Last Updated on December 26, 2023 by Matt Greene

The lob wedge can be a tricky club to play with, but many golfers want to be like Phil Mickelson so they're desperate to put one in their golf bag. Most recreational golfers should only be carrying a couple of specialist wedges, so should you play a 58 or 60 degree wedge?

I think that on the whole, average golfers will find it easier to hit a 58 degree wedge over a 60 degree lob wedge. A 58-degree wedge will provide most players more forgiveness over a higher lofted wedge and will also give them more consistent distance control.

BUT if you are already carrying a 56 degree wedge, a 58 degree might not be best for you because the loft difference is too small, making your wedge gaps tight. Let's take a deep dive into the 58 vs 60 degree wedge conversation and see what will work best for you.

Should You Use A 58 Or 60 Degree Wedge?

As a rule of thumb, the less loft there is on a wedge, the easier an average golfer will find it to hit. If you want to play a lob wedge, a 58 degree will suit you better. Wedges with 60 degrees of loft or greater are usually reserved for scratch golfers and professionals.

I used to play a 60 degree wedge and I then changed my gapping and got a 58°. I genuinely cannot tell the difference in loft looking down at the club and I find that it gives me more consistent distance control on full shots. Partial pitch shots inside 60 yards work well with it, but it is especially good out of green side bunkers which is my main use for it. 

So I would say that you should use a 58 degree if you want more forgiveness than a 60 degree wedge. It's very small difference of 2 degrees and is more mental than anything else. But the big decider will be which gapping you use in your wedges. 

I was originally fitted with 50/56/60 wedge as a higher handicap but noticed I didn't use the 60 degree for anything above 80 yards and did not trust it on full shots. I switched to a tighter 50, 54, 58 set of wedges and found I had more options for my full shots, pitches and chips. The 58 degree is still used for most partial shots, but I feel a 95 yard shot is very easy to achieve compared to the 60 degree and I often have that distance into the green. 

Here's what I recommend the average golfer has for wedges:

You can play a lob wedge but it's a tricky club to master. I have written an article about when to use the lob wedge so check that out before adding a high lofted wedge to your bag.

Most golfers have a pitching wedge as part of their set of irons. If you wanted to build a 3 wedge setup from there, this is what it could look like:

• 44-degree pitching wedge.
• 50-degree gap wedge.
• 56-degree sand wedge.

I like this simple set up for recreational golfers as it has an even gapping to give you consistency with your short game. You actually do not need a 58 or 60 degree wedge if you're not practicing that club intensely. It will cost you more shots than help you if you do not really work at it. 

Some iron sets will have a more traditionally lofted pitching wedge at 46 degrees. If you have one of these you could go for three wedges set up like this:

• 46 degree wedge (pitching wedge)
• 52 degree wedge (gap wedge)
• 58 degree wedge (lob wedge)

It's a good idea to start with your pitching wedge loft and work up from there. If you are noticing a yardage gap between clubs, you could look at your wedge lofts or it could be a technique issue. Either way, see a PGA pro for advice.

If you're a more advanced player who wants many options and the top of your bag is covered, you can use a set up with either a 58 or 60 degree but by this stage of your golfing career, you should understand exactly what you want your wedge to do:

• 46 degree wedge (pitching wedge)
• 50 degree wedge (approach wedge)
• 54 degree wedge (gap/sand wedge)
• 58 degree wedge or 60 degree (lob wedge)

If you're playing a course with firmer greens, and lots of raised greens, you'll find a 60 degree useful. If your course isn't too tricked up and you know the distance gap in your bag, you can plug that hole with either 58 or 60 - it will make no difference. The big difference comes in your head whether you trust it or not. You must love your lob wedge so get the one you LOVE.

What Is A 58 Degree Wedge Used For?

A 58 degree wedge is somewhere between a sand wedge and lob wedge. Due to its higher loft, a 58 degree can be used to get the ball in the air fast. It is useful out of the rough and wet bunkers.

1. Bunker shots. Lower bounce on the wedge is preferred for hard bunker shots and higher bounce is preferred for fluffy and soft bunkers. If the bounce is too high on harder surfaces, the club will bounce the leading edge into the ball and you will thin it a lot. If there is not enough bounce on a wedge in soft bunkers your club will dig instead of skim as it is supposed to. 
2. Lob Shots. You can hit high lob shots in tricky situations around the greens or over obstacles. You need to really practice this shot a lot and make sure you use correct technique for distance control. You can find a good video about it on my channel. 
3. Partial pitch shots between 30 and 75 yards. It's not advised to hit wedges very hard because it increases spin and is harder to control the ball flight. For partial shots though, the 58 degree wedge is excellent. You can check out Dave Pelz clock system

Can you use a 58-degree wedge as a sand wedge?

Yes you can use a 58 degree wedge as a sand wedge. It's a good option for golfers who struggle with their sand shots and often leave the golf ball in the bunker. Choosing a high bounce club will also help with playing bunker shots out of softer, fluffier bunkers as mentioned above.

I would however, still recommend getting a standard sand wedge of 56 degrees if you're a part time golfer, as it will give you more versatility around the green and with bunker shots.

58 degree wedge distance

If you have a pretty solid repeatable golf swing, you will expect to hit a 58 degree wedge around 80 yards with a full shot. As most players only take half swings or three quarter swings with their wedges the distances can vary from 50 to 105 yards.

I wouldn't really recommend hitting a full shot with most wedges - this can cause a lot of fat shots because of the increased 'V' shape in the swing. You'll also generate maximum spin hitting it harder, which ironically makes the wedge distance shorter and spin backwards more. It's easier to club up and swing easy than swing hard with a higher lofted club. Shorter or a half swing offers better control and lob wedges are not the most confidence inspiring clubs to look down at!

What Is A 60 Degree Wedge Used For?

A 60 degree lob wedge is a specialist golf club which is used to launch the golf ball in the air quickly and then land softly and stop quickly at the target.

You can use a 60 degree wedge for most short game shots depending on your skill level. Many PGA tour players will use a 60 degree as the rough on the courses they play is very deep and sticky and sand wedges don't provide the control they need. But they practice for hours every day with their wedges so no shot is too difficult for them.

A 60 degree wedge is also useful if you are playing on a course with fast greens and want to generate the spin necessary to get the ball to check up. Importantly for 60 degree wedges, you want to get the correct bounce for your course.

1. Soft or soggy turf golf course with fluffy bunkers: Higher bounce will prevent your club digging into the ground. It will skim off the ground instead of digging. If your bounce is too low, you'll experience a lot of digging and big beaver pelt divots. In the soft bunkers, with high bounce, you will notice a very easy sliding of the club under the ball. If your bounce is too low, you need to really shallow out your swing to skim the club just right making the margin for error very small. 

2. Firm or dry golf courses with firmer bunkers: Lower bounce wedges will suit your course. The wedge will not bounce as much off the firmer surface if the bounce rating is lower. You of course need to pick the ball a bit cleaner in these conditions so keep it in mind when you visit softer or more lush golf courses that you may need to change your wedge concept. 

60 Degree Wedge distance

As it is often the most lofted club available to golfers, the 60 degree wedge will go the shortest distance. On average, a 60 degree wedge will travel 75-80 yards from a full swing. Like the 58 degree, this distance will change depending on if a player is hitting half shots or if they have high swing speed.

If you were to take a full swing with your 60 degree wedge, your distance should be somewhere around 100 yards. Most golfers swing at half or three quarter speed, that’s why the average number is 75 yards.

I would recommend a smooth swing with a 60 degree wedge, and to even limit its use to short chip shots and shorter distance pitch shots.

Conclusion

In this article we have looked at the main differences between a 58 vs 60 degree wedge. Even though the loft difference is only two degrees, I think that average golfers find a 58 degree easier to play with from a number of different situations.

Over the past few years I have stopped using a 60 degree and I feel the 58 degree is the right golf gear for my game. Make sure that you consider your wedge gapping when buying a new wedge and as always try and test any new clubs out on a Trackman or other radar tracking piece of equipment.

If you only pick two wedges to play with I would use 52 degree gap wedge and a 58 degree wedge for maximum versatility. 

Last Updated on January 8, 2024 by Matt Greene

You might be struggling with your longer irons right now, but there is no need to anymore with hybrids and fairway woods making life much easier.

In fact, there are two easy to hit, long iron replacement clubs in the 7 wood and 4 hybrid.

Which one should you play? 

In this guide we will break down the pros and cons of the 7 wood and 4 hybrid. At the end you should have a better idea which club will find its way into your golf bag. (Editor: I play the 7 wood)

7 Wood vs 4 Hybrid which club should you carry?

The basic function of the 7 wood and 4 hybrid is the same for both clubs: They replace the 4 iron in your golf bag.

I play a 7 wood and advise everyone who plays golf that the 7 wood is the ultimate 'cheat club'. 

It's easy to hit off the tee, easy off the fairway and flies high with a soft landing onto greens.

The look of a 7 wood suits my eye when it sits behind a golf ball. It may be very different for you if you look at a fairway wood vs a hybrid, so always keep YOUR feeling and preference in mind.

