How far should you hit your 7 iron?

Understanding golf club distances

For many golfers, especially those new to the game, understanding how far you should hit each club in your bag can be confusing. The 7 iron, sitting right in the middle of your iron set, is often used as a benchmark club when discussing distances. But the question remains: how far should you actually be hitting it?

Factors Affecting Your 7 Iron Distance

Club Technology

Modern 7 irons are often "stronger" than older clubs, meaning they have less loft angle. While traditional 7 irons had about 35-36 degrees of loft, many modern game-improvement 7 irons have lofts closer to 30-32 degrees. This effectively makes today's 7 iron more like yesterday's 6 iron in terms of distance potential.

Shaft Flex and Type

The shaft in your 7 iron significantly impacts distance:

• Stiff shafts benefit faster swingers but can reduce distance for slower swingers

• Regular or senior flex shafts help slower swingers generate more distance

• Steel vs. graphite can impact both feel and distance

Swing Technique

Your swing mechanics matter tremendously:

• A clean strike on the center of the clubface can add 10-20 yards compared to an off-center hit

• Proper weight transfer and rotation create more power

• Swing path and angle of attack influence both distance and accuracy

To find out more, go to our in depth video using the link below: