Understanding your clubs
The 6 clubs you'll use most around the course — how they differ, what distances to expect, and which shots to play with each.
When you're starting out, you don't need a full bag. These 6 clubs plus a putter cover almost every situation you'll face on the course — and they're the perfect foundation to build from.
As you develop your game and start striking the ball more consistently, you can gradually build toward a full set. The rules of golf allow up to 14 clubs in your bag. A complete set typically adds longer irons, a driver, fairway woods or hybrids, and extra wedges to fill the gaps in your distances. But for now — these 6 are all you need.
| Club | Loft | Beginner | Pro |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7 iron | 36° | 100m | 150m |
| 8 iron | 40° | 90m | 140m |
| 9 iron | 44° | 80m | 130m |
| Pitching wedge | 48° | 70m | 120m |
| (Gap wedge) | 52° | 60m | 110m |
| Sand wedge | 56° | 50m | 100m |
| (Lob wedge) | 60° | 40m | 90m |
Once you're comfortable with your starter set, these are the two clubs I recommend adding next.
A hybrid replaces your long irons and is much easier to hit than a traditional 4 or 5 iron. It's forgiving, versatile, and works from the fairway, rough, and even around the green. A great all-round addition that immediately fills the gap between your 7 iron and longer shots.
The driver is your longest club and is used exclusively from the tee. It takes time to master, which is why I recommend the hybrid first — but once your swing is consistent, a driver will add significant distance off the tee and make a big difference to your scores.
From 6 clubs to 14
Golf allows a maximum of 14 clubs. As your game develops, you'll naturally start to want more options for longer shots and specific situations. Here's how a typical full bag is built up — your starter clubs are shown in green.
3 wood
5 wood
5 iron
6 iron
8 iron
9 iron
Gap (52°)
Sand (56°)
Lob (60°)