This is how we will break this assessment down:

• Key differences between 7 woods and 4 hybrids
• 7 wood vs 4 hybrid distance
• Pros of a 7 wood and pros of a 4 hybrid club
• Which golfers should use a 7 wood or 4 hybrid

What's the difference between a 7 wood and 4 hybrid?

Differences

Similarities

7 wood vs 4 hybrid distance

You would think that as the loft of these clubs will be similar, then the distance you hit the golf ball would be the same.

This isn't always the case.

A typical 7 wood or 4 hybrid will have a loft angle of 20-23 degrees, depending on the manufacturer.

Most golfers with an average swing speed would be hoping to hit these clubs between 170 to 210 yards. The same golfer can expect to carry the 4 hybrid 10 yards shorter than a 7 wood. 

The 7 wood goes longer than the 4 hybrid in moderate swing speeds, because the shaft is longer in the 7 wood which creates more swing speed.

It is really key here to differentiate between moderate, average swing speeds of the average golfer of around 90 mph with the driver and a fast swinger.

A fast swinger over 100 mph with the driver, will hit the 7 wood and 4 hybrid the same carry distance because of the excess speed.

The Benefits of a 7 wood and 4 hybrid

7 Wood Benefits

I got a 7 wood because I wasn't happy with my 2 iron as an approach club, and I struggle to hit hybrids.

I use this club off the tee, for long approaches on par 4s and par 5s, and for tee shots on long par 3s. It's a great club for the purpose that it serves: a go-to tee club and a long approach club, especially if i need shot shaping over or around obstacles. 

The bigger club head and deeper face make this golf club more forgiving on off-center strikes. 

The size of the head is also gives you more confidence because you can see a lot of the face when you look down at the club, which makes you feel like you can make consistent contact. You will also launch the ball much higher than an equivalent long iron.

To summarize you will get:

• More distance on tee shots
• More swing speed
• More forgiveness

4 Hybrid Benefits

JMac from my YouTube channel carries a 4 hybrid and he uses it for lots of different shots. This one club is one of the most versatile clubs in his bag because he can use it for so many shots.

You can use this club for tee shots, your second shot (or third or fourth) from the fairway when approaching the green.

You can use it from the rough or fairway bunkers.

Hybrid clubs were known as "rescue" clubs and are made to be easy to hit from bad lies everywhere on the course.

It's easier to get the golf ball up in the air compared to the 4 iron, because the high loft combined with the more flexible face and encased body of the club creates more trampoline effect. 

The shorter shaft on a hybrid may be something that you prefer, especially if your swing is steeper - meaning you take deep beaver divots. The sweeping motion needed to hit a 7 wood might not suit steeper swings and can produce a lot of backspin, ballooning the ball in the air. 

I would recommend that the average golfer carry a mixture of hybrids and fairway woods. 

To summarize the pros of a 4 hybrid you will get:

• A higher ball flight
• A more versatile club
• Straighter shots
• More options for an approach shot
• A club for punch shots under trees

Which golfers should use a 7 wood or 4 hybrid?

If you're a mid to high handicap golfer, you could benefit from carrying at least one hybrid in your golf bag.

That could be the 4 hybrid but it may be the 3 or 5. Whichever you choose, will determine your fairway wood or vice versa. A 7 wood and 4 hybrid in the same bag might be redundant so pick one of the teo and build your fairway wood and hybrids around that.

But if you want to choose between a 7 wood and 4 hybrid you can consider:

Who should play a 4 hybrid: 

1. Golfers who struggle to hit an iron longer than a 4 iron but like the look and feel of an iron at address.
2. Most hybrids pull the ball right to left so if your ball flight is left to right, the hybrid can straighten your shot shape. 
3. If you're in the rough a lot, and need to hit punch shots or long low shots, the 4 hybrid will work for you.
4. Players who like a shorter more upright club as the hybrid has a shorter shaft
5. If you want to chip from dodgy lies much easier around the green, the hybrid played toe-down, with a putting stroke is great.

Who should play a 7 wood:

1. Golfers who like fairway woods but have trouble with 3 and 5 woods, and don't like long irons.
2. Players who like to adjust the loft - you can get adjustable models by certain manufacturers
3. Golfers looking for a go-to tee ball instead of a driver on tighter holes
4. Anyone who prefers a larger clubhead at address for extra confidence instead of smaller hybrid heads

We should get the most out of our 14 permitted clubs to allow us to score better and have fun on the golf course - always improving. Here's how you could add hybrid golf clubs or fairway woods to your bag depending on your skill level.

• Tour Professional: (1-2 clubs) 3 wood and a 3 hybrid/5 wood.
• Lower Handicap: (2-3 clubs) 3 wood, 3 hybrid, 4 hybrid
• Mid handicap and high handicap: (3-5 clubs) 3 wood, 5 wood, 7 wood or 4 hybrid, 5 hybrid
• Beginner: (5-7 clubs) Combination of fairway woods and hybrids, with irons starting at 7 or 8 iron

Conclusion

If you are a new player looking for the easiest way to enjoy the game more and lower your scores, both the 4 hybrid and 7 wood are easy to hit clubs, 

You can now buy a complete golf club set with a 4 hybrid included and it will be a great way to learn the game without having to hit long shots with temperamental iron clubs.

A 7 wood is always a good choice and you can purchase one separate to your set. Subscribers on my Youtube channel send me messages all the time about how much they love the 7 wood I suggested they get!  

Give both a try by hitting some blls with a friends club or at the shop - you never know, you might just find your favorite club of all time. 

You can't go wrong with either of these two clubs so get out on the golf course and see which one works the best for you. 

Last Updated on January 2, 2024 by Matt Greene

The 60 degree wedge can be quite versatile and give you a large number of shot types around the green, out of bunkers, pitching over obstacles and especially useful for partial pitch shots. The newer style of golf courses are often firm, fast, undulating and have bunkers all over which often makes a lob wedge necessary.

Having said that, a 60 degree lob wedge is a specialist club, and it takes time and a lot of practice if you have never owned one, to hit consistently with such a lofted club. When to use a 60 degree wedge will depend on your skill with the club. So below we look at when to use the lob wedge and when not to use it so you can actually lower your score while learning more about the specialist 58 and 60 degree versions of the wedge. 

Adding the right wedge to your bag can reduce your scores around the greens a lot. Let's take a look. 

What is a 60 wedge used for?

Both the 58 degree and 60 degree can seen as lob wedges. They are the two most common high lofts you see in the top of most golfers bags. You can use the lob wedge for a large number of shots and you will find that these shots all happen inside 100 yards. If anyone tells you they hit their lob wedge over 100 yards, then you can be sure these are not serious golfer. They are hitting the ball too hard.

That is NOT the purpose of a lob wedge.

60 degree lob wedges are for pitch shots and scoring by getting the golf ball close to the hole inside 100 yards. You can use the 58 or 60 degree wedge for bunker shots, pitch over bunkers, chipping, partial approach shots and flop shots. It is not a power club and should be used to save strokes in your golf game by hitting the ball close to the hole when you are inside a full shot range. 

What is a 60 degree wedge?

This club is sometimes referred to as a lob wedge. Lob wedges can come in lofts from 58 to 64 degrees, with 60 being the most common loft for this type of golf club. It is usually used for chip shots around the green.

Wedge expert Phil Mickelson made the high lofted wedge famous by hitting shots closer to the pin and with more spin than average golfers could imagine. A lob wedge will usually have a wedge bounce of between 6-12 degrees, again depending on player preference and course conditions. This club with usually be the highest lofted club in you golf bag.

Now we have the basics out of the way, let's look at what we'll be covering in depth in this article:

• When to use a lob wedge?
• Where can you hit a 60 degree wedge from?
• Should I use my 60 degree for every chip shot?
• How far should I hit my lob wedge?
• How to use a 60 degree wedge?
• Can you use a 60 degree wedge from bunkers?
• Who makes the best lob wedge? 

58 or 60 degree wedge - which is for you?

The choice between a 58 and 60 degree makes very little difference around the greens or in the sand. It usually comes down to personal preference and the perceived gapping of your wedges. There difference between a 58 or 60 degree is only 2 degrees of loft which might make a 4-5 yard difference on a full shot, but you don't want to hit many full shots with these clubs anyway. If you do want a 'lob wedge' in your bag, you want to choose only one - either the 58 or 60 degree, not both.

There are many combinations of wedges such as:

• 50°/54°/58°
• 52°/56°/60°
• 50°/60°
• 51°/55°/60°

What you want to achieve with your wedges is DISTANCE gapping. You can use any loft, and any bounce on the wedge, because the most important aspect of a set of wedges is you know how far they go so you can score when in range.

One manufacturers 60° might go further than another manufacturers 58 degree. Your 54 degree might be a reliable 100 yards, but you REALLY want something that goes 80 yards. You must fill that gap with either the 58 or 60 degree and the one you get depends on which one goes 80 yards! If you're a high handicapper, you want to check out which wedges you really need. 

