevo Plus 7, 6 or 5 feet from the golf ball, it will not be able to pick up the higher speed clubs and drivers, miscalculating the distance by up to 40 yards. Make sure you use enough distance.
3. Sometimes the unit has trouble picking up slower speed shots like chips but you can contact FlightScope who have great customer service.'
4. The doppler radar tech can be problematic if there are reflective surfaces in your room you will use and also if the lighting is not correct. Dim artificial light is better indoors.
5. You might find the unit has a tough time reading putts. I prefer to use it on autoputt, but if you do experience some trouble, FlightScope is very helpful if there are any issues in your satisfaction.

Mevo Plus iPad Requirements

For Apple iPad and iPhone, you need to have iOS 13 or later. Bluetooth LE 4.0 - supports UART/Serial Port Emulation service with RX and TX characteristics.

Mevo+  works with any iPad made after 2017.

All FlightScope Mevo+ data measurements will forever be available for free with no subscription fee Myflightscope.com is the online cloud where you can view, keep, and review every practice session. You can store three videos per month with no charge. If you want to store more videos in a month, more storage can be bought for a fee.

Final Thoughts

Overall the Mevo Plus seems like a great deal for only $2000 but the thing that will define your experience will be your setup. If you're on a budget, do you want to hit into a net or into a screen?

If you choose a net, are you going to look at your iPad or a large TV screen? What is important to you? Do you want it to look really fancy in your mancave or do you just want it pure and simple as a training aid and way to keep up to date in the winter?

Playing into a screen will require more setup costs and more intricate planning. But it definitely will look very pretty.

In the end, identify WHY you want one, and then adjust your expectations accordingly. Two things are for sure though with the Mevo plus: It's ACCURATE and YOU NEED TO HAVE ENOUGH SPACE! 

Get that 18-23 feet ready!

Last Updated on January 13, 2024 by Matt Greene

A rescue club is now commonly known as a hybrid or utility golf club but the name 'rescue' comes from the very first version of a 'hybrid' which was produced by TaylorMade in 1999 and reintroduced in 2003. That first hybrid club model was branded TaylorMade Firesole "Rescue" in 1999.

The Rescue from TaylorMade was often used by golfers to get out of tricky situations on the golf course, such as punch shots out of deep rough or shots under trees. They also gave you a safe option off the tee, rescuing you from your driver and shots out of bounds.

Over the years, manufacturers realized the rescue club could be rebranded to a 'hybrid' and has been prescribed to replace 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 irons irons because the hybrid is just that much easier to hit than the irons. A hybrid design is a combination of an iron and a fairway wood and that is how it got its new name: a Hybrid of a fairway wood and an iron. 

What makes rescue clubs different to irons?

Rescue clubs go higher

Rescues launch the ball into the air with a higher trajectory than irons of the same or similar loft.

This is because hybrids have a lower centre of gravity (CoG). In classic irons like blades, the center of gravity of the club face is positioned right in the centre of the club meaning only the purest strikes will get golf ball airborne.

Rescue clubs place the center of gravity lower and further back in the club head. By doing this, a rescue club can send the ball higher with a less than perfect strike and with slower swing speed. This has made rescues clubs very popular with new golfers, high handicappers and moderate swing speed golfers.

Rescue clubs perform well from the rough

Due to the size of the head of rescue club, it has a much wider sole so it can cut through rough and long grass much easier than an iron. 

The rescue hybrid glides through long grass, almost repelling the grass form the club head. When you hit an iron in the long grass, the sharp edges of the club allow the grass to tangle up the golf club, causing fluffed shots.

Rescue club are more forgiving

The head design of a hybrid with lower center of gravity make it very forgiving on off center strikes. The club face on hybrids feels "hotter" than the small face of an iron and you can really feel the ball boom off the face, when you make even semi decent contact.

Hybrids also have shorter shafts than equivalent lofted fairway woods which gives you the perfect combination of iron control and wood distance.

Who Makes Rescue Golf Clubs?

Nearly all of the major golf manufacturers make hybrid rescue golf clubs and they offer a variety of different models to suit golfers of different skill levels.

TaylorMade rescue clubs were some of the first to be produced and they are famous for making this style of club - their first model was actually called a Rescue. Other companies like Adams Golf, Cleveland, Ping and Callaway have become as famous for the quality and performance of their rescue clubs.

What Clubs Do Rescues Replace?

• 2 iron -  2 hybrid
• 3 iron - 3 hybrid
• 4 iron - 4 hybrid
• 5 iron - 5 hybrid

Rescue or hybrids replace an iron of similar loft in many golfers bags. Many sets of irons now start with a 5 iron as the lowest lofted club and golfers will cover the distance gap in the bag between their top iron up to their fairway wood with one or two rescue or hybrid clubs.

Rescue club loft chart

Here are the lofts of rescue and hybrid golf clubs.

Rescue club distance

You may find the a hybrid rescue club will carry longer than the iron it is replacing especially if your driver swing is 95mph or lower. If your swing is over 100 mph with the driver, and you are good at hitting irons, you will notice similar distances.

While the loft will be similar in a hybrid, you should expect the ball flight to be higher because of the lower center of gravity. Depending on your swing and the model of hybrid you have, you will see either a soft landing if you have high spin and high trajectory, or a longer roll out if you hit low spin shots.

In my experience, I find rescue clubs have hot spots on the club face which causes the ball to occasionally fly MUCH further than expected. My swing speed with a driver is 115mph but this type of issue is less prevalent below 95 mph.

Why Use Rescue Golf Clubs?

• More forgiving and more accurate than fairway woods
• Easier to launch than long irons
• More versatility from poor lies like longer grass and sand

The versatility of a rescue, utility or hybrid might help you become more consistent in your game and lower your scores because long approaches and tight tee shots become much easier than with long irons or your driver.

You might be like me, and find your driver just does not want to work for you. It's as if the driver loses interest in you and exists to destroy you. A hybrid is an excellent go-to option from the tee and the irony is that the well struck hybrid might actually go longer than a badly struck driver.

If you're in the long grass a lot, you know how difficult it is to get the ball out of the tangled mess. Hybrid rescue clubs make it so much easier by working hard for you to make contact with the ball instead of hacking out nests of long weeds.

Final thoughts: Should You Buy a Rescue?

Yes, most amateur golfers will benefit from playing one or more hybrid or rescue golf clubs.

These clubs are easier to hit than irons by combining the best of fairway woods and mid irons, and make playing golf more fun. There are loads of different models, lofts and other options to choose from to create the perfect rescue club for you. Find the right one and you will see a massive difference in your game! 

Last Updated on December 26, 2023 by Matt Greene

Every golfer will shank the golf ball with their irons. But there is a big difference between the odd hosel rocket and getting a full blown case of the dreaded shanks.

Standing over the ball on the golf course, knowing it is going to go at a 90 degree angle to where you are aiming is enough to put anyone off the game.

The problem is, many golfers have no idea why they are shanking their irons or how to fix this issue. In this article I and going to answer the question, why do I shank my irons and identify different ways to cure the shanks.

What Is A Shank In Golf?

A shank is when a golfer hits the golf ball with the hosel of the club instead of the club face. By not making contact with the face, the ball usually goes right for a right handed golfer.

