Golf Club Distance Charts – Avg by Handicap, Swing Speed, Age

Every golfer wants to know how the distance on their shots are stacking up against others.

As a former golf professional I was able to use on course experience, launch monitor and player data, and modern equipment analytics to put together these distance charts for your benefit. They’re based on real data from players.

Use these charts to help you become more accurate on the golf course and to address any issues you may have with clubs in your game that are underperforming.

You can also download and print a picture of each chart to take with you next time you hit the range or course.

Average Distance for Each Club by Handicap

Assume the range for drivers/woods is 10 yards +/- the average. For irons and wedges the range is 5 yards +/- the average. All estimates assume modern golf equipment with standard lofts.

Men

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Women

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Average Distance for Each Club by Swing Speed

The faster you swing your clubs, the further the ball will travel. This chart demonstrates how much an increase in swing speed will change the total distance of each golf club in the bag. Swing speeds are based on driver swing speed.

Men

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Women

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Average Distance for Each Club by Age

As you age, you’ll tend to lose swing speed anywhere from 3 to 5% per decade. The variables here include golfers that work on physical strength or practice swing speed increasing exercises. These numbers are based on average swing speeds within the age category. If you’re a senior and want to get even more granular with some distance charts, check out our other article here.

Men

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Women

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Additional Factors That Might Affect These Estimates

Although we’ve attempted to break out charts for various factors, here are still a few others that will impact the distance of the shots you hit on the course.

Precision in Striking the Ball

While the speed of your swing is crucial, equally essential is the precision of hitting the golf ball near the clubface’s center. A precise strike is fundamental for achieving the fullest distance.

PGA Tour players possess rapid swing speeds, and their shot distances are remarkably impressive. These distances result from their ability to nearly perfectly strike the ball at the clubface’s center.

Your Swing Dynamics

With excellent swing dynamics, if you strike the ball confidently and with better ground interaction, you can expect significantly longer distances.

Consider recording your swing to check for any issues that might be impacting your distance. Seeking advice from a PGA Professional, particularly one experienced with senior golfers, could help in regaining yards in your play.

Your Equipment

Using overly heavy golf equipment can hinder your swing speed and affect your performance.

Switching to lighter gear, especially designed for senior golfers, can significantly enhance your distance on the course.

Climate and Altitude Factors

In conditions of humidity, dense air, or cold, your ball tends to have a shorter flight. Conversely, expect longer distances in warm, dry, and sunny conditions.

My experience playing golf in Colorado has shown that elevation notably influences shot distances. A well-struck driver can yield up to 15 yards more than at sea level.

The Position of Your Ball

A ball in the rough can prevent effective contact, leading to shorter distances and lower flight trajectories.

When comparing your distances with those on our golf club distance chart, it’s important to consider the ball’s lie.

Course Conditions

On courses that are dry and firm, additional roll of 20 yards or more can be observed, in addition to your carry distances.

However, on courses with less frequently cut fairways, achieving similar distances can be more challenging. Numerous factors affect how far a golf ball travels, so don’t be overly critical if your ball doesn’t go as far on some days.

Your usual distance is likely to return on your next golf outing.

Brittany Olizarowicz

Britt O has been playing golf since the age of 7. Almost 30 years later, she still loves the game, has played competitively on every level, and spent a good portion of her life as a Class A PGA Professional. Britt currently resides in Savannah, GA, with her husband and two young children. Current Handicap: 1