When To Use a Lob Wedge?

Two options to use a lob wedge

1. Use the lob wedge for every wedge shot. To do this, you have to learn to manipulate the loft of the 60 degree wedge to imitate a sand wedge and gap wedge. (For expert players). To keep a shot lower, you have to play a square or closed face, delofting the club with your hands ahead of the ball. To hit higher shots, your hands might be placed in front or level with the ball and you have to open the club face. This increases the height of the shot for a softer landing. Pro Mo on my Youtube channel uses the lob wedge for all chip shots.
2. Have a standard wedge shot and change the club to suit the situation. This is the approach most golfers will take and they will use wedge lofts to meet their playing requirements for their golf game.I personally use my lob wedge for only certain situations: green side bunkers, pitch shots from 30 to 60 yards, approaches from 95 yards and some short-sided lob shots. 

Where can you hit a 60 degree wedge from?

• Tee (on very short holes under 100 yards)
• Fairway
• Rough (deep rough especially)
• Sand (bunkers)

Should I use my 60 degree for every chip shot?

Pros

I used to use my 60 degree wedge for every shot around the green. I played with a pro at my local golf club a lot and he would also use his 60° for everything. I believe that there is a time and a place for when to use a 60 degree wedge, but back in the day it was the only wedge I used.

The reason the pro used his 60 for his short game shots, was to remove complexity from the game. He was more comfortable using one club and then manipulating the loft as he needed it. He felt that this was simpler than using multiple clubs because he could control the flight and landing of the ball with the amount of practice he did. And he practiced a lot. A LOT. 

He would play back foot shots with a steeper angle of attack to generate lower trajectory wedge shots which stopped on the green quickly, and front foot shots which he would hit high in the air and land softly on hard fast greens because on the Pro Tour, that's how they make the greens.

As an average golfer, I tried to copy this approach as best I could and got decent enough using distance control with more loft or less loft. I could add spin when needed but I found the margin for error to be quite small with so much loft. The lob wedge is very tricky if you do not practice and KEEP practicing to maintain it. If your strike is not consistent and in the center of the face, you can often chunk and skull these shots.  

When I got it right, I could hit flop shots from sticky greenside rough and get the ball to stop on demand. I found that as I started working and had less time to practice, I lost the touch and feel with the 60 degree and reduced the number of strokes I used it for. Now it's purely a pitch shot club and bunker club or a club I use to get over obstacles when I HAVE to. 

Cons

I no longer use the lob wedge for every shot and I carry other clubs for specific shots. Many golfers will choose this approach as they find it provides a greater degree of flexibility to hit the ball from a wider variety of lies.

I now carry four wedges and use the 9 iron and pitching wedge for a lot more chips. These options allow me to chip it onto the green and it will run out to the hole consistently and reliably. I prefer this to the 60 degree because the 60 degree can be inconsistent with the spin rates if your strike is not perfect every time like a pro.

Some shots can spin more or fly higher or lower and spin less. You never know what will come out if you are not practicing heavily. I recommend practicing a lot if you want to use the 60 degree exclusively. 

I still use my 60 degree for a flop shot and bunker shots from soft sand. I will also use it for chip shots when I have to get the ball up in the air quickly when I'm short sided. I also find it a useful club to have when I have to have the ball way back in my stance for awkward recovery shots. This allows me to maintain some loft and get the ball on the green!

60 degree wedge lob wedge distance

Depending on your swing speed and ground conditions, you can expect to hit a 60 degree wedge between 60 and 100 yards. This will really depend on how comfortable you are hitting full swings with a club with such a high loft. While I used to use my 60 degree for every chip shot, I was petrified of hitting anything over a pitch shot for fear of thinning the ball through the back of the green.

I'm now comfortable hitting the club anywhere between 80-95 yards and many player's average distance will be in this range. It's important to state that I don't recommend hitting full shots with wedges. The lie angle of the club is exaggerated on short clubs and if you haven't been fitted for your wedges by an expert club fitter, you may pull the ball left. 

How to hit a 60 degree lob wedge

Using a lob wedge requires a different approach to other clubs in our golf bags. This is due to the bounce of the club. The bounce dictates how much of the sole of the club with interact with the turf when you hit your wedge shot. More bounce will help the club glide through tricky lies like deep rough and sand, and you will find this higher amount of bounce on your sand wedge.

FULL SHOT: You can use the 60 degree wedge like any other golf club on a full shot. Just set up as usual and swing. 

PARTIAL SHOT: You can use the clock system explained by Dave Pelz to add distance or remove distance and hit the ball closer to the hole when you're between 30 and 90 yards. Follow his lead, he is a great short game guru. 

PITCH SHOTS OVER OBSTACLES: A lot of players think that you need to always open the face extra wide. You can play the 60 degree as a normal chip shot, square club face. The loft is sufficient to hit the ball high in the air. If you do need to open the face, the one tip I can give you, is to open the face first and then grip the club with the face open. Do not open the face by rolling your wrists only. This is a top tip. 

A lob wedge will have less bounce to prevent the club from digging into the turf, resulting in a fat shot. this club selection is useful from tight lies where you can use the bounce to make cleaner contact.

Can you use a 60 degree wedge from bunkers?

Yes - using a 60 degree from the sand is a good choice especially if you need to get the ball up in the air quickly and land softly from the sand. The lower bounce will keep the club moving through the sand and prevent it from decelerating and the ball losing distance. 

As with any golf shot from the sand, practice makes perfect. If you have a higher swing speed, a 60 degree might be the only club you need for bunker shots as you will be generating enough power for the loft of the club to send the ball far enough onto the green. If your golf swing is on the slower side, you may need a variety of lofts and bounces on your wedges to get the desired results.

I personally use only my lob wedge from the bunkers - hard, wet, soft, fluffy, dry...you name it. 

Who makes the best 60 degree wedge?

There are loads of club manufacturers out there these days and many will offer a specialized range of wedges to suit most golfers. But who makes the best wedges and specifically the best lob wedge? 

Here's a list of the top companies when it comes to the best wedges to help you choose:

• Cleveland - Cleveland is known for making some of the best wedges in the game. Options for all skill levels. 
• Titleist Vokey wedges - made famous by Tiger Woods back in the day and trusted by countless players on the PGA Tour. 
• Callaway - Created by Roger Cleveland, the Callaway range of wedges includes the Jaws and Mack daddy lines used by Phil Mickelson. 
• TaylorMade - This company weren't always known for their wedges but they are now competing for the top spot. Used by all the big names. 
• PXG - Parsons Extreme Golf have exploded onto the golf scene in recent years. Their Sugar Daddy wedges are excellent. 

I think the best wedges for all players are made by Cleveland golf, but you will get a very good lob wedge from any of the golf companies listed here.  After you have sorted out the top wedge in your bag, you should seek when to use a 52 degree wedge as well as a gap wedge.

Final thoughts 

Anyone can learn to chip well. Hitting 300 yard drives might feel great, but it's not attainable for 90% of golfers. Being good at chipping and wedge play will save you shots on the golf course without a doubt. If you have real control over your golf ball and many different shots to get the ball on the green, you will have more confidence and enjoy the game more.

Learning to hit a 60 degree wedge will add another string to your bow and give you more options around the green. Playing with the extra loft can be a challenge and I would recommend a lot of practice with this club to master its dark arts. It's also OK to admit that it's not the club for you. Many golfers would be better suited playing bump and runs with a pitching wedge or conventional chips with a sand wedge over fiddly shots with a lob wedge.

Try one out at your local golf store or out on the course and see if it's right for you. 

Last Updated on February 4, 2024 by Matt Greene

Nearly half of all the golfers who keep a handicap, are mid handicappers. 

Let's take a quick look at what it takes to be a mid handicapper and what your game looks like compared to a mid handicapper, low handicapper and high handicapper. 

What is a Mid Handicapper?

A mid handicapper is a golfer who has a handicap index between 10 and 20. Because the handicap index considers only your best 8 differentials out of the last 20 rounds, a mid handicap is a reflection of your potential rather than your average score. 

Handicap index is a measure of a golfer's potential playing ability, with a lower number indicating a better player. 

Average golfer handicap

The average handicap in the USA for those who keep handicaps, is 14 .

What score does a mid handicapper shoot

The average 14 handicap golfer will shoot an average score of 90.  The average score does not reflect your handicap index though. Your handicap index is calculated using only your best 8 differentials out of your last 20 rounds.

The lower mid handicapper will shoot scores between 84 and 85 as a 9 handicapper. A higher mid handicapper will average scores between 93 and 95. We can estimate the score of a mid handicapper is between 84 and 95.

Type of mid handicap

Low to Mid Handicap

Lower mid handicaps have handicaps between 9 to 12. What is considered lower mid handicap is a golfer who scores between 80 and 90. Sometimes the lower mid handicapper breaks 80, but 9 our of 10 scores will be above 80.

Mid Mid Handicap

Handicap 13 to 16 make up the mid mid handicap range. Average scores here are always above 80, sometimes below 90 with most scores around the 90 to 95 range.