The problem with shanking a golf ball is that it seems to creep into your game and you are diagnosed with a “case of the shanks.” Hitting a shank is one of the worst shots you can hit, and most golfers will try pretty much anything to cure the shanks.

Are golf shanks mental?

Shanking your irons, is in my experience, mostly a mental issue. I played with a guy (we'll call him Chris, because that's his name) and he told me that he would start shanking the ball after playing 3 round with me. Guess what, after 3 rounds he just could not stop shanking irons all over the place. I was worried I would start shanking the ball, it was that bad.

The point here is, it was a self fulfilling prophecy. In his mind, the shanks were inevitable, and his body made it a reality. I'm sorry to say, Chris has given up golf, as he just couldn't get the shanks out of his golf game. Don't be Chris!

What Causes A Shank In Golf?

Here are some of the common technical faults which can result in a shanked golf shot.

Distance from the golf ball at address

It's often said that if you stand too close to golf ball at address, you're encouraging a shank. PGA Tour Player Ian Poulter is famous for not standing that far away from the ball and he has ben known to shank a golf shot. Sure, not as often as an average golfer, but it seems there is a correlation between his stance and his golf shank quantity.

If you stand really close to the ball, it is easier to open the clubface too much, creating a shank.

If you stand too far away from the ball, you are reaching to try and compensate which leads to being unbalanced and to a shank. Your hands will also be in an awkward position.

Weight On Feet Not Neutral

Lack of balance in your golf swing can stop your from getting into the right position at impact and cause you to hit the ball with the hosel of the club.

It is important to keep your weight back towards your heels while you swing. If you're on your toes and leaning too far forward it can cause problems. Offset golf clubs can present the hosel easier than a blade iron too. 

Swing Path

The common way to hit the golf ball is with a swing path that goes from inside to out of the ball-to-target line. This will usually produce as draw shot, but it's something that most average golfers find difficult to do.

Most golfers mistakenly exaggerate swing path on the inside of the takeaway. In order to get the club back on a swing path to make contact with the golf ball, they have to come over the top of it, creating an outside swing path.

This can be a recipe for a golf swing that creates more shanks!

Golf Club Grip Pressure

Another reason that players shank the ball is due to their grip pressure. Some golfers grip the club too lightly causing the club to move while they swing.

Doing this makes it much harder to make proper contact with the ball.

One way to check if your grip is tight enough is to put some grass between the butt of the club and padding of your left hand. Also put it on top of your left thumb.

The grass should remain there throughout the swing. If it falls down then you know your grip is too loose.

Does swaying cause shanks?

Yes. A shank can also be caused by swaying in your lower body during the downswing. This happens during your swing when you get out of sync with your shoulder turn, usually when you're trying to smash the golf ball.

This slide mean your hands can get ahead of you as your knees bend, presenting the hosel of the golf club to ball. Swaying will also result in an inconsistent swing path and spine angle.

Why am I shanking my long irons?

Many golfers have issues shanking their long irons. These clubs are difficult to hit well at the best of times, and all of the reasons for a shank outlined above are even more of a problem with long irons.

With long irons, golfers can struggle with a consistent ball position which causes them to either reach for the ball, or get cramped at impact. I would recommend that if your shank your long irons regularly, try switching to a hybrid or fairway wood as it's nearly impossible to shank these clubs.

How To Never Shank a Golf Ball Again

Here are a few tips to stop shanking the ball with your irons on the golf course.

• Line up your club's neck/hosel up with the ball at address.
• During your downswing, try and make contact with the toe of the iron club.
• At impact keep your hands closer to your body.
• If you're hitting it near the toe, you have no chance of shanking since it is so far away from the hosel.
• Keep your weight on your heels during your swing.

Conclusion

Having a bad case of the shanks is enough to make you want to quit the game of golf forever. But please don't give up! There are a few things you can do, from an anti shank pre shot routine to something more out there link mindful mediation to cure the shanks!

Last Updated on January 9, 2024 by Matt Greene

How far should you hit the ball?

How do you compare to others?

It's always good to know that age, gender, and skillset are the biggest differentiators so you don't make unrealistic comparisons.

I did so much research on this article to bring you the most up to date information to help you quickly skim the tables and charts about golf distance.

My golf distance charts show the key elements that influence how far you can hit each golf club: 

1. Swing speed
2. Ball speed
3. Smash factor
4. Quality and optimization of equipment

These factors are all heavily influenced by your physiology, skill, age and strength or flexibility levels. Very often, you can optimize each area, with some training or coaching or both.

Golf Club Distance Chart by Swing Speed

Swing speed is a major determining factor the golf club distances. It is not the only factor but if 100 people strike the ball the same, the fastest swings will carry the ball further.

• Most golfers are around 90 mph driver swing speed. 
• The average swing speed on the PGA Tour is around 114 mph. 
• 150 mph is the top range and only long drive competitors will be swinging toward this range.

NOTE: The swing speed at the top of each column is driver swing speed. We use this as a general gauge to estimate the distance of each club thereafter.

How do I swing the club faster?

You've compared yourself to the numbers in the chart but you want to hit it longer. Almost everyone does and there are 3 ways to swing the club faster:

• Get lessons on proper mechanics with a professional swing coach. They will utilize all your physiological elements and limitations to the maximum, as well as help you hit the ball in the center of the club face. You can add as much as 10 mph to your driver swing speed with correct technique.
• Get stronger and more mobile in the gym. Strength training plus mobility work with a trainer will increase your swing speed guaranteed. You will have a wider range of motion in your muscles and your strength will 100% translate into more speed. You can add 10-20mph to your swing depending on how advanced your strength and mobility currently is.
• Get lighter golf equipment fitted to your swing. Lighter shafts can help increase your swing speed 2-5 mph.

These are the only ways to improve swing speed but the MOST important factor is the coaching and practice so that you can HIT THE SWEET SPOT of the golf club. 

The center strike means you send as much energy into the ball as possible and we measure how well you hit the ball using the Smash Factor.

What is Smash Factor?

Ideal Smash Factor for every club

The PGA Tour golfers are the best in the world so we can use their averages to assume the best smash factors in the world. If you can attain these smash factor numbers as stated by Trackman, you are striking the ball as good as you possibly can.

Note how the smash factor decreases as the loft increases.

Skill level affects smash factor 

Distance is affected by the swing speed but MAINLY the quality of the strike related to that swing speed.

In other words, how close to the center of the club face you hit the ball will determine how your swing speed power is transferred into the golf ball.

If you employ a swing coach, they will assist you in hitting the ball in the middle of the face, or closer to the middle.

That will take your existing swing speed and optimize it by being more efficient with where you hit the ball on the club. 

The measurement we use for the quality of your strike is called Smash Factor.

Equipment affects swing speed and smash factor

The pros on tour have optimized equipment to their specific technique and skill level as well as body shape and strength.

The same swing speed in a PGA Tour pro will send the ball much further than an amateur golfer of higher handicap who has a similar swing speed.

The PGA Tour players technique is perfect so if you and a Tour pro hit the ball the same, the pro would still hit the ball further because their equipment has been customized to their exact swing.  

A fitting can help to optimize your strength and swing for more distance.

