Types of Golf Clubs
Also known as: different golf clubs, golf clubs explained, what each golf club is for, golf club types, golf club names, clubs in a golf bag, woods irons wedges and putter
Golf has five main types of club. Woods, the driver and fairway woods, hit the longest shots, hybrids replace hard-to-hit long irons, and irons cover mid-length approaches. Wedges are high-lofted clubs for short shots and bunkers, and the putter rolls the ball on the green.
The driver has the largest head and the longest shaft, and less loft than any club except the putter. It is used mostly from the tee. Fairway woods, such as the 3-wood and 5-wood, have smaller heads and more loft. They can be hit from the fairway as well as the tee. Hybrids mix a wood-like head with iron length and usually replace the longest irons.
Irons are usually numbered from about 3 to 9. The lower the number, the less loft and the longer and lower the shot. Wedges are the most lofted irons. The pitching wedge is usually the first, then come the gap, sand and lob wedges for shorter shots, chips and bunker play. The putter has a flat face with very little loft and is used on the green. Many golfers also use it from just off the green.
Under the Rules of Golf you may carry up to 14 clubs in a round. There is no minimum and no required mix. A common full set holds a driver, a fairway wood or two, a hybrid or two, irons, two to four wedges and a putter. Beginners often start with fewer. Exact lofts and lengths vary by brand and model, which is why distances differ between sets.
Tips by skill level
Learn three clubs well first: a 7-iron, a wedge and a putter. Most of the game can be learned with those.
Build your set around distance gaps, not tradition. Check the loft of each club and fill the gaps that match the shots your course asks for.
Example
On a par 4, a golfer hits driver from the tee, a 7-iron to just short of the green, a sand wedge chip to four feet and a putter to finish. Each club does a different job.
Why it matters
Knowing what each club is built for makes club choice simpler. It also shows what a beginner set really needs.
Common mistakes
- Assuming a higher-numbered iron goes farther, when it has more loft and goes shorter
- Carrying more than 14 clubs in a round played under the Rules
- Keeping long irons that are hard to hit instead of trying hybrids
- Assuming every brand's 7-iron has the same loft and distance
Frequently asked questions
What are the different golf clubs used for?
The driver and fairway woods hit the longest shots, hybrids replace long irons, and irons handle mid-length approaches. Wedges are for short shots, chips and bunkers, and the putter is for rolling the ball on the green.
How many clubs can you carry in golf?
Up to 14 under the Rules of Golf (Rule 4.1b). You may carry fewer, and there is no required mix of clubs.
What does the number on a golf iron mean?
It shows the loft order. Lower numbers have less loft and hit the ball lower and farther, and higher numbers have more loft and go higher and shorter.
Sources
Related terms
- Fairway WoodA fairway wood is a lower-lofted, larger-headed club, commonly a 3-, 5-, or 7-wood. It is designed to be hit off the turf as well as a tee, covering long shots between the driver and hybrids or long irons.
- Hybrid ClubA hybrid blends a fairway wood's wider sole and higher launch with an iron's shorter length and more upright lie. Long shots become easier to hit high and land softly than with a comparable long iron.
- Gap WedgeThe gap wedge, usually 50° to 52° of loft, fills the gap between a pitching wedge and a sand wedge. Some brands call it an approach wedge, or A-wedge.
- Sand WedgeThe sand wedge, usually 54° to 58° of loft with generous bounce, is built for bunker shots and short, high greenside shots. Its wide, high-bounce sole keeps it from digging into sand.
- Beginner Golf Club SetA beginner does not need a full 14-club set. A half set of seven or eight clubs is enough to learn with: a driver or fairway wood, a hybrid, a few irons, a pitching wedge, a sand wedge and a putter. Choose forgiving clubs with a shaft flex that suits your swing speed.
- Loft GappingLoft gapping checks that neighboring clubs, especially wedges, are spaced in even loft and yardage steps, with no big distance gaps or overlaps.
Related guides & benchmarks
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