Mid to High Handicap

What is considered a higher mid handicapper is a golfer who scores above 90. Rarely, this golfer will break 90. Average score in the higher mid handicap is between 92 and 100 and a handicap level of 17 to 18. 

How does a mid handicapper play on the course?

• A mid handicapper hits around 3-4 greens in regulation per 18 holes.
• Mid handicappers swing slightly faster with more confidence than a high handicapper.
• Mid handicappers three-putt 2 or 3 times per round.
• Mid handicap golfers remain mid handicap golfers because they struggle with 2 out of 3 aspects of the game every round: either 1) tee ball, 2) approach shots or 3) short game.  

Areas of focus for you if you are a mid handicapper to lower your scores into the 70s:

1. Practice the game inside 100 yards 3 times as much time as the long game
2. Become very good at putting inside 5 feet by practicing 1 foot putts only
3. Hit a tee ball into a position from the tee that allows a second shot without penalty - very often not the driver
4. Understand the true distance you hit the golf ball, not the 1 in 10 distance.

Mid handicap off the tee

Mid handicappers either rely on their driver because nothing else works off the tee, or the driver breaks their games.

You don't need to hit a driver if it kills your game. You can play to a mid handicap without a driver. I would not suggest a 3 wood either though! They often perform even worse than a driver. 

If you have issues with a driver, try a 5 wood or a mini driver. These 2 clubs will get the ball in play safely and that can save you 6 to 10 shots a round because no OB and no water balls.  

Get the ball in play to allow for a stress-free second shot. You will make golf so much more fun like that. 

Greens in Regulation for a mid handicapper

Mid handicappers hit only 3-5 greens per round - not bad at all. 

You can increase your GIR, by solving one of these two issues: either your drive flies to short or you place yourself in bad position off the tee to approach with comfort.

The key is to GO FOR THE GREEN WHEN YOU CAN, and HANG BACK IF YOU CAN'T.

If you're out of range of your comfortable longest club, then you must lay back to your preferred pitch or approach shot. If you attempt to wreck the ball off the grass, thinking that you can add another 20 yards to your shot, you'll fudge it up. 

I guarantee, if you just get the ball close to your favorite distance if you're in trouble, you'll drop your score.

How do you position yourself better?

Understand the hole. If the hole looks tough, just add one to the par of the hole and change your strategy. 

If you can attack the hole, attack it. But never overpower a golf ball to 'try' attack it. Attack it well within the bounds of your ability. 

The approach shot distances are too long to allow for easy approach shots. Most often, mid handicap golfers will be hitting a 5 or 6 iron into the green and even a professional golfer only hits the green is 50% of the time with a 6 iron in hand. 

Getting up and down as a mid handicapper

Mid handicaps can slash their handicap by getting really good inside 100 yards. 

The average mid handicap player spends hours raking and smashing golf balls on the range with a driver but never touch the short game area. 

But you're not average are you? You're reading Golf Sidekick so how the hell can you be average? You are a baus.

Find out how to hit the partial wedge shot, how to chip, and how to get out of bunkers to truly become a great golfer. 

Mid handicapper Mental Game

Mid handicappers BIGGEST hurdle to better scoring is the mental game. It's purely about belief.

Mid handicap is where you're not a hacker anymore, but you're not lighting up the golf course. You're in limbo.

Biggest errors I help mid handicappers to correct that you can use now:

• Stop and think for 10 seconds before your shot. 
• Hit the club from the tee that will get you in play, no hazards, no penalty...even if that is a 6 iron on one hole.
• Play back form the hole by imagining what your next shot will leave you into the hole. Try set up your favorite shots.
• Play easy, stress free shots in the moment, whatever they are.
• When you encounter a hero shot, understand: there are not hero shots, only stupid shot. Change your shot - you are not Tiger.
• Wait for the rattle on your putts inside 10 feet. Don't even look up. Just wait for the sound of the ball hitting the bottom of the cup. 
• Play to the fat. Always play to the fat side of the fairway, the fat side of the green, the fat side of the lay up. Don't take on narrow shots with trouble all around. You're not a pro. Chill my boy.

Next steps

Players with a handicap between 10 and 20, shoot between 84 and 95 but can have the ability to break 80 on a very good day are mid handicappers.

You can learn more about breaking 80 in my guide or check out some irons for 10-15 handicappers, drivers for a 10 handicap, wedges for the average golfer and even some new golf balls for the intermediate golfer.

Last Updated on January 14, 2024 by Matt Greene

This is how you hit a hybrid: 

You set-up with the golf ball in line with a point 2 to 3 inches inside your front foot heel. You swing the hybrid the same as when you hit a 7 iron with a downward strike into the ball. You do not need to sweep the ball off the turf, you hit it the same as a 7 iron.

Dont's with hybrids: Don't try to lift the golf ball up into the air, because the loft and design of a hybrid is created in a way that it does everything for you. Trust the club to help pop the ball into the air for you.

A hybrid golf club is generally designed to stop the slice commonly associated with a long iron so you can expect a tendency to move the ball right to left when hitting a hybrid.

Where to place hybrid golf clubs in your stance

You should place your hybrid in the same part of the stance as a 6 iron. 

You can place the ball between 2 and 3 inches inside your front foot heel.

It will depend on you and there is a great way to test it out on the range:

Take 10 swings with the hybrid at the driving range without a ball. Merely try glance the club off the ground and pay attention to where the divot is in relation ot your feet. You can simply place the ball in the part of the stance where the divot is formed after your 10 swings.

You place the ball in front of the beginning of the divot you make. 

How to hit a hybrid off a tee and off the ground

There are minor differences between hitting a hybrid off a tee and hitting a hybrid off the ground in the fairway and rough.

A sweeping action can be better for the tee shot because the ball is elevated but be careful of that habit because on the fairway, you want to hit down on the ball like a 7 iron. The key is to work out how high to tee the ball to avoid hitting the ball on the crown of the club.

Hybrid golf clubs are made to get the ball airborne from both the fairway and rough – so if you’re thinking about hitting your hybrid off a tee, try not to tee the ball up too high.

Teeing the ball lower on the tee will encourage a consistent strike onto your hybrid so you can hit it from everywhere, including the fairways.

If you tee it too high, the club can go right under the ball and the golf ball can hit the crown of the club, sending it very high into the air. 

I suggest using some short tees, and teeing the ball up maybe half an inch above the ground to ensure you promote a downward strike onto the ball everywhere on the golf course. 

How to hit a punch shot with a hybrid

You can play a punch shot with a hybrid in the rough because the club head glides through the grass unlike a long iron which gets tangled. 

If you want to play punch shots with your hybrid try this:

1. Ball must be back of the stance (behind center is your ball position)
2. Put your hands ahead of the ball to help de-loft the club and promote a downward strike.
3. Keep your glove badge moving TOWARD THE TARGET. This will help keep the shot low and not top the ball.
4. Focus on that badge going to the hole and finish with the badge at worst, facing the sky. By focusing on that, you stop the flipping action which makes the ball pop up into the air. 

How to hit a hybrid out of the rough

Place the ball in the correct part of your stance for the best results:

If the ball is sitting down in the grass

Set-up with the ball behind center in your stance much like the punch shot above. Hit down on the ball and make sure you follow through and complete your swing without stopping the club head at the ball. It's tempting to jab at the golf ball, but the hybrid works best if you complete your full swing.

If the ball is sitting on top of the grass

Grip down on the club. Leave a half-inch to an inch above your hands on the grip. Hit a sweeping golf shot instead of directly down on the ball. The wide sole of the club will glide through the long blades of grass and more than likely will make the ball move right to left. So aim a little but right of your target.

How to hit a hybrid straight

If your ball position is correct (2-3 inches inside your front heel) and you hit down on the ball like with a 6 or 7 iron, you will hit a straighter shot.

The problems start when you try to add loft to the shot because you do not trust that the ball will fly into the air. It is common to try add loft because the club face looks so flat. If you try help the ball into the air with a hybrid, you will most likely slice the ball, left to right. 

In fact, the hybrid is probably the best designed club in the entire golf bag and are made with the sole purpose of making it easy to hit longer irons without needing a longer iron. 

Most of the time, a hybrid is draw-bias and will help you turn the ball right to left. That is the predominant shot shape associated with a hybrid. 

To hit a straighter shot, your swing needs to be on plane and your club face control needs to be created with a good setup - posture, stance, grip and takeaway. 

What is the easiest hybrid to hit?

The higher the loft, the easier it will be to hit. 

You will find the most forgiving hybrids  are made by manufacturers like Ping, Adams, TaylorMade and Cleveland.

You can get hybrids all the way down to 6 or 7 iron if you have trouble hitting those irons, and as always throughout the golf bag, higher loft is easier to hit than lower loft.

Why do I keep topping my hybrid? 

If you keep topping your hybrid, it is because of a few reasons. These are the most common:

Early extension and poor impact position:

If you stand up out of your posture before impact, and your left arm and golf club make a straight line before impact, it can be difficult to control the bottom part of your swing.