Average Golf Club Distance For Male Golfers By Skill Level

From 'Good Golfer' onward, the 2 iron down to 5 iron should improve as confidence and technique improve, thus bringing more swing speed. 

Beginner Golfer: New to the game - first 6-12 months.

Average Golfer: 15-24 handicap.

Good Golfer: 6-14 handicap.

Excellent Golfer: Below 6 handicap.

Swing speed charts by age and gender

Swing speed is a vital factor in determining the distance you hit the ball.

The swing speed, with a strike near the middle of the club face makes the ball go further.

A poor strike with high swing speed will go less distance. 

A pro golfer swinging at the same speed as an amateur gets wildly different distance numbers because they hit the ball in the center of the face often. 

Therefore, if you want to improve your distance with the same swing speed, you can work on improving your strike closer to the middle of the face.

Average swing speed by age and gender chart

In this chart we show the 50th percentile driver swing speed for each gender and age range according to the research done by TPI.

Is a 250 yard drive good?

Yes it is very good.  According to Arccos and Shotscope, between 15% and 31% of golfers hit 250 yards or more.

Here is a video of me breaking it down.

Ball Speed To Club Head Speed Chart for Driver

The ball speed off the driver face is dependent on the strike.

If your strike or Smash Factor is good, you will hit the ball further with your swing speed than the same speed with a bad strike.

Below, we take the club head speed and use a Smash Factor of around 1.42 which is 0.08 away from a perfect strike.

What swing speed hits 250 yard drives?

A swing speed of around 105 mph with the driver, and ball speed of around 150 mph  will produce a 250 yard drive.

Ball Speed To Club Head Speed for 7 iron

A 7 iron optimal smash factor is 1.33. That is the PGA Tour average. Remember for the driver it is 1.50

The ball speed off the 7 iron is determined by the swing speed and smash factor.

As the clubs get shorter, the ideal smash factor actually changes.

What distance will you get from a 7 iron at every speed of swing?

What swing speed hits the 7 iron 150 yards?

A swing speed of around 76 mph with the 7 iron, ball speed of around 105 mph and dynamic loft of 21°  will produce a 150 yard carry shot.

Golf Club Distance Charts Other Important Factors

Loft

Every club has a different loft and more loft goes less distance, while less loft goes longer distance in combination with longer golf shafts. 

Driver usually goes furthest while the lob wedge around 60 degrees goes the shortest. 

The golf clubs of today go a lot further since the manufacturers started creating cavity back golf clubs in combination with lower lofts for the same clubs. 

Every club is between 2 and 5 degrees lower in loft in the current day, which automatically increases distance by up to 15 yards per iron compared to prior times. Driver lofts cannot get much lower as people will not be able to hit them. In order to hit a driver with a loft below 9 degrees, your swing speed needs to be incredibly fast. 

An important factor to note for slower swing speeds, is that a higher lofted fairway wood or higher lofted driver can actually GAIN you distance because low lofted clubs are harder to launch at slower swings. Most golfers should be playing fairway woods with a loft that does not go below 16 or 17 degrees. 

The club heads are bigger for all golf clubs in modern times with much larger sweet spots. With the addition of lighter shafts in both the irons and the woods, the ball speeds and swing speeds are higher as well. Check out our article on the flex of shafts in the current game. 

Golf Club Distance Charts of PGA Tour Golfers

Why are modern golfers longer than prior generations?

Physical fitness

Most modern pros are in the gym multiple times per week and in the physio offices often. In prior generations during the Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus days, the pros were regular people who even used to enjoy a smoke and a drink on the course. 

Bryson Dechambeau is an example of someone who bulked up in order to hit it further and it made a big difference. The side effects of that can be disputed as he has slimmed down again.

Tiger Woods was one of the first modern day pros to begin working in the gym. His huge transformation to a big, strong guy inspired a whole new generation of golfers and now most up and coming pros are hitting the ball longer than even this generation of pros.

Club advancements

Lofts have changed and the lower lofts in irons will change how far the ball appears to go with the same 'number' iron.

A 7 iron from the 80s may have had 40° of loft while a current 7 iron can have as low as 28° of loft. That 12 degree difference makes a 20-30 yard difference in distance. 

The other important factor especially with the woods and drivers, is the materials of the clubs. The drivers now are lightweight titanium and carbon, with graphite shafts, optimized for huge distance.

That alone makes an astonishing difference when we compare to the old persimmon wooden clubs and heavy steel shafts.

Golf Ball

The golf ball changed a lot with the release of the Pro V1. Golf balls just went further than ever before. 

They spin less, they go straighter and they have advanced to a point that the ruling authorities of golf want to make them go shorter to preserve the golf courses.

If the pros hit the ball too long, they need to extend the golf courses, and there is a lkmited amount fo land available. 

The balata golf ball is significantly shorter than the current urethane covered solid core golf balls they use today on the Tour. 

Conclusion

You can compare how you shape up against the average golfer, the senior golfer, the pro golfer and the advanced golfer. 

The key though is to understand your own game and your distances so you can more effectively plan your game and piece together a good golf score. When you fully understand and accept your distances that you hit the golf ball, you will score better.

For the pros and the advanced players, the distance they hit each club is not a matter of ego. It's a matter of 'which club gets the job done?' and they use that.

You can too, whichever distance you hit it.

Last Updated on December 26, 2023 by Matt Greene

A lot of golfers struggle to hit either their irons or their driver - rarely BOTH. But they are both golf clubs, so what is the big difference between a driver swing vs iron swing?

The core difference between the driver swing and iron swing is angle of attack.

With a golf iron, you want to hit down onto the back of the golf ball to compress it and use the loft of the club to get the ball airborne. A driver swing requires the golfer to hit with an upward angle of attack to give the ball maximum air time off the tee and encourage more carry and distance from the shot. Each golf swing motion has similarities but knowing what they are requires a bit of knowledge and practice.

Angle Of Attack

Angle of attack is the main difference between the driver swing and the iron swing. Your swing with both clubs will be pretty much the same, but what does change is the impact position with the golf ball.

Iron swing

Golf irons have more loft on the club head than your driver does. Your pitching wedges has around 46 degrees degrees of loft and your 7-iron around 34 degrees, depending on the club manufacturer.

Loft is what gets the golf ball into the air when you strike it. The golf swing with an iron needs to take advantage of the loft of the club in your hands and this is done by striking down on the back of the ball. We don't want to "scoop" the ball in the air. We want to hit the ball first, then the turf, taking a shallow divot as we go. It sounds simple, but anyone who has played the game of golf will tell you that training your ming and body to trust the loft of the club takes some time.

Here are a few quick pointers on the iron swing and iron shots;

• Use the loft of the club to get the ball in the air
• Strike down on the back of the ball with a negative angle of attack
• Hit the ball first, then the turf
• Take a shallow divot
• Finish your follow through

Driver swing

Your driver is a much longer club than your irons and has much less loft. The average golf driver has between 9-12 degrees of loft and because of this, we use a golf tee to help us get the ball airborne.

One of the biggest mistakes I see golfers make with their driver is that they hit down on the ball like an iron. This creates loads of spin and will most likely end up in a slice which doesn't go very far. Driver is probably the only golf club that we want to hit up on the ball with. Don't worry this doesn't mean you're going to top the ball, all you're doing is creating a situation where the ball will be in the air for enough time to maximise distance.

