How Far Should You Hit A 7 Iron?
The 7 iron is an important mid-iron, so it’s crucial to develop your skills with this club.
If you’re wondering how far should you hit a 7 iron, I have some answers.
For men, the following distances should be expected:
- 120 yards (short hitters)
- 140 yards (mid hitters)
- 160 yards (better players with high swing speeds)
- 175-215 yards (professional golfers, PGA tour players)
Women should expect:
- 65 yards (short hitters)
- 90 yards (mid hitters)
- 120 yards (better players with high club speed)
Bear in mind that these are ballpark figures. Don’t get too discouraged if you don’t quite hit the mark. It’s more important that you know the golf club distance that you hit. Knowing your average distance will help you strategize your approach shots.
In this article, we will break down these averages further. We’ll also discuss iron loft and other key information.
If you’re asking yourself: “How far should I hit my 7 iron?” Keep reading and we’ll give you the answers you’re looking for.
The Beauty of the 7 Iron
The 7 iron is a mid-iron with an iron loft between 29 and 36 degrees. It is one of the middle clubs in your golf bag and it can be used for a wide range of shots.
The long irons (2-4) don’t typically see much air time, but as you improve your golf skills, you will find yourself reaching for the 7 iron often. Personally, I use this mid-iron way more than a 6 or 5 iron.
There are so many creative ways to use the 7 iron, so it makes sense to focus on this club during at least one driving range session. Everyone wants to measure driving distance, but tracking your yardage with a 7 will pay dividends in the long run. Experiment with different golf ball options as well.
If you want to really dig in, sign up for Trackman session so you can measure swing speed, club head speed, launch angle, loft angle and other key metrics.
Once you have data in-hand, you can better determine what role this club should play in your golf game.
For beginner and amateur golfers
With a bit of practice, amateur golfers will quickly learn to appreciate the 7 iron. This club is relatively easy to use and offers great potential for extra distance.
7 Iron Distance Recap
- Beginner men’s distances = 120 yards
- Beginner women’s distances = 65 yards
To improve your 7-iron distance as a beginner, there are a few things that you can do. For starters, line the ball up between the middle of your stance. In other words, you shouldn’t be in front of or behind the ball.
With your weight on your front hip, swing by rotating your hips and hit the ball at its base instead of the top or middle of it. This will help you maximize your launch angle and contribute to better carry distance.
Continue transferring your weight through your front leg and finish with your body pointing towards your target. Following these steps should help higher handicap players hit the 7 iron more effectively.
For intermediate golfers
Confused as to whether you’re a beginner or an intermediate golfer? The latter is defined as a player who shoots ‘bogey’ golf or a score of 95 across an 18-hole course.
7 Iron Distance Recap
- Average golfer men’s distances = 140 yards
- Average golfer women’s distances = 90 yards
Again, these are just averages. There can be variations due to the age of the golf club, attack angle of the swing, etc.
Intermediate golfers typically strike the ball better than beginners. Pair that precision with a decent clubhead speed and the result is better distances than the higher handicap players.
Practice is essential in golf. The more time one spends trying to master this mid iron, the more likely they are to reap the rewards. A golf tip or two for the intermediate player:
- Focus on accuracy and good ball contact first
- Gradually seek to increase your club speed
- Practice your 7 iron golf shots at the range until you hone in your shot accuracy
Muscle memory is important (just ask Rory McIlroy or Dustin Johnson), but it doesn’t happen by accident.
For advanced golfers
If you can play an 18-hole course and finish with an 82 score or better, you probably fall into the advanced category. My guess is that you already know what category you belong in.
Thanks to a finely-tuned swing and impressive ball speed, advanced golfers have ability to maximize the value of a 7 iron.
7 Iron Distance Recap
- Advanced golfer men’s distances = 160+ yards
- Advanced golfer women’s distances = 120+ yards
It takes time to reach this level of expertise, so don’t expect to be featured in Golf Digest overnight! These golfers are often on the course several days a week perfecting their swings.
How far do PGA Tour golfers hit a 7 iron?
So it’s unlikely that you’re going to reach the level of a PGA Tour golfer. However, it can’t hurt to know their average 7 iron distance, right?
Tour-level men can be expected to hit the 7-iron 175-215 yards while professional women have an average of 160 yards.
So how far should you hit a 7 iron?
Overall, the distance at which you should hit your 7 iron depends on your skill level. Most beginners will be able to hit the ball 120 yards (men) or 65 yards (women). The overall distance tends to increase for intermediate, advanced and pro-level golfers.
However, remember that the numbers we’ve looked at today are all averages. A beginner might get lucky and hit their 7-iron 160 yards, but they probably won’t be able to do it consistently.
When measuring your 7 iron distance, make sure you figure out your average distance. Don’t make assumptions based on a few lucky shots. You should go through this same routine with your sand wedge, gap wedge, etc to you know what club to use in every situation.
Homework Assignment
Go to the range (or find a tee area to work from). Hit your 7 iron at least 30 times before averaging out the distance. This should give you a good reference point to work from. If you’re having trouble, check out our article on How to Hit Irons Off the Tee.