This means you actually get to impact position FRACTIONALLY too early and so the wrists need to flip the club around and if you don't...the bottom of the club collides with the top of the ball. 

Your best bet is to see a swing coach to help recreate the only universal thing in golf: the impact position. You can see my lesson on impact position in the video below:

Swaying off and ahead of the ball:

Swaying was one of my worst problems in my golf swing because it stopped me from turning back properly and turning correctly through the impact area.

My head would move way back and then on the way to hit the ball, it would move in front of the ball. This is a guaranteed way to top and fat the golf ball. The video below is my first ever golf lesson where I learned how to correct swaying:

Misconception of how a hybrid works:

If you’re topping the ball with your hybrid, it can often be due to mental errors, not only mechanical swing problems.

Most handicap golfers think they need to flip and scoop the ball into the air instead of hitting down and allowing the loft and club design to compress the ball into the ground to get the ball airborne.

The reason this leads to topped shots is because most mid handicapper or high handicappers will fall onto their back foot trying to scoop up and create an upward angle of attack. 

When you hit your hybrid, hit down on it like a 6 or 7 iron THROUGH the ball and not UP into the ball. 

Can I use a hybrid as a chip and run club?

You can and should use your hybrid around the green.

The hybrid is best used around the greens on tight lies when your wedge feels like you will thin it across the green.

When you are against the collar next to the green, the hybrid is easier to brush through the long grass. 

To play the bump and run shot with a hybrid, grip down on the club, near the graphite shaft, stand closer to the ball and make the club sit very flat and square on the ground. You use a putting stroke to execute the shot and remember to use enough pace to get the ball rolling to the hole. 

Should I carry a 5 wood or 3 hybrid?

5 wood vs 3 hybrid is a very common debate and they are indeed similar golf clubs in performance. They are played in the same place in the stance.

Both the 5 fairway wood and the 3 hybrid have similar lofts but the weight in the hybrid is near the face but the fairway wood has weight toward the back of the club head. 

The five wood in general will fly further and fly higher than the 3 hybrid which has a lower flight with less rollout. Overall distance is roughly similar. It just depends on what you prefer the look of and which you prefer to hit.

If you like the look of a fairway wood at address then the 5 wood is a good option.

If you like to look down at hybrids (with the smaller iron-shaped head), then you will like the 3 hybrid instead of a fairway wood.

Whatever you choose, you have to feel 100% confidence to execute great golf shots.

Why should I carry a hybrid vs long iron?

The decision to carry a hybrid vs a long iron depends on how you like the look at address and if you have a fade or a draw.

The other consideration is whether you can get a long iron airborne often enough. Nowadays, there is no need to struggle with golf shots because there is equipment made to make every single shot easier. 

I would suggest a long iron if you can hit the ball airborne often out the sweet spot, but do not slice the ball. If you do not like hybrids or woods, and prefer the look of an iron,, you should try irons. The long iron will tend to slice so if you can hit either a small, controllable fade or a draw shot, I would suggest the iron. 

If you cannot get a long iron airborne and carrying decent distances, then a hybrid is for you. If you tend to slice your long irons even if you can hit them, the hybrid tends to pull right to left.

Pros and cons of hybrids and long irons

Hybrid

The hybrid is suited to the majority of golfers from handicap 5 through to beginners.

Pros

• Easier to hit in the air than long irons especially for slower swing speed
• Skims through rough easier than irons
• They are easier to hit off the fairway 
• Engineered to get the golf ball airborne with lower spin than long irons
• Versatile to use as a bump and run club around greens
• Generally higher ball flight compared to long irons
• The clubface is forgiving so mis-strikes still travel great distances

Cons

• Keeping the ball low is harder because it's designed to elevate the ball
• Usually bought individually, not part of your iron set

Long irons

Long irons are still popular among lower handicappers and pros, but are slowly losing favor and are often excluded from iron sets, past the 5 iron. 

Pros

• Easier to work the ball left to right
• Long irons are easier to keep low when you need to hit a punch
• Low handicap players prefer the long irons because they have higher swing speed

Cons

• More difficult for most mid handicappers and high handicappers to hit than a hybrid
• Slow swing speed will find it hard to get the ball airborne and if they do, the ball won't go as far as their mid irons
• Long grass in the rough tangles the club head easily because of the sharper edges
• The slice is a common shot with long irons while hybrids tend to draw

Closing thoughts

Hybrids are a game changing alternative for a lot of golfers struggling with long irons. You don't have to soldier through the long iron struggle, losing balls.

They are so easy to hit from the fairway and rough and are versatile low chipping clubs around the green.

Ignore the lack of workability of a hybrid. You never have to shape the ball both ways. The key is to find your shot shape and use it to maximum effect, hitting your shots the best you can. Hybrids are for hitting straighter shots to make it easier for everyone and more fun, not for pro precision shot shaping.

Every beginner, high and mid handicapper should give a hybrid a try when they need some more distance above their longest iron in the set. 

Last Updated on February 4, 2024 by Matt Greene

Both the 5 wood and 3 hybrid are replacement clubs for long irons. 

They are much easier to hit than a long iron. 

3 hybrids were supposed to replace 5 woods in golf bags but 5 woods are as popular as ever. 

There's a good reason for that.

So let's get into the meat and potatoes of the 5 wood vs 3 hybrid debate.

Differences between 5 wood and 3 hybrid

Below is a video from my Youtube channel explaining the differences betwen a 5 wood and a 3 hybrid and how they work differently.

Shaft length

The 3 hybrid comes with a much shorter shaft length than the 5 wood which often makes the 3 hybrid easier to control.

5 wood shaft length: 42 inches

3 hybrid shaft length: 40 inches

Generally, a shorter shaft in a golf club makes it easier to hit straighter with more control. A two inch difference makes a controlling a ball with the 3 hybrid easier than with a 5 wood.

Loft

3 hybrids come with moderately more loft than 5 woods.

A club with higher loft and a shorter shaft will always perform more reliably than a longer club with lower loft.

5 wood loft: 16-19 degrees

3 hybrid loft: 19 degrees

The longer shaft of the 19-degree 5 wood produces more distance than a 19 degree 3 hybrid.

The extra 2 inches on the 5 wood shaft means you can generate more swing speed and the ball flies further, at the same lofts. If you reduce the loft on the 5 wood down to 16 or 17 degrees, the 5 wood goes much further than a 3 hybrid at 19 degrees. 

Club head design

The design of the 3 hybrid head comes from the look of an iron club head combined with the body of a fairway wood. It is a hybrid of the iron and the fairway wood. 

5 woods remain standard fairway woods, designed to prefer a sweeping swing action.

The sole or underside of a 5 wood is much larger than a 3 hybrid.

The smaller sole of a 3 hybrid allows you to hit down on the ball as if you are hitting an iron. Meanwhile, you must produce a sweeping action with a 5 wood, because of the larger flat sole of the club likes to glide through and above the turf.

Draw bias

The majority of 3 hybrids feature an offset hosel to help you stop slicing the ball.

The hybrid can help pull the ball toward the left side because of the design of the club face.  

If a 5 wood features an offset hosel, it can also pull the ball left.

Generally though, 5 woods often come with a neutral face.

Versatility

The 3 hybrid is a more versatile golf club. They allow you two more shots in your arsenal. 

3 hybrids can come in handy for: tee shots, approach shots, chipping around the green, and punch shots out of the trees.

5 woods offer you: tee shots and long approach shots only.

Should you use a 5 wood or a 3 hybrid?  

In my opinion most golfers should definitely play a 3 hybrid if they pick only one out of the two clubs. 

But I would suggest you put both a 3 hybrid and 5 wood in your bag for their potential in so many situations on the golf course.  

They serve similar purposes on long shots. The 5 wood has the edge for extra distance off the tee, and longer approach shot distance.

The 3 hybrid can perform both those function with 2 additional usages for the short game.

Technical factors of the 5 wood and 3 hybrid

Hybrid vs wood distance chart

The 5 wood will go 5 to 10 yards further than a 3 hybrid. At a moderate swing speed, a 5 wood carries 185-190 yards while the 3 hybrid carries about 180-185 yards for male golfers.

Is 5 wood or hybrid best for a high handicapper?

Hybrids have much shorted shafts, typically like an iron and most people would find an iron replacement easier to control and hit straight, especially as a beginner. 

The longer the club, the harder to swing correctly so a 5 wood may prove less controllable for you. 

You should try both because early in your golf career, you will establish quickly which you prefer: hybrid or fairway woods.

Next steps after 5 wood vs 3 hybrid

It's a close one to call, but I think most players should game the 3 hybrid.

It's very versatile piece of golf equipment and helps with a number of different shots on the course.

If you don't feel confident that you know how to hit a hybrid, a 5 wood is always a good option.

But check out the comparison between 7 wood and 4 hybrid which is actually more important for most golfer.

Last Updated on December 26, 2023 by Matt Greene

Both the 9 iron and the pitching wedge are important scoring clubs for all golfers. How do we know which to use for which situation on the course? The key difference between a 9 iron and a pitching wedge is that the 9 iron has less loft than the pitching wedge. What does it mean for your game? I'll explain with examples below.