The best shots with a driver are hit with high launch and low spin, and this is a result of a proper attack angle and loft at impact.

Ball Position - Find the low point of your swing

A lot of golfers I play with have no idea where to position the golf ball in their stance for different clubs. Personally, I struggle with my ball position creeping towards my back foot over time and I have to remind myself to check where the ball is regularly.

For driver swings, a good rule is to have the ball teed up just inside your front heel (left foot for a right handed golfer.) This will promote and swing motion which naturally hits up on the ball, creating better launch and spin conditions to encourage long, straight driver shots. If the ball is in the middle of your stance for a driver swing, your natural tendency will be to hit down on the ball which will produce spin. With a low lofted club like a driver, this will more than likely result in a slice.

Your irons are different lengths, so each one will have a slightly different ball position. With long irons (3,4,5), you'll want to have the golf ball forward in your stance - left of centre for a right handed player. For mid irons, the ball position will move an inch or so towards the centre of your stance. For short irons and wedges, right in the middle is a good place to start, but you can move the ball around depending on the type of shot you're trying to play.

The main differences here between a driver swing vs iron swing is the low point we're trying to have. By positioning the ball farther back with your irons, you're swinging descending blow striking the ball first then the turf. Moving the ball around in your stance allows you to decide where the low point of your swing is with each club.

Bonus tip - Driving range drill

JMac on my channel was struggling with his ball position with his irons. On the golf course he was chunking and topping every iron shot, from pitching wedge to 5 iron. I'm no PGA pro, but I could see he was struggling to find a consistent ball position and low point with his iron swings.

To tackle this we went to the driving range with a roll of duct tape and used this to mark his ball position. The tape was placed behind the ball and if he was consistently scuffing the tape, we knew his low point was too far back for that club. This kind of immediate feedback is great for the amateur golfer, as it makes them feel like they're in control of improving their golf game without having to make big swing changes. Give it a try!

Driver vs Iron Swing - How to drive a golf ball

Hitting a driver sweetly is one of the best feelings in golf. But for many golfers, the driver is their worst golf club and hitting it well remains a mystery.

So what's the secret to a good driver golf swing? I believe that hitting your driver well is about your mindset with that club in hand and managing your expectations.

Do you generate a fast swing speed like a tour pro? You can test the swing speed on a Mevo plus. Do you practice with your driver regularly on the range, on the course or on a Skytrak at home? Often many golfers think they should be hitting their driver 300 yards every time and this just isn't reality. The average driving distance for amateur players is 220 yards. Go easy on yourself!

If your shot shape is a consistent fade, then play it. If you a fighting this every time you have driver in your hands, the results on the golf course aren't going to be good. Accept your shot shape, make it work and manage your expectations.

Now we've covered the mental side of things, let's look at some really basic swing fundamentals for hitting driver.

Set up is really important when making a driver swing. The golf ball should be positioned farther forward in your stance, just off the inside of your front foot.  This creates more tilt in your spine angle and puts your body behind the ball helping you to hit up at impact.

Driver is the longest club in the bag and that requires a longer swing. With a driver it's a good idea helps to rotate your hips away from the target, giving you the feeling that you're coiling up like a spring, ready to unleash some power. Try not to rock or sway onto your back leg, this will create an unbalanced swing which is hard to repeat.

When it's time to start the down swing, all I try to do is rotate. Lots of players get stuck in the downswing and have enough hip rotation to finish their swing. Their upper body gets ahead of the ball and their right shoulder comes "over the top" which creates a downward angle of attack. Hello slice!

Driver swing plane

Swing plane is defined as the angles that the golf club travel around a player’s body. Most golf teaching pros will teach you that there are two vital swing planes in the golf swing, the shaft plane during address and the shoulder plane during address. Other instructors will show you that there is only one plane in an efficient golf swing and that the hands and club rarely move away from the angle the shaft makes during the address position, the shaft plane. The truth is that most great ball strikers are a hybrid model that encompasses elements of both models.

Matt Kuchar is a common example of a one plane driver swing. He is a tall guy and his swing sees him almost wrap the club around his upper body before uncoiling on the same angle back to the ball. He isn't the longest driver on the PGA tour, but he's very accurate and this could be linked to his consistent swing plane.

Reading about swing styles is a good starting point, but I always recommend seeing a PGA professional for swing advice and lessons. Trust me, it's worth it.

Irons vs Driver - How to hit irons

A good iron swing results in consistent and clean contact with the golf ball.

To make a solid iron swing, your weight should be evenly balanced at set-up. As your irons are shorter clubs than your driver, and because the ball is positioned farther back in your stance, there will be naturally less tilt in your spine.

You need to rotate fully in your iron swing but remember, not that much rotation is needed to hit a short iron compared to a long iron. With irons you're trying to hit the golf ball a specific distance. This sort of control will help you land it near the pin more often.

Drive down and through the ball with your right side (for right hand golfers) for good crisp iron shots and feel like your chest is even with the ball, not falling back.

Controlling your weight throughout your golf swing is incredibly important regardless of what club you are hitting. It looks complicated, but a lot of the movement will come naturally once you have a good grasp of the fundamentals.

Final Thoughts for Practice 

The best thing you can do to improve your strike on both the irons and the driver is to practice the movements and hit many many golf balls.

When you practice your irons, try to hit golf balls on grass driving ranges. If you're practicing your driver, use plastic tees, not the rubber ones at the driving range. You want to recreate the golf course and how you actually play the game when you practice.

The best way to get a good feeling of how it feels to hit the center of the club face is to practice your chipping. This will translate into a better crisper strike which will filter up your bag into the irons and woods. 

How to hit your irons and other articles

Last Updated on December 26, 2023 by Matt Greene
*Read our review guidelines.

They make my wrist itch, the metal bands irritate me, the synthetic ones don’t breathe, and the cloth bands just get soaked with sweat. The last thing you need on a humid afternoon in the middle of summer is something else to provide another uncomfortable distraction out on the course.

Thank the golf gods for the Shot Scope H4. The designers at Shot Scope decided to throw all of the technology in their V3 series watch into a handheld device that provides a treasure chest crammed with usable statistics for game development as well as GPS data for the course. 

Full Review of the Shot Scope H4 in Detail

In the Shot Scope H4 box

When you first open the Shot Scope H4, you’ll find

• a USB charger - it’s specifically made for the H4 so you’ll want to keep track of this and not lose it. I have the V3 watch as well and the cable is entirely different. 
• a magnetic belt clip - provides a very secure magnetic connection if you prefer to wear it that way 
• the GPS unit itself which is small
• 16 screw-in 'club tags' - there are 16 because everyone's bag is different so there are some extras

Difference between Shot Scope H4 and Arccos

The prime differences in the tags for the H4 vs the Arccos is that the Shot Scope tags don’t use a battery, so you don’t have to worry about the sensors going dead after a couple of years.

The H4 is also a unit you need to tap onto the butt of the club where the sensor is. The unit D-ring fits through a slot on the belt clip if you opt to carry the unit clipped onto your bag so it's easy. 

