Among new players, one of the most frequently asked question is how long you are supposed to hit your clubs. All depends on things like the club you use, the ball, the wind, where you hit from: (fairway, rough, tee, etc), the temperature, your flexibility, your stiffness or lack of it thereof and most importantly how solidly you hit the ball and at what speed. Also whether you hit straight, a fade (left to right) or a draw (right to left).
Distances vary from one golfer to another. It is not too important to hit very far. It is more important to know how far YOU can hit the ball with each club. By playing golf you’ll find out if you are a long or a short hitter but more importantly you will know what club to use in each situation. You will also find out that the distances at the driving range are different from the distances at the golf course. The driving range is a controlled, fabricated environment. You are better off playing 9 holes than hitting a bucket of balls.
I found the below table with referential distances (in yards) for short hitters, mid hitters and long hitters.
Club | Men | Women |
Driver | 200-230-260 | 150-175-200 |
3-wood | 180-215-235 | 125-150-180 |
5-wood | 170-195-210 | 105-135-170 |
2-iron | 170-195-210 | 105-135-170 |
3-iron | 160-180-200 | 100-125-160 |
4-iron | 150-170-185 | 90-120-150 |
5-iron | 140-160-170 | 80-110-140 |
6-iron | 130-150-160 | 70-100-130 |
7-iron | 120-140-150 | 65-90-120 |
8-iron | 110-130-140 | 60-80-110 |
9-iron | 95-115-130 | 55-70-95 |
PW | 80-105-120 | 50-60-80 |
SW | 60-80-100 | 40-50-60 |