These important clubs can be used for many different shots and situations, from full swings to chip shots and pitches. In this guide I will go through all of the ways you can use the 9 iron vs the pitching wedge and help you max out your skill level with these scoring clubs.

This is what we'll cover:

• What makes a 9 iron and pitching wedge different?
• When to use a 9 iron vs pitching wedge - shot selection
• What is the ideal shot shape?

9 iron vs pitching wedge what is the difference?

For most golfers, the 9 iron and pitching wedge will come as part of a set of irons and will look very similar. A more experienced golfer may choose to carry a specialist pitching wedge which matches their other wedges.

A modern 9 iron will be around 36 inches long and have a club face loft somewhere between 41 and 44 degrees. A modern pitching wedge with be a fraction shorter, around 35.75 inches and have a loft of between 45 and 48 degrees.

Key differences

The 9 iron in your golf bag will have around 4 degrees less loft than your 9 pitching wedge. As one of the golf wedges, the pitching wedge is a scoring club and will be used a lot around the greens. It will be used in different ways to your sand wedge and lob wedge and will have a lower trajectory.

Your 9 iron is classed as a short iron and will be mostly used for approach shots into the green.

It's vital that you get the gaps between these clubs right so that you don't have a bunch in your distances. Check the specs of your iron set and learn how far these clubs carry with a full swing and in other situations.

What degree is a 9-iron

The average loft of a 9-iron sits between 40 and 43 degrees but golf brands releasing irons with strengthened lofts of lower degrees. 

One such club is the Callaway Mavrik Men’s 9-iron at 36 degrees. That is about the same as an old-school 7 iron loft.

What degree is a pitching wedge? (Pitching wedge loft)

A typical pitching wedge today features 45 to 48 degrees of loft.

The minimum loft you will find on a pitching wedge is 43 degrees. Tiger Woods is rumored to have a pitching wedge with 50 degrees of loft!

When to use a 9 iron or pitching wedge - shot selection

Now that we've covered the basic differences between these two golf clubs, lets look at some scenarios when you would use each specific club.

Most golfers will be using these clubs from within 150 yards of the hole. That means that with a full swing with average swing speeds, they will be hitting their 9 irons between 125-150 yards and their pitching wedge 100-125 yards. Both the pitching wedge and 9 iron can be used for short distances and chip shots by employing the "bump and run" technique.

9 iron example

You are 125 yards from the hole. The green is slightly above you and you have the wind blowing into your face. The pin location is on the front of the putting surface with nor trouble behind. For this approach shot you would normally hit a full pitching wedge, but in these conditions you will need a lower trajectory and more distance. The 9 iron is the better choice here as it will guarantee enough distance without creating spin which will call the golf ball to balloon and come up short.

Don't get caught in an ego trap, and think you have to hit the shortest club possible for every yardage. Yes professional golfers like Phil Mickelson and Tiger Woods might be able to hit a 9 iron 160 yards, but do you know what conditions they are playing in? Ignore the PGA Tour hype!

Pitching wedge example

You have 110 to the hole from the fairway. The lie is perfect but the greens are hard. You need the extra loft of your pitching wedge to get the golf ball close to the flagstick. If you were to hit a softer 9 iron, the long angle would be too low and you might end up with the ball rolling off the green.

You could hit a full sand wedge, but there is the risk of a thin shot as you try to generate more distance. A gap wedge (50-52 degrees) could also be used in this situation.

Pitching and chip shots

Many people will choose to hit a chip shot with their 9 iron or pitching wedge.  I frequently turn to these clubs for a simple bump and run around the greens where you may have just missed the green and are on the fringe, approach or in the rough. 

Making a more rigid putting style stroke with one of these clubs sends the ball slightly in the air, but gets it rolling quickly  It helps eliminate a lot of issues you can get with a lofted club and is a great shot to add to your short game.  

What is the ideal shot shape?

Do you have a specific ball flight tendency with your short irons? With anything less than an 8 irons, my stock shot is a pretty straight flight which I find works as the distances I'm hitting with my short irons doesn't require me to work the ball.

I find it more difficult to shape higher lofted clubs and find I have to really think about hitting a deliberate draw or fade.

I would advise you too stick with your standard shot shape with these clubs unless you feel it is causing you problems with accuracy and distance control.

Sometimes a fade will create more spin and less distance but it will usually cause the ball to fly higher which can be beneficial.

A draw can be very useful for windy conditions to try and keep the ball low while not not losing distance.

The best thing to do is find your stock shot and stick with it.

What if I don't have a stock shot?

Every golfer will have a stock shot with each golf club, the key difference is repeatability and consistency. Better players can hit the same or similar shot over and over again and have confidence in their swing. Beginner or high handicap golfers don't have this confidence or consistency in their swing but they can develop it with practice.

The stock shot I think many golfers have is the fade (left to right). There is nothing wrong with a fade and I think it is less damaging and more repeatable than a draw for high handicap players.

Get down to the driving range and pick a target which is within your usual 9 iron or pitching wedge range. Try to hit 20 -30 golf balls with the same shape at the target. If you hit a fade, set up left of the target and let the ball come back. You have to trust your stock shot shape to be able to use it out on the golf course and hit shots with confidence.

Understand stronger lofts

I say "modern" in the article because in older golf clubs, the lengths were shorter and lofts were higher. I had a set of Slazenger irons when I started golf nearly 20 years ago, and the loft of my 9 iron was 44 degrees and my pitching wedge was 48 degrees.

Golf club manufacturers have strengthened lofts in recent years as the desire to hit longer shots has overwhelmed the world. They do this by using technology in the irons to making golfers believe the new golf club in their hands is adding 5-10 yards to their game. it is true - but the reason is because the loft is less than before. 

Where the modern irons especially for mid handicappers and irons for high handicappers really win, is that the lofts are indeed lower, but the ball flights are much higher than older irons. They engineer it so your 9 iron might go another 10 yards further with the stronger loft. But the flight of the ball is the same height as the older 9 iron which went 10 yards shorter!

I saw this recently with a friend of mine. He went to a big box golf store to try some new irons from one of the major OEMs. He couldn't believe that he was able to hit the ball 150 yard on the simulator with his 9 iron! Does it matter that the lofts are less? For most of the golfers in the world, definitely not! The irons have helped so many people enjoy golf more and more!

9 iron golf club distance

The average distance a male golfer will hit his 9 iron is 115 yards. For PGA Tour pros, its 159 yards. 

Pitching wedge distance  

The average distance a male golfer hits his pitching wedge is 100 yards. For PGA Tour pros, its 146 yards. 

10 iron vs. Pitching wedge

A ten iron is the same thing as a pitching wedge. The two terms are interchangeable but you are less likely to see a 10 iron in a golf bag these days. PGA Tour player Mav McNealy has a 10 and 11 iron in his bag! He doesn't chip with his pitching wedge or gap wedge so wanted those clubs to be treated as normal irons. Whatever floats your boat I guess! 

Conclusion

In this article we have shown the key differences between the 9 iron vs pitching wedge. What I want you to take away from this guide is that each club can have a specific purpose in your bag but it can also be used in many different and creative ways. Don't be too rigid in how you chose to use a pitching wedge or 9 iron out on the golf course and you will be limiting your opportunities to score. 

Last Updated on January 30, 2024 by Matt Greene

The 6 iron feels so different to the 7 iron, doesn't it?

It presents only 4 degrees less loft than a 7 or 8 iron and somehow can make you feel like you need to help the ball into the air with a scoop.

But I have good news for you. You just hit the 6 iron like a 7 iron! 

Don't know what that means? Fear not because I'll walk you through every aspect of the 6 iron from how to hit a 6 iron through to the loft, launch angle, and average distances plus much more.

The 6 core principles to hit a 6 iron better 

1. Pick a tiny target in the distance - aim small and you will miss small - but select a tree branch, something way above ground.
2. Control your ball position - play the ball where the bottom of your swing is when you take a divot.
3. Swing with trust in the club loft - the lower loft is intimidating, but pretend it's a 7 iron or 8 iron.
4. Learn your ball flight - do you curve it left to right or right to left? Aim accordingly.
5. Learn your carry yardage - how far do you truly fly the ball? Don't lie to yourself, be honest about your distance.
6. Learn to hit your 6 iron at the beach - if you can hit the ball off the beach, you will forever hit 6 iron well.

How to hit a 6 iron better step by step

Principle #1 – Pick a small target to aim at. Really small.

This is a concept I picked up from pro golfer Michelle Low in Malaysia. 

Your target must be as tiny as possible. The tip of the flag, the leaf on a tree or a window in a house in the distance.

You must not be able to reach the target you pick.

You hit to that impossible to reach target with a light heart because you know it's just a game.

What you don't realize and I hope you will learn, is that by focusing on some impossible to reach target but trying anyway, you eliminate all the trouble in front of you. 

This narrow focus shuts out background noise and allows you to concentrate on the target.