I was also considering the Game Golf Live as well as the Arccos system. The Shot Scope H4 provides all the information and data tracking with comparisons WITHOUT subscription fees and that tipped the scales in favor of the H4. 

How the H4 Club Tags work

To get the clubs ready, just screw the tags into the grips of the corresponding clubs - you do not need to sync anything yet. 

Then download and start the mobile app, power on the H4, and the app will walk you through a simple pairing process via Bluetooth. The setup takes a couple minutes and then it will update the Firmware which takes about 3-4 minutes and you're ready to rock. 

Once at the course turn the unit on, acquire the GPS signal, and you’re off to the first tee. 

How to Use the Tags for SuperStroke Grips

The tag will not screw into a SuperStroke putter grip but that is no biggie. You just need to cut the screw off the bottom of the sensor. It's plastic so it's easy even with a pocket knife. Then you glue the sensor onto the top of your putter grip. Good to go.

How does the Shot Scope H4 work on the course?

On the course it’s a very accurate GPS unit with suggested layups, distances to hazards, front, middle, back, etc.

Unlike the V3 watch the H4 handheld does not automatically detect your swing. The H4 relies on the golfer to “tag” the club before each shot to register position. You hole the sensor to the H4 and it instantly vibrates to signal that it has the club. You can see the name of the club on the screen of the H4 after tagging. 

This may seem like a hassle, but as I read reviews of various watch based systems missing shots, I came to like the idea of having to tag it myself. I have worked it into my pre-shot routine and tagging the club serves as a trigger that I’ve moved into the “action zone”. So far I’ve logged two rounds and not a missed shot, which made post round editing in app or on PC a breeze.

What if you don't tag a shot?

Edit from Matt: I missed a few shots on the golf course because the process is so new to me. It made me worried that it would destroy the data. But you can edit the shots afterward on the app on your phone. You can click and drag the location and name the club you used. Just remember where you were and what club you used!

The trigger of moving into the 'action zone' of the shot has helped to get me more focused on my shot and is a mental game side-benefit I did not expect!

H4 Pin Collect

The H4 Pin Collect shows up when you reach the green. This is an important feature but if you forget to do it or don't know how to do it, like I did on the first round with the H4, you can edit it on the app.

The important part is to input how many putts you took and then stand at the hole and use the Pin Collect feature to tell the unit where the pin is on the green. This helps to make the putting stats more accurate for your record keeping. If you don't do this, it will have a hard time keeping accurate data for your game. 

Pros

Cons

What data can the H4 give a golfer?

Now we get to the fun stuff… the data. The H4 gives you three different distances for your clubs;

Longest, Average, and P-Avg (Playing Average).

The first two are self explanatory, but the playing average removes outliers from tops, duffs, scoops, thinned shots, etc. This gives valuable real life distances that mean more to me than LM numbers. There is also Strokes Gained data for a quick comparison of your game to your handicap peers that is in an easily understood “at a glance” reference, or it can be as deep a dive as you like.

All in all I don’t think you could get more bang for the buck out of a shot tracker. While it may not have an A.I. caddy like it’s competition, it’s a more than capable unit for game development and it’s lack of subscription fees and lifetime updates to the firmware make it a great choice for the value minded golfer.

How big is the H4 Shot Scope?

The little device is similar to the size of a golf ball and flat enough to not bother you on your belt, in your pocket or hanging from your bag. 

Final Thoughts

If you don't like a watch, the Shot Scope H4 is a nice device to use for the exact same functions. But check out my review on the Pro LX as well because you can use it as a combination with the Rangefinder to have a super distance measuring device. The H4 clips onto the Pro LX!

The data that it tracks is useful to help you keep track of what you're hitting your clubs, how you're playing and how to improve. 

You get the sensors, you get the distance measurements and the stats to analyze your game at a great price - what's not to like? If you're interested in a launch monitor, check out the Mevo plus review and the Skytrak review.

Last Updated on December 26, 2023 by Matt Greene

Are you confused about when to use that weird club? It's not a sand wedge, it's not a pitching wedge so when do you use it? When I first stated playing golf in 1997, the concept of gap wedges didn't exist. You had a pitching wedge and then you had a sand wedge and that was that. 

But then, approach wedges and gap wedges were born. Finally here's a golf club which bridged the big gap in yardage between the pitching wedge (46°)‚ and sand wedge (56°)! Now we can plug the distance gap nice and easy learning when to use a 52 degree wedge. No more hard sand wedge hits, no more lazy, pulled pitching wedges - just committed swings all day. 

I think of a gap wedge like a hybrid. It's a club designed to give you more options and flexibility in the scoring section of the golf bag.

What is a 52 degree wedge?

A 52 degree wedge is also known as a gap wedge. You will most likely have an 8 to 10 degree difference between the pitching wedge and sand wedge in your golf bag. The 52 lets you fill the "gap" between your pitching wedge and sand wedge and give you more versatility for scoring shots.

A gap wedge will be a specialist wedge you have to either select as an extra to a set of irons or buy separately. All of the main iron and wedge manufacturers, from Cleveland golf to TaylorMade, produce a selection of 52 degree wedges for you to choose from. The top manufacturers also offer a variety of finishes, bounce options and sole grinds so you can find the best gap wedge for you.

Gap wedges look like a sand wedge but with 4 degrees less loft. The shaft length is around 37.5 inches. Most gap wedges have a steel shaft, but it's becoming more common for a lot of slower swinging golfers to put a graphite shaft in their wedges.

I recommend replacing you wedges every year if you play regularly - more than 3 times per week. New wedges have sharp grooves which provide consistent spin and therefore better control on your shots. Other options are to get a groove sharpening tool.

Now we know what a 52 degree wedge is, let's look at when you would want to use one out on the course.

When Should You Use A 52 Degree Wedge? 4 scenarios

1. When your yardage to the hole is between your pitching wedge and sand wedge
2. When you want a lower trajectory for chipping
3. For long green side bunker shots
4. Shots into the wind from 110 to 120 yards from the green

Scenario 1: Filling the gap between you pitching wedge and sand wedge

Tell me a secret and I won't repeat it: when was the last time you put in some serious practice to improve your golf game? If you're like most golfers who prefer to spend their valuable free time at the golf course rather than the driving range, my secret for you is that the gap wedge was designed for you.

Seriously, it takes time and practice (or a lot of natural feel) to be able to add and subtract yardage off clubs at will off your pitching wedge or sand wedge. A 52 degree wedge means no more difficult half shots with a pitching wedge or attempting to muscle a 56 degree. You make the same committed swing with each club, knowing that you should hit your desired number.

Plugging this yardage gap between your two scoring wedges is probably the best reason to add a 52 degree to your golf equipment. The average golfer hits their pitching wedge 110 to 120 yards and carry their sand wedge 90-95 yards. A 25 yard gap between clubs is not seen much anywhere else in the bag, so why would you have this situation with your money making clubs?

A 52 degree gap wedge will give you a solid option for those tricky yardages that we always leave ourselves. If you find yourself cursing every time you get that damn distance right between the pitching wedge and sand wedge, grab a gap wedge ASAP. 

Scenario 2: A lower trajectory chipping club

Amateur golfers are always in awe of PGA professionals hitting low chips which look like they are going too fast to hold the green, only to check up and stop by the hole. A 52 degree wedge isn't the secret to this type of shot, but it will help you hit the ball lower around the greens and get it rolling on the putting surface quicker. It's an essential short game club in my opinion.

