How do I know what golf club to use?

Every golfer, from the weekend warrior to the seasoned pro, faces the same essential question before every shot: **Which club do I use?**

It’s a decision that can make or break your score, turning a potential birdie into a frustrating bogey. The secret? It all comes down to knowing yourself, your clubs, and the course.

Here's your guide to confidently selecting the perfect club for any situation.

1. Understand Your Own Distances

The most crucial piece of information is **your own average carry distance** for *each* club in your bag. A standard 7-iron for one person might go 150 yards, while for another, it might be 130 or 170.

• **Practice with Purpose:** Use a launch monitor or a reliable rangefinder on the practice range. Hit about 10-15 shots with each iron and wedge.
• **Calculate the Average:** Discard your absolute longest and shortest shots (the outliers). Average the remaining shots to find your true "**carry distance**" for that club.
• **Create a Yardage Chart:** Write down these numbers and keep the chart in your golf bag or on a dedicated app. This reference is invaluable on the course.

**Pro Tip:** Your carry distance is how far the ball flies *in the air*. Always use this number when calculating your club choice, especially when aiming for a specific yardage to clear a hazard or land softly on the green.

2. Analyze the Shot Conditions

Distance is just the starting point. Several environmental factors will require you to "**club up**" (choose a club that hits farther) or "**club down**" (choose a club that hits shorter).

3. The Role of Different Clubs

Your bag is a toolbox, and each club has a specific function based on its **loft** (the angle of the clubface).

• **Driver (Lowest Loft):** For maximum distance off the tee. Use when you need to cover the most ground, usually on a Par 4 or Par 5.
• **Fairway Woods & Hybrids (Low-Mid Loft):** Used for long shots from the fairway or a long tee shot where control is key. Hybrids are easier to hit than long irons.
• **Irons (Mid-High Loft):** The workhorses for approach shots. Your goal is to choose the iron that matches your carry distance to the pin. A lower number (e.g., 5-iron) goes farther than a higher number (e.g., 9-iron).
• **Wedges (Highest Loft):** Used for approach shots into the green, chipping, and getting out of bunkers. These clubs prioritize control and height (spin) over distance.
• **Putter (Very Low Loft):** Used exclusively on the green to roll the ball into the hole.

4. The Golden Rule: Swing with Confidence

When in doubt, choose the club that allows you to make a comfortable, **smooth swing**. Trying to *muscle* a shorter club to go farther often results in a poor strike and a shorter shot anyway.

It's almost always better to hit a slightly longer club with an easier swing than to hit a shorter club with an overly aggressive swing. **Consistency is key** in golf.