If you are struggling with your 6 iron dispersion, try this and it will help unconsciously focus your mind. It means you're not thinking about golf swing positions and mechanics. Just pick a target, swing and allow the the golf ball to get in the way of your golf club.

Principle #2 – Learn the low point of your swing with ball position (hit 6 iron consistently)

Ball position is a really simple fix that is fundamental to every golf shot, from hitting the driver to chipping and putting.

My ball position slowly creeps back in my stance toward my back foot over time. I catch myself every few months and need to change my habit.

Most amateur golfers struggle to control where the low point of their swing is so they hit the ground before the ball a lot of the time. It's one of the biggest differences between high handicap and low handicap players and you can improve it easily.

Having a consistent ball position with your 6 iron gives you a more consistent strike point and encourages a better contact with the center of the club. 

The most important thing when hitting your mid irons like your 6 iron is that your iron club head strikes the ball at the bottom of the arc.

In the picture above, the bottom of my arc with this 6 iron is inside my left heel. The camera angle is not 100% square but my ideal ball position is about 1-2 inches inside my left heel.

A ball position too far back creates a steep angle into the golf ball at impact and encourages a hook.

A ball position that is too far forward encourages a slice.

How do you find your correct ball position?

Go to a driving range, get a bucket but do not hit any balls yet. Get your 6 iron.

First start by hitting the ground with your normal swing. Don't try hit an imaginary ball.

Just swing your swing and try to clip the bottom of a daisy stem right out the ground. Notice and pay attention to where the club head is striking the turf in relation to your stance. You'll find that it strikes the ground in roughly the same spot over and over.

THIS is your correct bottom or low point of your golf swing with the 6 iron. Place the ball at the position at start of the divot and begin to hit balls again. by trying to nip the daisy stem out of the ground. I bet you'll start hitting the ball crisply. Remember the point is to get your club head to swing, while the ball gets in the way of your natural arc.

Drill that ball position

For the 6 iron (which is when you get into the long irons) I would broadly say that the ball needs to be slightly further forward in your stance so that you can get your weight forward. Again, this will mean different things to different players, but get to a driving range, and do the daisy cutting routine above. 

But once you know where your low point is, you must DRILL it into your body and your mind and your eyes. Once you're settled on the ball position you want, use alignment sticks to make a cross or a T-shape to know that every time you take a stance, you are in the correct position. 

Pro tip: Get a friend or playing partner to take a photo of your ball position from time to time to check where it is. Or get a tripod to film yourself. 

Principle #3 – Swing with confidence - trust the loft

As the loft of the club face decreases, golfers do strange things to get the ball into the air. Some will put the ball by their front foot and then attempt to scoop the ball into the air using a very wristy swing. This actually creates a big slice!

This isn't a very natural movement and could cause you to injure yourself. The 6 iron loft is around 24 to 28 degrees. I promise that the club has enough loft to get the ball in the air. You don't need to help it.

I also see many high handicap golfers decelerate at the impact area. This isn't limited to the six iron, I have seen this happen throughout the bag. I believe that this is because golfers do not trust the loft of the club to get the ball into the air. They have probably also had bad experiences hitting the ball thin. A lot of golfers lack the confidence about their swing speed to trust they can hit the ball with enough power. This is mostly a fallacy.

All you need to make a committed swing with enough swing speed to get the ball airborne. It's just science. In years past, golf clubs were hard to hit but with modern technology and new features, getting the ball in the air has never been easier. You can swing it with enough speed to get a modern six iron in the air. The backspin on the shot and the loft of the club combined with the grooves on the face will elevate the ball.

How to make good contact with 6 iron

If you struggle to get your six iron in the air, go to the range and make some swings off a tee. You can tee it high to start. You can work the height of the tee down. Eventually, you want to be clipping the grass or taking a divot, hitting the ball before the ground. 

Swing hard not fast

Now there is a BIG different between hitting the ball hard and swinging fast. Some would argue that you can never have a swing speed which is too fast, but if you've ever seen a player whiff a shot after swinging out of their shoes, I'd argue that you can swing too fast.

What players confuse is speed and tempo. Have you ever seen a top professional hit the ball up close. It looks effortless, but they will be generating some serious swing speed and club head and ball speeds. They are in control of their body and their swing and are able to hit the ball hard without making it look like they are.

Tiger Woods said "swing as hard as you can while guaranteeing a center strike on the clubface." I think too many golfers heard the "swing as hard as you can" bit and forgot about the perfect center strike part!

Principle #4 – Learn your ball flight

A lot of people will complain about their consistency yet hit the ball with a similar curve and height on every shot. The problem is that their RESULT is not consistent because they are not planning for their shot.

I don't care if you're a 2 or 20 handicapper - you must learn your shot shape tendencies with every club in your bag. As you get better at the game, these tendencies will become more uniform and predictable BUT, even high handicappers will have a specific shot shape with specific golf clubs.

Most players will begin the game with a bit of slice or fade shape and this is fine! I have seen many, many golfers complain about their slice and yet they hit the ball with a tighter dispersion than I do, they just don't aim for their shot shape. There is no shame in hitting a big fade to start with. 

As you get into the longer irons, you will notice that the shot shape may change with these clubs. The loft and lie angle may promote a fade so you must mindfully take note of the shot shape you hit and aim for it. 

A six iron may also fly a bit lower so account for that too. I will often use my six iron to punch the ball from under the trees, its a great way to get out of trouble. Mid handicappers can use their irons like this to get out of trouble to start breaking 90 more often. It is one of the most valuable shots. 

Principle #5 – Learn your 6 iron distance and carry yardage - Course management 

How far do you hit your 6 iron? 150 yards? 175 yards? Is that total distance or carry distance? It is really important that we differentiate between these two numbers, as many golfers think they hit the ball a greater distance than they really do. Carry distance is the number we want to focus on as it will allow us to navigate around the course and find the fairway and greens more consistently.

A 6 iron can be a potent weapon for the high handicapper if they know their carry distance. It is a great tee club as it will more than likely keep you away from trouble. You need to learn to hit a variety of shots with this club:

• Tee shots
• Fairway lay up shots
• Punch shots to get out of trouble
• Approach shots

The six iron can do all of these things. You could probably play a whole round with a six iron a pitching wedge and a putter and be absolutely fine.

Once you know your carry distances from a number of lies and positions, the six iron will be your key to success in getting better at golf.

Principle #6 – Learn to hit a 6 iron at the beach

This is a bonus concept on how to hit most of your irons crispy.

Take your 6 iron with you to the beach as well as 10 or 20 balls. Your job is to hit the golf balls down the beach with a center strike. If you hit it fat in the sand, you'll know about it. you'll adapt your swing to be able to start catching the ball before the sand.

This is easily the number one tip I would give to anyone wanting to pure their irons if they are hitting it chunky and inconsistent. I did it when I was 12 years old and 25 years later, it still serves me well on my iron shots. It's also a big reason why I like fairway bunkers so much.

Bonus tip - get a forgiving 6 iron and up

You can blend your iron set to make them easier to hit. You don't have to play the same model of golf iron in your whole bag. Most manufacturers make irons that are forgiving but also have even more forgiving models in their range. You can buy individual irons from them to make your 5 and 6 iron easier to hit - for example the Srixon range has ZX7 which are easy players irons, ZX5 which are even easier to hit and the ZX4 range which are the easiest. You can mix and match.

And if you find it's too hard to hit a standard 6 iron, you can always use a 6 hybrid! The golf club manufacturers make hybrids in all sorts of lofts. It's a good alternative.

Extras: Course strategy guides and how to articles

I have written a number of guides to help you break you scoring barriers on the golf course and become the golfer you know you can be. The most important are breaking 100, breaking 90 and breaking 80. 

Last Updated on December 26, 2023 by Matt Greene

Have you ever been out on the course and hear you playing partners use the phrases “pin high” or “hole high.” Did you have any idea what they meant? If the answer is no, then this article is for you.

Hitting the pall “pin high” in golf means that you have hit your golf ball on or near the green level to the distance of the pin. It’s a positive thing to achieve in many ways as it means you hit the ball far enough but your accuracy wasn’t quite precise enough.

What is a pin in golf?

The “Pin” in pin high relates to a common term for the golf flag. The term pin comes from the flagstick’s thin appearance on the golf course.

The term “hole high” means exactly the same thing as pin high and can be used interchangeably.

What does pin high mean?

Let’s paint a picture in our minds my fellow golfers. You hit an approach shot to the putting green. You pull the golf ball left and it finishes just off the green. As you walk up to the green you see that you’ve hit the ball the right distance, it is pin high and level with the flag.

You will often hear the term pin high said by playing partners to encourage you out on the course. Sure you may have missed the green, but at least you’re pin high! Hitting the ball the correct distance is part of the golf puzzle and you should be happy you have this part right.

Pin high is also relevant to the green in regulation statistic. You could miss the green by two inches to the right side for example, be pin high but that wouldn’t count as a green in regulation. Golf is a strange game, don’t blame me I didn’t make the rules.