Say you've left the ball a few yards short of the green and the pin is on the back tier. Yes you could try and fly it all the way back with a sand wedge or lob wedge, but this is a high risk shot if you don't practice it intently. It's usually better to get the ball on the the green as fast as possible and let it roll up to the pin. This bump and run style shot with a gap wedge is something I use a lot when there's sticky rough in front of me or when I can't use a 9 iron. Try this shot out with a 52 degree and see if it works for you.

Scenario 3: Awkward long green side bunker shots

I might be the exception to the rule when it comes to bunker shots because I love them. Most players hate being left with a 20-30 yard shot from the sand, and ironically, it's what probably makes their ball seem magnetic to the traps!

Being a wizard from the sand makes you not fear being in sand bunkers and therefore means you are less likely to end up in one. That's just science.

Like the bump and run shot described in scenario 2, the 52 degree wedge allows more versatility from bunkers as you are playing with less loft. The great thing is, you don't have to make a different swing. You can hit the same bunker shot that you would with your sand wedge or lob wedge. Smack the sand behind the ball and watch as the ball pops out lower and further, with more roll out.

Having multiple loft options around the greens and in bunkers is essential when you're trying to slash your scores and get to the lower handicap.

Scenario 4: Full wedge shots into the wind from your sand wedge distance 

When you have a shot which is your usual sand wedge distance, being able to pull out the 52 with the wind into your face is a great option. Sand wedges produce high spin and if you hit them hard, they spin even more. If you hit them hard into the win, the spin plus the wind can reduce their distance up to 40 yards. This added spin will cause the ball to balloon up in the air, leaving it way short of your target.

The trick here is to loft down and swing easy to minimize the spin rate. When you swing a bit softer, you put a few less revolutions on the ball, which allows the ball to penetrate the wind instead of being caught by it. You can be confident that your 52 degree wedge has enough loft to maximize your spin and allow the golf ball to grab on the green when landing without getting sucked in by the breeze.

Never fear full shots with a wedge in windy conditions again!

52 degree gap wedge distance

On a full shot, average golfers would expect to carry their 52 degree gap wedge between 100-120 yards. This is always dependent on you swing and ball speed but you will most likely be somewhere in this range.

The whole point of a gap wedge is to give you a yardage option between your pitching and sand wedges. If you are hitting any of these clubs a similar distance, it would be would be worth seeing a PGA professional to work out where you can make improvements. A lot of times, the bounce of the club combined with the loft can make a big difference in distance and spin rates. 

The top wedge fitters can optimize your loft, bounce and weight of your wedges. If you're a mid handicapper looking for a good wedge check out my guide and see which are the best gap wedges. High handicappers these are the best wedges for you.

More Options to a 52 Degree Wedge - do I need a lob wedge?

If the gap wedge doesn't sound like the club you need, but a higher loft option is what you want, you could go for a setup like this:

• 48 degree pitching wedge
• 54 degree sand wedge
• 60 degree lob wedge

The lower lofted sand wedge could act as a kind of gap wedge in this scenario but it will take some skill and manipulation off the club face on some shots.

If the 52 degree sounds good, try this wedge configuration :

• 48 degree pitching wedge
• 52 degree gap wedge
• 56 degree sand wedge
• 60 degree lob wedge

You could cut it down to 3 clubs too:

• 46 degree pitching wedge
• 52 degree gap wedge
• 58 degree lob or sand wedge

I would say that going for a gapping session on a launch monitor like a TrackMan is really useful when trying to work out your wedge setup. You may find that two clubs are pretty bunched in terms of yardage. Even better would be to see a wedge fitter o a grass range where the grass is similar to your course conditions. By that, I mean don't get fitted for wedges on Florida bermuda grass, when you play cool weather bent grass and ryegrass fairways!

This isn't a disaster as you may want a specific wedge for certain short game shots or turf conditions. For example on a recent links golf trip, I added a lower bounce 60 degree wedge for partial shots on tight lies. I never intended to hit a full shot with it.

Final Thoughts: Should I Carry a 52 Degree Wedge

It wasn't that long ago that the gap wedge wasn't even an option for golfers. You were forced to make a half swing with your pitching wedge or muscle a sand wedge to nail that in between yardage and this could often end in disaster.

I think the 52 degree wedge or another gap wedge should be in every golfer's bag. As we have covered, it can be used for everything from chip shots to long bunker splashes and can give you consistent performance in the wind. It's a versatile club.

Head down to your local golf store and use this information to find the best gap wedges for you. 

Last Updated on January 7, 2024 by Matt Greene

Sand wedge bounce is one of those mystical topics everyone talks about and you even hear pros and other amateurs saying things like "use the bounce" when you're chipping or pitching. And you know what? No one knows what they are talking about.

So here's the real deal, no BS.

What is bounce in a golf wedge?

Bounce is the amount of sole on the bottom of the wedge there is to literally bounce off the ground when you hit the ball.

It's that simple. When people tell you to use the bounce, there is no conscious notion of 'using the bounce'. To hit any golf shot, the club must bounce off the turf otherwise we just dig into the turf like a spade.

If you hit a chip, the club makes contact with the ground, bounces off the ground slightly and contacts the ball. The reason we need bounce in a club is so the turf interaction with the club is appropriate for the shot.

So if you play on soft ground, you want the higher bounce to be able to 'bounce more' when you hit the ball so the wedge does not get stuck in the soft ground. When you hit a wedge on firm ground, you do not want the golf wedge to bounce much off the hard surface. It will bounce, and then hit the ball in the equator, making you thin the ball into oblivion.

Is a Sand Wedge Bounce of 10 or 14 Better?

• If your golf course has firmer ground and you clip the ball off the surface in fear of blading the ball, then you should get a wedge around 10 degrees of bounce. Usually your bunkers will also be firm so 10 degrees bounce in a sand wedge or less is best. 
• If your course is softer and sometimes a bit moist, with soft lush grass, and you make divots after you hit the golf ball, use a sand wedge bounce of near 14 degrees. 

If you have the correct bounce angle on your wedges, you can hit more confident shots with your sand wedge. And as we know, the 56 degree sand wedge is a serious scoring club. 

Which is the best sand wedge bounce for your Conditions?

I've played golf in SE Asia, USA, South America, Scotland, England, Finland and South Africa.

That's kikuyu, bent, bluegrass, poa, fescue, rye grass, paspalum, all strains of bermuda. With that, I've tried every wedge bounce and loft angle so I'd like to save you some time with this article to get the right wedge.

Firm conditions, low bounce and a lot of the sole grind away.

Soft, wet, fluffy conditions, high bounce with a big fat sole.

Most 56 degree sand wedges have a bounce of between 8 and 14 degrees so you can adjust your selection based on the conditions as mentioned just above. 

The very best way to figure out the right bounce of your 56 degree, is to have a wedge fitting with a pro and he will adapt your wedges to your swing and conditions. 

Why Use a Sand Wedge With High Bounce (10 to 14 Degrees)?

Most golfers, by default, unless playing in the outback or some other hardpan golf course, should buy a wedge with higher bounce angle.