Hole high?

As the pin sits in the hole on the green, pin high and hole high mean exactly the same thing. 

What Happens If You Hit The Pin In Golf?

If you manage to hit this very small target, don’t worry! You just play the ball from where it ends up.

There are positives and negatives to hitting the pin. Sometimes you want the ball to hit the pin as it will stop it from going over the back of the green or take some of the speed out of it flight. there are times however, when you think you’ve hit the perfect shot, only for the ball to hit the flag and ricochet off the putting surface. You win some you lose some.

All I would say is that having the pin in can act as a back stop, however unlikely it is that you will hit it. I also find the pin is a good thing to line my chip shots up to and makes the hole look visually bigger.

Rule Change About Hitting The Pin While Putting

Before 2019, if you were putting the ball and it struck the flagstick (whether it was in the hole or laying on the green) then you were given a 2 shot penalty. In these days you would always remove the pin before you or your playing partners make their putts. You could also have someone “attend the flag” for you, which meant they held the stick while you were putting then removed it before the ball got to the hole.

This led to silly situations where the pin might get hit accidentally and the person holding it couldn’t get it out before the ball got there resulting in a 2 stroke penalty for the player! Strange sport.

This rule was changed by the R&A in 2019 so you can now putt with the flag in. I find this new rule helps to speed up the pace of play and helps with ready golf. Putting with the flag in is second nature and I actually find it helps me be more aggressive with my stroke as I know the flag is there to stop the ball.

As with all rules changes in golf, some like it and some don’t.

Last Updated on December 26, 2023 by Matt Greene

Many amateur golfers and recreational golfers have heard GIR or Green in Regulation used but might not fully grasp its meaning. It's important to understand what is a GIR in golf so you can plan the holes during your round for lower scores. Let’s dive into this term and see how it could impact your own game.

Greens in Regulation Meaning

In golf, a player hits a green in regulation when their golf ball hits and remains on the putting surface of a hole in 2 shots less than the par of the hole on the scorecard. 

Par is the number of strokes a scratch player is expected to score on a given hole. The par rating is loosely linked to a hole’s length but their are other factors involved. For example, on a par four, an expert player is expected to take two shots to hit the putting surface, then two putts to get the ball into the hole.

With this definition of par set, we can now work out the green in regulation for each par rating. It’s simple subtraction based on the two putts we assume an expert player will take to get the ball into the hole once they’re on the putting surface.

• Par 3 – An expert or professional player would be expected to hit the green with their tee (first) shot.
• Par 4 – Our player must hit the green with their second shot.
• Par 5 – The player has to get the ball onto the dance floor with their third shot. 

For the green in regulation stat to be met, the ball must remain on the putting surface. It cannot be on the fringe or in the greenside rough. This stat puts a premium on ball striking and accuracy.

If a golfer hits the par 4 green in ONE shot, or a par 5 in TWO shots, he is considered on the green in UNDER REGULATION. 

For high-handicappers, obtaining a GIR is a real achievement. As you get better at the game of golf, you will most likely see your GIR percentage improve over time. Tracking these stats can be done in a number of ways. The basic way is to mark a GIR on your scorecard and then add them up at the end of each round. The most common way for many golfers is to use a golf stat tracking app, either on your mobile phone or through a golf watch.

If you hit a green in regulation, you have a better chance of making a birdie and if under regulation, an eagle. 

When is a golf ball considered on the green?

According to the USGA, Your ball is on the putting green. when any part of it: Touches the putting green. 

A little bit of the ball must touch the green. Then you can mark it and clean as normal on the putting green. Some of your ball can even be touching the fringe, but if it is also touching the green surface, you are considered on the green. 

Does fringe count as a green in regulation?

No, the fringe does not count as green in regulation. This does not mean you cannot use your putter to hit the ball. You should put the wedge or iron away and instead, putt the ball from the fringe for lower scores. Easy game!

What is a Good GIR Percentage?

A good green in regulation percentage is anything above 33% as an amateur which is 6 greens in regulation. Of course, GIR will depend on your handicap but any number of greens in regulation is good for most amateurs. A good GIR percentage for low handicappers is more than 50%.

How can I hit more greens in regulation?

Now that we know what this term means, how can we hit more greens in regulation? The PGA tour record is 69 out of 72 holes in a tournament, do you think you could match that?

Target par 3s

Par 3’s are the shortest holes on the golf course and present an opportunity to hit the green in regulation. You will be able to tee the ball up which will help you make clean contact with the golf ball and increase your chances on hitting the green with your first shot. Generally speaking, club selection on par 3s is limited so it reduces the complexity of the shot. Even a newer golfer could expect to hit a green in regulation with a shorter golf club in hand.

Get in play on par 4s

If you’re hitting your approach shots from the deep rough, you don’t have a realistic shot at hitting the green in regulation as an amateur golfer. Driving accuracy is key here. Most golfers choose the wrong club to hit from the tee box, so pick one which gives you confidence. You want your approach shot to give you the best chance on getting on the putting surface with your second shot. Remember to aim away from hazards like fairway bunkers. The more fairways hit the higher your GIR percentage will be.

Learn to hit it long! (strokes gained)

The big difference between amateur golfers and professional golfers is the distance they hit the golf ball. Hitting a par 5 green in regulation is much more achievable for pga tour players as they will be able to hit the green with their second stroke or be green side in two, leaving a short chip or approach shot into the green. Most amateur golfers will be hitting a longer club in the the green and will need to have good accuracy and distance control to hit the green in three shots.

By learning to hit the ball further, you are statistically increasing your chances of hitting greens in regulation BUT you must retain a high level of accuracy. Those who chance distance and only distance will sacrifice their short game and touch on the putting green.

Yes PGA tour pros like Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy can bomb it way past the everyday golfer, but they balance this distance with supreme short game skill. This strokes gained approach has become very popular in recent times but I don’t think it applies to average golfers.

GIR by handicap - greens in regulation stats

The scratch player is expected to hit the greens in regulation according to the par on the scorecard. As we described above, 1 shot on a par 3, 2 shots on a par 4 and 5 shots on a par 5.

It's very very rare for even a pro golfer to hit all 18 greens in a round. Scratch golfers may hit a few less than a professional and mid handicappers to high handicappers are all much less than that.

Below is a table of expected GIR by handicap 

Greens in Regulation percentage by handicap level

• 24+ handicap = 0 to 2 greens 
• 18 to 24 handicap = 1 to 3 greens
• 12 to 18 handicap = 3 to 6 greens
• 9 to 12 handicap = 4 to 7 green
• 6 to 9 handicap = 5 to 8 greens 
• 3 to 6 handicap = 6 to 9 greens
• 0 to 2 handicap = 8 to 12 greens
• +3 to +1 handicap = 10 to 13 greens 
• Tour average: 11.7 greens
  
  

Average GIR Percentage on the PGA Tour

The average GIR percentage on the PGA Tour is 65% according to the PGA Tour Stats section. In 2021, Cameron Percy was the best and he hit 72% of greens while Martin Trainer hit only 55% at the bottom of the rankings. 

PGA Tour Approach Shot Statistics (GIR Percentage) by distance of approach

Here we look at the green in regulation of PGA Tour pros from each distance taken from the PGA Tour Approach The Green Stats page:

200+ yards - 40% of greens. When pros hit the green from 200 or more yards, proximity to the hole is between 43 and 54 feet from the cup. This should give you hope! If you’re over 200 yards from the hole and hit the green, that's good because Tour Pros hit less than half!

175-200 yards - 53% of greens. Inside 200 yards, PGA Tour golfers hit just about half the greens with an average of 34 feet from the hole.

150-175 yards - 63% of greens. From 9 iron to 7 iron range, Tour pros hit another 1 out of 10 greens more the above and hit it a bit closer to the hole: 27 feet from the hole.

125-150 yards - 69% of greens. Despite this being GW to 9 iron range, pros hit it 23 feet away from the cup! This may sound surprising and it is. But it also means we should be less fussy when we do hit a green with our GW PW or 9 iron. Sometimes we get annoyed because we are not 6 feet from the hole!

100-125 yards - 74% of greens. Average proximity to the hole is 20 feet with a sand wedge, gap wedge or pitching wedge.It is surprising to see pros hit only 3 out of 4 greens from here but the pins are put in the most difficult positions on the greens!

Less than 100 yards - 81% of greens. Pros hit the ball to about 17 feet from the short range inside their sand wedge zone. If you can attain 80% of greens every time you have a shot below 100 yards into the green, you will be an elite player!

How many greens in regulation to break 80?

To break 80, you only need 6 or 7 greens in regulation. According to Golf Sidekick Triple 6 Sub 80 System, you only need 6 greens in regulation, and 6 up and downs to break 80 easily.

Conclusion

Hitting greens in regulation for recreational golfers can be a way to lower your scores, but it’s not the only stat to focus on. You hit the green but be far from hole and if your putting isn’t up to scratch, then you might end up with a worse score than in if you hit it pin high onto the fringe. Bring down your putting average, hit more fairways and more GIR will become a reality.