The wedge has been designed to 'bounce' off the ground to add forgiveness when hitting the golf ball.

When you hit a hybrid, do you notice how much easier it is than a 4 iron?

That's because of the wider sole and skimming turf interaction. It's a similar concept to the wedge. 

A sand wedge with high bounce is between 10-14 degrees of bounce.

You should use a sand wedge with the higher bounce if: 

1. You hit steep with your golf swing with deep divots.
2. Your wedge shots are often fat.
3. You golf course has soft ground, and soft fluffy bunkers.
4. You have more longer rough around the greens than tight short grass

Why Use a Sand Wedge With Low Bounce (6 to 10 Degrees)?

A low bounce sand wedge is for a golfer who plays on firmer conditions with much tighter lies than most courses and a golfer who likes to see a more open club face at address when chipping off tighter lies.

With a low bounce sand wedge, there is a lot less sole in the bottom to bounce off the ground so a lot of the time, a golfer needs to catch the ball clean off the turf, or the turf is so firm, that the bounce is sufficient for the tight ground. 

When you have a low bounce wedge, you can change the face angle quite easily because there is less sole to pick the leading edge up off the ground. 

6 to 10 degrees of bounce is normal for a low bounce sand wedge. 

Lower bounce on a sand wedge is best for you if:

1. you have a shallow swing and your divots are minimal
2. your course has firm ground and hard pan as well as firm sand in the bunkers
3. you like to hit some spinny open-faced wedge shots like a wizard

What is the Best Bounce for a 56 Degree Wedge?

Sand wedges have 56-degrees of loft - usually denoted with an S on the sole of the club and there is sometimes even another number on the sole, indicating the bounce of the club. 

The best bounce for a 56 degree wedge for most golfer is about 12 degrees. This is a versatile number right in between the low end of 8 degrees and the high end of 14 degrees. You can play most courses with a 12 degree bounce sand wedge and enjoy your golf.

Which Bounce For Every Different Course Condition?

From my experience in all the conditions of the world I have seen, you can use a 12 degree bounce wedge for most, but some conditions really need a specific bounce on the 56 degree wedge. It's important to know when to use certain wedges. 

Soft Sand

Higher bounce is always the best choice in soft sand. The aim of bunker shots is to slide the club under the ball and skim that wedge to bounce up and let the ball out on a magic carpet ride. 12 to 14 degree bounce will work best.

How do you know if your sand is soft?

When you hit the sand shot, does the sand fall back into itself and leave a very round divot in the bunker? That's soft. When you walk into the bunker, does it sometimes go up to your ankle?

That's soft fluffy sand. 

Medium, Wet and Firm Sand

In firm sand, wet sand and medium sand, you need less bounce because the sand will not allow the fat sole to get in deep enough to allow enough space to bounce. You will blade the ball across the green a lot. 

I love to use wedges with 8 to 10 degree bounce angle for firm courses and firm sand, but 10-12 degrees of bounce for medium sand.

How do you know if your course is medium or firm?

When you walk into the bunker, the sand will either not give way for firm sand, or will only dig your shoe in up to the rubber sole. Wet sand is pretty easy to identify. If it's wet, then the sand is wet. 

Deep Soft Grass Rough

From my time in the Eastern states of the USA, I found the wedge needed for soft long grass with soft conditions under the grass, a bounce of 10 to 14 degrees is preferable.

The soft condition under the grass will need some extra bounce but the long grass can tangle the leading edge if there is not enough bounce.

With more bounce, the club is heavy and thick soled, to glide through the grass.

Tight Lies in Fairways and Fringes Next to The Green

When you watch the Masters on TV, most of those pros will be using a variety of wedges but those tight lies will make your hair stand on end, thinking of blading it across the green into the hazards. 

A low bounce between 6°-10° will make you feel better about making crisp clean contact especially if you need to open the club face a little bit.

When you use high bounce wedges on tight lies, the leading edge can often meet the ball in the equator and your score sky rockets. 

Best Sand Wedge Manufacturers

The most famous wedge makers are Cleveland, Titleist, Mizuno, TaylorMade and Callaway.

• Wedge for mid handicappers if you play off handicap 9-16.
• Wedges for high handicappers if you play off handicap 17+.
• Best 56 degree wedge for bunkers if you have trouble getting out the sand.

Some of the best options on the market for different bounce and grind options:

• Cleveland RTX 6 Sand Wedge (Many options: Full Bounce, Mid Bounce Low Bounce, X Low Bounce)
• Cleveland Smart Sole 4  (Sand Wedge with huge bounce)
• Titleist Vokey SM6 (5 different options and famous for wedge fittings)

Can you use a sand wedge in the fairway?

Yes. You can hit a sand wedge from the fairway. Usually you will use it from between 10 and 80 yards depending on your preference for partial shots. 

In my experience, the bounce makes a big difference on shots from the fairway with a 56 degree wedge. 

If the fairways are baked firm with gard ground underneath, the club will skim and bounce into the ball, causing you to thin the ball.

If the fairways are wet and the bounce is too low on the wedge, you will dig deep craters into the ground.

Matching the wedge to the conditions is equally important even for full shots. 

Can you use a 56-degree wedge in the sand?

56 degree wedges are called sand wedges and so most people will start golf playing this club out the sand.

it is the easiest club for most people to use in the bunkers because of the design. It's one of the only clubs in the golf bag that has not changed much over the years.

Every iron loft has been reduced by 5-15 degrees in loft but the sand wedge has stayed 56 degrees for 50 years and that is testament to how well it works from the sand.  

What bounce wedges do the pros use?

When conditions were firmer and unfriendly in the old days, pros preferred low-bounce wedges, but current PGA Tour pros use wedges with between 12 or 13 degrees of bounce.

Final Thoughts

By now I hope you know enough about the bounce of a wedge to make an informed decision.

While your conditions and the way you strike the ball makes a big difference to the bounce you should use in your 56 degree, I highly recommend a wedge fitting. The pro will know your local conditions, your swing style and be able to set you up with a decent set of 2-3 wedges with the correct bounce and loft angle for you specifically.

You can see my guide on how to get out of every bunker type as well as the video here.

You can check out my guide on how to chip and also the video series below. 

Last Updated on December 26, 2023 by Matt Greene

We've all heard the golf saying "drive for show, putt for dough" but I think a more accurate version would be "drive for shot, wedge and putt for dough." Average golfers hit 65% of the shots in their round from inside 100 yards, and many of those are going to be with a wedge of some kind.

How many times have you met a buddy at the course and he's told you about his new wedge? Never, I bet. Golfers love to show off their new $500 driver but aren't that excited about a new wedge. I would probably bet most players have never, or will never replace their wedges.

The major problem is that many recreational golfers think that wedges are reserved for pro golfers and are not going to impact THEIR OWN game that much. I often get asked by high handicappers who watch my channel when to use a 56 degree wedge. I'll show you below how to get the most out of this important score-slashing club.

When should I use a 56 degree wedge?

For the majority of handicap golfers, the 56° wedge is an excellent choice when used for every shot inside 100 yards. 

A 56 degree wedge can be used for all of these shots:

1. Green side bunker shots 
2. Partial pitch shots between 20 and 80 yards
3. Smooth full shots to the maximum distance you can control the ball
4. Green side chipping
5. Long bunker shots of 30-50 yards
6. Chipping out of the deep rough back into the fairway

Here what we're going to cover in this article:

• What is a 56 degree wedge?
• One wedge or many wedges?
• 56 degree wedge distance
• 56 degree wedge vs sand wedge
• Why use a 56 degree wedge?
• How a 56 degree wedge can lower your scores

What is a 56 degree wedge?

A 56 degree wedge is often called a sand wedge. The number 56 refers to the number of degrees of loft that the club face has. It is one of the shortest clubs in the bag and is used to hit shots inside 100 yards. Despite being called a sand wedge, you can use the club for shots from the tee, fairway and rough. It's a great club to have in your golf bag.

One wedge or many wedges?

Approach 1 - One wedge:  I've seen a few golfers employ the one wedge tactic. They use their 56 degree wedge for every shot inside 100 yards, from full swings, to pitch shots and bunker shots. Pro Mo uses one wedge for everything and he is a professional, though he prefers the 58 degree.

I HIGHLY recommend this approach for wedging with high handicappers. It's much simpler to use this one club for everything inside 100 yards until you have enough skill to get the specialist lob wedge. 

There are a few reasons reason for doing this, the main one being to attempt to master one scoring wedge and eliminate any indecision from this important part of the golf course. It makes sense because using a sand wedge for everything, you learn how it interacts with different lies, turf and sand conditions. You can use this knowledge for the rest of your life.

If you do decide to go down this avenue and play with one wedge, here are the shots you will need to learn and master:

1. The bump and run.  This is an essential shot for all golfers, especially higher handicappers as it reduces the margin for error when playing chip shots. Getting the golf ball rolling on the putting surface early is a better percentage play and can be achieved even with an average strike. To play the bump and run with a sand wedge, you will need to play the ball off your back foot, delofting the club to encourage it to roll out and not spin too much.
2. Standard chip.  This may seem like the easiest shot to learn but its actually quite hard to master. You have to remove any wrist hinge and allow the loft of the sand wedge to pop the ball up in the air. You can then vary the length of your backswing and follow through to increase the height and distance the golf ball will travel.
3. Flop shot. While not essential, if you are playing with one wedge you will need to learn how to open up the face of the club and generate more loft. The trick with a flop shot is to not decelerate and thin the golf ball. Play the ball off your front foot, take a wide backswing and commit to striking the ball high. Hopefully it will fly high into the air and land softly. Channel your inner Phil Mickelson.

Approach 2 - Many wedges: 

Each wedge can be a specialist tool to use for different shots around the green. We also want consistent gaps between wedges for full shots. I'm not the best at taking distance off my wedges so I want to be able to make a committed swing, knowing the wedge in my hand will make the golf ball go a desired yardage on full shots. 

When I'm around the green, I also like to assess the lie of the golf ball and choose the appropriate golf club for the job. I will use my 56 degree wedge for most shots, but I like to have options. Is the ball plugged in a bunker? I might close the face on my 52 degree gap wedge. Golf ball sitting on a hard pan lie on dry golf course? I'll use my lob wedge as it has less bounce. This approach is is best for if you have some experience playing golf.

I have played for 25+ years so if you're new to the game, or having a tough time inside 100 yards, you can select the 56 degree alone and get good with it. They usually come with a set of irons so no need to purchase a specific one. You just need to practice.

When you head to the golf course you want to be so confident with your approach shots that you can hit every chip shot onto the green and leave yourself a putt. We can always make putts. The more you practice and get comfortable with your selected club, you will play great golf and smash your scoring barriers.

How to use a 56 degree wedge

I'm a firm believer that you should never make a full swing with anything below a pitching wedge. A high lofted wedge is a precision tool and for consistent performance you need to make swings which you know will result in a tight dispersion.

Pro Mo on my channel uses the Dave Pelz clock system to dial in his wedge distances. This a technique also used by Bryson Dechambeau who used it to win the US Open. Explained simply, you take the club back to imaginary points on a clock face. If the bottom of your swing is 6 o'clock, a full swing would be up to 11 or 12 on the clock face. Learn which "time" on the clock gives you what yardage and repeat this process.

The key with all wedge play however is to make solid contact. Better golfers will be striking the centre of the club face with these short clubs giving them maximum distance control. Solid contact comes from practice and good technique. it's impossible to teach someone through text or video how to hit the ball solid with good technique. An in person lesson with a good coach will always be the best option. 

Quick tip: To work out where you're striking the ball on the face of the club, spray the head with dry shampoo before a practice session at the driving range. When you hit the ball, you will see a mark where it struck the face and you can adjust you swing and ball position to lock in a center strike.

56 degree wedge vs sand wedge

A 56 degree wedge is the most common loft for sand wedges and obviously is a great club to use out of bunkers. It's in the name - sand wedge.

Choosing the right wedge to use out the sand is based on the bunker conditions of your course - this will influence the bounce of the club you select. If the sand is soft and fluffy, you want more bounce and a nice big sole. Usually, soft fluffy sand accompanies soft and moist ground, where you want the same type of wedge - bigger sole and higher bounce.

If the course you play at is firm and hard, with firmer hardpan bunkers, you definitely need a thinner sole and lower bounce so the club will not skim and bounce up into the ball, causing a bladed shot. 

If a bunker shot isn't your strong suit, check out bunkers for beginners.

Why use a 56 degree wedge?

The 56 degree wedge is a club that every golfer becomes familiar with in their golfing journey. The score-slashing takes place inside 100 yards so the sand wedge is a club which you will be using a lot.

The average golfer may only need to play one lofted wedge, and a 56 degree wedge is probably the most versatile. You can use it from the tee, fairway, thick rough, and sand to play a variety of shots.

Yes a 60 degree may seem like the cooler option, but in reality it's not the best club selection for most golfers. A 60 degree wedge is just harder to hit. If you really want to play a lob wedge, consider a 58 degree. The truth is, a 56 has more than enough loft, and with some practice and creativity it can be your secret weapon and key to hitting more greens.If you have a gap between your pitching wedge and sand wedge, check out how to use a 52 degree wedge.

56 degree wedge distance

The average distance a male golfer hits his 56 degree wedge is 80 yards. For a PGA Tour pro it's 124 yards. 

The 56 degree wedge is the key to lower scores

Believe it or not but a scratch golfer hits only around 10-12 of the greens in regulation in a round. Most double digit handicappers are hitting only 3 to 8 greens in regulation. That leaves between 12 and 15 holes to chip and putt to save scores. 

What these stats show is that you MUST have sharp short game regardless of your handicap! Getting up and down from around the green in 2 shots will be the difference between bogey and double and par and bogey. I bet that in every great round you had, you had periods where you were scrambling like a demon! Even the pros do this and the secret is their short game. 

Being a savage with your 56 degree wedge, learning how to play a wide variety of shots with it, will allow you be in greater control of your golf ball and your score. Hit an approach shot to the short side? Not worries, you're a demon with the sand wedge and you can get up and down. Hit it in the green side bunker? Easy life.

Many golfers neglect their wedge game for their driving. Don't be that guy. Fully utilize the tools you have at your disposal and GET IT ON THE GREEN!